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Van Niekerk , Theo Bence (T B)

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Photo of Van Niekerk
Identity
Person No.
33558
Old ROH no.
1731
Service No.
79581435PE
Last Name
Van Niekerk 157
First Name
Theo Bence
Initials
T B
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
1958 (±1 yr) 437
Age at Death
22
Death Record
Date of Death
30 June 1980 134
Cause code
SHOT 546
Shot
Cause of Death
Died in Shooting Incident 289
Died from a gunshot wound accidentally sustained while at Fort Doppies in the Caprivi Strip
Military Service
Branch
Army
Rank
Corporal
Regiment
1 Reconnaissance Regiment 14
Formerly 1 Reconnaissance Commando (1996)
Corps
South African Infantry Corps 10,347
Unit
1 Reconnaissance Commando 8
Later renamed 1 Reconnaissance Regiment (1996)
Defence Force
SADF 3,848
South African Defence Force
Location
Country
South Africa 23,872
Locality
Gauteng 9,374
Cemetery
THABA TSHWANE (NEW) MILITARY CEMETERY 592
Grave Reference
Grave 1080 1
Coordinates
-25.78214, 28.12179 OSM
Unit History
Role at time of death
Special Forces (Reconnaissance)
Status
Permanent Force (Regular), some sub-units Citizen Force
The first South African Special Forces unit, established at Oudtshoorn, Cape Province, 1 October 1972. Special Forces operate as their own branch within the SANDF (not part of the Army/Navy). Some Reconnaissance Commandos had Citizen Force (reserve) components alongside the standing Permanent Force structure -- needs further research to determine which applies to a specific record/era.
Awards
Pro Patria Medal
Pro Patria Medal
South Africa
Pro Patria Medal warrant, Government Gazette No. 5171 (25 Jun 1976), Rule 5, as amended by GG No. 5575 (3 Jun 1977); discontinued by GG No. 25213 (25 Jul 2003, Schedule corrected by GG No. 26778, 17 Sep 2004) for service on/after 27 Apr 2003. Gazette extracts: https://rohsa.co.za/award.php?id=24
Notes

No additional information known at this time

Research notes

Col (rt) Graham du Toit Last Post 30 Jun 2026: 79581435PE Corporal Theo Bence van Niekerk, 1 Reconnaissance Regiment, died from a gunshot wound accidentally sustained at Fort Doppies, Caprivi Strip, age 22. ROH had age 42 / EstBirthYear 1938 (inconsistent with a 79 PE number) and unit "C" Coy. with Unit2 Air Force.
SASFA In Memoriam (operators killed in training / selection incomplete): confirmed operator; died in training (SASFA: Operators killed in Training); also listed under men who passed selection but died before becoming operators. SASFA: Van Niekerk Theo / Theo B 1980. https://www.recce.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/4.1.-Memoriam.pdf Listed twice in the PDF: Operators killed in Training AND men who passed selection but died before becoming operators. ExtraCitation records both; operator-status not forced.

Citations
Unknown
External References
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