Van Der Wath, Jeremy John (J J)

"JJ" was a Bosbok pilot who was doing duty at AFB Ondangwa during 1981. One afternoon while flying low level ration drops over a shona he clipped some trees while pulling up. Both he and his passenger, an Officer from the Army, were killed when the aeroplane lost control and crashed. It was a tragic loss and a great shock. I had kept "JJ" company on several occasions as a passenger while he was flying those long tellstar sorties that were so vital for communications. parabatchaplain@aol.com Chaplain

Dear John I have a little information on Jeremy John van der Wath. He was in 42 Squadron SAAF, he was a lieutenant, 77386993PE. Jeremy was born 3 January 1961 and died on 29 May 1981. He was cremated and the ashes scattered in the sea off Amanzimtoti. Jeremy was Aged 20. He was killed in an aircraft accident on 29 May 1981, near Eenhana, in Atlas AM3C Bosbok #958, whilst serving at AFB Ondangwa, one afternoon while flying low level ration drops over a shona, one of the containers struck the rudder and elevators, then i think he possibly clipped some trees while pulling up and lost control and crashed. He was the only son of Lyle and Barbara van der Wath, and has one sister Wendy. I do believe the army passenger in the plane at the time was Christoffel Petrus Taylor, 2nd Lt, 1 Para Bn, 77254266PE, he was evacuated to 1 Mil in Pretoria and died of his injuries on 2 June 1981. Christoffel was born on 20 March 1961 and was the son of Mr FP Taylor, he is buried at Meyerton Cemetery. Jeremy was passionate about his flying, and gained his licensce at Virginia Airport, Durban while still at school. He had an uncle in the airforce, I cannot remember his name. If I remember correctly Jeremy had swopped his duty with another pilot so went up to Ondangwa earlier. I shall send pictures of Jeremy who was so proud of his Uniform, his squadron, and had so much enthusiasm and energy, he loved what he was doing. The day Jeremy died I lost my best friend and the love of my life. Sadly 9 months before Jeremy died, my cousin Roy Hilton Tonkin was killed coming home on a weekend pass, he was my other best friend. Jeremy and Roy would both have just turned 50, one wonders what they would have been doing with their lives 30 years on. I thank you for your dedication in maintaining a Roll of Honour, our loved ones are never forgotten no matter how long ago the tragedy occured. Thank you Jane Jane Knight Taylor Taylorjk@ukzn.ac.za 2011-02-17 00:18:08 <