On 26 June, let us pause to remember these young men from our Generation who answered the Sunset call.
26 Jun 1947: Two members of 60 Squadron SAAF were killed when their de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito PR XVI, Serial No. 4801 disintegrated in flight during the climb-out phase shortly after take-off from Air Force Station Waterkloof and crashed on the Delmas Road near the Base. The subsequent Board of Enquiry determined that the accident was attributed to humidity affecting the wood aircraft frame. The complete 60 Squadron Mosquito Aircraft fleet was permanently grounded after this incident. The casualties were:
P102596V Lieutenant Colonel Laurence Aubrey Wilmot DSO, DFC (Pilot). He was 33.
579893V Air Corporal Cornelius Daniel Stephanus Nortje (Aircraft Fitter flying as a Passenger). He was 21.
26 Jun 1977: 73553401BA Gunner Willem Christiaan Lentink from 14 Artillery Regiment was killed in a Military Vehicle Accident in Pretoria. He was 20.
26 Jun 1977: 71440051BT Rifleman Christiaan Hendrik van der Westhuizen from the Witwatersrand Rifles was killed when he accidentally fell off the back of a moving Unimog. He was 21.
26 Jun 1979: 780837 Captain Martin Pearse SCR; MFC (Op) who was serving in C Squadron, Rhodesian Special Air Service and was Killed in Action during Operation Carpet, a combined helicopter assault and air attack on the ZIPRA camp at Chikumbi (North of Lusaka) in conjunction with a ground attack on the headquarters of the ZAPU Department of National Security and Order at Roma in Lusaka that was launched on 26 June 1979. Five Helicopters inserted the S.A.S. assault troops, including Captain Martin Pearse around the ZAPU headquarters who then opened fire with small arms and rockets whilst Hawker Hunter aircraft bombed the ZIPRA Camp at Chikumbi some eight miles North of Lusaka. In the short 30-minute action, approximately 50 enemy troops were killed but sadly Captain Pearse was also killed when a bunker bomb exploded close to his position, causing a large section of a wall to collapse on top of him. He was due to receive the Silver Cross of Rhodesia (SCR), Gazetted on 01 June 1979 at an Investiture Ceremony three days later. He was 30.
26 Jun 1981: 77320972BG Lance Corporal Frederick Aspeling from North West Command was killed in a Military Vehicle Accident, at Oudtshoorn. He was 19.
26 Jun 1985: 76928456SP Rifleman Domingo Manual from 32 Battalion was murdered by a member of Koevoet while at Rundu. He was 35.
26 Jun 1994: 85256675PE Captain Frederick Petrus Stephanus Roux from 5 Reconnaissance Regiment was killed when the Vlêrmuis vehicle in which he was travelling as a passenger, overturned at Kosi Bay during a training exercise. He was 25.
26 Jun 1994: 83292300PE Lieutenant Albert Nicolaas Turner from 6 SAI was Killed in a private motor vehicle accident. He was 24.
Their names and sacrifices will not be forgotten.