Nel, Johan Nicolaas (J N)

I did my basic training with Johan Nel, at Valhalla Air Force Station, first intake 1988, 3rd Flight, Squadron 3, under Cpl Dave Doubell, Johan originally from a farm near Bredaarsdorp, was the ultimate gentle giant. After basic tarining he was posted out to Mobile radar at the then snake valley, if I remember correctly, and he left for the border about the same time I did, July 1988, I never did see him there although we had regular contact over the radio's as we were in similar set-ups in mobile radar encampments he was just about three hundred kilo east of us. I think it happened just before Christmas that year, Johan was on call and they got a heads-up and rushed to the trailers, only problem was that the one trailer was not earthed properly and in the rush Johan was barefooted and to further compound a rash of sad events, it had been raining, there was a short on the door of the trailer and as he touched it he was instantly shocked to death. A waste of a truely great person, as it always is, but I think still an unforgivable mistake, one that has never been fully explained or cleared up. No one was brought to book for this nor a investigation launched. That's the story. Johann was buried at his home town just after new years, if I remember correctly. Lest we forget, you will always be missed you big dutchman!! A friend. Unknown Unknown

I was with Johan up at Ondangwa in 1988. It was a shock for all of us in Radar with his passing. As it was said, he was a gentle man of class and distinction. I remember his easy smile, his cape brei, firm hand shake and a sense of decency.