Today, 11 November, 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
11 Nov 1980: 77461697BG Rifleman Richard Paul Baillie from 6 SAI died in 1 Military Hospital after being critically injured in a private vehicle accident between Queenstown and Sterkstroom on 03 November 1980 when his vehicle overturned. He succumbed to his injuries on 11 November 1980. He was 19.
11 Nov 1986: Two members from 8 SAI were killed when their military vehicle was involved in an accident at Prieska. They were:
- 852526260BG Corporal Nicolaas Ernst Pattenden. He was 21.
- 83500538BG Rifleman David John Fowler. He was 19.
11 Nov 1986: 84484683BG Private Johannes Hendrik Snyman from North West Command was accidentally killed at Vryburg after being crushed between a military vehicle and a trailer. He was 18.
11 Nov 1987: The following two members from 4 SAI attached to 62 Mechanised Battalion Group were Killed in Action while attacking enemy trench and bunker systems during Ops Modular. They were:
- 84422872BG Rifleman John Mark Howes. He was 19
- 83499764BG Rifleman Daniel Willem Hendrik van Zyl. He was 20
11 Nov 1987: Three members from 32 Battalion were Killed in Action during a contact with enemy forces in Southern Angola during Ops Modular. They were:
- 83717843SP Rifleman Ernest Ndala Kapepura. He was 25
- 81525891SP Rifleman Gabriel Dala. He was 26. (Listed on 32 Bn Memorial as C. Dala)
- 87715314SP Rifleman Fernando Mauricio. He was 33.
11 Nov 1987: 83504696BG Rifleman Pieter Marthinus Schutte from 4 SAI was Killed in Action during an attack on the FAPLA 16 Brigade Tactical Group South of the Chambinga River during Ops Modular. He was the driver of a 4 SAI Ratel 20, Callsign 12C and the Gunner, Rifleman Marius Johannes Mitton had just successfully knocked out a Soviet T-54 tank with their 20mm cannon when their Ratel received a direct in the drivers compartment from a Soviet 100mm High Explosive tank shell. Schutte was killed instantly but not knowing this, the critically wounded Mitton rotated the turret to a position to enable Schutte to get out of his hatch before he himself vacated the turret of the burning Ratel. Schutte was 20. Mitton was evacuated to 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria but succumbed to his wounds on 25 November 1987. He was 20. Both members were recommended for a posthumous award of the Honoris Crux for their unflinching Gallantry in the face of extreme danger and overwhelming odds. It is unsure whether the HC Decorations were approved or not.
RHODESIAN BUSH WAR
1969 – Col Sgt Walter Robert "Wally" FERREIRA, 2 Cdo, 1st Bn, RLI, died in a vehicle accident on the Widdecombe Road, Salisbury. He had been awarded the President's Commendation for Brave Conduct when he tried to rescue 2Lt Charl Viljoen from drowning in the Zambezi River near Kanyemba on 28 April 1968. He was 25 years old.
1979 – FR Francesco CUVA, PR, BSAP, died when he was struck by a passing vehicle at a roadblock in the Bulawayo area, Op Tangent. Died aged 48.
1979 – Pte Amon MOYO and Pte Leonard MUTANDI, of 3rd and 4th Maint, GSC, RhASC, both died from gunshot wounds received in a CT action.
† Their names and sacrifices have not been forgotten †
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