Louw, Erasmus Johannes (E J)

Maj Louw was second in command of 8 SAI, Upington, Northern Cape. He was accidentaly shot in a night attack exersize. It was a freak accident and he was hit by a low aimed flair triggered by a fellow officer with the rank of Captain. May he rest in peace.

Maj Louw was the 2IC at 8SAI and while on a training exercise at Riemvasmak outside of Upington, he was shot in the back of his head with a flare by accident by the Adjudant.

Only recently stumbled upon this website. The person listed in this page is my dad. I was 3 at the time of his death. His date of birth was 12 February 1954 in Pretoria. Date of death was ?? September 1984. His grave is situated in the military cemetary in Pretoria. I will dig around for more info. Thanks for this website.

I was honored to serve under Major Louw in 1981 /1983 at 8sai Upington. He was a fair and just officer. I was saddened on hearing of his death and often think back on the time i served in the Sadf under his command. It will never be the same.......

The then-Captain Louw was a company commander at 2 SAI Walvis Bay in 1981 when I was the signals officer. As a previous contributor stated, a kindly and pleasant man. RIP. 76595313PE

I was a Jan 1983 intake to 8SAI for National Service . It was baking hot and basics and beyond was hell for us at the time . Training was hard but looking back it made us into good soldiers . Some of the rank were most unpleaseant and unnecessary so but occasionally there were some signs of decency . I remeber Major Louw as an energetic, motivated Major who really got his troops motivated and was very firm on the job but very fair . He was well liked, smart and respected for the great manner in which he conducted himself and motivated others . No doubt he would have gone all the way to General .A great soldier and a good man . Remembering back , I was very sad on learning of his passing and have thought about it subsequently .

Although nearly thirty years have gone by since i finished the army i remember Maj Louw as well. I was part of the Jan 82 intake and was in platoon 3 Charlie company. I remember Maj Louw as a fair and well respected Officer and i was sad to hear that he had died in such a tragic accident. Unfortunately many losses were due to accidents that could have been avoided. Rest in peace Major.

I was in the Jan 83 intake and remember this incident - Very sad. glenn

I knew Eric quite well as I was his civvy Dominee in Walvisaai Meersig. He was a wonderful person and we remember him and his wife Elna fondly Dieks Theron

09 Sep 1984: 70229240PE Major Erasmus Johannes Louw from 8 SAI was killed instantly when a fellow Officer accidentally shot him in the back of the head with a 1 000ft rocket flare during a training exercise at Riemvasmaak outside Upington. He was 29.