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ON THIS DAY

24 May

93

South Africans who made the ultimate sacrifice

On This Day — 24 May

We remember those who died in service on this day:

1900
48191Burgher Rudolph J Van Den Berg, Boer Forces (Prisoner of War), aged 30. Died of bronchitis while a prisoner of war, St Helena.
1901
47567Burgher Frederik Cornelius Christiaan Barnard, Boer Forces (Blesbokspruit Commando), aged 18. Killed in action, Palmietfontein/Vlakspruit.
1901
47560Burgher P Barnard, Boer Forces (Bethal Commando). Killed in action, Bethal.
1901
46396Burgher E H R Goeben, Boer Forces (Mears Commando), aged 36. Killed in action, Sterkfontein, Bethal.
1901
43438Burgher Greyling, Boer Forces. Killed in action, near Bethal.
1901
44981Burgher Silvester K. Schmidt, Boer Forces (Mears Corps Commando). Killed in action, Sterkfontein.
1901
44881Burgher Francis Lourens Smit, Boer Forces (Mears Corps Commando). Killed in action, Vlakspruit.
1901
44813Burgher Hendert Johannes Spaarwater, Boer Forces (Wakkerstroom Commando), aged 29. Killed in action, Amersfoort.
1902
45405Burgher Gerhardus Josefus Oosthuizen, Boer Forces (Snijmanshoek Commando), aged 37. Killed in action, Snijmanshoek.
1902
44418Burgher Stephanus Van Der Westhuizen, Boer Forces. Killed in action, Tontelboskolk.
1915
1319Private Robert Baty, 13061, 5th Bn. (Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment)), aged 24. Killed in action, at Festubert.
1915
4375Second Lieutenant Christopher Daniel Considine, 5th Bn. (Royal Dublin Fusiliers), aged 27. Killed in action.
1915
8593Private Charles Edward Graves, 512, "P" Coy. (6th Infantry (Cape Town Highlanders)), aged 39. Died of heart failure, in sleep.
1915
8594Private George Percy Graves, 11241, 3rd Bn. (Royal Fusiliers). Killed in action.
1915
15416Colour Sergeant Orlando George Mason, 5412, 2nd Bn. (8th Infantry (Transvaal Scottish)), aged 42. Died of silicosis.
1916
1557Private Alton Daniel Beneke, 5497, "C" Coy. (1st South African Infantry), aged 24. Died of wounds.
1916
6443Private John Edmonds, 16729, 12th Bn. (Gloucestershire Regiment), aged 26. Killed in action.
1916
8249Sapper John Gleeson, 248, South African Div. Signal Coy. (South African Corps of Signals (Corps)), aged 23. Died of wounds, received accidentally 19th May, at Ufiome.
1916
9139Private Michael Hanrahan, 3098, "B" Coy. (7th South African Infantry). Died suddenly, at Himo.
1916
27060Lance Corporal Henry Van Tromp, 256, 22nd Bn. (Royal Fusiliers), aged 34. Killed in action.
1916
27265Pack Leader Tom Veny, 2561, South African Native Labour Corps (Corps). Died of exhaustion from malaria, at Bemo.
1917
6339Donkey Driver Edward Duvashe, 15491, South African Native Labour Corps (Corps). Died of dysentery, at sea, on board H.M.T. Gascon, returning to South Africa.
1917
10112Sergeant Thomas Arthur Holder, 290, South African Native Labour Corps (Corps), aged 30. Died of pneumonia.
1917
12498Private Phillip Jacobus Koekemoer, 1415, Protectorate Garrison Regiment. Died on active service.
1917
13190Donkey Driver Daniel Lechuano, 15375, South African Native Labour Corps (Corps). Died at Harrismith, on the train.
1917
14638Private Abram Makata, 10126, 18th Bn. (South African Native Labour Corps (Corps)). Died of tuberculosis and meningitis.
1917
17011Labourer Ben Mogedi, 12333, Railway Section (South African Native Labour Corps (Corps)). Died at Durban Hospital, on return to South Africa.
1917
20449Labourer Klaus Pogietsile Or Potgietsile, 16827, South African Native Labour Corps (Corps). Dar Es Salaam.
1917
20397Leader Kotama Plaatje, 12540, Remounts (South African Native Labour Corps (Corps)). Died of pneumonia, at Dar es Salaam.
1917
21389Corporal Benjamin Freadman Rheeder, 361, 2nd (South African Rifles), aged 24. Died of blackwater fever.
1917
28384Labourer Arthur Williams, 16325, South African Native Labour Corps (Corps). Died of bronchitis at sea, on H.M.T. Gascon, returning to South Africa.
1918
7062Driver Ignatius Wilhelm Ferreira, MT/5018, M.t. (South African Service Corps (Corps)), aged 45. Died of chronic kidney trouble.
1918
8201Private Stephanus Gillis, 6409, 2nd (Cape Corps). Died of malaria and tuberculosis, at Mtengula.
1918
17312Private Klaas Monnathaba, 25033, 42nd Bn. (South African Native Labour Corps (Corps)). Died of pericarditis.
1918
17905Private Kleinbooi Mudzweta, 15568, 28th Bn. (South African Native Labour Corps (Corps)). Died of tuberculosis of the lungs.
1919
7969Second Lieutenant Archibald Geekie, (e.e.f.). (Royal Air Force), aged 20. Died of meningitis.
1919
17571Major Frederick Arthur Dudley Harris Moseley, 53rd Bn. (Royal Sussex Regiment), aged 38. Died on active service.
1940
4244Private Charles Colin, 65254, 1st Reserve Brigade, aged 60. Died in motor accident, fractured skull when hit by car.
1941
654Corporal John Thomas Arlidge, WX1004, A.I.F. 2/11 Bn. (Australian Infantry), aged 25. Killed in action.
1941
7804Ordinary Seaman Cecil Pulteney Gabbett, P/JX 223832, H.M.S. Hood (Royal Navy), aged 28. Killed in action, sunk by the German battleship Bismarck commanded by Admiral Lutjens and captained by Captain Ernest Lindemann. In an early morning action in the Denmark Strait, between Iceland and Greenland, the Bismarck, accompanied by the cruiser Prince Eugen (Captain Helmuth Brinkmann), were en route from Bergen in Norway to the Atlantic when they intercepted the Hood, the Prince of Wales and six escorting destroyers. From 26, 000 yards, the Bismarck opened fire and at 16, 500 yards scored a direct hit on the Hood's magazine causing the 112 tons of explosives to blow up. The battleship, commanded by Vice Admiral Sir Lancelot Holland, went down in about four minutes. Of a crew of 1,417 (94 officers and 1,323 ratings and Royal Marines) there were only three survivors, a death toll of 1,414.
1941
16125Midshipman John Bruce McLaren, H.M.S. Hood (Royal Naval Reserve). Killed in action, sunk by the German battleship Bismarck commanded by Admiral Lutjens and captained by Captain Ernest Lindemann. In an early morning action in the Denmark Strait, between Iceland and Greenland, the Bismarck, accompanied by the cruiser Prince Eugen (Captain Helmuth Brinkmann), were en route from Bergen in Norway to the Atlantic when they intercepted the Hood, the Prince of Wales and six escorting destroyers. From 26, 000 yards, the Bismarck opened fire and at 16, 500 yards scored a direct hit on the Hood's magazine causing the 112 tons of explosives to blow up. The battleship, commanded by Vice Admiral Sir Lancelot Holland, went down in about four minutes. Of a crew of 1,417 (94 officers and 1,323 ratings and Royal Marines) there were only three survivors, a death toll of 1,414.
1942
633Gunner Nicholas Arends, C/287747, Cape Corps, aged 24. Died of general burns, received in the Middle East.
1942
5061Sergeant Davids, M/11221, Indian and Malay Corps (Corps), aged 32. Died on active service.
1942
37021Constable George Nyati, 123956, Free State, aged 28. Died of wounds, sustained after being assaulted in Greenwood Park, Durban on 14/04/1942.
1942
25536Private Simon Tsane, N/15935, South African Native Labour Corps (Corps). Committed suicide, at Sterkspruit Gaol.
1942
27121Private Van Wyk, 62495, 1/2 (Field Force Brigade), aged 23. Killed in action.
1943
4414Sergeant Cooke, LF/1762, East African Army Service Corps (Corps), aged 23. Died on active service.
1943
9331Sergeant Harry Fines Mentz Du Plooy Harrop-Allin, 87479V, Technical Service Corps (Corps), aged 40. Died on active service.
1943
10488Air Sergeant William Hargreaves Hulley, 98244V, 2 Squadron, aged 34. Died of accidental injuries, ruptured spleen.
1943
13549Flying Officer Peter Harold Liddle, 129581, 214 Squadron (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve), aged 21. Killed in action, Stirling MZ261 coded BU-T lifted off from Chedburgh at 23.15, in Suffolk on the nights operations. The target for the night was a bombing raid on Dortmond which included several other 214 squadron aircraft. This was destined to be their last flight. It is unknown exactly what happened, possibly flak or a nightfighter, but Stirling MZ261 crashed at Unna about 15km ENE of Dortmund.
1943
20051Private David Petersen, C/287549, Cape Corps, aged 29. Died on active service.
1943
28664Lieutenant Denis Peter Wilter, 205768, 62 Air School, aged 20. Killed in aircraft accident, 2 crew (1 RAF), hit tree while low flying, crashed 30 miles SW of Pietersburg, in Airspeed AS.10 Oxford Mk I/II #3530.
1944
5150Lieutenant Maurice Davis, 542752V, 70 (R.A.F.) Squadron, aged 21. Killed in action.
1944
5501Lieutenant Arnold Frederick Deelman, 123896V, 70 (R.A.F.) Squadron, aged 32. Killed in action.
1944
7443Warrant Officer Class II Christoffel R Fourie, P/4341V, South African Instructional Corps (Corps), aged 27. Died on active service.
1944
8524Lance Bombardier Ronald Lloyd Grace, 16457, 1 A.A. Regiment (South African Artillery (Corps)), aged 24. Died of wounds, in hospital, at Castel San Giovanni.
1944
11032Private Ngakantsi Jane, N/38617, South African Native Labour Corps (Corps). Died of natural causes.
1944
22536Sergeant John Daynell Sinclair Scott, M/2176, Rhodesia Air Askari Corps (Corps). Died on active service.
1945
38Private Benjamin Abrahams, C/318495, Cape Corps, aged 26. Died at Wynberg Hospital.
1945
307Private Bert Alexander, M/24323, Indian and Malay Corps (Corps), aged 26. Died after discharge.
1945
12329Corporal Alexander Frederick Kirsten, 136465, H.Q. Rly. Constr. Coy. (South African Engineer Corps (Corps)), aged 28. Died in bomb explosion, battle accident.
1955
31612Lieutenant Paul Johannes Maree, 2 Squadron, aged 23. Died in Aircraft Accident, crashed 20 miles NE of Cullinan. Struck a tree while attempting to recover from a spin, in AT-6 Harvard #7691.
1961
41547Staff Sergeant William Charles Stewart Staats, Services School, aged 54. Died of coronary thrombosis, at Pretoria.
1962
41559Air Mechanic Petrus Jacobus Lessing, Services School, aged 63. Died of coronary thrombosis, at Pretoria.
1964
35383Constable Abraham Lekalakala, 148755, Gauteng, aged 21. Died in a Motor Vehicle Accident.
1974
40860Signaller Joseph Maduwa, R44284, 4 Squadron (RSF) (Rhodesian Corps of Signals (Corps)), aged 35. Died of wounds, from a gunshot wound to the head, in Salisbury Hospital.
1975
29448Seaman Ignatius Marthinus Birk, 69258119, 1st Battalion (South African Navy (Corps)), aged 21. Died in Cape Town.
1975
36856Constable Ngwasheng, S160132M, Gauteng. Died in bus accident.
1977
41168Thomas Ndlovu, Special Branch (Internal Affairs), aged 22. Killed in action, at Matobo, Op Tangent.
1978
40696Field Reservist Caesar Gaddini, 384702, Special Reserve (British South Africa Police), aged 47. Died in Vehicle Accident, in the Salops operational area.
1978
39916Dip Attendant Norman Mudzwidza, African Development Fund (Internal Affairs), aged 20. Murdered, by insurgents.
1979
32109Private Albertus Mundey, 74229311BG, 16 Maintenance Unit (South African Ordnance Services Corps (Corps)), aged 21. Died in Military Vehicle Accident, at Grootfontein.
1980
31102Lance Corporal Herman Klukouski, 74154538SC, 41 Battalion, aged 20. Killed in action, in Sector 10, in a contact with the enemy.
1988
29555Private Dirk Jacobus Botma, 85631315, 101 Battalion, aged 21. Died in his sleep at his parents house in Pretoria, cause unknown. He was on long leave.
1991
30352Corporal Michiel Casparus Fouche, 87488730, Louis Trichardt AFB (South African Air Force (Corps)), aged 19. Died in Military Vehicle Accident.
1991
31055Corporal Revis Omie Khoza, 86109584KB, Kruger National Park Commando, aged 35. Died in Animal Attack, attacked and trampled to death by an enraged buffalo while on patrol in the Kruger National Park.
1991
37906Constable Tshabuse, 0610864-4, Kwazulu Natal. Died in the execution of his duty as a member of the South African Police.
1993
36025Assistant Constable Sipho Patrick Mbonambi, 0453856-1, Port Natal Division, aged 24. Died in bus accident.
1994
36288Constable Maisha Phanuel Mohoalali, 0622472-5, Gauteng, aged 23. Died in the execution of his duty as a member of the South African Police.
1995
38273Constable Thomas Wolmarans, 0439964-1, 22 Dist (Burghersdorp) CE Div, aged 23. Died on active service.
1998
35146Sergeant Paul Kganakga, 620749-9, District 39 Johannesburg, aged 31. Died in the execution of his duty as a member of the South African Police.
1998
31487Private Magoai, 95068029, 121 South African Infantry Battalion. Died at Potchefstroom after being assaulted by unknown parties while off duty.
1998
32762Captain Rubuste, 97061675, Infantry. Died in Private Vehicle Accident, at Grahamstown.
1999
32009Corporal Morupisi William Mosehli, 90705559PE, 21 South African Infantry Battalion, aged 43. Died of Medical Reason, at 3 Mil Hospital, while on duty.
1999
32902Lance Corporal Lungile Penelope Shange, 96681655PV, 21 South African Infantry Battalion, aged 24. Died at Inanda, shot by unknown parties, while AWOL.
2001
37463Constable Sebotsa, 468943-7, Far Northern Transvaal Division. Died in bus accident.
2005
37010Constable Doctor Gumbi Nyaile, 7015782-1, Free State, aged 38. Died in a Motor Vehicle Accident.
2008
42416Constable Ntuli, 541465-2. Died as a result of their duties.
2009
42543Reserve Constable Shusha, 2044215-7. Died as a result of their duties.
2012
42820Warrant Officer Mvu, 497296-1. Died as a result of their duties.
2019
43159Sergeant Sibisi, 7054107-8. Died as a result of their duties.
2021
43232Lieutenant Colonel Ndawonde, 0609917-3. Died as a result of their duties.
2021
43233Constable Nkgoeng, 7220744-2. Died as a result of their duties.

We will remember them.

Deaths on 24 May by Year