21 August, let us pause for a minute to remember the following young men from our Generation who answered the Sunset call.
21 Aug 1965: 63098305E Air Mechanic James Roland Bolzern from 3 Satellite Radar Station died from a gunshot wound accidentally sustained in a shooting incident at Mafeking. He was 24.
21 Aug 1973: Four members from 85 Advanced Flying School were killed when Atlas MB326M Impala Mk I, Serial No. 529 was involved in a mid-air collision with Atlas MB326M Impala Mk I, Serial No. 553 during a training exercise near Pietersburg. The casualties were:
Atlas MB326M Impala Mk I, Serial No. 529:
05563861E Captain (Instructor) Christiaan Lemmer Smith from 4 Squadron. He was 29.
66400839KV 2/Lieutenant (Pilot under Instruction) David Lanian James Snadden from 101 Air Commando Squadron. He was 22.
Atlas MB326M Impala Mk I, Serial No. 553:
01506492E Captain (Instructor) Frans Reitz van Zyl. He was 29.
64411729E 2/Lieutenant (Pilot under Instruction) Clifford Yates. He was 23.
21 Aug 1976: 74411802BG Rifleman Dale Robert Whitter from 2 SAI died from a gunshot wound accidentally sustained at the Farm "Woodholme No. 202". He was 18.
21 Aug 1978: 73565897BT Rifleman Jacobus Alwyn van der Berg from the Kaffrarian Rifles died from a gunshot wound accidentally sustained at Oshakati due to the accidental discharge of a fellow soldiers rifle. He was 25.
21 Aug 1981: 78492576PE Rifleman Jan Jacobus Minnie from the Infantry School was accidentally killed when he inadvertently used a dud high explosive mortar bomb as a hammer, causing the device to explode, killing him instantly. He was 18.
21 Aug 1986: 69493930PE Staff Sergeant Johannes Petrus van Niekerk from Sector 20 Headquarters Intelligence Section died from a gunshot wound accidentally sustained at Rundu. He was 32.
21 Aug 1987: 83746306SP Rifleman C.A. Augusto from 32 Battalion died from causes unknown while stationed at Buffalo. He was 27.
Their names and sacrifice have not been forgotten.