In Memory Of

VAN HEERDEN, JAC VAN ZYL

Service Details
Age:
 19
Date of Birth:
 1967-07-15
Service No:
 83382218BG
Rank:
 Trooper
Unit:
 1 Special Service Battalion
Regiment:
 South African Armoured Corps
Former Regiment:
 seconded to the 10th Panser Troopers
Date of Death:
 1987-07-03
Cause of Death:
 Killed in action. Two troopers of 1 SSB (seconded to the 10th Panser Troopers) walked into a "kraal", unaware of two enemy soldiers that were hiding in one of the huts. The two troopers, Cloete and van Heerden, received fatal shots from the enemy within the hut after identifying themselves to the local population of the kraal. Van Heerden was apparently shot through the forehead with a Makarov pistol and died instantly. Cover fire was laid down by the 10th Panser Troopers which killed the enemy soldiers in the subsequent battle that took place
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
 A1
Cemetery:
 DEALESVILLE CEMETERY
Localitly:
 Free State
Country:
 South Africa
Additional Information
Son of Pieter Willem Nel and Francis Floreen van Heerden