The Durban Light Infantry was a Mechanised infantry regiment of the South African Army, this has been changed to Motorised Infantry in line with the rationalisation of resources. As a Reserve Force unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Territorial Army unit or United States Army Reserve unit. The Regiment was formed as the D’Urban Volunteer Guard, in May 1854. In 1859 it became the Durban Rifle Guard. In 1873 it became known as the Royal Durban Rifles. In 1889 it became known as the Natal Royal Rifles (Left half Battalion). In 1895 it became the Durban Light Infantry.