Today, 7 July, we salute and honor the following men who sacrificed their lives whilst standing in the defence of what they held dear at the time and against evil and tyranny.
SOUTH AFRICAN BORDER WAR
07 Jul 1976: 68505007BT Rifleman Leon Hendrik Delport from the Durban Regiment was accidentally shot dead at the Oshivelo shooting range when he took up a position behind one of the targets during a fire and movement drill. He was 23.
07 Jul 1980: 73487209BG Rifleman Johannes Jacobus Joubert from 1 Maintenance Unit was killed when he accidentally fell off the rear of a moving military vehicle. He was 23.
07 Jul 1981: 78209541BG Private Wayne Ivor Purdon from the Jozini Military Base was killed in a military vehicle accident between Magudu and Candover. He was 18.
07 Jul 1983: 79218343BG Lance Corporal Alexander John Tucker from 1 Parachute Battalion was Killed in Action when his Patrol was ambushed by combined FAPLA/Cuban force while operating in an area North of Xangongo, approximately 32km from Cahama, He was struck in the head by a bullet that killed him instantly. He was 19.
07 Jul 1983: 83890665SWK Rifleman V. Kamundiro from 202 Battalion SWATF was Killed in Action during a contact with enemy forces in Southern Angola. He was 19.
RHODESIAN BUSH WAR
07-Jul-74 S/Sgt Edgar Fouche HQ RhMP DOAS Died in Wilkins Diseases Hospital, Salisbury, of a pulmonary embolism. He was 35 years old and is buried in Que Que Cemetery. Listed on the Que Que Municipal Roll of Honour.
07-Jul-76 Rfn Richard Laurent 2nd Bn RR KOAS in a vehicle accident on the Filabusi/Balla Balla Road, Op Tangent. Died aged 23.
07-Jul-77 Rfn David "Dave" Barclay Spt Cdo, 1st Bn RLI KIA in a contact near Inyazura, Op Thrasher. Elements of Fire Force had been flown in by helicopter to engage a ZANLA position in a granite outcrop. Dave died a week before his 21st birthday.
07-Jul-78 Cpl Sidney Ashburner 2nd Bn RDR KIA in a landmine explosion, aged 28 years
07-Jul-78 Spr Proud Musarurwa 6 Comp Sqn RhE KIA in a landmine explosion.
07-Jul-79 Cpl M John - not his surname 2nd Bn RAR DOAS Pronounced dead in terms of the Missing Persons Act..
07-Jul-79 Gd R. Manesa RHQ Charlie, Op Repulse GF DOAS