Roll of Honour 1944 – 1987
2 Lt J.E. Blanchenberg 09/03/1944 6th Bn British Parachute Regiment Cpl A.L. Broodryk 13/04/1976 Operation Savannah Rfn P.J. du Bois 12/08/1978 Rfn J.B. Greyling 12/08/1978 Rfn C.F. van der Nest 12/08/1978 L Cpl E.L. Bell 06/07/1979 Sers L.T.H. Wessels 15/01/1981 Rfn L. Truter 15/01/1981 Rfn G.J. Harvey 01/06/1981 Capt L van Wyk 02/05/1982 Cpl E.P. […]
Honoris Crux Names
Name Date 2 Lt J. Blaauw 17/12/1975 WO2 J.J. Burger 01/06/1976 2 Lt J.G. Parkin 18/10/1979 L Cpl J.A. Venter 18/10/1979 Rfn A.S. de Lange 18/10/1979 Rfn B.J. Gibson 18/10/1979 Rfn B. Maree 18/10/1979 Rfn C.N. McNamara 18/10/1979 Rfn L.B. Southey 18/10/1979 Rfn P.P. de Kock 29/01/1980 Honoris Crux Names of 1 Parachute Battalion. Used […]
Pro Patria Medal
Pro Patria Medal (1974)For service in preventing or suppressing terrorism or, from 1977, in defence of South Africa, during the Border War between 26 August 1966 and 21 March 1990. Qualifying service was 55 (originally 60) days in an operational area, or being involved in combat or a skirmish, or being wounded or killed in […]
Honoris Crux
Honoris Crux Silver (HCS) (1975-2003)Awarded for exceptional bravery in great danger; from 1993 awards were restricted to military operations. About 26 crosses were awarded, the first recipient (1976) being Lt Hermanus van Niekerk, for distinguished leadership, and evacuating casualties, under fire, in Angola. Insignia: Same design as the HCG, but in silver. Honoris Crux (HC) […]
Regimental Sergeant Majors from 1962 – 2006
Regimental sergeant-majors Timeframe Sgt-Maj PJ Grove 08/01/1962 – 11/07/1962 Sgt-Maj PJ Botes 12/07/1962 – 02/08/1962 Sgt-Maj OR Wocke 0308/1962 – 19/07/1963 Sgt-Maj GA Erasmus 20/07/1963 – 21/08/1970 Sgt-Maj JH Kieser 22/08/1970 – 21/12/1977 Sgt-Maj R Claassen 01/01/1978 – 31/12/1980 Sgt-Maj IJ Marais 01/12/1981 – 31/12/1983 Sgt-Maj JL Landman 01/01/1984 – 18/12/1988 Sgt-Maj SS Baard 19/12/1988 […]
Officers Commanding from 1961 – 2009
Edit Officers Commanding Timeframe Cmdt WP Louw 01/04/1961 – 05/11/1965 Cmdt J Fourie 06/01/1965 0 30/11/1967 Cmdt MJ du Plessis 01/12/1967 – 12/12/1968 Cmdt GJ Viviers 13/12/1968 – 22/09/1972 Cmdt JPM Moller 06/10/1972 – 12/12/1974 Cmdt TE Olckers 13/12/1974 – 31/12/1977 Cmdt (Col) DJ Moore 01/01/1978 – 31/12/1981 Col AL van Graan 01/12/1982 – 01/12/1983 […]
Members of 1 Bn who excelled in sport
Name Sport Achievement Col At Schoeman Pentathlon Springbok Col Andre Bestbier Rugby Army Col Anton van Graan Bisley shooting Springbok Lt Nick du Plessis Practical shooting Springbok SSgt Willie O’Neil Bisley shooting Springbok SSgt Harry Finlay Boxing Provincial: Golden Gloves (USA) Serg Anton Nicolaisen Cross country Springbok Kpl Stiaan Marais Boxing Willie Kahts Rugby Springbok […]
Paratroopers who obtained national colours in sport
Name Sport Cmdt SD van Niekerk Diensskiet Col AL van Graan Grootkaliberskiet Lt AS Wheeler Judo Kol A Bestbier Rugby Brig JPF Botha Rugby Capt J de Jager Freefall Parachuting Lt-genl MJ du Plessis Pentathlon Cmdt AHS Schoeman Pentathlon Capt N Visser Pentathlon Maj G Leibbrandt Tug of War (Junior Springbok colours) Taken with permission […]
The ‘Aapkas’
The Aapkas (published in The Friend, 20 August 1975) The first two weeks of the course are probably the most important in the aspirant paratroopers’ training. It is during this short period that they have to pass certain physical training tests. These tests include running 3.2km in 18 minutes, 1.6km cross-country, jumping over a 3m […]
The Marble
The marble is a 32-34kg solid concrete block that was incorporated into paratrooper training. Physical activities with the marble included a 10km run and physical training periods of 40 minutes. The marble even became airborne. It was attached to each troop with a 5 meter rope, resembling the weight of a full kit. The marble […]
