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Elliot , Gavin Dickenson (G D)

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No photograph available — remembrance poppy
Identity
Person No.
30218
Old ROH no.
2043
Service No.
74262247BG
Last Name
Elliot 11
First Name
Gavin Dickenson
Initials
G D
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
1959 (±1 yr) 442
Age at Death
22
Death Record
Date of Death
18 August 1981 116
Cause code
ACC 1,586
Accident
Cause of Death
Died of accidental injuries 71
Died of accidental injuries during a live-fire exercise at the Oshivello training area during mobilisation for Ops Protea. Signaler moving behind the front line of infantry with Captain Harrison; a 90mm high-explosive projectile from an armoured vehicle hit a lone tree close to them and exploded, killing him instantly and seriously wounding Captain Harrison
Military Service
Branch
Army
Rank
Rifleman
Regiment
5 South African Infantry Battalion 98
Corps
South African Infantry Corps 10,343
Unit
Unknown
Secondary Unit
Army
Defence Force
SADF 3,823
South African Defence Force
Location
Country
South Africa 23,861
Locality
KwaZulu-Natal 1,589
Cemetery
PIETERMARITZBURG MOTH GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE 3
Grave Reference
Cremated - Ashes at MOTH Garden of Remembrance in Pietermaritzburg 1
Operation
Operation
Protea
Dates
1981-08-23 to 1981-09-04
About
The largest SADF conventional operation since the Second World War at the time it was launched: a deep mechanised incursion into Cunene province, Angola, against SWAPO and Angolan (FAPLA) forces, resulting in the occupation of Xangongo and Ongiva and the capture of large quantities of Soviet-supplied FAPLA equipment.
Unit History
Part of
Infantry Formation (SAAIF) — Motorised Infantry — Regular
Notes

Son of Mrs. H. M. Elliot

Research notes

Col (rt) Graham du Toit Last Post 18 Aug 2026: 74262247BG Rifleman Gavin Dickenson Elliott, 5 SAI, accidentally killed during a live-fire exercise at Oshivello during mobilisation for Ops Protea; 90mm HE from an armoured vehicle hit a tree, age 22. Captain Harrison (company commander) seriously wounded, survived — not on the roll. ROH surname is Elliot (not overwritten). Training excercise corrected to exercise / Oshivello / Ops Protea filled.
14 Sep 2026: Pro Patria Medal added -- database-wide sweep for SADF Border War operational-area deaths within the medal's gazetted window (25 Jun 1976 - 27 Apr 2003), per the warrant's died-before-qualifying-period provision. See PersonAward.Citation for the gazette references.
14 Sep 2026: Pro Patria Medal added earlier today REVERTED -- John obtained the actual Government Gazette (GG 5171/5575); the "died before completing the qualifying period" provision relied on does not exist in the primary text (it was a secondary-source claim). Actual Rule 5 requires (a) combat/enemy-caused incident, (b) a Ministerially-acknowledged operation (clasp), or (c) 55+ continuous/90+ non-continuous days in an operational area -- none of which this record's cause of death clearly demonstrates.

Citations
Unknown
External References
Stories 4
by Sid Cunha on 10 June 2010 · via source
I managed to contact Gavin Elliots mother Hazel and sister Kerry about a year ago.Gavin was tragically shot by "accident" during a training exercise.The real truth will never be known. A PF Captain (Harrison) who was with Gavin (he also got shot but survived) survived the incident. He is the only person that knows the real truth. If he could contact me I would appreciate it so that the family can finally lay this matter to rest.
by Rod Bath on 07 October 2010 · via source
Gavin Elliot was tragically killed (and Capt Harrison seriously wounded) during a live fire exercise in the Oshivello area during the mobilisation of forces for Operation Protea in Aug 1981. Gavin was a signaller with 5 SAI. Gavin, as the signaller, was moving with Capt Harrison (the Company Commander) behind the front line of infantry as they attacked the training objective. An armoured vehicle (I'm not sure whether it was a Ratel or an Armoured Car) fired a round which accidently hit a lone tree/bush very close to where they were positioned and they were hit by the shrapnel, killing Gavin outright. I was in the same Company as Gavin, but was not in the immediate area of the incident and only found out afterwards what had happened from the other guys in the company - most of whom did not witness the actual incident as it happened to their rear. It was dreadfully sad that he was killed - but it was almost a freak incident that the shell hit one of the very few bushes/trees in the area. Capt Harrison took a very long time to recover from his wounds and had to transfer to a non-combat role. I hope that this information helps Gavin's family.
on 22 May 2011 · via source
I was with Gavin in 5SAI b comp and remember him to be a fantastic bloke to get on with. The above story of how he died is very accurate. There is one thing that I would like to make clear the accident was during the day and not at night. I say this because there was rumor at the time his family was told it was night training. RIP Gavin You will always be remembered. Tony LE Roux (Snowy)
by RIP Trompie Terblanche on 08 June 2011 · via source
The facts as put by Sgt Bath and Snowy is 100 % correct. I seved in the same coy at 5 SAI.
Dedications 3
by Sid sid cunha on 26 May 2009 · via source
Dear Gavin, my mate. By chance I stumbled upon this site. You were tragically killed in 1981 and we never really knew what happened. We were good mates at Alexander Boys High in Pietermaritzburg. God bless your soul and may you rest in peace.
by Kenny Nimmo on 27 May 2009 · via source
A good classmate was Gavin and we always had a good laugh and joke at Alex. May those who are left be comforted by the fact that he was indeed a wonderful person.
by undefined:undefined on 12 April 2016 · via War in Angola
RIP Gavin