HISTORY OF THE 1 MEDICAL BATTALION GROUP SA MILITARY HEALTH SERVICE

1 MEDICAL BATTALION GROUP SAMHS The Group was established in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa, as the Natal Volunteer Medical Corps in 1899. It consisted primarily of the ambulance detachments of the local KZN Units which were started earlier, in 1895. In 1904 the group was renamed Natal Medical Corps, later in SAMC: 2nd Field Amb., 2nd Mounted Bde. FA, 5th MBFA, 1st FA. 17 FA raised 1940. 1 Field Ambulance & 17 Field Ambulance amalgamated in 1981 to form what is now known as 1 Medical Battalion. The Unit has been wearing the MacKenzie Tartan since 1939 after the death of Dr. (Lieutenant, later Colonel) Archibald Mackenzie, MD, FRCS (Edin.), MO to Durban Light Infantry. OC and Hon. Col. of 1 Field Ambulance, SAMC, successor to the Natal Volunteer Medical Corps.(Left) Doctor Archibald Mackenzie

The full kilted uniform and Pipe Band were adopted in 1990. Below is a photo of the band and Colour Party taken in 1990.

Band and Colour Party

Through the years the band has seen the role of Pipe Major change four times. P/M Mike Patterson was the origional band's Pipe Major and lead the band for a period of 2 years from 1990 to 1992. In 1992 the position was taken over by P/M Ian Dunsmore who stayed on for a year before immigrating to the UK.

The Origional 1 Med Pipe Band (1991)

When Ian Dunsmore left, P/M John Nel took over the role of Pipe Major for a year until the end of the competition season in 1994. Sean Overall was the next piper to assume the leadership role and did so successfully for seven years before eventually handing over to our present day P/M, Thomas Fuller.

Natal Scottish Gathering 1998

Benoni Gathering 2001

After the 2000 season P/M Thomas Fuller took over the role of Pipe Major and has since successfully lead the band from strength to strength. After a successful season in 2002, where the band competed in the Grade 4 division of the PBASA, we were upgraded to our current status of Grade 3. The band has proceded to perform well in this grade in both the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Below is a photo of the band in full dress uniform outside Duban Light Infantry in 2002.

The band at DLI in 2002

Below is a photo of the band taken at the South Coast Gathering in Amanzimtoti in 2004. This is the band which played at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and World Pipeband Championships in August 2004. Clearly the band and digital photography have come a long way!

2006/2007 We are now running 3 bands. A Grade3-, Grade4- and Novice Juvenile band.



Grade3 Band at Benoni Highland Gathering 2007





Grade4 Band at Benoni Highland Gathering 2007