Collar badge, Indian and Malay Corps, 1940-1942

Brass badge with five pointed device over a circlet bearing the unit initials, 'IMC'.

South Africa's Union Defence Force's Non-European Services, formed in 1940, comprised of the Native Military Corps (recruited from the Black South African population), the Cape Corps (drawn from South Africa's multi-ethnic, non-white population and the Indian and Malay Corps (drawn from the Indian and Malay communities in South Africa). The Malay and Indian Corps was absorbed into the Cape Corps in 1942. The Corps operated as a service corps, with pioneer and transport elements, and was expanded to include motorised infantry, used for non-combatant roles such as guarding prisoners of war. The Corps was disbanded at the end of World War Two (1939-1945).

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.