Identity
Person No.
30006
Old ROH no.
320
Service No.
82513110BG
Last Name
First Name
Hughes Norbert
Initials
H N
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
21
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause code
KIA 14,781
Killed in action
Cause of Death
Killed in action, at Nindango Angola, in Operation Firewood against Swapo
Military Service
Location
Country
Locality
Cemetery
Grave Reference
Coordinates
Memorial
Memorial
Location
Pinetown Library grounds, Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal
Address
Coordinates
Panel
On the panel
Position on the panel will be added with photographs
Operation
Unit History
Home Unit
Attached To
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 Mr. and Mrs. R. de Rose. On Pinetown, Kwazulu Natal Memorial
Research notes
31/201 Battalion Veterans Association (Ziggy Hentze / Rowley Medlin, omega-vets 12 Jan 2011): named HN da Rosa, C Coy, Op Firewood 31 Oct 1987 Nindango. Rowley thought he was not on the war graves list. ROH spelling De Rose.
13 Sep 2026: Pinetown Roll of Honour independently confirms: Rifleman Hugues Norbert de Rose, 1 Parachute Battalion, died in the operational area 31-10-1987, attended Pinetown Boys High -- this corroborates the identification against the 31/201 Bn Veterans Association's earlier flagged doubt ("Rowley thought he was not on the war graves list") already on this record. Named on the Wayside Cross, Pinetown.
Citations
Unknown
External References
-
Pinetown Roll of Honour (Pinetown Museum)
Pinetown Roll of Honour (Pinetown Museum), Wayside Cross
- 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 5
Hughes De Rose attended Pinetown Boys' High School and did National Service with 1 Parachute Battalion. While the details of what happened are sketchy, he and his best friend, Raymond Light, also a pupil at Pinetown, were involved in a contact with SWAPO terrorists. As the fire fight subsided, the group realised that one of these boys were missing. I'm not sure who went back for who, but at the end of the day, both Paratroopers were dead. The one had paid the highest price for the other. parabatchaplain@aol.com Parabat Chaplain
Towards the end of 1987 two platoons of D Company (Jan 1986 ? Dec 1987), 1 Parachute Battalion were seconded to 5 Reconnaissance Regiment. The platoons were under command of Capt PA Pienaar (Pine), 2IC of D Coy and the platoon commanders were Lt J de V Kruys and 2Lt F J Wiese. Together with members of 5 and 2 Reconnaissance Regiments, the members of D Coy took part in an attack on a Swapo base in central Angola. The operation was named Ops Firewood. The attack commenced at dawn on 31 October 1987 and the SA forces only withdrew after dark on the same day. It was estimated that more than 300 Swapo fighters were killed during the battle. At the end of the day Cpl N S Olivier, L/Cpl R M Light, Rfn H N de Rose, Rfn D W van Rooyen and Rfn W F Ewels were dead, killed in action. Several other members of D Coy was also wounded during the battle and Rfn J m Schuurman died on 1 November 1987 of his wounds. Capt P A Pienaar the 2IC of D Coy who was in charge of the two platoons was killed in West Africa almost 10 years later, on 29 October 1997. The names of these members of D Coy appear on the Wall of Remembrance at 1 Parachute Battalion in Bloemfontein. We remember our comrades who paid the highest price on that day in 1987. They were all heroes and proud paratroopers. Ex Alto Vincimus - We Conquer from Above
I fought alongside this man who had great courage! He will always have a special place in my heart. We had some great times back then nearly 21 yrs ago ! Always remembered, never forgotten! Remember fortune favours the brave !
De Rose and Light are gone, but not forgotten. It has been 23 years now, but the memory, and pain do not fade. We were at the same school and served together at 1 Parachute Battalion. We all feel the loss, and honour the sacrifice you both made. With respect, your comrades and friends. Lance Knepscheld Cpl Platoon 4 Charlie Company 1 Parachute Battalion, 86-87 Lance Knepscheld
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.
Dedications 6
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! always.
We were Soldiers, once, and young! It is sixteen years ago today that our brave comrades paid the highest price for their unit and their country. Today we your old comrades remember you and your families. May God grant your families peace. Time may heal the pain but we will never forget you. St Michael, Our Lady Queen of Angels defend us in combat, Defend Us in Battle Holy Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do you, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God cast into hell Satan and ALL the evil spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
You were one of the best mates I ever had,the memories of times we had together will never be forgotten,till we meet again.
To Raymond and Caveman Derose, I miss you chaps BIG time. Thanks for the memories. I am disgusted that you chaps did not receieve the highest honour. Your mate from Delta coy. timbat
Not quite sure of what to say, has been so long and not one day goes buy without thought of the guys who never came back. You gave your today for our tomorrow. Will never be forgotten. Thanks for the good times.