Csqn SAS Messages To all the boys who gave my old man a good send off . Thank you very much, it was nice to see so many of you thought so highly of him and thanks for your kind words. Paul Harper-Ronald and family Reunion 2007 was once again a great success, but have a look at the number of plaques on the wall next to the plinth listing ex members who have passed on this year 13! I must apologise for the number and sameness of the pictures this year but there were problems I did take a lot more and varied ones. Guys if you are a Sorry guys if you have not booked for the South African or UK reunion by now, 11 October, its to late. We are fully booked, Book early next time. 24 September 07
Sadly I must report the passing of Warren “Bones” Botha at 01:20hrs on Thursday the 20th September following a long a difficult battle with lung cancer. He leaves his Daughter Sharren and son Warren and on behalf of the Association we offer our condolences to them for their sad loss. 23 August 2007 Hi Guys, We (some Ex PTS Types) are having a reunion in Busselton, Western Australia. The dates are set down for January 4-5-6, 2008. We would like to invite ALL who had dealings with PTS during the struggle. To date we can confirm the attendance of Derek De Kock, Tony Hughes, Dick Gledhill and my self Paul Hogan. Mike Duffy and Ian Douglas have expressed their intention to attend. We expect many more people to put their hands up once the word gets out. As an added incentive, Southern Skydivers will extend the use of their equipment and facilities to people wishing to partake of a plunge or two. Tandem skydives will be available for people who may be either a little rusty, or who may have been attacked by a sudden burst of common sense! Attendees will also be able to have a flight around the Margaret River wine region. We have a Cessna 182 and a Britten Norman Islander aircraft. I can be contacted for further info at paulhogan@oceanbroadband.net Also of interest, a fellow called Peter Garratt, is in the process of writing a book about PTS. Any photos or other revel ant information that could be passed to Peter would be greatly appreciated. He will credit and acknowledge the senders of information and photos. He intends to produce a very broad account of the PTS involvement. Photos from SAS, RLI, Selous Scouts, RAR, SADF Recce and Air Force are all welcome, as PTS worked with all.
Peter in contactable at pcgarratt@iinet.net.au 21 August 2007 I thank all of you for your compassionate messages of condolence and the tremendous support I have received over this very difficult time.
It was moving to read some of your personal memories of Jake – and although I have never met a lot of you, I recognised you all from stories he used to tell. (Jake was not only an excellent artist, but he was also a first-class story teller!) We did not want Jake's funeral to be a somber affair so all those who attended wore casual gear. On entry of the coffin we played “Time to say Goodbye”. The service was conducted by Capt Michael Allen of the Salvation Army and he delivered a tender speech of the man we all knew. Then we listened to “Amazing Grace” before Butch dedicated the song “I have seen the sun rise in Zimbabwe”. After the dedication as everyone was leaving we played “We’ll be Missing You”. At the braai we all enjoyed Jake's favourite music which included The Rolling Stones, The Animals and a mixture of the 60’s music. We also included a song dedicated by his son Paul – “Guns for Hire”. Greg Budd in Harare dedicated “Hero of the day” and “Brothers in Arms”.
I know Jake would have been very touched by everyone’s support and love, and I know you will always have fond memories of him in your hearts. 5 August 2007 Hi everyone, It is my sad duty to inform you of the passing of Earl “Jake” Harper-Ronald in England early this morning following a long battle with cancer. Jake had been receiving treatment for some months now and was admitted to hospital in the UK yesterday with swollen legs and a serious infection impairing his speech and raising his temperature. Early this morning after receiving morphine to stem the pain he bravely lost the battle and passed away at 05:00h. On behalf of the SAS Regimental Association of Southern Africa I pass our sincere condolences to his family. For further information please contact Jimmy Ley at home Tel: 01732851921 or 01732474924 or Cell: 07768281159 Email: j.ley966@btinternet.com Maggie, Jakes wife may be contacted on 079-68652709. Email little_redxxx@yahoo.co.uk Please pass this message on to anyone in the SAS family I might have missed. Farewell dear friend Pete Maunder Secretary SAS Regimental Association of Southern Africa. Hi everyone, It is my sad duty to inform you of the passing of Neil McNish on Saturday 21 July 2007 following a heart attack. He leaves his wife Toni and daughters Karen and Jeannine. A Service is to be held at 14:00h next Wednesday 25th July at St. Johns Church, Wynberg, situated near the entrance to the Military Base where all will be most welcome to attend. Toni can be contacted on 082-8757623 or email: toneil@telkomsa.net. All members please note, the memorial service for Joe Bresler will be held at the memorial plinth in Durban on the 5 May 07 at 11.00am. Please make every effort to attend. Sir, as an ex Scots Guard and an ex member of 'D' Sqn 23 SAS I would like to pass on my condolences at the death of Joe. I worked with him on and off in Baghdad since September 2005. I found him to be a true profesional, great fun to be with and a great story teller. He always told me that he would dance when Mugabie dies, I for one will be doing it for him when that day comes. We have all lost a real gem. I will be at the funeral, hope to see some of the 'C' Sqn guys there. Yours aye, Ian Hall . 8 April 2007 It is with deep regret that we announce the death of ex member Joe Bresler, killed by a roadside bomb in Baghdad yesterday. Our deepest condolences go out to Joes family We will post details if and when a memorial service is held. Hi there my name is Pedro Wiltshire and most of you would have had your parachute training through my father Michael Wiltshire at the Parachute training school in Salisbury. I am trying to put together a historical photo album of my fathers work. I know that when you all passed or completed your parachute training you would have had a photo taken of yourselves with the training instructor. I myself have met a few of you at the SAS reunions that used to be held in South Africa, but now that I have moved to England I have lost touch with many of my dads old mates. As you know he passed away with cancer years ago but now that I have a new addition to my family I would like to put together a portfolio of my father to show his grand son when he is older. I have lost a lot of his stuff through theft from moving around S.A and across to England. If there is anyone who can assist me in scanning photos and then e-mailing them to me I would be very grateful. I know if he were still alive he would still be going to the reunions and telling the same old stories of which I never got tired of listening to. My e-mail addresses are pedro.wiltshire@mogg-ee.com or pedro_wiltshire@msn.com Thanks Pedro Wiltshire Merry Christmas & and a Happy New Year to commitee, ex members and families wherever they may be. Hennie Schoeman. BARS ON WHEELS LTD 16 Aotearoa Terrace Murrays Bay 0630 North Shore City Tel : (09) 476 9306 Mobile : 021 206 9680 Toll Free : 0508 869 123 E-mail : barsonwheels@ihug.co.nz Hi Gents Can anyone please help David Spence who sent me the following email. Please reply to me at dave@bigpond.net.au Thanks very much. Kind Regards Dave Hodgson (Managing Director,Paladin Group) Hi Dave, Wonder if you can help with some info please. Ex-military, but Brit Royal Marines Commando Forces rather than Rhodie forces. Was in Zim with Brit Govt. 1999/02. Fell serious in love with the place, but sadly now unlikely to be able to go back - at least under present regime. Still in contact with many of Zim friends I have (or they are now in UK). When I was in Zim I picked up a tankard in a market that I felt needed rescuing It is inscribed (under a Scorpion motif) ..."HQ Special Forces - Rhodesia - Maj RDA Bayliss MBE June 1980"...... I wonder whether you or any of your contacts can tell me who is (was) Maj Bayliss? Best Wishes David Spence To: ZPA e-mail address list Greetings! This e-mail is being sent to all Zimbabwe pensioners who have submitted their details to the Zimbabwe Pensioners Association (ZPA) since July 2004. In some cases, the pensioner did not have a personal e-mail address, and gave that of a close relative or friend instead. If you are the latter, please accept this message on behalf of the pensioner concerned. As the ZPA is about to send out letters to all those who corresponded with the ZPA, we would like to confirm that the e-mail addresses are correct or still applicable. To avoid sending attachments that the recipient is unable to open and read, please would you respond to this message. Kindly providelet me know if you are able to open files in PDF (Adobe Acrobat) format, or doc (MS Word). Please would you respond to this message, for our records. Thank you for your assistance. John Redfern Hon. National Secretary Flame Lily Foundation (incorporating the ZPA) PO Box 95474 0145 Waterkloof Tel & Fax: 012 4602066 Website: www.flamelily.ws Maybe a bit late, only got round to looking in today, but I would like to send special greetings to Michael Smith, and tell him that I, and all my family and friends, are very, very glad you are out of that hell-hole. Enjoy life among your own now. We salute you! Cheers Mike. Willem Ratte. Hi Guys, I would like Steve Balletta and Laurie Watermeyer to contact me please. Get my e-mail add from Dave. Its in connection with Simani Mine - ring a bell?
Cheers, Hi, I'm looking for two old friends who did my selection course with me. Peter Woods and Nico Breytenbach. I completed the selection course, para course and my first month in the bush. Unfortunately, Barny Rubble and I did not see eye to eye and I was transfered to the MIU instead of receiving my beret and belt. I was in the bush with Johnson and was trained by "Mad Dog" Harne, the year was 1973, I think. I was a school pal of Nigel Willis and he was coming in to join us when things went wrong. Any contacts would be appreciated. Thank you, Trooper Tollan I Wade Hi everyone,
This is to let you know that the 2005 Remembrance Service DVD has now been completed and available at R120 inclusive of postage. Having viewed it I can assure you that it is of extremely good quality and well worth the money.
Those interested please deposit the R120 into The SAS Regimental Association of Southern Africa Bank A/c at First National Bank of SA, Durban North Branch (220-426) A/c No. 62016286925. Write your name & DVD against the reference No. and send me your postal address and copy of the deposit slip by Email or Fax: 031-5629591 and I will send you your copy. I am writing this as an appeal to any ex-members who find themselves in straightened circumstances or to members or friends and family who are aware of such persons to whom this applies, this includes problems relating to Rhodesian/Zimbabwe pensions, to contact the undersigned, sending full particulars ( only accurate, valid details are to be contained in a comprehensive report) via this website E-mail contact address. This does not constitute a promise of alleviation but rather is an attempt to gather a database of genuine cases, which we will then consolidate and pass on to influential persons in Britain who will in turn make intercession on behalf of the case respondees. This is a long shot but nothing ventured, nothing gained and this appeal is made in the best of faith and I request that no chancers or invalid persons respond. The matter is obviously sensitive and will be handled by me personally, empathetically and appropriately. Full contact details are required and if possible the E mail addresses pertinent to the case. Where application is made, attempts will be made to verify the claimed circumstances by referral to third parties who are in a position to do so. Respondents should be aware of this requirement. A difficult task, I am sure. Please assist us to help those who need it most! Sincerely George Galbraith Chairman SAS Association of Southern Africa . George Please convey my congratulations to your committee on a job well done. The Memorial Service on Saturday was extremely well organized and a fitting tribute to the fallen. I found the Service both tasteful and moving (odd tear in the eye!) . I felt privileged to be there. I particularly enjoyed meeting some of the NOK . It may be a thought that they are especially invited in the future ? I apologize for not being at any of the other functions, but unfortunately it was just not possible. I understand, though, that these went off very well. These sort of functions do not " just happen" - they only come together after much hard work and dedication. The fact that these were such a success is a tribute to you and your committee. Thank you and well done. With warmest regards Grahame Wilson It was a pleasure for Wendy & I to attend the recent celebrations. The memorial service was a very moving occasion especially when we live so far away. Being there, standing with mates remembering our fallen colleagues was very special. Congratulations to the committee for organising such a fun filled occasion - well done, keep up the good work. John Graham, Te Awamutu, New Zealand Just a short one to thank a few people - You Dave for keeping our window open so effectively and of course Colin Prain for enabling it; all of you who peer in regularly and sometimes chat to us through it; our friends and associates for all your support; our generous family members who give so feelingly and willingly to deserving causes and finally to all of you who joined with us recently in Durban to honour our “Fallen” and celebrate our raison d’etre. Thanks also to my sterling committee who make it all happen! Bless you all
If you are reading this and could not make it to our greatest reunion yet, we missed you and extend our warmest greetings and hope to see you soon. Any ex members of the Sqn who are oblivious to our brotherhood are eagerly sought, so if you know of anyone of this ilk, please communicate with them. And talking of communication, your messages, anecdotes, news and questions are welcome on this site
A special mention to the family members who survive SAS men who fell in battle or who have since passed on. You have a special place in our hearts and in our Association and we would like to maintain communication with you, keep that flame alive and welcome you in person to our Annual Memorial Service. Please make contact with us through this medium or otherwise so that we can update your contact details and we will be sending you invitations in due course. Of course, we have the solid brass plaques on our “Wall of Remembrance” which provide a memory in perpetuity, which family members may have mounted next to our Plinth.
My very best wishes NEWSFLASH Hi Everyone, NEWSFLASH
Latest information, 26 September 05 Gentlemen, Can anybody help please.
I'm just wanting to thank you guys for all the great response I got from everyone when I inquired about my dad.It's been great to hear the stories from you and from another angle too as you all knew him in your own special way and from what I understand you were all a family! Your words have been extreamly kind and touching.I've always been proud to say that he is my dad and now that I'm expecting my own little 'monster' it will be great to one day pass all the stories on.
Take special care to you all,
Just recieved my copy of the book organised by one of my brothers. It is excellent and really impressive in its presentation! Good to see all the old faces and go back abit! I served in the unit from 16 August 1965 to 16 August 1970, joining after doing NS in the RRAF and meeting up with John Graham and other Umtali boys doing para course at Sarum. I had been farming until then! We joined on a civvy contract so if you failed you did not have to stay in the army. 3 of us joined on the same day, 3658 Fynn F, 3659 Botha W(Bones), 3660 Carmichael RG, we passed along with another civvy Corrie Oosthiuzen plus 3 RLI guys, Ed Savage, Colin Fullwood and Chris Vermaak. I still have contact with Carmichael who lives in the UK. I then went back as a TF 1979-1980 in trg troop with Rob Johnstone and Stan Hornby. Coming to the Bluff with the crowd in 1980.
There are a lot of faces to put names to but I guess all that will come right now that the book is out. What does surprise me is that there is no photo of Joe Conway who along with TC Woods, Darrel Watt and Stretch Franklin did all the initial tracking for Op Cauldron with RLI. Andre Rabie had completed his 3 yr contract and was in Namibia I think. Joe was killed in a car accident and recieved his BCR postumously. He was the bushcraft man in the unit but seems to have missed a mention when it comes to tracking!
If anyone comes near Pongola pop in and see myself or Tony Talbot who is just down the road from me, my cel 0828986675.
I would like to get a copy of the LRDG book as Les Pittaway and my father were old chinas!! Anyway, well done and Talbot and myself will definitely see you in November!
Does anybody have a sample of a greens lapel badge or steel beret badge which I could either borrow or purchase. I need it as a template for a base-badge for the bronze SAS Troopies we are marketing. The badge will be returned undamaged if required. Please go to www.rhodesianspecialforces.com if you are interested in a bronze. |