Military vehicles restored for parade
The Umvoti Mounted Rifles (UMR) has restored three of its former military vehicles for its national parade in celebration of its 150th anniversary in May.
IT’S all systems go, as the Umvoti Mounted Rifle’s (UMR) restores former military vehicles for a parade in celebration of its 150th anniversary in May.
The national parade means the regiment will be marching into two cities, Pietermaritzburg and eThekwini (Durban), with regiment flags flying high, bands playing, and bayonets fixed. It will consist of a marching column, horse mounted column and a vehicle mounted column, showing that the regiment started as foot soldiers, then rode horses and now have military fighting vehicles.
The regiment tried desperately to restore seven of its former fighting vehicles to glory which included a Buffel, a Marmin Herrington, two Ferretts, two Eland 60mm and a Eland 90mm, to celebrate its 150th anniversary.
According to Major David Quinton, UMR’s second in command, who took on the project, said after the Highway Mail published an article about the UMR wanting to restore its former military vehicles last October, they received many offers from companies wanting to assist in the project.
“Natal Re-Sleeving, Ace Gearbox, Ashley Motors, Bam Auto Electrical, Thor Shipping, Sebastian Steyn and Enertec Batteries have sponsored either equipment or their services. Our only challenge was finding specific engine parts for the military vehicles,” said Quinton.
He said despite his hope to get all the military vehicles restored, time was not on their side. The Elan 90 is almost ready. They just have to fit its engine in and start her up, but the Elan 60 will not be ready on time. The Buffel as well as the Ferret which is 80 per cent ready and just needs a little pipe in place, then the radiator and oil to start its engines, will also be operational for the parade. The Ferret has been nicknamed ‘Captain Jack Sparrow.’ The unit’s pride and joy, the Rooikat, will also join the parade.
The UMR is appealing to any technical high school or college to take on the Marmin Harrington MK4 as a project to restore. However, since the vehicle stood so long in the military, some of its parts like the radiator has been damaged.
“We also need paint, so we can have these combat vehicles looking brand new for the parade,” said Quinton.
The UMR will embark on the freedom of entry into Pietermaritzburg on Thursday 15 May at 2pm and also conduct a retreat parade assisted by affiliated regular force Armoured Unit 1SSB at the Royal Showgrounds in PMB at 5.30pm.
The regiment will hold its freedom of entry into eThekwini and parade through Pinetown on Saturday 17 May at 2pm.
They have also planned a golf day at Papwa Sewgolum Golf Course in Reservoir Hills on 16 May, which is on the unit’s official birthday. The game is a four-ball American Scrabble. Cost is R170 a player or sponsor a R1500 a hole or tee box (includes fees for two players). All players will receive a R25 halfway voucher, a prize and a choice of two meals and a dessert at the prize giving.
To book your place, contact Sergeant Major Raymond Kriel on 082 867 7790 or Ingrid Robertson on 031 700 1860.
