Fatfox9's Blog

The Fallen: 23 March

On this day, we remember with honour and pride members of the Rhodesian forces who paid the ultimate sacrifice. May they rest in eternal peace.

1973 – Warrant Officer 1 (RSM) Harold “Harry” BIRKETT, Base Group, 1st Battalion, RLI, killed on active service. Died aged 41 in Sinoia Hospital from injuries sustained in a vehicle accident. He was cremated at Warren Hills, Salisbury.

1977 – Corporal Eric Clifford CLARKE, 2 (Independent) Company, Rhodesia Regiment, killed on active service. Died in a vehicle accident aged 23. Buried in the Athlone Cemetery, Bulawayo.

1977 – Field Reservist Graham John EVASON, Police Reserve, BSAP, KIA. Killed in a contact/ambush, in the Maranda TTL (Map Ref TM2256), near Nuanetsi, Op Repulse at the age of 29. The incident happened at 11:00 hours when the first Land Rover (of two) they were travelling in was hit. Chris Everson was shot five times in his legs, but survived the ordeal. Neville Wright escaped unhurt. His funeral service was held in Salisbury on 23 March 1977. See also J. Terblanche and S. Mashonganyika, killed in the same ambush.

1977 – Constable Samuel Killian MASHONGANYIKA, Special Branch, BSAP, KIA. Killed in an contact/ambush, in the Maranda TTL (Map Ref TM2256, near Nuanetsi, Op Tangent, at the age of 23. He was buried in a private service at his home in Enkeldoorn.

1977 – Detective Patrol Officer Johannes Gideon “John” TERBLANCHE, CID, BSAP, KIA. Killed in an contact/ambush, in the Maranda TTL (Map Ref TM2256), near Nuanetsi, Op Tangent, at the age of 24. He was buried in Athlone Cemetery, Bulawayo on 28 March.

1978 – Field Reservist Pencil MILFORD, Stock Theft, BSAP, KIA. Killed in a CT action in the operational area. His semi-military funeral took place at Warren Hills Cemetery, Salisbury, on 5 April.

1979 – Auxiliary Constable Jealous MUGONI, Police Reserve, BSAP, killed on active service. Died in a vehicle accident, aged 20. His private funeral was held in Gokwe on 29 March.

“So for those who fell in battle, let us stand,
Remember just for what they died,
Of those shall be our boast and pride”.

Gerry van Tonder