Identity
Person No.
31038
Old ROH no.
687
Service No.
01550540PE
Last Name
First Name
James McFarlane Wilson
Initials
J M W
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
30
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause code
AA 1,734
Aircraft accident
Cause of Death
Died in aircraft accident. Crashed at Riemvasmaak Bombing Range, near Upington, while busy with a night bombing exercise, in Atlas MB326M Impala Mk I #561
Military Service
Branch
Air Force
Rank
Major
Regiment
Unit
Unknown
Secondary Unit
111 Harbor Protection Unit
Defence Force
SADF 3,830
South African Defence Force
Location
Country
Locality
Grave Reference
Memorial
Memorial
Location
On a koppie at the Voortrekker Monument, overlooking Pretoria
Address
Coordinates
Panel
On the panel
1977 Air Force. Left column. 4th name from the top (Kerr). Wall J. Mc F.W.; ROH J.M.W.
Unit History
Part of
Notes
Son of Malcolm and Mary Paton Kerr. Husband of Mrs. A. Kerr. Attended Glenwood High School, Durban from 1960-63.
Research notes
SADF Wall of Remembrance (Voortrekker Monument): named on photograph "1977 SAA (Kruger–Maquinda, Walker–Wilters) to 1978 SAA (Amorim–Cassamano, Hunter–Mandunga)". 1977 Air Force. Left column. 4th name from the top (Kerr). Wall J. Mc F.W.; ROH J.M.W..
5 Sep 2026: Unit "5 Squadron" (a squadron, SAAF's regiment-equivalent) promoted to Regiment, per John's decision. Corps (South African Air Force) unchanged.
Citations
Unknown
External References
-
Col (rt) Graham du Toit Last Post
Col (rt) Graham du Toit Last Post 17 Aug 2026: OC 5 Squadron, Impala 561, Riemvasmaak night bombing.
- South African War Graves Project open source ↗
-
The War in Angola
open source ↗
War In Angola Roll of Honour (warinangola.com, tabid=1175), page 9 of 143: confirmed, no changes.
Stories 1
Major James ``Jock'' McFarlane Wilson Kerr [born 17/10/1946] attended Glenwood High School , Durban from 1960-63.He was killed on 17/8/1977 during a night-flying exercise near Upington . He was officer commanding 5 SQN at the time of his death .
Dedications 1
Jock I was only a girl of 9 when I met you, my father Barry Moody and you were killed in the same crash. I just want to say that I hope you are both resting in peace. jackie moody