PDF
« Previous

Du Toit , Johannes Hendrik (J H)

Next »
Identity
Person No.
30170
Old ROH no.
399
Service No.
72570187PE
Last Name
First Name
Johannes Hendrik
Initials
J H
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
23
Death Record
Cause code
KIA 14,780
Killed in action
Cause of Death
Killed in action. While busy with operations against FRELIMO in the Madulo Pan area, Gaza Province during Op Acrobat / Melon, he was shot during a contact
Military Service
Branch
Army
Rank
Lieutenant
Secondary Unit
Army
Defence Force
SADF 3,823
South African Defence Force
Location
Memorial
Memorial
Location
On a koppie at the Voortrekker Monument, overlooking Pretoria
Address
Coordinates
Panel
On the panel
1978 Army. Left column. 22nd name from the top (Du Toit J.H.)
Unit History
Role at time of death
Special Forces (Reconnaissance)
Status
Permanent Force (Regular)
5 Special Forces Regiment operates as one of the standing/permanent operational regiments of South African Special Forces, established from the same 1972 lineage as 1 Reconnaissance Commando. Special Forces are their own branch within the SANDF, not part of the Army.
Awards
Southern Cross Medal (1975)
South Africa
Listed with this post-nominal on the SASFA In Memoriam PDF. https://www.recce.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/4.1.-Memoriam.pdf SASFA lists SM(d).
Pro Patria Medal
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. P. J. du Toit. "D" Squadron Rhodesian SAS No 5559869. ref. "Rhodesian Roll of Honour" by P. Geldenhuys (Roll compiled by Dr. J. R. T. Wood). Amendments from "Rhodesian Combined Forces Roll of Honour 1966-1981", by Adrian Haggett and Gerry van Tonder. ref."the Silent War" by Peter Stiff.

Research notes

SADF Wall of Remembrance (Voortrekker Monument): named on photograph "1978 SAA (Castle–Havenga, Mennigke–Wolfgang)". 1978 Army. Left column. 22nd name from the top (Du Toit J.H.).
SASFA In Memoriam (operators): confirmed Special Forces operator. SASFA: Du Toit Kokkie SM(d) KIA 1978. https://www.recce.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/4.1.-Memoriam.pdf 26 Aug 2026: Regiment was "5th Reconnaissance Regiment". SAWGP Regiment 5th Reconnaissance Regiment, Unit 1 Recce Commando.

Citations
Unknown
External References
Stories 1
on 24 July 2007 · via source
"I was making comms at last light when I received a flash message to stand by for a signal in code. I got the code book out and recorded the letters and figures but as I deciphered it tears started to well up in my eyes. It read simply: 'Sunray call sign one is dead.' Our sister group had been lying up at midday when an X Company of some 100 FRELIMO Regulars had followed them. The sentry had spotted their lead scouts and detonated the defence claymores. Kocky marshalled his forces for a sweep through the contact area. An undetected, wounded man shot and killed him as he led his men forward. The group had then come under sustained close-range fire but had fought their way out using mini-claymores to give themselves some breathing space. The loss of Kocky was a hammer blow. He was liked and respected; his humour; and love of life had touched each of us. He was the best officer I'd served with in any army." Harry McCallion SK
Dedications 2
by LM on 14 September 2001 · via source
He was one of the best officers that I served with - what a waste. May his soul rest in peace. Yahoo!
by Johan Schoeman on 16 February 2018 · via War in Angola
Lt Kokkie du Toit was the older brother of Wynand du Toit, who was captured in Cabinda in 1985...