61 Mech memorial needle, memorabilia and museum items | News | 61 Mech

Different bases and different roles for 61 Mech Battalion Group during the 27 years of its existence

The history of 61 Mech Battalion Group spans almost 27 years, and during this team this unit was based at Tsumeb/Omuthiya, Walvisbay and Lohathla.

During this time the role of 61 Mech Battalion Group also changed from being used in conventional warfare, COIN and training roles.

The 61 Mech veterans who served at the different bases and during the different roles of 61 Mech will have different memories of their time with the unit, but all of these contributed to what made this such a special unit.

This is why we are keen to record the stories, photos and experiences of all the different 61 Mech veterans on our member site, because that will complete the diverse story of 61 Mech.

Traditions and memorabilia must be recorded and preserved

Each base and each role also brought its own traditions and memorabilia, and it will be prudent to consolidate the 61 Mech memorial needle, memorabilia and museum items at a central point where it will be professionally maintained and readily accessible to the members of the general public, military historians, current SANDF members, former SADF members and obviously also to 61 Mech veterans.

Preservation of the 61 Mech memorial needle, memorabilia and museum items

The 61 Mech Veterans Association is keen to be involved with the preservation of the 61 Mech memorial needle, memorabilia and museum items.

The memorial needle is currently om display at the Army Battle School at Lohathla while the memorabilia and museum items are in the custody of 1 SAI at Tempe, Bloemfontein.

61 Mech Veterans Association Museum Committee

The 61 Mech Veterans Association has recently established a museum committee which will liase with the authorities to find ways and means in which the 61 Mech Veterans Association can assist with and take care of the 61 Mech memorial needle, memorabilia and museum items.

61 Mech veterans are invited to become involved with the museum iniative

If you as a 61 Mech veteran wish to become involved with this 61 Mech Veterans Association museum initiative, you will find more details in a news item that was published on our member site.You will also see who are involved already, and you can choose exactly where you can contribute to this effort.

If you feel like contributing financially to the efforts of the 61 Mech Veterans Association Museum Committee, you can make a deposit into our bank account with a clear reference – museum.

You can mail as at admin@61Mech.org.za to obtain the bank details of the 61 Mech Veterans Association, but it will also be available on our member site.