In Memory Of

LOMBARD, NIEL

Service Details
Age:
 20
Date of Birth:
 1955-07-27
Service No:
 71259428BC
Rank:
 Trooper
Unit:
 1 Special Service Battalion
Unit 2:
 "B" Sqdn.
Regiment:
 South African Armoured Corps
Date of Death:
 1975-11-23
Cause of Death:
 Killed in action, in Battle of Ebo. He was the driver of the armoured car commanded by Lieutenant J. du Toit. They were oredered forward toward the bridge over the Massaba river. As the car approached the bridge it was hit with a hollow charge round from a 76mm cannon and he was instantly killed. the car ended up on its side in the river
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
 Body not recovered - Memorial Needle
Cemetery:
 RIEBECK WEST CEMETERY
Localitly:
 Western Cape
Country:
 South Africa
Additional Information
Son of Mrs. A. Lombard. On Tuesday July 11 2006 Mr. Henk van Zyl was physically taken to the two gravesites, was able, through an interpreter and in the presence of about five Angolan government officials, able to speak to two headmen. He was taken to the grave of Trooper Niel Lombard of B Squadron 1SSB who was killed at the bridge over the Massaba River. His grave is virtually on the cross roads of two pathways. After 31 years, one cannot see that there is a grave there but the headman of that area after pacing off from one reference point to another, made a cross on the ground with his toe and said here is where I buried the man after pulling him out of the "tank".