Identity
Person No.
31337
Old ROH no.
816
Service No.
81033292BG
Last Name
First Name
Raymond Mark
Initials
R M
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
21
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause code
KIA 14,779
Killed in action
Cause of Death
Killed in action, at Nindango Angola, in Operation Firewood against Swapo
Military Service
Location
Country
Locality
Grave Reference
Memorial
Memorial
Location
On a koppie at the Voortrekker Monument, overlooking Pretoria
Address
Coordinates
Panel
Not listed against a numbered panel
On the panel
Position on the panel will be added with photographs
Memorial
Memorial
Location
Pinetown Library grounds, Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal
Address
Coordinates
Panel
On the panel
Position on the panel will be added with photographs
Operation
Unit History
Home Unit
Attached To
Role at time of death
Airborne light infantry (paratroops)
Status
Regular Force
Part of
Raised 1 April 1961 at Tempe. First battalion of 44 Parachute Brigade from 1978.
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. R. H. Light. On Pinetown, Kwazulu Natal Memorial. | Possible identity for RM Wright named by Rowley Medlin (31/201 Bn Veterans Association / Ziggy Hentze, omega-vets 12 Jan 2011) as C Coy KIA Op Firewood. ROH name Light, D Coy ? not overwritten.
Research notes
31/201 Battalion Veterans Association (Ziggy Hentze / Rowley Medlin, omega-vets 12 Jan 2011): possible match for RM Wright, Op Firewood 31 Oct 1987 Nindango. Surname Light retained.
13 Sep 2026: Pinetown Roll of Honour independently confirms: L/Cpl Raymond Mark Light, 1 Parachute Battalion, died in the operational area 31-10-1987, attended Pinetown Boys High, son of Reverend Ray Light -- this corroborates the surname "Light" against the 31/201 Bn Veterans Association's earlier flagged doubt ("possible match for RM Wright") already on this record. Named on the Wayside Cross, Pinetown.
Citations
Unknown
External References
-
Pinetown Roll of Honour (Pinetown Museum)
Pinetown Roll of Honour (Pinetown Museum), Wayside Cross
-
SADF.info Border Roll of Honour
open source ↗
SADF.info Border RoH
- South African War Graves Project open source ↗
-
The War in Angola
open source ↗
War In Angola Roll of Honour (warinangola.com, tabid=1175), pages 66-76 of 143: confirmed, no changes.
Stories 4
Raymond was a Paratroper who had attended Pinetown Boys' High School. His best friend at school, Hughes De Rose was also a Paratrooper and they served together in The Operational Area. During a fire fight with SWAPO terrorists, one of these boys was badly injured. The details are sketchy, and when one of them went back to assist the other, both were killed. These boys were of the highest quality and ultimately laid down their lives for each other. May they RIP. parabatchaplain@aol.com Parabat Chaplain
Towards the end of 1987 two platoons of D Company (Jan 1986 ? Dec 1987), 1 Parachute Battalion were seconded to 5 Reconnaissance Regiment. The platoons were under command of Capt PA Pienaar (Pine), 2IC of D Coy and the platoon commanders were Lt J de V Kruys and 2Lt F J Wiese. Together with members of 5 and 2 Reconnaissance Regiments, the members of D Coy took part in an attack on a Swapo base in central Angola. The operation was named Ops Firewood. The attack commenced at dawn on 31 October 1987 and the SA forces only withdrew after dark on the same day. It was estimated that more than 300 Swapo fighters were killed during the battle. At the end of the day Cpl N S Olivier, L/Cpl R M Light, Rfn H N de Rose, Rfn D W van Rooyen and Rfn W F Ewels were dead, killed in action. Several other members of D Coy was also wounded during the battle and Rfn J m Schuurman died on 1 November 1987 of his wounds. Capt P A Pienaar the 2IC of D Coy who was in charge of the two platoons was killed in West Africa almost 10 years later, on 29 October 1997. The names of these members of D Coy appear on the Wall of Remembrance at 1 Parachute Battalion in Bloemfontein. We remember our comrades who paid the highest price on that day in 1987. They were all heroes and proud paratroopers. Ex Alto Vincimus -
It has been 23 years, but not forgotten. Raymond and De Rose are are sorely missed. Both Pinetown boys. I served the same years with you guys, in 1 Para, Charlie Company, and I have never forgotten. Till we meet again, my friends, Rest in peace.
Ray was always larger than life always up to something, miss you a whole lot Ray 25 years today. Will not forget bud.
Dedications 5
1 Parachute Battalion - Code of Honour I am a proud and fully pledged member of this Parachute Battalion. I am a member of a unit which is second to none in the world. I promise to serve my country and my nation at all times with pride and loyalty. I promise to wear the insignia of my unit with pride and distinction and to conduct myself at all times as is required of a paratrooper. During battle I am first and foremost a paratrooper and promise to behave as such even if the enemy by far outnumber us. I pledge the highest sacrafice to my country should it be expected of me. I believe in myself, I believe in my unit, I believe in my country, and above all, I
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 fearlessly!
We were Soldiers, once, and young! It is sixteen years ago today that our brave comrades paid the highest price for their unit and their country. Today we your old comrades remember you and your families. May God grant your families peace. Time may heal the pain but we will never forget you. St Michael, Our Lady Queen of Angels defend us in combat, Defend Us in Battle Holy Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do you, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God cast into hell Satan and ALL the evil spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin
Its been 19 years, you gave your today for my tomorrow. I can only hope that your sacrifice and the other guys was worth it. Think of you guys and those days often. Take care until we meet again.
Its 20 years to the date that we lost you boys ... u have lived in our hearts and minds since then and will be remembered for as long as we all still live ... One day we will all rendevous at the big DZ in the sky ... RIP Brave Soldiers ... Ex Alto Vincimus!!