15 June, let us pause to remember these young men and women from our Generation who answered the Sunset call.
15 Jun 1957: Sub-Lieutenant Gerald Karl Becker from the Durban Naval Cadets was critically wounded during live-firing practice at the shooting range when he was struck in the head by a bullet ricochet. He was rushed to hospital in King William’s Town but unfortunately Died of Wounds in the ambulance while still en-route to the Hospital. He was 32. He is the only known Naval Cadet Officer to die in the course of his duties.
15 Jun 1962: PX/23850 2/Lieutenant Johan Andries De Bruine from 1 Squadron was killed in when his Canadair CL13B Sabre 351 crashed near Pienaarsrivier after a mid-air collision with Canadair CL13B Sabre 382 during a general flying training sortie. Canadair CL13B Sabre 382 successfully returned to Base and landed safely. He was 23.
15 Jun 1975: Rifleman Rumai Teteko from Alpha Group (Later 31 Battalion & 201 Battalion SWATF) was accidentally killed after being attacked and trampled to death by an enraged Buffalo while on Patrol in Southern Angola. He was 22.
15 Jun 1976: 727466 Trooper Christopher Simon Handel Skinner, a South African National serving in 1 Rhodesian Armoured Car Regiment, died as a result of an accidental gunshot wound to the head, sustained while stationed at Addams Barracks, Umtali. He was 24.
15 Jun 1977: Two civilians were shot dead in the John Orr Warehouse in Goch Street, Johannesburg by two MK Operatives, Solomon Mahlangu and Monty Motaung . A short while later, Security Police arrived on the scene and during a shoot-out with them, both men were arrested. Solomon Mahlangu was later sentenced to death and hanged in 1979 but Monty Motaung was found unfit to stand trial. The two civilian casualties in this terror incident were:
Mr Rupert Kessner
Mr Kenneth Wolfendale
15 Jun 1978: 75474528BG Bombardier Christo Loots from 4 Artillery Regiment was killed at Oshakati after being struck by a bullet resulting from an accidental discharge of a fellow soldiers rifle. He was 19.
15 Jun 1980: Lieutenant Johan Eben Keet from 42 Squadron was critically wounded after being shot in the chest in Oudtshoorn by a Staff Sergeant from Infantry School during an argument on 07 June 1980. He was flown to 2 Military Hospital in Wynberg but sadly succumbed to his wounds on 15 June 1980. He was 23.
15 Jun 1981: 70344411BT Rifleman Peter Andre Clifford Meyers from 6 SAI was accidentally killed after suffering severe head injuries when he fell 10m from a slide during training at Grootfontein. He was 26.
15 Jun 1982: Signaler (Miss) Annette Cronjé from 5 Signal Regiment, attached to 521 Troop was killed in a private motor vehicle accident near Boekenhoutskloof shortly before she was due to clear out after completing her two years of Voluntary Military Service. She was 21. Annette was the first female soldier to be accorded a burial with Full Military Honours since World War Two (1939-45). The Funeral Procession was 2km long as it marched through the streets of Pietersburg led by a Military Band and marching Women in Uniform from the South African Army Women’s College in George. Women in uniform also carried her casket.
15 Jun 1998: 75011734PE Warrant Officer Class II Desmond Alan Evans from Defence Headquarters was killed in a private motor vehicle accident in Pretoria. He was 39.
15 Jun 1989: 87216248BG Rifleman Hendrik Francois Frederick Venter from the Dog Training Centre was found lying motionless on the floor in the Transport Store at the Unit. He was rushed to the Sick Bay but was pronounced dead on arrival. It appears that he had accidentally choked to death. He was 18.
15 Jun 1992: Commandant David Michael Drew from 5 Reconnaissance Regiment died after suffering a fatal heart attack. He was 42.
15 Jun 1992: 87717682HN Rifleman Victor Mansrom Mahlangu from 115 Battalion was killed in a military motor vehicle accident when his SAMIL 20 overturned between Kwamhlanga and the 115 Battalion Base at Kwandebele. He was 23.
15 Jun 1993: 88344049BG Rifleman Johan Cloete from 8 SAI died from a gunshot wound accidentally sustained in a shooting incident at Boskop. He was part of a group busy with veld sweeping operations near Welbekend and on returning to their base at the Welbekend Police Station, they were instructed to make their weapons safe. It was during this process that one of the members accidentally discharged his weapon and Rifleman Cloete was killed instantly. He was 21.
15 Jun 1998: 75011734PE Warrant Officer Class II Desmond Alan Evans from Defence Headquarters was killed in a private motor vehicle accident in Pretoria. He was 39.
Their names and sacrifices will not be forgotten.