On 12 July, let us pause to remember these young men from our Generation who answered the Sunset call.
12 Jul 1954: Lieutenant David Hercules Van Heerden from the South African Medical Corps collapsed and died after suffering a fatal heart attack. He was 39.
12 Jul 1960: Pupil Pilot Wessel Louis Christiaan Nothling from Central Flying School Dunnottar was killed when his AT-6 Harvard 7017 stalled on the go around while carrying out forced landing practice and crashed near Springs. He was 18.
12 Jul 1973: 70479589BC Rifleman Abraham Frederik Greeff from 3 SAI was killed in a military vehicle accident at Rundu. He was 18.
12 Jul 1979: 77646552HO Lance Corporal J.L. Samutiki from 33 Battalion (Later 701 Battalion SWATF), attached to Sector 70 Headquarters, was killed when his Buffel Troop Carrier overturned near M’pacha in the Caprivi Strip. He was 27.
12 Jul 1979: 76580182BA Private Jochemus Johannes Prinsloo from 61 Base Workshop, died in his sleep after apparently suffering heart failure. He was 18.
12 Jul 1980: 80861370HV Rifleman T. Josef from 35 Battalion (later 101 Battalion SWATF) died from a gunshot wound accidentally sustained while stationed in the Operational Area. He was 24
12 Jul 1981: 74356502BG Rifleman Sydney Thomas Anthony Fritz from 6 SAI died of disease in Cape Town. He was 23.
12 Jul 1982: 81955924HX Rifleman Katopora Tjiharukua from 102 Battalion SWATF was killed when his Buffel Troop Carrier overturned near Opuwa. He was 25.
12 Jul 1983: 76468552PE Lieutenant Bruce Charles Chinery from 40 Squadron was killed when his Atlas MB326M Impala Mk I, Serial No. 477 suffered a bird strike that resulted in catastrophic engine failure shortly after take-off from Air Force Base Waterkloof. He remained with his aircraft to clear the built up area and crashed near monument Park. The pilot ejected just before the aircraft struck the ground but because of the high velocity and impact angle, when the ejection seat activated, he was ejected horizontally along the ground into the base of a tree trunk and killed instantly. He was 22. His Brother Private Anthony John Chinery from the Air force Gymnasium died in a private motor cycle accident in Pretoria on 30 July 1978.
12 July 1995: Airman Riaan Fourie from Air Force Base Ysterplaat died in Cape Town from causes unknown. He was 18.
12 Jul 1999: 94086972PV Lance Corporal Lekano Phineas Ntlhane from Far North Command was shot dead while making unauthorised use of a military vehicle after hours and the vehicle was hi-jacked in Seshego by persons unknown. He was 25.
Their names and sacrifices will not be forgotten