Identity
Person No.
29399
Old ROH no.
73
Service No.
83249417BG
Last Name
First Name
Melvin Ashley
Initials
M A
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
19
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause code
KIA 14,780
Killed in action
Cause of Death
Killed in Action during a contact with insurgents in Sector 20, Kavangoland, North Eastern South West Africa / Namibia
Military Service
Branch
Army
Rank
Lance Corporal
Regiment
Unit
Unknown
Defence Force
SADF 3,817
South African Defence Force
Location
Country
Locality
Cemetery
Grave Reference
Coordinates
Unit History
Role at time of death
Airborne light infantry (paratroops)
Status
Regular Force
Part of
Raised 1 April 1961 at Tempe. First battalion of 44 Parachute Brigade from 1978.
Awards
South Africa
Pro Patria Medal warrant, Government Gazette No. 5171 (25 Jun 1976), Rule 5, as amended by GG No. 5575 (3 Jun 1977); discontinued by GG No. 25213 (25 Jul 2003, Schedule corrected by GG No. 26778, 17 Sep 2004) for service on/after 27 Apr 2003. Gazette extracts: https://rohsa.co.za/award.php?id=24
Notes
Son of Desmond Julius Benecke and Georgeanna Ophelia Nell
Research notes
Col (rt) Graham du Toit Last Post 6 Sep 2026: gives location as the Lomba River, Southern Angola, during Operation Modular -- differs from this record's existing "Sector 20, Kavangoland" (South West Africa). NOT resolved: a genuine location disagreement between two sources, not overwritten. Also names the unit "44 Parachute Brigade Pathfinder Company", more specific than this record's "1 Parachute Battalion" -- not necessarily contradictory (Pathfinder Company could sit within 1 Para Bn under 44 Para Bde), not overwritten.
Citations
Unknown
External References
-
SADF.info Border Roll of Honour
open source ↗
SADF.info Border RoH
- South African War Graves Project open source ↗
-
The War in Angola
open source ↗
War In Angola Roll of Honour (warinangola.com, tabid=1175), pages 66-76 of 143: confirmed, no changes.
Stories 3
Always remembered as a friendly and quite person. Sad day that he left us,so could not help but remmember him and been on my mind for years,as I was injured 6 weeks later. Stephen Janse Van Rensburg( paratroopersky@hotmail.com ) Stephen Janse Van Rensburg
Recall that Mark walked into a ambush and was hit in the head,while operating with fellow Pathfinders. Know that he comes from Humansdorp,around a 100 km outside of Port Elizabeth.
I just want to say that the person number 73 was Melvin Benecke and NOT Mark as mentioned in one story and that Melvin was from a small town in the Eastern Cape called ALICEDALE and NOT Humansdorp. Malvin matriculated at the Brandwag Highschool in Uitenhage. He was a true soldier and a warrior and will always be remembered.
Dedications 3
Lead the way my friend. You always did. Untill we meet again. Your wings will always shine.
1 Parachute Battalion - Code of Honour I am a proud and fully pledged member of this Parachute Battalion. I am a member of a unit which is second to none in the world. I promise to serve my country and my nation at all times with pride and loyalty. I promise to wear the insignia of my unit with pride and distinction and to conduct myself at all times as is required of a paratrooper. During battle I am first and foremost a paratrooper and promise to behave as such even if the enemy by far outnumber us. I pledge the highest sacrafice to my country should it be expected of me. I believe in myself, I believe in my unit, I believe in my country, and above all, I believe in God.
Paratrooper's Prayer Heavenly Father, King of the world I know that all things are in your hands, whatever happens to me. As a paratrooper I am prepared to suffer hardship. I am ready to endure danger and unrest, pain and hurt. I am willing to be hungry end thirsty. I am prepared to face the enemy fearlessly. Lord I am weak. I cannot depend on my own strength. I do not want to trust in my own abilities. Lord my God, Let me trust in you alone. Give me courage and strength, and, above all, faith to do my work fearlessly!