Kunz , Andries Johannes (A J)

Andries Kunz joined the army on 21 february 1940. His unit was the South African Corps Military Police at Voortrekkerhoogte in Pretoria. He was promoted Corporal on 1 August 1940 and embarked at Durban on the S S lea De France on 9 June 1941 and disembarked at Suez on 20 June 1941. He was reported missing on 20 June 1942 and died as POW on 27 October 1943. He was awarded the 1939-45 star. the Africa Star, the War medal and an Africa Service Medal. Forgotten by family and friends I saw a picture of his grave sent to his family by the SADF in my mothers picture album. After some investigation I was able to lay hands on his personal file in the SADF archive in Pretoria. Through further investigation I found his grave was in Rome. In 1998 I took my father 78 years old to Rome. Then and for the first time he stood at his brother's grave. He wept and for the first time realy grieved for his brother. It was quite an experience as I have through the whole investigation bonded with my uncle Andries who died in the World War 2. I dedicate this story to him and will update the website with a photo or 2.

Andries Johannes Kunz was born on 24 july 1913. He attested for fulltime servece in feb 1940. He died in Italy on 27 October 1943 when he tried to escape with 2 friends as a POW. He was my fathers older brother. I took my father in 1998 to his grave in the commonwealth graveyard in Rome.