On This Day

On This Day — 12 May

We remember those who died in service on this day:

1900

47594Burgher Gerhard Johannes Badenhorst, Wepener Commando (Boer Forces), aged 24. Killed in action, Jammerbergdrift.

1900

47100Burgher Paul Castanier, Boer Forces, aged 45. Killed in action, Mafeking Siege.

1900

46097Burgher J Jonker, Boer Forces. Killed in action, Mafeking.

1900

45472Burgher Godlieb Nordman, Ottoshoop Commando (Boer Forces). Killed in action, Mafeking.

1900

45357Burgher M. Perreira, Johannesburg (Boer Forces). Killed in action, Mafeking.

1900

45344Burgher Jan Johannes Pienaar, Marico Commando (Boer Forces), aged 36. Killed in action, Mafeking.

1900

45315Burgher Johannes Lodewicus Pieterse, Rustenburg vk Eloff Commando (Boer Forces), aged 36. Killed in action, Mafeking.

1900

44411Burgher Michiel Van Deventer, State Artillery Commando (Boer Forces). Killed in action, Mafeking.

1901

47823Burgher David Johannes Hennop, Prisoner of War (Boer Forces), aged 30. Died of typhoid while a prisoner of war, Ceylon.

1901

48212Burgher Mattheus Cornelius Rosslee, Prisoner of War (Boer Forces), aged 19. Died of sarcoma of lung while a prisoner of war, St Helena.

1902

48223Burgher Jacob Christoffel Oosthuizen, Prisoner of War (Boer Forces), aged 31. Died of typhoid while a prisoner of war, St Helena.

1915

6100Corporal Petrus Wilhelmus J Du Plessis, 12, Lemmer's Scouts (Mounted Commandos, S.A. Forces). Died of wounds, received on patrol.

1915

10251Second Lieutenant Geoffrey William Van Der Byl Hopley, 2nd Bn. (Grenadier Guards), aged 23. Died of wounds, received in France.

1915

11340Rifleman Eric Herbert Johnston, S/4963, 1st Bn. (Rifle Brigade), aged 20. Killed in action.

1915

13611Burgher Gerhardus Johannes Hermanus Linde, 45, Lemmer's Scouts (Mounted Commandos, S.A. Forces). Died of wounds, received on patrol.

1915

17601Labourer Festus Moshome, 11078, South African Native Labour Corps. Died on active service.

1916

14Bearer Kistna Abdulrahiman, 330, 1st Coy. (South African Indian Bearer Corps). Died of cerebral malaria.

1916

4024Corporal Gideon Johannes Cloete, 1076, 3rd (South African Horse). Died of wounds, received 8th May.

1916

4041Private Michael Peter Cloete, 8742, 10th Regt. (South African Infantry), aged 25. Killed in action.

1916

5867Corporal Bertram Smith Donald, 9838, 12th Regt. (South African Infantry), aged 35. Died of wounds, received 8th May.

1916

23841Private Baatjes Speelman, 1251, 1st (Cape Corps). Died of dysentery and measles.

1917

8697Company Quartermaster Serjeant William Green, 26147, Royal Garrison Artillery. Died on active service.

1917

10287Captain Charles Cooper Hornsby, Northern Rhodesia Police, aged 31. Died of enteric fever.

1917

10980Labourer Billy James, 7641, Remounts (Military Labour Corps), aged 30. Died of malaria, on return to South Africa, at Port Elizabeth.

1917

11218Corporal Christopher Lawrence John, 50, 1st (South African Indian Bearer Corps), aged 31. Died of malaria, on H.M.S. "Oxfordshire", at sea.

1917

12897Private Alfred John Paton Landrey, 7068, 2nd Regt. (South African Infantry), aged 21. Died of wounds, received 13th April, at the Battle of Arras.

1917

14856Private Mamadi, S/119, Northern Rhodesia Police. Died on active service.

1917

16194Lieutenant John Edward McMichael, East African Unattached List, aged 36. Died of pneumonia.

1917

17483Labourer Piet Morotsi, 4331, Sanitary Section (South African Native Labour Bureau). Died of malaria, at Dar es Salaam.

1917

18866Labourer Piet Nkoko, 17830, Railway Section (South African Native Labour Bureau). Kilwa.

1917

21036Private Hermanus Ramothlbane, 6334, 11th Bn. (South African Native Labour Corps). Died of phthisis, at No. 1 SA Native General Hospital, Arques.

1917

23746Labourer John Solomon, 14204, South African Native Labour Bureau. Died at Dar Es Salaam.

1917

25250Labourer Charlie Tiger, 18953, South African Native Labour Bureau. Dar Es Salaam.

1917

27866Private Thomas William Watson, 9895, 4th Regt. (South African Infantry). Died of wounds.

1918

4681Driver Henry Robert Crocker, MT/5943, M.t. (South African Service Corps). Died of blackwater fever.

1918

14652Private David Maketa, 23880, 35th Bn. (South African Native Labour Corps), aged 35. Died of imflamation and myocardium.

1918

17703Private Ben Motsamai, 16698, South African Native Labour Corps. Died of pneumonia, at sea, en route U.K. to South Africa, on H.S. "Gascon,".

1918

21284Lieutenant John C M Reid, 213th Sqdn. (Royal Air Force), aged 19. Missing, Death Presumed.

1918

23249Private Sitifano, M/1726, Rhodesia Native Regiment. Died of pneumonia, at Mwemba.

1919

10908Driver Salmon Jacobs, HT/3130, 372nd Coy. (Cape Auxiliary Horse Transport), aged 35. Died of tuberculosis of the lungs.

1939

379822nd Class Sergeant Gabriel Johannes Van Der Mescht, 10990, Upington (South African Police), aged 36. Died of injuries, sustained serious injuries from which he died two hours later after being knocked down by a lorry while returning to his station from patrol. The horse he was riding had to be destroyed.

1941

3943Private Paul Clarke, M/10905, 3 M.T. Coy. (Indian and Malay Corps, S.A. Forces), aged 22. Died of injuries, received in an accident.

1941

18186Constable Muzadzi, 9674, British South African Police. Died on active service.

1941

23263Private Joseph Jack Sitole, N/10833, 2 (Botha) M.T. Sec. (Native Military Corps, S.A. Forces). Died of heat exhaustion.

1941

24451Private Patrick Subban, M/11002, 3 M.T. Coy. (Indian and Malay Corps, S.A. Forces). Died on active service.

1942

5239Private Phillip Rudolph De Beer, 14504, Duke of Edinburgh's Own Rifles, S.A. Forces. Died of pulmonary tuberculosis.

1942

14326Air Sergeant Hugh MacLachlan, 543386, Voortrekkerhoogte Air Station (South African Air Force), aged 45. Died of heart failure. Found dead, in bathroom.

1943

2765Fireman and Trimmer Freddy Brown, S.S. Fort Concord (London) (Merchant Navy), aged 30. Killed in action, at 04.41 hours on 12 May 1943 the unescorted Fort Concord (Master Francis Prideaux Ryan) was hit on the port side by one torpedo from U-456 while steaming on a non-evasive course at 10.25 knots about 440 miles north of the Azores. The ship had been in station #13 of convoy HX-237, but became a straggler in thick fog off Newfoundland on 6 May and eventually proceeded independently at full speed after reaching the rendezvous points for stragglers on 10 and 11 May in order to rejoin convoy without encountering it. The U-boat had spotted two stragglers in the evening of 11 May and chased the Fort Concord for about 11 hours before getting into a favorable attack position. The torpedo struck the after part of the engine room with a very heavy explosion that collapsed the accommodation on both sides, opened a split in the boat deck on port side and blew away the motor lifeboat. The master gave order to abandon ship as she settled rapidly on an even keel, so the 48 crew members and eight gunners (the ship was armed with one 4in, four 20mm and two machine guns) tried to lower the three remaining lifeboats in moderate sea and swell while the radio operator attempted to send distress signals. Some men were apparently trapped in the collapsed accommodations or the A.N.D. nets that were blown inboard by the explosion. However, only the starboard aft boat could be lowered before the back of the ship suddenly broke. The Fort Concord sagged amidships and sank with her bow and stern in the air about four minutes after being hit. The master, 27 crew members and all eight gunners were lost.

1943

17839Private Mpahleni Msomi, N/63231, Native Military Corps, S.A. Forces. Died of tumour.

1944

1292Private Noel Jack Bateman, 241486, Rand Light Infantry, S.A. Forces, aged 36. Killed in an air raid, whilst a POW.

1944

4632Gunner William Craig, 144023, 2 Field Regt. (South African Artillery), aged 24. Killed in an air raid, whilst a POW.

1944

4735Captain George Henry Breakwell Crossland, PSC/4, Southern Rhodesia Staff Corps, aged 44. Died on active service.

1944

8376Wing Commander Hubert Reginald Goodman, 33252, 103 Sqdn. (Royal Air Force), aged 29. Killed in action, Lancaster ND700, during raid on the railway yards at Hassalt in Belgium, hit by cannon fire from a German night fighter which caused the Lancaster to explode. The wreckage fell over a wide area at Oostmalle in Belgium.

1944

9285Second Lieutenant Louis Ehrlich Harris, 542493V, 74 Sqdn. (South African Air Force). Died in Aircraft Accident, on cannon test, lost at sea off Brightlingsea.

1944

13135Private Johannes Van Heerden Le Roux, 589665V, Royal Natal Carbineers, S.A. Forces, aged 22. Killed in action, when a house in the "C" Coy area received a direct hit by enemy shellfire, in the vicinity of Acquafondata.

1944

13186Private Kobo John Leburu, N/60355V, Native Military Corps, S.A. Forces, aged 43. Died of peritonitis.

1944

13934Captain Denis Lovat, 190334V, 238 (R.A.F.) Sqdn. (South African Air Force), aged 23. Killed in action.

1944

17654Private Simon Motemekoane, N/20725, Native Military Corps, S.A. Forces. Died on active service.

1944

18024Lance Corporal Robert Alexander Mundell, 582195V, South African Corps of Signals, aged 39. Killed in action.

1944

20265Private Richard Hamburg Buxton Bennett Percy Pierce, 589337V, Royal Natal Carbineers, S.A. Forces, aged 25. Killed in action, when a house in the "C" Coy area received a direct hit by enemy shellfire, in the vicinity of Acquafondata.

1944

20535Private Frederik Johnannes Potgieter, 61879, 1/2 (Field Force Brigade, S.A. Forces), aged 29. Killed in an air raid, whilst a POW.

1944

22601Private Ernest Sidney Seaward, 75487V, South African Armoured Corps, aged 22. Killed in action.

1944

24328Lieutenant Leonard Holford Straker, 111064V, South African Artillery, aged 25. Killed in action.

1944

27041Second Lieutenant Van Staden, 328814V, 40 Sqdn. (South African Air Force), aged 20. Killed in action, Wellington X HE 991.

1944

28599Sergeant Donald Jack Wilson, 1768206, 15 Sqdn. (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve). Killed in action, Avro Lancaster LL752 LS-A he took off from Mildenhall in Suffolk at 22:36 hours on 11th May 1944, for a raid on the railway yards at Leuven (Louvain) in Belgium. The raid was carried out by 105 Lancasters as part of the extensive operations carried out to destroy and disrupt German supply and transport facilities in preparation for D-Day. Four Lancasters were lost including LL752, which was shot down by a Luftwaffe night-fighter after midnight at 00:30 hours, and crashed to the northwest of Leuven.

1944

28656Stores Assistant Winslow Arthur Wilson, 67182, H.M.S.A.S. Goede Hoop (South African Naval Forces). Died of natural causes.

1945

1763Captain Henry Fred Cornelius Bezuidenhout, 27952V, General Service Corps, S.A. Forces, aged 42. Committed suicide, antimony poisoning.

1945

17893Private Robert Mubita, NRA/22337, Northern Rhodesia Regiment. Died on active service.

1945

18408Private Nonjero Ndhlandhla, N/24649, Native Military Corps, S.A. Forces, aged 49. Died of phthisis.

1945

18873Private Jonas Nkonani, N/81523, Native Military Corps, S.A. Forces, aged 54. Died of cerebral haemorrhage.

1947

8341Private Goliath, M/11466, Indian and Malay Corps, S.A. Forces, aged 39. Died after discharge.

1947

24204Private Steyn, C/320889, Cape Corps, S.A. Forces. Died after discharge.

1947

26626Trooper Gabriel G Van Der Merwe, 173789, South African Tank Corps, aged 25. Died on active service.

1948

29406Private Yehezkel Berlowitz, 172303, Infantry (Israeli Defence Forces), aged 30. Killed in action, in the defense of Israel.

1951

33676Second Lieutenant Christiaan Hattingh Venter, P1/40566, Air Operations School Langebaanweg (South African Air Force), aged 20. Died in Aircraft Accident, crashed into sea off Toothrock Range, near Saldanha, in Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXE #5534. Aircraft pulled out very low after a rocket attack then dived steeply into the sea.

1957

34562Frans Adriaan Du Toit, 44433, South West Africa Division (South African Police), aged 26. Died on active service.

1973

31127Civilian Adrian Lloyd Kolver, attd. South African Air Force (Civilian), aged 23. Died in Aircraft Accident, AT-6 Harvard #7126, spun into the ground near the Sundays River during a routine general flying training flight.

1973

31128Second Lieutenant Jacobus Petrus Kolver, 67245654V, 6 Sqdn. (South African Air Force), aged 21. Died in Aircraft Accident, AT-6 Harvard #7126, spun into the ground near the Sundays River during a routine general flying training flight.

1975

30282Trooper Pieter Gabriel Eybers, 70387378N, 2 Special Service Battalion (South African Armoured Corps), aged 20. Died in Freak Accident, accidentally killed when he fell out of a patrol observation post in the Operational Area.

1976

38955Rifleman Frederick Walter Henry Bint, PR70993, 9th Battalion (Rhodesia Regiment), aged 33. Killed by a gunshot wound to the chest in a vehicle ambush in the Beitbridge area. His company was on its way home to Brady Barracks, travelling along the Tshiturapadzi to Chikwarakwara road when the ambush occurred, and as the troops debussed to defend their position, Rfn Frederick Bint, Rfn Pieter Blignaut and Cpl Theunis van Tonder were fatally wounded. Cpl Marthinus Kelly and Rfn Niall Campbell, both sustaining abdominal wounds in the ambush, died in hospital of their wounds on 15 May 1976 and 23 May 1976 respectively.

1976

38960Rifleman Pieter Willem Blignaut, PR44208, 9th Battalion (Rhodesia Regiment), aged 28. Injured in a vehicle ambush, he died in the helicopter during the casevac.

1976

40517Corporal Theunis Johannes Van Tonder, XR2190, 9th Battalion (Rhodesia Regiment), aged 33. Killed in action, in a vehicle ambush along the Tshiturapadzi - Chikwarakwra road, bullet wound in chest.

1977

38670Sergeant Abraham Mukucha, 16140, Support Unit (British South Africa Police), aged 35. Murdered, by terrorists, in the Zaka district, Op Repulse.

1977

38715Patrol Officer Edward Phillip Nicholas, 9846, Uniform (British South Africa Police), aged 19. Killed in action, in a vehicle ambush 10 km from Chipinga. He was the front gunner for a convoy.

1978

39484Guard Bruce Hugh Jojo, PR111649, 8th Battalion (Guard Force), aged 59. Died on active service.

1978

40809Constable John Katiyo, 21760, Keep Protection (British South Africa Police), aged 22. Died of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, in his quarters at Concession.

1978

39549Private Jenamiso Khupe, 648897, 5 Independent Company (Rhodesian African Rifles), aged 24. Killed in action, in a contact.

1979

39343Junior Corporal Ian Lovat Fred, V3853, 8th Battalion (Guard Force), aged 23. Died on active service.

1979

39401Captain Michael Kenneth Hardy, 780889, 3 Troop (Selous Scouts), aged 19. Died in Shooting Incident, in Bulawayo whilst working with a group of "tame terrorists". Original thoughts were that Mike was shot by the cook whilst on a practice shoot at the rifle range but, later suspicions turned to a white fellow soldier who shot Mike from behind. Source: withheld due to lack of proof. Formerly a member of Selous Scouts Mike was also involved with the Special Forces "Q" Cars unit. James Mackenzie gives the date of death as 08 May 79.

1979

39842Guard David Boy Mkwebu, 649421, Keep Protection (Guard Force), aged 20. Died on active service.

1979

39923Trooper Douglas Sydney Muir, 728586, 1st Battalion (Rhodesian Light Infantry), aged 30. Killed in action, in a contact in the Enterprise area, Op Salops.

1980

32307Rifleman Cornelius Johannes Nortje, 76451517BG, 1 South African Infantry Battalion (South African Infantry Corps), aged 19. Died in Military Vehicle Accident, Buffel Troop Carrier overturned in Northern Owamboland.

1980

33529Lieutenant Pierre Andre Van Heerden, 71428064, 8 South African Infantry Battalion (South African Air Force), aged 24. Committed suicide, shot himself, in head, at Pretoria. (Suspected suicide).

1981

32514Captain David Jacobus Pieterse, 76498799, 3 Satellite Radar Station (South African Air Force), aged 20. Died in private motor vehicle accident.

1983

29855Rifleman Frank Paul Couvelis, 74430166BT, 912 Battalion (South West African Territory Force), aged 25. Killed in action, in Southern Angola when his convoy was ambushed by a numerically superior enemy force. The leading vehicle in which he was travelling was hit by RPG-7 Anti-Tank Rockets and as he was disembarking from the vehicle he received as fatal gunshot wound and died at the scene. At the time of his death, he was currently completing his 7th compulsory camp in the Operational Area.

1984

32253Lance Corporal Michael Simon Ngoma, 81564692PF, Med Serv (5 Reconnaissance Regiment), aged 24. Died in Shooting Incident, gunshot wounds accidentally sustained.

1984

37915Constable Patricia Jabulile Tshivhase, S161397R, Gauteng (South African Police), aged 24. Died in the execution of his duty as a member of the South African Police.

1984

37997Constable Louis Stephanus Van Der Walt, W89452H, North West Province (South African Police), aged 42. Died in the execution of his duty as a member of the South African Police.

1985

29906Corporal Carlos Conceicao Dala, 76907062SP, 32 (Buffalo) Battalion (South West African Territory Force), aged 20. Died of Medical Reason, at 1 Military Hospital, Heart Attack.

1988

31373Rifleman Dean Anthony Lones, 79562583BT, 2 Field Engineer Regiment (Regiment Dan Pienaar), aged 25. Died in Military Vehicle Accident, near Hazyview, at Witriver.

We will remember them.

On This Day — 12 May

We remember those who died in service on this day:

- 1900 47594 — Burgher Gerhard Johannes Badenhorst, Wepener Commando (Boer Forces), aged 24. Killed in action, Jammerbergdrift.

- 1900 47100 — Burgher Paul Castanier, Boer Forces, aged 45. Killed in action, Mafeking Siege.

- 1900 46097 — Burgher J Jonker, Boer Forces. Killed in action, Mafeking.

- 1900 45472 — Burgher Godlieb Nordman, Ottoshoop Commando (Boer Forces). Killed in action, Mafeking.

- 1900 45357 — Burgher M. Perreira, Johannesburg (Boer Forces). Killed in action, Mafeking.

- 1900 45344 — Burgher Jan Johannes Pienaar, Marico Commando (Boer Forces), aged 36. Killed in action, Mafeking.

- 1900 45315 — Burgher Johannes Lodewicus Pieterse, Rustenburg vk Eloff Commando (Boer Forces), aged 36. Killed in action, Mafeking.

- 1900 44411 — Burgher Michiel Van Deventer, State Artillery Commando (Boer Forces). Killed in action, Mafeking.

- 1901 47823 — Burgher David Johannes Hennop, Prisoner of War (Boer Forces), aged 30. Died of typhoid while a prisoner of war, Ceylon.

- 1901 48212 — Burgher Mattheus Cornelius Rosslee, Prisoner of War (Boer Forces), aged 19. Died of sarcoma of lung while a prisoner of war, St Helena.

- 1902 48223 — Burgher Jacob Christoffel Oosthuizen, Prisoner of War (Boer Forces), aged 31. Died of typhoid while a prisoner of war, St Helena.

- 1915 6100 — Corporal Petrus Wilhelmus J Du Plessis, 12, Lemmer's Scouts (Mounted Commandos, S.A. Forces). Died of wounds, received on patrol.

- 1915 10251 — Second Lieutenant Geoffrey William Van Der Byl Hopley, 2nd Bn. (Grenadier Guards), aged 23. Died of wounds, received in France.

- 1915 11340 — Rifleman Eric Herbert Johnston, S/4963, 1st Bn. (Rifle Brigade), aged 20. Killed in action.

- 1915 13611 — Burgher Gerhardus Johannes Hermanus Linde, 45, Lemmer's Scouts (Mounted Commandos, S.A. Forces). Died of wounds, received on patrol.

- 1915 17601 — Labourer Festus Moshome, 11078, South African Native Labour Corps. Died on active service.

- 1916 14 — Bearer Kistna Abdulrahiman, 330, 1st Coy. (South African Indian Bearer Corps). Died of cerebral malaria.

- 1916 4024 — Corporal Gideon Johannes Cloete, 1076, 3rd (South African Horse). Died of wounds, received 8th May.

- 1916 4041 — Private Michael Peter Cloete, 8742, 10th Regt. (South African Infantry), aged 25. Killed in action.

- 1916 5867 — Corporal Bertram Smith Donald, 9838, 12th Regt. (South African Infantry), aged 35. Died of wounds, received 8th May.

- 1916 23841 — Private Baatjes Speelman, 1251, 1st (Cape Corps). Died of dysentery and measles.

- 1917 8697 — Company Quartermaster Serjeant William Green, 26147, Royal Garrison Artillery. Died on active service.

- 1917 10287 — Captain Charles Cooper Hornsby, Northern Rhodesia Police, aged 31. Died of enteric fever.

- 1917 10980 — Labourer Billy James, 7641, Remounts (Military Labour Corps), aged 30. Died of malaria, on return to South Africa, at Port Elizabeth.

- 1917 11218 — Corporal Christopher Lawrence John, 50, 1st (South African Indian Bearer Corps), aged 31. Died of malaria, on H.M.S. "Oxfordshire", at sea.

- 1917 12897 — Private Alfred John Paton Landrey, 7068, 2nd Regt. (South African Infantry), aged 21. Died of wounds, received 13th April, at the Battle of Arras.

- 1917 14856 — Private Mamadi, S/119, Northern Rhodesia Police. Died on active service.

- 1917 16194 — Lieutenant John Edward McMichael, East African Unattached List, aged 36. Died of pneumonia.

- 1917 17483 — Labourer Piet Morotsi, 4331, Sanitary Section (South African Native Labour Bureau). Died of malaria, at Dar es Salaam.

- 1917 18866 — Labourer Piet Nkoko, 17830, Railway Section (South African Native Labour Bureau). Kilwa.

- 1917 21036 — Private Hermanus Ramothlbane, 6334, 11th Bn. (South African Native Labour Corps). Died of phthisis, at No. 1 SA Native General Hospital, Arques.

- 1917 23746 — Labourer John Solomon, 14204, South African Native Labour Bureau. Died at Dar Es Salaam.

- 1917 25250 — Labourer Charlie Tiger, 18953, South African Native Labour Bureau. Dar Es Salaam.

- 1917 27866 — Private Thomas William Watson, 9895, 4th Regt. (South African Infantry). Died of wounds.

- 1918 4681 — Driver Henry Robert Crocker, MT/5943, M.t. (South African Service Corps). Died of blackwater fever.

- 1918 14652 — Private David Maketa, 23880, 35th Bn. (South African Native Labour Corps), aged 35. Died of imflamation and myocardium.

- 1918 17703 — Private Ben Motsamai, 16698, South African Native Labour Corps. Died of pneumonia, at sea, en route U.K. to South Africa, on H.S. "Gascon,".

- 1918 21284 — Lieutenant John C M Reid, 213th Sqdn. (Royal Air Force), aged 19. Missing, Death Presumed.

- 1918 23249 — Private Sitifano, M/1726, Rhodesia Native Regiment. Died of pneumonia, at Mwemba.

- 1919 10908 — Driver Salmon Jacobs, HT/3130, 372nd Coy. (Cape Auxiliary Horse Transport), aged 35. Died of tuberculosis of the lungs.

- 1939 37982 — 2nd Class Sergeant Gabriel Johannes Van Der Mescht, 10990, Upington (South African Police), aged 36. Died of injuries, sustained serious injuries from which he died two hours later after being knocked down by a lorry while returning to his station from patrol. The horse he was riding had to be destroyed.

- 1941 3943 — Private Paul Clarke, M/10905, 3 M.T. Coy. (Indian and Malay Corps, S.A. Forces), aged 22. Died of injuries, received in an accident.

- 1941 18186 — Constable Muzadzi, 9674, British South African Police. Died on active service.

- 1941 23263 — Private Joseph Jack Sitole, N/10833, 2 (Botha) M.T. Sec. (Native Military Corps, S.A. Forces). Died of heat exhaustion.

- 1941 24451 — Private Patrick Subban, M/11002, 3 M.T. Coy. (Indian and Malay Corps, S.A. Forces). Died on active service.

- 1942 5239 — Private Phillip Rudolph De Beer, 14504, Duke of Edinburgh's Own Rifles, S.A. Forces. Died of pulmonary tuberculosis.

- 1942 14326 — Air Sergeant Hugh MacLachlan, 543386, Voortrekkerhoogte Air Station (South African Air Force), aged 45. Died of heart failure. Found dead, in bathroom.

- 1943 2765 — Fireman and Trimmer Freddy Brown, S.S. Fort Concord (London) (Merchant Navy), aged 30. Killed in action, at 04.41 hours on 12 May 1943 the unescorted Fort Concord (Master Francis Prideaux Ryan) was hit on the port side by one torpedo from U-456 while steaming on a non-evasive course at 10.25 knots about 440 miles north of the Azores. The ship had been in station #13 of convoy HX-237, but became a straggler in thick fog off Newfoundland on 6 May and eventually proceeded independently at full speed after reaching the rendezvous points for stragglers on 10 and 11 May in order to rejoin convoy without encountering it. The U-boat had spotted two stragglers in the evening of 11 May and chased the Fort Concord for about 11 hours before getting into a favorable attack position. The torpedo struck the after part of the engine room with a very heavy explosion that collapsed the accommodation on both sides, opened a split in the boat deck on port side and blew away the motor lifeboat. The master gave order to abandon ship as she settled rapidly on an even keel, so the 48 crew members and eight gunners (the ship was armed with one 4in, four 20mm and two machine guns) tried to lower the three remaining lifeboats in moderate sea and swell while the radio operator attempted to send distress signals. Some men were apparently trapped in the collapsed accommodations or the A.N.D. nets that were blown inboard by the explosion. However, only the starboard aft boat could be lowered before the back of the ship suddenly broke. The Fort Concord sagged amidships and sank with her bow and stern in the air about four minutes after being hit. The master, 27 crew members and all eight gunners were lost.

- 1943 17839 — Private Mpahleni Msomi, N/63231, Native Military Corps, S.A. Forces. Died of tumour.

- 1944 1292 — Private Noel Jack Bateman, 241486, Rand Light Infantry, S.A. Forces, aged 36. Killed in an air raid, whilst a POW.

- 1944 4632 — Gunner William Craig, 144023, 2 Field Regt. (South African Artillery), aged 24. Killed in an air raid, whilst a POW.

- 1944 4735 — Captain George Henry Breakwell Crossland, PSC/4, Southern Rhodesia Staff Corps, aged 44. Died on active service.

- 1944 8376 — Wing Commander Hubert Reginald Goodman, 33252, 103 Sqdn. (Royal Air Force), aged 29. Killed in action, Lancaster ND700, during raid on the railway yards at Hassalt in Belgium, hit by cannon fire from a German night fighter which caused the Lancaster to explode. The wreckage fell over a wide area at Oostmalle in Belgium.

- 1944 9285 — Second Lieutenant Louis Ehrlich Harris, 542493V, 74 Sqdn. (South African Air Force). Died in Aircraft Accident, on cannon test, lost at sea off Brightlingsea.

- 1944 13135 — Private Johannes Van Heerden Le Roux, 589665V, Royal Natal Carbineers, S.A. Forces, aged 22. Killed in action, when a house in the "C" Coy area received a direct hit by enemy shellfire, in the vicinity of Acquafondata.

- 1944 13186 — Private Kobo John Leburu, N/60355V, Native Military Corps, S.A. Forces, aged 43. Died of peritonitis.

- 1944 13934 — Captain Denis Lovat, 190334V, 238 (R.A.F.) Sqdn. (South African Air Force), aged 23. Killed in action.

- 1944 17654 — Private Simon Motemekoane, N/20725, Native Military Corps, S.A. Forces. Died on active service.

- 1944 18024 — Lance Corporal Robert Alexander Mundell, 582195V, South African Corps of Signals, aged 39. Killed in action.

- 1944 20265 — Private Richard Hamburg Buxton Bennett Percy Pierce, 589337V, Royal Natal Carbineers, S.A. Forces, aged 25. Killed in action, when a house in the "C" Coy area received a direct hit by enemy shellfire, in the vicinity of Acquafondata.

- 1944 20535 — Private Frederik Johnannes Potgieter, 61879, 1/2 (Field Force Brigade, S.A. Forces), aged 29. Killed in an air raid, whilst a POW.

- 1944 22601 — Private Ernest Sidney Seaward, 75487V, South African Armoured Corps, aged 22. Killed in action.

- 1944 24328 — Lieutenant Leonard Holford Straker, 111064V, South African Artillery, aged 25. Killed in action.

- 1944 27041 — Second Lieutenant Van Staden, 328814V, 40 Sqdn. (South African Air Force), aged 20. Killed in action, Wellington X HE 991.

- 1944 28599 — Sergeant Donald Jack Wilson, 1768206, 15 Sqdn. (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve). Killed in action, Avro Lancaster LL752 LS-A he took off from Mildenhall in Suffolk at 22:36 hours on 11th May 1944, for a raid on the railway yards at Leuven (Louvain) in Belgium. The raid was carried out by 105 Lancasters as part of the extensive operations carried out to destroy and disrupt German supply and transport facilities in preparation for D-Day. Four Lancasters were lost including LL752, which was shot down by a Luftwaffe night-fighter after midnight at 00:30 hours, and crashed to the northwest of Leuven.

- 1944 28656 — Stores Assistant Winslow Arthur Wilson, 67182, H.M.S.A.S. Goede Hoop (South African Naval Forces). Died of natural causes.

- 1945 1763 — Captain Henry Fred Cornelius Bezuidenhout, 27952V, General Service Corps, S.A. Forces, aged 42. Committed suicide, antimony poisoning.

- 1945 17893 — Private Robert Mubita, NRA/22337, Northern Rhodesia Regiment. Died on active service.

- 1945 18408 — Private Nonjero Ndhlandhla, N/24649, Native Military Corps, S.A. Forces, aged 49. Died of phthisis.

- 1945 18873 — Private Jonas Nkonani, N/81523, Native Military Corps, S.A. Forces, aged 54. Died of cerebral haemorrhage.

- 1947 8341 — Private Goliath, M/11466, Indian and Malay Corps, S.A. Forces, aged 39. Died after discharge.

- 1947 24204 — Private Steyn, C/320889, Cape Corps, S.A. Forces. Died after discharge.

- 1947 26626 — Trooper Gabriel G Van Der Merwe, 173789, South African Tank Corps, aged 25. Died on active service.

- 1948 29406 — Private Yehezkel Berlowitz, 172303, Infantry (Israeli Defence Forces), aged 30. Killed in action, in the defense of Israel.

- 1951 33676 — Second Lieutenant Christiaan Hattingh Venter, P1/40566, Air Operations School Langebaanweg (South African Air Force), aged 20. Died in Aircraft Accident, crashed into sea off Toothrock Range, near Saldanha, in Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXE #5534. Aircraft pulled out very low after a rocket attack then dived steeply into the sea.

- 1957 34562 — Frans Adriaan Du Toit, 44433, South West Africa Division (South African Police), aged 26. Died on active service.

- 1973 31127 — Civilian Adrian Lloyd Kolver, attd. South African Air Force (Civilian), aged 23. Died in Aircraft Accident, AT-6 Harvard #7126, spun into the ground near the Sundays River during a routine general flying training flight.

- 1973 31128 — Second Lieutenant Jacobus Petrus Kolver, 67245654V, 6 Sqdn. (South African Air Force), aged 21. Died in Aircraft Accident, AT-6 Harvard #7126, spun into the ground near the Sundays River during a routine general flying training flight.

- 1975 30282 — Trooper Pieter Gabriel Eybers, 70387378N, 2 Special Service Battalion (South African Armoured Corps), aged 20. Died in Freak Accident, accidentally killed when he fell out of a patrol observation post in the Operational Area.

- 1976 38955 — Rifleman Frederick Walter Henry Bint, PR70993, 9th Battalion (Rhodesia Regiment), aged 33. Killed by a gunshot wound to the chest in a vehicle ambush in the Beitbridge area. His company was on its way home to Brady Barracks, travelling along the Tshiturapadzi to Chikwarakwara road when the ambush occurred, and as the troops debussed to defend their position, Rfn Frederick Bint, Rfn Pieter Blignaut and Cpl Theunis van Tonder were fatally wounded. Cpl Marthinus Kelly and Rfn Niall Campbell, both sustaining abdominal wounds in the ambush, died in hospital of their wounds on 15 May 1976 and 23 May 1976 respectively.

- 1976 38960 — Rifleman Pieter Willem Blignaut, PR44208, 9th Battalion (Rhodesia Regiment), aged 28. Injured in a vehicle ambush, he died in the helicopter during the casevac.

- 1976 40517 — Corporal Theunis Johannes Van Tonder, XR2190, 9th Battalion (Rhodesia Regiment), aged 33. Killed in action, in a vehicle ambush along the Tshiturapadzi - Chikwarakwra road, bullet wound in chest.

- 1977 38670 — Sergeant Abraham Mukucha, 16140, Support Unit (British South Africa Police), aged 35. Murdered, by terrorists, in the Zaka district, Op Repulse.

- 1977 38715 — Patrol Officer Edward Phillip Nicholas, 9846, Uniform (British South Africa Police), aged 19. Killed in action, in a vehicle ambush 10 km from Chipinga. He was the front gunner for a convoy.

- 1978 39484 — Guard Bruce Hugh Jojo, PR111649, 8th Battalion (Guard Force), aged 59. Died on active service.

- 1978 40809 — Constable John Katiyo, 21760, Keep Protection (British South Africa Police), aged 22. Died of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, in his quarters at Concession.

- 1978 39549 — Private Jenamiso Khupe, 648897, 5 Independent Company (Rhodesian African Rifles), aged 24. Killed in action, in a contact.

- 1979 39343 — Junior Corporal Ian Lovat Fred, V3853, 8th Battalion (Guard Force), aged 23. Died on active service.

- 1979 39401 — Captain Michael Kenneth Hardy, 780889, 3 Troop (Selous Scouts), aged 19. Died in Shooting Incident, in Bulawayo whilst working with a group of "tame terrorists". Original thoughts were that Mike was shot by the cook whilst on a practice shoot at the rifle range but, later suspicions turned to a white fellow soldier who shot Mike from behind. Source: withheld due to lack of proof. Formerly a member of Selous Scouts Mike was also involved with the Special Forces "Q" Cars unit. James Mackenzie gives the date of death as 08 May 79.

- 1979 39842 — Guard David Boy Mkwebu, 649421, Keep Protection (Guard Force), aged 20. Died on active service.

- 1979 39923 — Trooper Douglas Sydney Muir, 728586, 1st Battalion (Rhodesian Light Infantry), aged 30. Killed in action, in a contact in the Enterprise area, Op Salops.

- 1980 32307 — Rifleman Cornelius Johannes Nortje, 76451517BG, 1 South African Infantry Battalion (South African Infantry Corps), aged 19. Died in Military Vehicle Accident, Buffel Troop Carrier overturned in Northern Owamboland.

- 1980 33529 — Lieutenant Pierre Andre Van Heerden, 71428064, 8 South African Infantry Battalion (South African Air Force), aged 24. Committed suicide, shot himself, in head, at Pretoria. (Suspected suicide).

- 1981 32514 — Captain David Jacobus Pieterse, 76498799, 3 Satellite Radar Station (South African Air Force), aged 20. Died in private motor vehicle accident.

- 1983 29855 — Rifleman Frank Paul Couvelis, 74430166BT, 912 Battalion (South West African Territory Force), aged 25. Killed in action, in Southern Angola when his convoy was ambushed by a numerically superior enemy force. The leading vehicle in which he was travelling was hit by RPG-7 Anti-Tank Rockets and as he was disembarking from the vehicle he received as fatal gunshot wound and died at the scene. At the time of his death, he was currently completing his 7th compulsory camp in the Operational Area.

- 1984 32253 — Lance Corporal Michael Simon Ngoma, 81564692PF, Med Serv (5 Reconnaissance Regiment), aged 24. Died in Shooting Incident, gunshot wounds accidentally sustained.

- 1984 37915 — Constable Patricia Jabulile Tshivhase, S161397R, Gauteng (South African Police), aged 24. Died in the execution of his duty as a member of the South African Police.

- 1984 37997 — Constable Louis Stephanus Van Der Walt, W89452H, North West Province (South African Police), aged 42. Died in the execution of his duty as a member of the South African Police.

- 1985 29906 — Corporal Carlos Conceicao Dala, 76907062SP, 32 (Buffalo) Battalion (South West African Territory Force), aged 20. Died of Medical Reason, at 1 Military Hospital, Heart Attack.

- 1988 31373 — Rifleman Dean Anthony Lones, 79562583BT, 2 Field Engineer Regiment (Regiment Dan Pienaar), aged 25. Died in Military Vehicle Accident, near Hazyview, at Witriver.

We will remember them.

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ON THIS DAY

12 May

On This Day — 12 May

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