1 Special Service Battalion (SSB) was established on 1 May 1933 in Roberts Heights (now Thaba Tshwane). In April 1942 the SSBs long and illustrious career with the Armoured Corps started when it was converted to an Armoured Car Regiment.
In 1946, Special Service Battalion was resuscitated as a Permanent Force unit and reorganised on a two-battalion basis with the 1st Battalion as an armoured unit and the 2nd Battalion infantry. The former became a training regiment in 1953 (as 1 Special Service Battalion) and was responsible for the training of Armour soldiers, and played a major role in the Angolan/SWA conflict. The 2nd Battalion was renamed the 1 South African Infantry Battalion (1SAI) in 1951
