Union Defence Force Entertainment Unit - Revision history

Ivor: /* Origins of the Union Defence Force Entertainment Unit */

2025-04-08T09:51:27Z

Origins of the Union Defence Force Entertainment Unit

Ivor: /* The Company's Equipment */

2024-09-05T12:08:43Z

The Company's Equipment

Ivor: /* Formation */

2024-09-05T11:33:16Z

Formation

Ivor at 10:19, 5 September 2024

2024-09-05T10:19:17Z

Ivor: /* Sources */

2024-09-05T09:22:05Z

Sources

Ivor: /* Segregated Entertainment in North Africa and the Middle East */

2024-09-05T09:18:58Z

Segregated Entertainment in North Africa and the Middle East

Ivor at 09:16, 5 September 2024

2024-09-05T09:16:15Z

Ivor: /* Performance Activities */

2023-08-09T10:12:04Z

Performance Activities

Ivor at 18:41, 30 January 2022

2022-01-30T18:41:49Z

Ivor at 18:37, 30 January 2022

2022-01-30T18:37:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:51, 8 April 2025
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	== Origins of the [[Union Defence Force Entertainment Unit]]==		== Origins of the [[Union Defence Force Entertainment Unit]]==

−	During the early years of the second world war the [[South African Women's Auxilliary Services]] ([[SAWAS]])[http://ivormarkman.wixsite.com/photojournalism/south-african-womens-auxiliary-services] organised voluntary "[[concert parties]]" (the name used to refer to entertainment units housed within military units) at the various military camps in the Union. From this came the idea of having a formally and centrally organised entertainment unit for the entire '''Union Defence Force (UDF)'''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Defence_Force_(South_Africa)]. According to Swift (1974) this was first suggested by a [[Colonel G. Newman]], who felt that entertainment was a vital necessity in the battle against boredom which inevitably existed in military camps in the Union. He was supported in this by [[Major-General F.H. Theron]], the UDF Adjudant General, and having found approval from Field Marshal Smuts, they appointed Major [[Myles Bourke]], the founder of the [[Pretoria Repertory Theatre]] and a well known amateur actor, as the Chief Entertainment Officer for the '''UDF''' in 1940. The Entertainment Unit's original designation was No. 19 Reserve Transport Company.	+	During the early years of the second world war the [[South African Women's Auxilliary Services]] ([[SAWAS]])[http://ivormarkman.wixsite.com/photojournalism/south-african-womens-auxiliary-services] organised voluntary "[[concert parties]]" (the name used to refer to entertainment units housed within military units) at the various military camps in the Union.
		+
		+	The Entertainment Section of the [[SAWAS]] at Pretoria had an arduous job at the beginning years of the Second World War as the number of military camps and units increased in numbers and size throughout the country. In Pretoria, the untiring Section-Leader in charge was Mrs [[D E Malan]] who made a tremendous effort to arrange for the entertainment of soldiers of all units. With her was a committee of hard-working and enthusiastic women who consistently came up with ideas for both concerts and fund raising events to cover their operating expenses. All these women undertook to arrange small functions to augment their funds. The Entertainment Section started small with only an occasional concert, but soon grew into a huge organisation staging at least three concerts every week. Two members of the section "got together" their own concert parties and they were always ready to be called upon at a moment's notice to dash out to some camp and stage a show.
		+
		+	The Pretoria section worked in conjunction with the YMCA and by December 1940, two concerts were arranged every month in both the "Hut" in Pretoria and at the Premier Mine. This meant extremely hard work for both performers and organisers, all of whom gave their services voluntarily. Chief among the section's expenses was that of transport. Sometime members would provide their own transport and, in many cases, bear the expenses themselves, but there were costumes and stage props which had to be kept bright, fresh and up to date, which also had to be paid for. A good sum of money was raised at a variety concert held in the [[Pretoria City Hall]], but this didn't last long and new plans had to be continually made to raise more funds.
		+
		+	Mrs Malan spent much of her time constantly in touch with commanding officers and was inundated with requests for concerts. She spent a great deal of time visiting camps and examining halls and stages where concerts were scheduled to be staged. Lighting facilities were tested and also the durability of the stages, for on occasions they had to bear heavy weights and hard usage. She always had the most willing co-operation and support from commanding officers and men. Arranging and previewing programmes was another time-consuming task and sometimes parts were "cut" out. At other times additions were suggested. Artists and organisers found their work thoroughly worthwhile, especially when their efforts were met with requests for more. At the end of the performances rounds of applause testified to the audiences' appreciation.
		+
		+	By December 1940, concerts had been held at Premier Mine, Engineers, Medical, Infantry Training; 6th Brigade at Kaffirkraal and 1st Brigade at Sonderwater.
		+	The section found it difficult to arrange entertainments at Roberts Heights (later Voortrekkerhoogte), where the beautiful, then new, town hall, lacked curtains and seating.
		+
		+	From this [[SAWAS]] initiative came the idea of having a formally and centrally organised entertainment unit for the entire '''Union Defence Force (UDF)'''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Defence_Force_(South_Africa)]. According to Swift (1974) this was first suggested by a [[Colonel G. Newman]], who felt that entertainment was a vital necessity in the battle against boredom which inevitably existed in military camps in the Union. He was supported in this by [[Major-General F.H. Theron]], the UDF Adjudant General, and having found approval from Field Marshal Smuts, they appointed Major [[Myles Bourke]], the founder of the [[Pretoria Repertory Theatre]] and a well known amateur actor, as the Chief Entertainment Officer for the '''UDF''' in 1940. The Entertainment Unit's original designation was No. 19 Reserve Transport Company.

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 The party was equipped with costumes, make-up, back and side curtains, middle tabs, props, irons, etc, complete public address equipment with gramophone turn-table and
 batteries, musical instruments with the exception of a piano; in fact they were fully equipped to perform anywhere where a stage, stage lights and front curtains were available.
 == Performance Activities ==

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 During February 1941, Major Bourke asked for the transfer of specified members of the Potchefstroom Camp [[Concert party]], which he had seen in their famous revue "''[[Springbok Frolics]]''",  which had contributed £3,435 to the war fund. They became the core of nucleus of the Entertainment Unit and consisted of [[Frank Rogaly]], who was made Chief Production Officer, [[F. Stuart Needham]], [[G. Marriott]], [[Lionel Roche]] and [[G. Walker]]. Shortly after they were joined by [[Arthur Swemmer]].
 The only commissioned woman officer in the UDF Entertainment Unit was Captain (Mrs) [[Sybil Gaiger]] who was transferred from the [[SAWAS]] to the [[WAAS]]. She was in overall command of all the women in the Entertainment Unit. Not only did she travel with groups overseas, but also traveled around South Africa on recruitment drives, looking for new entertainers to join the unit.
 == Performance Activities ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:19, 5 September 2024
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−	The [[Union Defence Force Entertainment Unit]] is a unit founded during the Second World War to entertain South African troops. It was also known as The Boomerangs.	+	The [[Union Defence Force Entertainment Unit]] was a unit founded during the Second World War to entertain South African troops. It was also known as The Boomerangs.

	Also referred to as the [[U.D.F. Entertainment Unit]], [[UDF Entertainment Unit]] or the [[Union Defence Force Entertainment Group]].		Also referred to as the [[U.D.F. Entertainment Unit]], [[UDF Entertainment Unit]] or the [[Union Defence Force Entertainment Group]].

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:22, 5 September 2024
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	Swift, M.1974. "The Union Defence Force Entertainment Group in South Africa (World War II)". ''Scientia Militaria - South African Journal of Military Studies'', [S.l.], feb. 2012. ISSN 2224-0020. Available at: <http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/935/946>. Date accessed: 24 May. 2015.		Swift, M.1974. "The Union Defence Force Entertainment Group in South Africa (World War II)". ''Scientia Militaria - South African Journal of Military Studies'', [S.l.], feb. 2012. ISSN 2224-0020. Available at: <http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/935/946>. Date accessed: 24 May. 2015.
		+
		+	"The Union Defence Force Entertainment Group in the Middle East", Scientia Militaria, South African Journal of Military Studies, Vol 4 Nr 3, 1974. http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za

	[[Ivor Markman]]. "South African Women's Auxiliary Services"[[http://ivormarkman.wixsite.com/photojournalism/south-african-womens-auxiliary-services]]		[[Ivor Markman]]. "South African Women's Auxiliary Services"[[http://ivormarkman.wixsite.com/photojournalism/south-african-womens-auxiliary-services]]

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 Those serving in North Africa and the Middle East made frequent requests for their own entertainment unit.
 Eventually a non-commissioned officer was assigned to gather available talent from the non-European base at [[Garawi]] (near Helwan) located a few kilometres south of Cairo.
-A lieutenant and two staff-sergeants were sent from South Africa to supervise the unit which was promptly named the [[South-Easters]]. Two more outfits, known as the [[Africa Star]] and [[Jabulani]] were also trained and sent to join them.
+A lieutenant and two staff-sergeants were sent from South Africa to supervise the unit which was promptly named the [[South-Easters]]. Two more outfits, known as the [[Africa Star]] and [[Jabulani]] were trained in South Africa and sent to join them.
 ==See also==

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:16, 5 September 2024
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	Among the individuals involved in the Unit who would later return to make an impact on theatre in the country were [[Frank Rogaly]], [[Gordon Mulholland]], [[Sidney James]], [[Elaine English]], [[Marjorie Gilbey]] [[Neville Phillips]] and musical directors [[Leo Quayle]], and [[Harry Rabinowitz]]. Among the shows put on were **. After the war, the Unit continued as *?? until it was disbanded in 1946.		Among the individuals involved in the Unit who would later return to make an impact on theatre in the country were [[Frank Rogaly]], [[Gordon Mulholland]], [[Sidney James]], [[Elaine English]], [[Marjorie Gilbey]] [[Neville Phillips]] and musical directors [[Leo Quayle]], and [[Harry Rabinowitz]]. Among the shows put on were **. After the war, the Unit continued as *?? until it was disbanded in 1946.
		+
		+	== Segregated Entertainment in North Africa and the Middle East ==
		+
		+	Even though apartheid did not exist until after the war when the National Party introduced it, racial discrimnination did exist in the Union Defence Force. Black, Coloured (mixed-race), and Asian soldiers served in their own units.
		+	Those serving in North Africa and the Middle East made frequent requests for their own entertainment unit.
		+	Eventually a non-commissioned officer was assigned to gather available talent from the non-European base at [[Garawi]] (near Helwan) located a few kilometres south of Cairo.
		+	A lieutenant and two staff-sergeants were sent from South Africa to supervise the unit which was promptly named the [[South-Easters]]. Two more outfits, known as the [[Africa Star]] and [[Jabulani]] were also trained and sent to join them.
		+

	==See also==		==See also==

@@ Line 49: / Line 49: @@
 When they played at El Daba, an Egyptian general came down to see the show and afterwards he said it was the only European entertainment he had ever enjoyed.
-The girls took everything in their stride, living under the same conditions as the men on active service - two to a dugout, with half a gallon of water for washing, cooking and drinking.
+The girls took everything in their stride, living under the same conditions as the men on active service - two to a dugout, with half a gallon of water for washing, cooking and drinking. Seventy costumes had to be ironed before each show, and conditions were sometimes very difficult.
 Fortunately she spoke fluent French, without which her task would have been next to impossible.
-When the "''[[Crazy Gang]]''" arrived, they found everything ready for them.
+When the "''[[Crazy Gang]]''" arrived, they found everything ready for them. Arrangements went without a hitch and they continued with their tour through the Suez Canal area, into Sinai, then across 300 miles of desert through Beersheba and to Tel-Aviv. From there their itinerary took them to Haifa, and they contacted all the camps from there up to Beirut, head¬quarters of the French Foreign Legion, and up along the coastline of the Mediterranean as far as Tripoli in Northern Syria. They came back over the Lebanon Mountains to Baalbek, then via Damascus to Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee and on to Jerusalem. Finally, they then returned over the Sinai Desert to Cairo. They travelled with three lorries to carry themselves and all their gear and they all took turns at driving.
-Where possible, Captain Gaiger arranged that they should spend sufficient time in important centres to enable them to see something of the country and its sights.
+Every member of the UDF Entertainment Unit had to be able to drive, and all the men were trained to use a rifle or a pistol. It was a hazardous trip and full of excitement, and the women especially had a wonderful welcome from troops who in many cases had not seen a woman for nine months. Where possible, Captain Gaiger arranged that they should spend sufficient time in important centres to enable them to see something of the country and its sights.
 Among the individuals involved in the Unit who would later return to make an impact on theatre in the country were [[Frank Rogaly]], [[Gordon Mulholland]], [[Sidney James]], [[Elaine English]], [[Marjorie Gilbey]] [[Neville Phillips]] and musical directors [[Leo Quayle]], and  [[Harry Rabinowitz]]. Among the shows put on were ****. After the war, the Unit continued as ***?? until it was disbanded in 1946.

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 The only commissioned woman officer in the UDF Entertainment Unit was Captain (Mrs) [[Sybil Gaiger]] who was transferred from the [[SAWAS]] to the [[WAAS]]. She was in overall command of all the women in the Entertainment Unit. Not only did she travel with groups overseas, but also traveled around South Africa on recruitment drives, looking for new entertainers to join the unit.
 Two more concert parties, besides ''[[Springbok Frolics]]'', were rehearsed at Bourke's residence. They were called the "''[[Gypsies]]''", who left on tour in April 1941, and the "''[[Crazy Gang]]''" (Unit No 3) (Swift lists them as the "''[[Crasy Gang]]''"), who left for a Union tour in May 1941.
@@ Line 85: / Line 87: @@
 == Sources ==
 [[Saturday Post]], July 26, 1947.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:37, 30 January 2022
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	The sight of “Public Sweetheart No. 1," with a rose over her ear, a tin hat and flowing draperies concealed beneath an army overcoat, was always certain to raise a howl of laughter; a tin hat over an Afrikaans "kappie" was another amusing spectacle, and so were the Charlie Chaplin boots worn by one of the girls in an old-fashioned circus number.		The sight of “Public Sweetheart No. 1," with a rose over her ear, a tin hat and flowing draperies concealed beneath an army overcoat, was always certain to raise a howl of laughter; a tin hat over an Afrikaans "kappie" was another amusing spectacle, and so were the Charlie Chaplin boots worn by one of the girls in an old-fashioned circus number.

		+	She could never get into the trench with them on, but had to be lifted in bodily and would lie on her back with her feet in the air until the alarm was past! An air raid in Mersa Matruh was always certain to raise hearty laughter.

		+
		+	When they played at El Daba, an Egyptian general came down to see the show and afterwards he said it was the only European entertainment he had ever enjoyed.
		+
		+	The girls took everything in their stride, living under the same conditions as the men on active service - two to a dugout, with half a gallon of water for washing, cooking and drinking.
		+
		+	Seventy costumes had to be ironed before each show, and conditions were sometimes very difficult.
		+
		+	Captain Gaiger left the "''[[Crazy Gang]]''" in Mersa Matruh with an itinerary that would carry them on for a month, and set out to pioneer the next stage of their tour through the Middle East.
		+
		+	She went by car from Cairo, through Sinai, Palestine and Syria with a driver and the chance company of a war correspondent.
		+
		+	On her way she contacted every South African unit outside Africa, as well as Imperial, New Zealand and Australian troops; she planned hotel accommodation, made arrangements for petrol, halls and general facilities.
		+
		+	Fortunately she spoke fluent French, without which her task would have been next to impossible.
		+
		+	When the "''[[Crazy Gang]]''" arrived, they found everything ready for them.
		+
		+	Arrangements went without a hitch and they continued with their tour through the Suez Canal area, into Sinai, then across 300 miles of desert through Beersheba and to Tel-Aviv.
		+
		+	From there their itinerary took them to Haifa, and they contacted all the camps from there up to Beirut, head¬quarters of the French Foreign Legion, and up along the coastline of the Mediterranean as far as Tripoli in Northern Syria.
		+
		+	They came back over the Lebanon Mountains to Baalbek, then via Damascus to Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee and on to Jerusalem.
		+
		+	Finally, they then returned over the Sinai Desert to Cairo.
		+
		+	They travelled with three lorries to carry themselves and all their gear and they all took turns at driving.
		+
		+	Every member of the UDF Entertainment Unit had to be able to drive, and all the men were trained to use a rifle or a pistol.
		+
		+	It was a hazardous trip and full of excitement, and the women especially had a wonderful welcome from troops who in many cases had not seen a woman for nine months.
		+
		+	Where possible, Captain Gaiger arranged that they should spend sufficient time in important centres to enable them to see something of the country and its sights.

	Among the individuals involved in the Unit who would later return to make an impact on theatre in the country were [[Frank Rogaly]], [[Gordon Mulholland]], [[Sidney James]], [[Elaine English]], [[Marjorie Gilbey]] [[Neville Phillips]] and musical directors [[Leo Quayle]], and [[Harry Rabinowitz]]. Among the shows put on were **. After the war, the Unit continued as *?? until it was disbanded in 1946.		Among the individuals involved in the Unit who would later return to make an impact on theatre in the country were [[Frank Rogaly]], [[Gordon Mulholland]], [[Sidney James]], [[Elaine English]], [[Marjorie Gilbey]] [[Neville Phillips]] and musical directors [[Leo Quayle]], and [[Harry Rabinowitz]]. Among the shows put on were **. After the war, the Unit continued as *?? until it was disbanded in 1946.