Eric Francis Mace (1913 - 1957)

Ancestors

Husband of Dorothy Agnes (Bailey) Mace — married 15 Jul 1939 in Durban, Natal, South Africa

Descendants

Died 31 Mar 1957 at age 43 in Durban, Natal, South Africa

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Matthew Mace [send private message] and Cathryn Kirkness [send private message]

Biography

Original information from paper family trees and records.

On one from Henry William Mace there is a photocopy of a newspaper article which is annotated "Extract from the Natal Witness, Durban, 1st April 1957" and reads:-.
DEATH OF COL. ERIC MACE.
The death occurred in Durban yesterday morning of Colonel Eric Mace who rose from the ranks to command the Natal Mounted Rifles. His death will come as a blow to his many military colleagues.
He was 43 and leaves a widow and two daughters.
He will be accorded a military funeral.
Colonel Mace joined the N.M.R. in 1932 in the days when the regiment was still mounted. He was a sergeant-major at the outbreak of World War II and went through the Abyssinian campaign.
He then saw service in Egypt and fought in the Western Desert. He left Egypt in 1941 to return to the Union for leave and a promotion course, and for a short while served with the Prince Alfred Guards, in which regiment he was commissioned.
When the Sixth Armoured Division was formed he joined it as a lieutenant and went back to Egypt and then Italy. He was a troop commander throughout the Italian campaign.
GIVEN COMMAND
After the war he rejoined the A.C.F. as adjutant of the Natal Mounted Rifles and was soon promoted to commanding officer, a post he relinquished three years ago. He was in command when the regiment celebrated its 100th anniversary of service in 1954. As commanding officer he received the freedom of the city of Durban from the Mayor on behalf of the regiment.
Even after his retirement Colonel Mace took a keen interest in the regiment and at the time of his death was chairman of the Natal Mounted Rifles Comrades Association.

Sources

• Paper family records.
• Form of info of death held by his Grandaughter.