15 October, let us pause to remember these young men from our Generation who answered the Sunset call.
15 Oct 1960: P/20557 Air Mechanic Christoffel Lombaard Odendaal from Air Force Base Waterkloof was critically injured in a private motor cycle accident in Johannesburg. He was rushed to the Johannesburg General Hospital where he sadly succumbed to his injuries shortly after admission. He was 18.
15 Oct 1963: PX48839 2/Lieutenant Henri Andre’ Botha from 17 Squadron was killed when his Alouette III Helicopter, Serial No.35 crashed near Dullstroom in heavy fog while on a flight from Pilgrims Rest to Pretoria. He was 20.
15 Oct 1978: 78680338CK Corporal James Barnard Philander from the South African Cape Corps was Killed in Action during a contact with SWAPO/PLAN insurgents in Northern Owamboland. He was 22.
15 Oct 1978: 70292735PE Lieutenant Daniel Petrus Schutte Potgieter from the Danie Theron Combat School was killed in a private motor vehicle accident at Boshoff. He was 24.
15 Oct 1979: 76413947BC Lance Corporal George Henry Wolhuter from Air Force Base Pietersburg was accidentally shot dead by a fellow soldier while he was on Guard Duty. He was 19.
15 Oct 1980: 77390573BG Rifleman Johan Christiaan van der Westhuizen from 6 SAI sustained critical head injuries in a private motor vehicle accident at Wolmaransstad on 10 October 1980 while driving home on a weekend pass. He was flown by helicopter to 1 Military Hospital where he sadly succumbed to his injuries on 15 October 1980. He was 18.
15 Oct 1981: Two members from 4 SAI were killed in an accidental rifle grenade explosion in Northern Owamboland. They were:
77538353BG Rifleman Thomas Johannes Ferreira. He was 20.
78416906BG Rifleman Martin Johannes Lodewyk Kruger van Niekerk. He was 19.
15 Oct 1981: Three members from 5 Reconnaissance Regiment were Reported Missing while carrying out an operation on the Harare-Beira railway line near Doeroi in Mocambique, some 300 miles from the South African border. It would appear that there was a premature detonation while they were laying demolition charges that killed them instantly. Their bodies were later found and recovered by FRELIMO troops. All three have no known grave and remain unaccounted for. The casualties were:
80001589PP Lieutenant Alan Gingles. He was 28.
Rifleman B. Michael. He was 24.
Rifleman F. Tombo. He was 25.
15 Oct 1982: 81547176HF Rifleman Piet Bhayana from 111 Battalion accidentally drowned during a river crossing while on patrol in the Kruger National Park. He was 21.
15 Oct 1982: Corporal Servaas de Kock from 1 Parachute Battalion was accidentally killed while on weekend pass when his private vehicle was involved in a collision with an extra heavy articulate vehicle. The heavy vehicle, together with the multi-wheel trailers drove over the drivers position of his car, crushing it completely and killed him instantly. He was 20.
15 Oct 1989: 86716825HN Lance Corporal Joseph Montslo Moletsane from 115 Battalion was accidentally killed when his Buffel Troop Carrier overturned during a patrol in Mamelodi. He was 25.
15 Oct 1993: 91353938BG Lance Corporal Abraham Christiaan Duvenhage Robbertze from 1 SAI was accidentally killed when he was crushed between a military Mamba vehicle and a Buffel Troop Carrier Ezakheni near Ladysmith. He was 18.
15 Oct 1997: 94880549 Lance Corporal A.M.Mofokeng from 111 Battalion was killed in a military motor vehicle accident. He was 26.
15 Oct 2003: Corporal Barend Christiaan Triegaardt from 68 Air School was killed in a private motor vehicle accident. He was 25.
Their names and sacrifices have not been forgotten.