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Ellis , Sean Cochrane (S C)

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Photo of Ellis
Identity
Person No.
30222
Old ROH no.
418
Service No.
83435180BG
Last Name
Ellis 24
First Name
Sean Cochrane
Initials
S C
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
1967 (±1 yr) 289
Age at Death
21
Death Record
Date of Death
16 September 1988 111
Cause code
MVA 2,627
Motor vehicle accident
Cause of Death
Died in motor vehicle accident 1,760
Died in Military Vehicle Accident, between Ogongo and Oklango
Military Service
Branch
Army
Rank
Gunner
Regiment
61 Mechanised Battalion Group 23
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 23,863
Locality
KwaZulu-Natal 1,589
Cemetery
DURBAN (STELLAWOOD) CREMATORIUM 15
Grave Reference
Cremated - Memorial Stone 1
Memorial
Memorial
National Gunners' Memorial, Potchefstroom
Location
Potchefstroom, North West province, South Africa
Panel
Not listed against a numbered panel
On the panel
Position on the panel will be added with photographs
Unit History
Role at time of death
Mechanised Infantry (combined-arms battalion group)
Status
Regular Force
Part of
South African Defence Force (1957–1994) — I South African Corps (1 SA Corps) — Battlegroups
Formed 1978 as Battle Group Juliet (SWAPO counter-insurgency, Ovamboland); formally named 61 Mechanised Battalion (Group) January 1979; disbanded 2005 at Lohatla. "Battalion Group" reflects its integral combined-arms structure: two Ratel-20-mounted infantry companies, an armoured car/tank squadron (Eland/Ratel-90, later Olifant), an integral G5 howitzer artillery battery, an 81mm mortar platoon, an anti-tank platoon, and an anti-aircraft troop -- not merely units attached for one operation. Fought at the Battle of the Lomba River, 1987. No evidence found that it was ever subordinated to or redesignated as a "61 Mechanised Brigade" -- see the note on that separate OrgEntity record.
Notes

Son of Mr. and Mrs. D. R. Ellis. Attended Glenwood Boys High School in Durban

Research notes

Gunners Association RoH lists them (South African Border War 1988 Gunner S.C. Ellis) - https://www.gunners.org.za/home-2/roll-of-honour/
Col (rt) Graham du Toit Last Post 16 Sep 2026: 83435180BG Rifleman Sean Cochrane Ellis, 61 Mechanised Battalion Group, killed in a Military Vehicle Accident between Ogongo and Okalongo, age 21. RANK CORRECTED from "Gunner" to "Rifleman" -- Graham's post and the unit context (an Infantry mechanised battalion, not Artillery) both support "Rifleman"; "Gunner" looks like a stray Artillery-rank default. SN/date/age/cause already matched.
16 Sep 2026 CORRECTION (reverting an error made earlier the same day): Rank restored to "Gunner". It had been changed to "Rifleman" on the strength of Graham's Last Post plus an inference that 61 Mechanised Battalion Group was an infantry unit -- that inference was wrong. John supplied a photograph of the National Gunners' Memorial, Potchefstroom, whose 1988 panel reads "GNR S.C. ELLIS", confirming Gunner. 61 Mech was a combined-arms group with organic artillery, so a Gunner in that unit is entirely expected. The stored rank was right all along.

Citations
Unknown
External References
Stories 1
by Graham Du Toit on 16 September 2014 · via source
16 Sep 1988: 83435180BG Rifleman Sean Cochrane Ellis from 61 Mechanised Battalion Group was killed in a Military Vehicle Accident between Ogongo and Okalongo. He was 21.
Dedications 3
on 16 October 2001 · via source
To Sean, a true friend who had time for all, no matter what time of night he came to a position, he would always look up his friends before turning in. We shall see you again Sean Russell Howard
by Alan Colby on 31 October 2006 · via source
To Sean.Till we meet again rest in peace bud. Miss all the laughs and good times, especially that huge brown valiant. You were trully a good friend to all of us.
by Carl Eckhart on 24 April 2012 · via source
Sean was a true friend who put other's welfare before his own. It was a sad day when I learned of the tragedy that killed 2 friends. We will meet again.

Source: https://rohsa.co.za/person.php?PersonNumber=30222&pdf=1

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South African Roll of Honour — Remembering those who served and fell. Lest We Forget.