Stories

Like most others doing national service Edward and I were trying to negotiate our way through challenging times. We were a two man training team for all new recruits into the area as well as providing operational suppor…

Jakes was killed in a landmine incident while on patrol from our 52 base...okolongo He was 19 years old; much too young to die Toni Fourie

I recall clearly the accident in the vehicle yard, it happened right infront of me, Grant and another gunner were removing a G5 Cannon tractor wheel when the split rim exploded,both had severe facial injuries. I ran all…

If this is Leon, then he died in a shooting accident in training at Oshivelo with the Durban Regiment, I was part of the following section to fire live ammunition at targets pinned in the bushes simulating a contact, th…

My brother my hero. You lived for the cause. Loved your country more than most. You were a special one. Miss you dearly. We will rise again! eksteen maritz

Lt Dixon passed away when the Buffel vehicle they were travelling in overturned. He was part of the Kaffrarian Rifles unit in East London.

Howard attended King Edward VII high school in Houghton. I knew him as a teenager, and he lived 1 bock away from my home in Highlands North. I know to this day his family miss him sorely and appreciate his sacrifice. I…

Ons was gedurnde 1988 op die grens toe EP Koorts en die ander dood is. Ek was in Bravo komponie (Peleton 2) van 8 SAI en dis die eerste maal dat ek gesien het hoe n Kaptein (Harde PF man) in trane uitbars. EP was ook sa…

Christopher Andrew Palles was my grandfather. He came from an eminent Irish family - his grand uncle was Christopher Palles - Chief Baron Palles - a distinguished jurist. C A P blotted his copy book and was sent to Aust…

Mark completed his basic training at 5 SAI (July 1983 intake). We met when our group completed a 5 month tour and landed up at Nepara base. All NCOs and officers were invited to a braai at 905 Special Service Company, w…

If anyone knows my brother send me a E-Mail Willem de lange

killed in a accident involving a ratel.lived in east london.fellow towing the ratel also from el dale

I did basics with Lourens Muller at 5 SAI Ladysmith in July 1976. I did not really know him well but he seemed like a very enthusiastic NSM. He went on to Infantry School then became a corporal instructor at 4 SAI. He w…

Fires(Johan) v Vuren

Believed to be John Smith Raffan, b. 11th Apr 1870 in Fordyce parish, Banffshire, Scotland to James Raffan & Anne Smith. Husband of Mary Ann Grogan, married 9th Mar 1892 in Old Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Died 21…

Boer War 1899-1902 - Soldier details Name: BLACKHALL, David Rank: Private Soldier number: 1348 Unit: Steinaeckers Horse Source: findmypast.co.uk Boer War 1899-1902 - Soldier details Jim Reidford

we were at school best friends.when i was doing my national service i heard of his death but did not believe it.i always had it in the back of my mind and when i visited the voortreker monument i looked up his name on t…

the story described above is inaccurate and not fair to all the SA Pathfinders who lost their lives there that day. The true story follows below as added by a member of the platoon that was there. This version was added…

The story that Rfn B Venter died at Bridge 14 is incorrect and must refer to another person. Barthlomeus "Bart" Venter died of mortar wounds sustained on 11 November 1975 in a battle north of Lobito and 13kms south of N…

D Coy were walking at night and Eitieen was point, ter was hiding in a bush and shot him in the head from behind. Unable to get choppers in as it was dark and Eitieen died after a few hours.

Ek en Chris was saam luitenante by 1SDB , hy kortdiens en ek staandemag. Met die 1 April 89 Swapo inval het ons spore opgevolg saam Koevoet ,op die 3de April het ons die middag kontak met die vyand gehad ,hewige vuur de…

The other person that was shot in the leg was a Rfn Momberg. I - Apie van Dyk currently still have Rfn Jans -Janse van Rensburg - dog tags in my possession after all these years. Wish I knew where or who his parents and…

He was killed at the battle of Spion Kop, South Africa 24th January 1900. He is buried in a mass grave in what was the British trench. There is a personal memorial to him in the shape of a cross bearing his name, rank a…

According to feedback received from SAW Andre van der Walt was fataly injured in a vehicle accident in the Caprivi stip. He was apparently driving a Unimog at the time of the accident and there were no medical help avai…

CPL Leonard was a section leader when I did my 1 year national service at 2 SAI in Walvis Bay. We all went to the boarder together. Terry and his section stayed in the tent next to mine at Nkongo up North. He had a spec…

Hendrik van Cittert was an uncle of my grandfather Johannes van Cittert. He had just arrived in Pretoria, and was invited to ride with the boers on Commando and was killed in the battle of Elandslaagte in 1899. He made…

Ray was always larger than life always up to something, miss you a whole lot Ray 25 years today. Will not forget bud.

Hey buddy miss you guys so much, 25 years today, will never forget the good times. So long Pal enjoy your jumps in that big DZ soft landings till we meet again.

Hi ,I really hope this is not rfn job,driver for Romeo mike 6 .i was a 2nd Lt in command of Romeo mike 6 for a while ,remember him as my driver and friend during time spent at 101 in 1985! Had my first contact in Angola…

J P Uys was in 1 Para Bn A Coy 79/80. He was killed in the Kaokaveld in 1980 when the Buffel in which he and other members of Valk 2 were travelling back to camp overturned. All troops in the buffel were injured as the…

Grant Mann and another gunner were changing a wheel on a vehicle in the transport park (TPT) at the 10 Artilery Brigade in Potchefstroom, when the wheel exploded and sent one of the split pieces of the rim flying throug…

Killed in Action 4th August 1900 Elands River Western Transvaal. No. 2518 British South Africa Police. One of the garrison of 505 Rhodesians and Australians besieged 4th - 16th August 1900. Most likely one of the gun cr…

I recall the day that Willempie died as if it were yesterday, and now almost 30 years later I remember that he was a sharing guy and and slow to anger. He was in my section and although I hung out with the other guys li…

I served with Tim in the same platoon but not in the same section. Earlier the day of 16 December 1976 we spend some time together during the day chatting about the love ones back home. Enjoying some of the eats that we…

I served with Eddie Yeo at 25 Field Squadron, Oshakati. Eddie was supposed to go with us on a pass that April (1988), but duty called and Eddie had to stay for another 2 weeks..... I remember our last goodbye so well...…

It is 30 years ago that you were taken from us so tragically and yet your memory still burns so brightly in our hearts. We mourn the loss of a son, brother, uncle and family that you may have had and wonder how differen…

Yes, I remember Sgt Major Burger from 1975 at 2 SAI. I was fresh out of infantary school posted to 2 SAI as platoon weapons instructor. SM Burger was my CSM. Can remember him as being a wonderful person to us instructor…

Gone but not forgotten . I remember this like yesterday. A very sad day in our lives. Pte Aubrey John Botha was my brother in law at the time and was doing duty with 11 Commando, Kimberley in Umtata due to the critical…

I was sad today when browsing on the internet and i came upon this site. Lt Kurt Gagiano was one of the Lt's in Charley Company, 2 SAI Battalion, Walvis Bay, 1975 to 1976 when i did national service. I remember him very…

A quick overview of the story of W.A Knisley ,From selkirk Ont canada ,he Elisted on 28th Dec 1899 . Fought in the Boer War in South Africa Recived Distinguished Combat medal, Also distinguished Service in the feild. Un…