On 28 July, let us pause to remember these young men from our Generation who answered the Final Roll Call.
28 Jul 1972: Two members from the Administrative Service Corps were killed in a military vehicle accident at Voortrekkerhoogte. They were:
70291844N Private Carel David Aucamp Labuschagne. He was 18
69466621N Private Jonathan Peter Knight. He was 18
28 Jul 1976: Rifleman Harold William Thomson from 8 SAI was killed in a private motor vehicle accident. He was 18.
28 Jul 1978: 4441 Flight Lieutenant Gerhardus Hendrik Francois Du Toit MFC (Op), a South African National serving in 7 Squadron Rhodesian Air Force, was Killed in Action together with his Helicopter Door Gunner, 6420 Sergeant Kevin Peter Nelson (Rhodesian Air Force) when their Alouette III Helicopter Serial No. R5177, was shot down by a Soviet RPG-7 Anti-Tank Rocket while they were providing close-air support to Rhodesian Ground Forces at Chioco in Moçambique. He was 24.
28 Jul 1978: 73554748BG Private Lesley Neil Gradwell from Defence Headquarters Personnel Unit was killed in a private motor vehicle accident in Johannesburg while on a weekend pass. He was 21.
28 Jul 1979: 74399387BG Rifleman Ignatius Matheus Fick Du Plessis from 5 SAI was accidentally killed at Elundu after being struck by a bullet from a fellow soldiers unattended rifle when the weapon discharged after falling over and hitting the ground. He was 21.
28 Jul 1981: 74411307PE Corporal Johan Heinrich Wassermann from the College of Educational Technology (COLET) was killed instantly when his military vehicle that was parked next to the Ben Schoeman Highway near Pretoria, was crushed after being struck from the rear by an extra heavy articulate vehicle. He was 23.
28 Jul 1983: 80244973BG Rifleman Eduard Cornelius Mostert from 5 SAI, attached to SWA SPES (SWATF) accidentally drowned while serving in Northern Owamboland. He was 18.
28 Jul 1987: 05533773PE Warrant Officer Class II Chester Henry Dicks from the South African Air Force died at Sodwana Bay while diving. The cause of death was determined as consistent barotrauma (air bubbles in the bloodstream). He was 41.
28 Jul 1988: 86107208HG Rifleman Sipho Brian Msomi from 121 Battalion was Killed in Action during a contact with FRELIMO Forces at Muzi, near Jozini on the Moçambique border. He was 27.
28 Jul 1998: 94659216 Rifleman Z Lindani from the Eastern Cape Command Headquarters died of disease in East London. He was 31.
28 Jul 1998: 93787869 Rifleman M F Mogatla from 111 Battalion died of disease at Potgietersrus. He was 34.
Their names and sacrifices will not be forgotten