Identity
Person No.
33489
Old ROH no.
1572
Service No.
80575046BT
Last Name
First Name
Hans Jurgens
Initials
H J
Date of Birth
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
32
Military Service
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause code
SHOT 537
Shot
Cause of Death
Died in Shooting Incident, accidentally killed with his rifle while on a re-supply mission with a supply truck (SAMIL-100) in Angola during operations against the MPLA in Cuito Cuanavale. 40 km East of Luengue. While on the way to fetch water, he bent down and his webbing caught on the trigger of his R4, which fired 3 rounds automatic, killing him
Location
Country
Locality
Cemetery
Grave Reference
Notes
Husband of Mrs. C. W. van der Westhuizen, of Welkom. Alternate name form in some sources: Hendrik Jacobus (same service no.). Duplicate ROH row PN 33490 (1988-07-31 / Gordons Bay / Hendrik Jacobus) removed 2026-08-05 per Mike Sandham.
Citations
Unknown
External References
Stories 3
Gnr van der Westhuizen was killed in an accident with his rifle while on a re-supply mission with a supply truck (SAMIL-100) in Angola during operations against the MPLA in Cuito Cuanavale. He was a member of Regiment Potchefstroom University (the G5-battery). Left a wife and daughter of two.
wessie en ek het die dag voor die ongeluk saam n bier gedrink toe migs ons suroprise ons is in sy buffie in waar hy my sy mes gewys het een vir elke kamp het hy gese in 1986 is ek wessie en sy vrou oos londen toe vir kattekwaad almal van2zero kom in kontak met my ons is die laastes wat daar was groete anton fouche anton fouche-
wessie dis weer daai tyd van die jaar en kan en sal dit nooit vergeet ou maat sal verewig dink aan ons goeie dae saam rus in vrede anton fouche
Dedications 3
We will remember you, Wessie!
Wessie had a premonition aout his death. When reporting for the camp, he told me how he had narrowly escaped death twice just recently and knew that he wasn't coming back alive. We tried to talk him out of it. He was a great guy, a loyal comrade who loved his family. He is still missed. Richard Harris (Lt)
Wessie is oorlede volgens my dagboek op 28/3/1988,Ons onthou jou vriendelike persoonlikheid baie goed.Jy is opgeoffer vir n verlore saak - jammer. PAF Muller(S/Sers)