The South African
Military History Society
Die Suid-Afrikaanse Krygshistoriese Vereniging


Military History Journal
Vol 7 No 3 - June 1987

Retirement of Col G R Duxbury, JCD, FSAMA,
as Director of the SA National Museum of Military History

In April 1987 Col G R Duxbury, JCD, FSAMA, retired as Director of the SA National Museum of Military History, after 39 years of service He joined the Museum in 1948 (one year after its foundation) and became Director in 1951. Born in 1917, he served for 15 years on the Council of the Southern African Museums Association (SAMA) and was President of the Association (1966-1968,1975-1977, 1983-1985). Prior to his retirement he was elected a Fellow of the Association (FSAMA). Col Duxbury formerly served as Officer Commanding Westpark Commando (now designated Sandton Commando) (being the founder of that unit).

His awards include: the Order of the Star of South Africa, in the rank of Commander (Class III: Non-military Division), the John Chard Decoration (JCD), the South African Defence Force Good Service Medal (Gold: 30 years service) and the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953. He is the author of The Battle of Magersfontein (1974) and David and Goliath (1981), the latter work being a study of the First South African War of Independence 1880-1881; as well as several articles in specialist military history journals (notably the Military History Journal). He actively encouraged the founding of the Military History Society of South Africa in 1966 (the Museum having been consistently the venue of its monthly lectures) and has lent the Society his keen support during the past 20 years; having been a frequent speaker at the Museum's battlefield tours, including that of Majuba in February 1981, commemorating the anniversary of the First South African War of Independence 1880-1881. Col Duxbury has also served as Chairman of the Military Art Advisory Board and advised on the development of the museum service in Malawi.

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