28 January, let us pause to remember these young men from our Generation who answered the Sunset call.
28 Jan 1952: Sergeant Johannes Wilhelhem (typed on death notice) Ferreira from the Essential Services Protection Corps died of lobar pneumonia. He was 66.
28 Jan 1976: 71249882E Rifleman Chris Kruger Moorcroft from 1 Parachute Battalion died from bronchial pneumonia and renal failure with associated complications in the Bloemfontein National Hospital. The Board of Enquiry stated that his injuries were sustained as a result of punishment received during a "Takkie Parade" administered on 09 January 1976. He was initially treated at 3 Military Hospital before being transferred to the National Hospital. The Board of Enquiry recommended that the case be handed over to the Attorney General and any steps against the Officer and NCO who were present at this illegal punishment parade be held over until the matter was concluded by the Attorney General. He was 20.
28 Jan 1977: 76014059PE Sergeant Abraham Jacobus Smith from 32 Battalion died from injuries received when a private Piper PA28 Cherokee aircraft in which he was travelling as a passenger, crashed at Grootfontein. He was 34.
28 Jan 1977: 75254714BA Private Eugene Johann Milton von Solms from the Air Force Gymnasium was critically injured in a private motor cycle accident on 26 January 1977 and admitted to 1 Military Hospital where he sadly succumbed to his grievous injuries on 28 January 1977. He was 18.
28 Jan 1978: 76929009SP Rifleman Domingos Augusto from 32 Battalion was killed instantly from a gunshot wound accidentally self-inflicted while on operations in Southern Angola. He was 35.
28 Jan 1978: 75014449PN Corporal Manuel Antonio Infante Ganhão from 1 Reconnaissance Regiment attached to "D" Squadron Rhodesian Special Air Service, was Killed in Action during an engagement with FRELIMO Troops at a railway siding south of Mapai in Gaza Province, Moçambique during Operation Melon (SADF Name Operation Acrobat). Before joining the South African Army Special Forces, he was a serving member in the Portuguese Army in Moçambique. He was 28.
28 Jan 1982: 79404075BG Rifleman Jacobus Frederick De Beer from 61 Base Workshops was critically injured on 25 January 1982 when he accidentally fell off the back of a moving military vehicle. He was evacuated to 1 Military Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on 28 January 1982. He was 18.
28 Jan 1982: Two members from 5 SAI, attached to 54 Battalion, were Killed in Action near Elundu when their patrol was ambushed by numerically superior force of SWAPO/PLAN insurgents. The casualties were:
77336790BG Rifleman William Robert Dawson. He was 20.
78215753BG Rifleman Alexander Forbes. He was 19.
28 Jan 1983: 79495834BG Private Peter Alan Beard from the South African Medical Corps Headquarters was killed in a Military Vehicle accident at Mooi River. He was 19.
28 Jan 1985: 69011294PE Sergeant Willem Johan Gouws from Air Force Base Hoedspruit was killed in a Military Vehicle Accident at Pilgrims Rest. He was 40.
Their names and sacrifices will not be forgotten.