Meiring , Muller (M)

Muller did officers training with me. He was killed when an RPG hit his Ratel. It seems as if there was a miscalculation of enemy position and the two groups stumbled into each other.

Killed N/E of Calueque (S Angola) on 27 June 1988 Unknown Unknown

I was with Muller on the day he died. We were school friends and both became officers in our training year. We were together in Angola since late November 1997. He was a great friend and a fine soldier, very much loved by his troops. Following a night of massive artillery bombardments by our forces on a town called Techipa we advanced in 3 fairly small groups towards Techipa. The thinking was that the Cuban/FAPLA forces will move south towards the then SWA border after the bombardment. They did exactly that but a group of infantry 32 battallion? was unable to inform us of their positions. Our 8 Ratel 90's drove straigth into them in an ope "shona". They first hit my 71A ratel with an RPG from behind. It was chaotic. Following that they struck Muller's ratel 72 and then also his 72C vehicle. I realised he was hit as he did not communicate on radio and his vehicle was reversing eratically. I recovered his body and later passed it onto an infantary ratel 20 who had a body bag. The projectile hit his turret and then hit him full in the chest causing severe damage. This year will be the 20th year since his death and I can still recall the day as if it happened yesterday. Fortunately no more people lost their lives as we were sitting ducks and had no protection and no support until we managed to break contact and collect all the solders whose vehicles were destroyed. I salute you.

Baie dankie aan almal wat Muller se nagedagtenis eer, so n wonderlike troos. Ons verlang nog steeds na 21 jaar en in ons huis en hart sal hy altyd bly voortleef as ons seun en ouboet. Ons lewe het so drasties verander, woon nou in Australia om by ons kleinkinders te wees. Ek het onlangs die boek AT THY CALL gelees en het vir die eerste keer verstaan wat daar in Angola gebeur het. Dankie ook aan Clive Holt die skrywer. My innige dank aan Hugh vir die mooi en gevoelvolle manier waarop jy die nagedagtenis van Muller eer, dit doen my mamma hart so goed om te weet daar is die wat hom onthou na soveel jare. Hier sterf gereeld Ozzie soldate en my hart gaan uit na hul geliefdes, dit is n ewige seer. Nogmaals dankie aan een en elk vir julle mooi bydrae. Groete en liefde uit Oz, Suzanne Meiring.

To our beloved son SL Muller Meiring who fought so bravely and died so very young. You are still missed sadly after 16 long years - in our hearts and minds you will live forever. I know if you could speak, you would ask us to be happy in memory of you. You had such a good sense of humour and always made me laugh. On occations I still shead my silent tears and wonder how life would be if you were still with me my only son. Sadly missed by all! S Meiring (mother)and family Suzanne Meiring

Thank you for still looking after your little sister!

Dear Muller You gave your tomorrow for our today. Let no man take that away from you ... for I surely won't. At the going down of the sun ... I will remember you Hugh Termorshuizen

PRO PATRIA You stood against insanity while men fell at my feet, Embracing your own vanity with gold strewn on your street You prophesied futility at a war you saw forlorn, We amplified hostilities; our minds were wrecked and worn The truth is always silent; each carries his own cross Like you we were not violent; though silent at our loss Our gain, at least, to face the Beast with mind renewed return, But you, my friend, are like the yeast, and Sadducees will burn I've sacrificed my conscience in a land I knew not well And crucified my innocence in the raging fires of hell Don't speak to me, you Pharisee, of a life that seems unfair When we did those things in the courts of kings That a jester would not dare While you stressed about those sleepless nights Or the clothes you could not wear, We had our fill of firefights and a land that did not care When you speak to me of misery, reflect upon my tale And the darkness that embitters you, appears at once so pale You protested violence, and detest in me my call While I contested silence, for those who fell and fall I, too, fantasize that love and hope once more shall reign, But don't deny myself red wine in fear of crimson stains I've carried darker stains and groped, but damned to do again From twine I've made a rope to put a metal bar to shame In altitude and aptitude I've reached some dizzy heights The Beast respects my attitude, when visiting at nights My death, despair and solitude he once held in firm grasp, But new breath, care and attitude released me from his clasp My fortress now established in the seed the Bible sows My headdress has been banished, and the need no longer flows To wage a war of any kind not borne of a healthy heart, But gauge in awe the content mind, not torn or ripped apart My friends lie silent on that hill, their blood sipped by the sand Their ends met by the cheapest thrill, ordained by Motherland But don't deny them favour for the deeds you may despise, For their hearts were a different flavour, and your ears heard many lies They were men against not many; they were selfless for their time And when looking for a penny, would give more than just a dime Your thoughts are good in theory, but in practice come to naught, For expressions made with fiery mouths are excessive when not fought Hugh Termorshuizen, 29/12/1999 Hugh Termorshuizen

A THOUGHT FOR MULLER Just cast one special thought for those who pass you on their way, And air no spiteful thought or pose for those who fought that day Their memories to you are naught, but held high by a mate Who is alive and with them fought, though never met their fate And though their war to you unjust, they battled to the end Deeming it a definite must, a cause which to defend Greet him with an open hand, from him there?s much to learn Our past defenders of our land, though no respect did earn Cursed be the tongue that strikes contempt for what he?d done, And nail it with a thousand spikes for those who stood as one Those who fell now have no dreams of full lives here on earth, Or cherish in the brilliant beams of seeing his wife give birth He fell with others on a day towards the close of June, And left a legacy to stay, a soldier gone too soon Your friends, my friend, all miss you so, and though you are not here, My thanks I give, and pray that you should know I deem you dear You curse yourself, dear gentlemen, that did not fight that day To witness what great feats were done by true men in their play You hold your manhood cheap, my friend, with bitterness displayed When you went about to set new trends, while fearfully we prayed Commemorate each year these days where loved ones fought and won A place for you that will remain a deed that was well done Hugh Termorshuizen