Identity
Person No.
30823
Old ROH no.
1886
Service No.
76389444BG
Last Name
First Name
David Nicolas
Initials
D N
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
20
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause code
KIA 14,780
Killed in action
Cause of Death
Killed in action, at Ongiva during Ops Protea. 5SAI B Coy Platoon 3 had penetrated the airport about midway down with minimal resistance from NE and then moved NW along the runway. Three PLAN Companies were by now concentrated at the NE Corner of the runway on the NE side of the tar road. They were keeping the Ratels at bay with Anti-Aircraft fire. We were tasked with eliminating those positions. We managed to get very close to the PLAN trenches without casualties, despite drawing heavy fire. About an hour into the 4-5 hour battle, Dave stood up to throw a grenade into the trench about 30m away and was shot in the stomach. The medic had gone down about 50m back and refused to come forward. Dave cursed him for about 2.5 hrs and then went quiet
Military Service
Branch
Army
Rank
Rifleman
Unit
Unknown
Secondary Unit
"B" Coy.
Defence Force
SADF 3,825
South African Defence Force
Location
Country
Locality
Cemetery
Grave Reference
Coordinates
Operation
Operation
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
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. Janse Van Rensburg
Research notes
Col (rt) Graham du Toit Last Post 27 Aug 2026 / Bushwar Books Lest We Forget 27 August (https://www.warbooks.co.za/posts/lest-we-forget-27-august/ Ops Protea, Ongiva airport. Graham: stood up to lob grenade into enemy trench, mortally wounded in stomach, died before medical aid. ROH narrative already detailed; confirmed.
Citations
Unknown
External References
-
Bushwar Books - Lest We Forget
open source ↗
Lest We Forget 27 August
-
Col (rt) Graham du Toit Last Post
Graham Last Post 27 Aug 2026 — Ops Protea
- South African War Graves Project open source ↗
Stories 2
Dave paid the ultimate price at Ongiva during Ops Protea serving in B Company 5 SAI. norman
If my memory serves me correct Dave was also hit by lightning at Boschhoek during second phase. He wad mag gunner and the barrel was in the air and he and the number two was in the trench. Dave will be remember as a big strong man. R.I.P. You will be remember.
Dedications 1
Dave. I don't think that you had ever lost a fight. I'll never forget that day at Ongiva. You held on for hours, but the medics would not come to assist. I hope that you have found peace and forgiven them. One day I may be able to, but not yet. Nag ou Grote.