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Van Der Berg , Jacobus Alwyn (J A)

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Photo of Van Der Berg
Identity
Person No.
33411
Old ROH no.
1541
Service No.
73565897BT
Last Name
Van Der Berg 15
First Name
Jacobus Alwyn
Initials
J A
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
1953 (±1 yr) 317
Age at Death
25
Death Record
Date of Death
21 August 1978 115
Cause code
SHOT 546
Shot
Cause of Death
Died in Shooting Incident 289
Died in Shooting Incident, at Oshakati. Gunshot wound accidentally sustained as a result of an accidental discharge of a fellow soldier's rifle
Military Service
Branch
Army
Rank
Rifleman
Regiment
Unknown
Corps
South African Infantry Corps 10,347
Unit
Kaffrarian Rifles 7
Defence Force
SADF 3,830
South African Defence Force
Location
Country
South Africa 23,873
Locality
Gauteng 9,374
Cemetery
GERMISTON (SOUTHPARK) CEMETERY 34
Grave Reference
Alternative Commemoration until grave found 21
Memorial
1978 SAA (Castle–Havenga, Mennigke–Wolfgang)
Names on 1978 SAA Castle-Wolfgang
Memorial
SADF Wall of Remembrance
Location
On a koppie at the Voortrekker Monument, overlooking Pretoria
Address
Voortrekker Monument, Eeufees Road, Groenkloof, Pretoria, 0181, South Africa
Coordinates
-25.77639, 28.17583 · OpenStreetMap
Panel
1978 SAA Castle-Wolfgang
On the panel
1978 Army. Right column. 33rd name from the top (Van Der Berg J.A.)
Unit History
Part of
German South West Africa Campaign 1915 › Units
Notes

Next of kin, J. A. van der Berg

Research notes

SADF Wall of Remembrance (Voortrekker Monument): named on photograph "1978 SAA (Castle–Havenga, Mennigke–Wolfgang)". 1978 Army. Right column. 33rd name from the top (Van Der Berg J.A.).
Col (rt) Graham du Toit Last Post 21 Aug 2026: 73565897BT Rifleman Jacobus Alwyn van der Berg, Kaffrarian Rifles, gunshot wound from accidental discharge of a fellow soldier's rifle while stationed at Oshakati, age 25. Names, SN, date, age already matched; Oshakati accidental-discharge detail filled.
14 Sep 2026: Pro Patria Medal added -- database-wide sweep for SADF Border War operational-area deaths within the medal's gazetted window (25 Jun 1976 - 27 Apr 2003), per the warrant's died-before-qualifying-period provision. See PersonAward.Citation for the gazette references.
14 Sep 2026: Pro Patria Medal added earlier today REVERTED -- John obtained the actual Government Gazette (GG 5171/5575); the "died before completing the qualifying period" provision relied on does not exist in the primary text (it was a secondary-source claim). Actual Rule 5 requires (a) combat/enemy-caused incident, (b) a Ministerially-acknowledged operation (clasp), or (c) 55+ continuous/90+ non-continuous days in an operational area -- none of which this record's cause of death clearly demonstrates.
25 Sep 2026, Unit2 service-branch sweep: the stored Secondary Unit "Air Force" was CLEARED. It was not a sub-unit, it was a service-branch word, and it CONTRADICTED this record's own Branch, "Army". Across the roll 787 records carried such a contradiction; judged against Corps and Regiment -- independent of both columns -- the evidence backed Branch 744 times and Unit2 not once. Branch is therefore kept and the contradicting word removed. Nothing is guessed: this man's branch of service is already recorded, and his sub-unit, if any, is simply not known.

Citations
Unknown
External References
Stories 3
by NUNC ANIMIS Unknown on 30 May 2001 · via source
RFN J.A VAN DER BERG A SERVING MEMBER OF THE KAFFRARIAN RIFLES WAS KIA IN SWA DURING 1978 WHILE ON OPERATIONAL DUTY WITH THE REGIMENT.
on 02 April 2006 · via source
My father and mother divorced just after I was born, being so young I never got to know my father. I was 5 when he was killed on the Border. It was extremely difficult for me and when old enough to realise, my father was no more around. My mother gave me little information of his death and his grave site. It has taken me 20 years, with the help of my loving husband managed to locate and visited his resting place in Boksburg. If anybody was with my father, during his army days or at his passing, would be so kind to make contact with me on the following e-mail darjac@iafrica.com You are always with me Dad Your daughter Jackie Jackie Brown (nee van der Berg)
on 31 August 2012 · via source
Jacobus Alwyn van der Berg, affectionately known as Dutchie by one and all, was a fine soldier who never hesitated to do his duty. In fact he was not called up for Border duty in 1978, having served in 1976 (Ops Savannah) and again in Ovamboland in 1977, but he approached the Regiment and volunteered to go up north again with the boys just because they were going and he wanted to be there serving with them. Dutchie had a happy nature and was well-liked by his comrades. His mischievious behaviour often brought great fun and laughter to the boys. RIP Dutchie, you were a proud and dedicated member of The Kaffrarian Rifles. (Capt) Mick Barrington
Dedications 2
on 02 April 2006 · via source
In Loving Memory of that Man There came a man who Came with love, He stood to gain from no-one else. He gave his life for those of others, To give us pride Like no-one other. He opened his heart, He gave us the world. His heart not small, It supported us all. This is the man who we so loved, Left is to early to reside above. He may be gone but he will never Be forgotten. Jackie Brown (nee van der Berg)
by Fred van Loggerenberg on 28 September 2012 · via source
Gone but not forgotten. ???Dutchie???, "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away in the mist. R.I.P. I SALUTE you.

Source: https://rohsa.co.za/person.php?PersonNumber=33411&pdf=1

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South African Roll of Honour — Remembering those who served and fell. Lest We Forget.