Colour Sergeant Heaven

Colour Sergeant Heaven was a soldier and performer in Cape Town circa 1862.

Biography

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

A non-commissioned officer in the British Garrison in Cape Town, he was the organizing figure behind the company of African Minstrels who were reported to have performed an interlude during a performance of The Miller and His Men and A Kiss in the Dark by officers and men from the 11th Regiment in the Barracks Theatre, Cape Town on Tuesday, 2 December 1862.

Though it is tempting to assume otherwise in this case, the rank of "Colour Sergeant" does not mean that Heaven was from an African corps of some kind, it is in fact a specific rank of non-commissioned officer found in several armies. It is likely though that his cast of Minstrels consisted of ensigns under his care. Historically, colour sergeants of British line regiments protected ensigns, the most junior officers who were responsible for carrying their battalions' colours to rally troops in battles. For this reason, to reach the rank of colour sergeant was considered a prestigious attainment, granted normally to those sergeants who had displayed courage on the field of battle. The rank of Colour Sergeant is higher than a regular sergeant. [1]