In Memory Of

VAN NIEKERK, DIRK JOHANNES

Service Details
Age:
 53
Date of Birth:
 1928-10-20
Service No:
 01221530PE
Rank:
 Major General
Unit:
 H.Q.
Regiment:
 South African Air Force
Date of Death:
 1982-07-14
Cause of Death:
 Died in Aircraft Accident, Swearingen Merlin 4A #ZS-JLZ, crashed following mid-air collision with Piper Pa-31 Navajo ZS-KTX over Swartkops. The collision occurred when returning from Namibia and on final approach to Waterkloof Air Base and the Navajo was on final approach to Wonderboom Airport
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
 Cremated - Ashes scattered at Air Force Memorial, at Bays Hill, Pretoria
Cemetery:
 SAAF MEMORIAL GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE
Localitly:
 Gauteng
Country:
 South Africa
Additional Information
Husband of Mrs. S. J. M. van Niekerk, of Pretoria. Major-General D. J. van Niekerk was a veteran of the Korean War and had been decorated several times. For his role in the Korean War he held the Korean Medal, the Korean War Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. He had also been decorated with the Southern Cross Medal, the SADF Service Medal and the Chief of the SADF Commendation Medal. General van Niekerk joined the SADF in 1947. In 1958, after a period in Korea, he as promoted to lieutenant. He rose to major-general in 1977 when he took up the post of Chief of Staff, Logistical Support. He had a B.Sc (Engineering) from the University of the Witwatersrand.