« Previous

Greyling , Johannes Barend (J B)

Next »
Photo of Greyling Photo of Greyling
Identity
Person No.
30531
Old ROH no.
525
Service No.
74440124BG
Last Name
Greyling 47
First Name
Johannes Barend
Initials
J B
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
1958 (±1 yr) 437
Age at Death
20
Death Record
Date of Death
12 August 1978 95
Cause code
DOW 2,733
Died of wounds
Cause of Death
Died of wounds 2,435
Died of wounds, mortar-bomb shrapnel while taking the radio off his back; casevac to Grootfontein, died a few hours after admission
Military Service
Branch
Army
Rank
Rifleman
Regiment
1 Parachute Battalion 43
Corps
South African Infantry Corps 10,343
Unit
Unknown
Secondary Unit
Att 102 Battalion
Defence Force
SADF 3,823
South African Defence Force
Location
Country
South Africa 23,863
Locality
Free State 737
Cemetery
ZASTRON CEMETERY 5
Grave Reference
C1 1
Memorial
1978 SAA (Castle–Havenga, Mennigke–Wolfgang)
Names on 1978 SAA Castle-Wolfgang
Memorial
SADF Wall of Remembrance
Location
On a koppie at the Voortrekker Monument, overlooking Pretoria
Address
Voortrekker Monument, Eeufees Road, Groenkloof, Pretoria, 0181, South Africa
Coordinates
-25.77639, 28.17583 · OpenStreetMap
Panel
1978 SAA Castle-Wolfgang
On the panel
1978 Army. Left column. 40th name from the top (Greyling J.B.)
Unit History
Role at time of death
Airborne light infantry (paratroops)
Status
Regular Force
Part of
44 Parachute Brigade
Raised 1 April 1961 at Tempe. First battalion of 44 Parachute Brigade from 1978.
Notes

Son of Mr. J. B. Greyling

Research notes

SADF Wall of Remembrance (Voortrekker Monument): named on photograph "1978 SAA (Castle–Havenga, Mennigke–Wolfgang)". 1978 Army. Left column. 40th name from the top (Greyling J.B.).
Dave Harris, ROH email 9 May 2016: formally requested his own 2008 dedication (which named a specific cause of death phrase he felt was 'taken out of context' and open to misuse) be replaced across all three men's pages with neutral wording -- 'killed in action by enemy fire ... He paid the sacrifice in the same contact together with' -- applied to Dedications for Du Bois, Greyling and Van der Nest, 12 Aug 1978, Angola.
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 3
by JG on 26 October 2009 · via source
I was at his military funeral in Wepener and can still remember the singing of the workers from the Greyling family farm at the graveside. It was a day of sincere grief for all present - fellow Parabats, friends and family. I acted as driver for Col Archie Moore OC after the service and well remember his anguish at the death of this young man and good soldier.
on 25 September 2010 · via source
I remember this as if it was yesterday. I was a medic, 19 years old, at the Ondangwa Air Base that day, and we tried so hard ...
on 17 August 2026 · via source
Hannes was killed in action in SWA, on 12 August 1978, whilst on hot pursuit of a terorist group of about 45 men strong. He died together with two other paratroopers,
Dedications 2
on 18 September 2003 · via source
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
on 11 December 2008 · via source
Hannes was killed in action by enemy fire in SWA, on 12 August 1978, whilst in hot pursuit of a terrorist group of about 45 men strong. He paid the sacrifice in the same contact together with two other paratroopers, Pierre Du Bois and Corrie van der Nest

Source: https://rohsa.co.za/person.php?PersonNumber=30531&pdf=1

© 2026 Roll of Honour Project — All Rights Reserved

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