Today, 23 October, we salute and honour the following men & woman 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
23 Oct 1970: Five members from Quartermaster General (QMG) in Voortrekkerhoogte were accidentally killed in a private station wagon vehicle when it was involved in a head-on collision with a truck between Sasolburg and Parys while they were travelling home to the Eastern Cape on a Weekend Pass. The casualties were:
- 67447722N Rifleman Friederich David Warren Bloomberg. He was 18.
- Rifleman John Merwyn Albert Payne. He was 18.
- Rifleman Andrew John Hough. He was 19.
- Rifleman Leonardus Hendrik Botha. He was 19.
- Rifleman Roderick George Duncan. He was 18.
23 Oct 1978: 74512062BG Private Coenraad Hendrik Basson from 6 Ordnance Base Depot died in the Tygerberg Hospital from injuries received in a military vehicle accident at SAS Wingfield. He was 20
23 Oct 1981: 77229425BG Corporal Werner Oberholzer from 2 Special Service Battalion was accidentally killed when his Eland Armoured Car overturned during a training exercise at Zeerust. He was 20.
23 Oct 1983: Rifleman N. Riem from 201 Battalion SWATF was Killed in Action in a landmine explosion. He was 22.
23 Oct 1999: One member of the SAAF, four members of the South African Army and five members/family and members of civilians employed by the SADF were accidentally killed when their Atlas Oryx Helicopter, Serial No 1215, crashed just outside Kroonstad. Army members from Group 24, the Commando members, the SAPS and SAAF were busy with a crime prevention exercise during Operation Tsoha II and were stationed at a temporary base at Bossiespruit. The helicopter was taking support personnel on a short "thank you" flight and was on its third flight when the crash occurred. The wreckage was found near the bank of the Vals River. Fourteen passengers were also injured in the crash. It appears that a crew members flying jacket was sucked out of the open side door and struck the tail rotor causing catastrophic tail rotor failure that subsequently led to the crash. The ten casualties in this most unfortunate incident were:
CREW:
- 86411139PE Sergeant (Flight Engineer) Johannes Martinus Gysbert Richter from 19 Squadron. He was 29.
PASSENGERS:
- 88750286PE Captain Annelie Grove’ from Group 24. She was 29.
- 71303572PE Warrant Officer Class 1 Llewellyn Malcolm Lawrence Fortmann from Group 24. He was 43.
- 10882066KV Lance Corporal Moss from the Sasolburg Commando. He was 26.
- 10881083KV Rifleman Fusi Jonas Mtolo from the Sasolburg Commando. He was 25.
- 92730720CA Mr Mokhehle Jonathan, a Civilian worker at Group 24. He was 46.
- Master A. Molefe, a Civilian passenger and child of M.K. Molefe. He was 13.
- Master K. Molefe, a Civilian passenger and child of M.K. Molefe. He was 12.
- Mr Johannes Medi, a Civilian passenger. He was 45.
RHODESIAN BUSH WAR
1973 – L/Cpl Robert David "Bob" ANSTRUTHER, 10th Bn RR, died in a vehicle accident at a low-level bridge near Kemphaven Farm, Mt Darwin, Op Hurricane. Died aged 26.
1975 – Act Sgt Edwin David ABRAHAMS, 1st Bn RDR, died in a vehicle accident on Ardbennie Road, Salisbury. He was 30 years old.
1976 – Pte Julian Chinaka TARUSARIRA, 6 Pltn, D Coy, 2nd Bn RAR, died from a gunshot wound by "friendly fire" in the operational area. He was 21 years old.
1977 – FR Alick Bright MKORONGO, PR, BSAP, was killed in Wankie district, Op Tangent.
1978 – L/Cpl Mark Clive COLEMAN, Ldr Trg Unit, C Coy, Depot, RR, was killed in action.
† Their names and sacrifices have not been forgotten †
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