Van Brakel, Daniel Gerhardus (D G)

Gerrit was our driver. He was a funny guy and a drummer. He ran out of the tent naked once when ordered to fall in. He showed us how to drum using sticks on concrete. He put on a show once standing in the corner, wearing a woman's blouse (I think), and pretended someone was making out with her (him) - you had to be there - he was funny. Unfortunately he died because of an accidental shooting. If I remember correctly, one of the other drivers was farting around and accidently shot Gerritt?. What a tragedy, and for what?

Gerrit van Brakel was my driver, just a regular white South African dude, conscripted into the army, he was just a young teenager, and he ended up dying for nothing. My heart goes out to his parents. When his buddies went to his funeral, they told us his mother begged them to tell her this had not happened. My heart still breaks for Gerrit. I want his family and friends to know that he was funny, a good friend, a wonderful guy, just doing what he thought he had to do at the tender age of eighteen. He was just a kid doing what he thought he had to do.