In Memory Of

APPELGRYN, WILLIE JACOBUS

Service Details
Age:
 19
Date of Birth:
 1960-07-31
Service No:
 76293679BG
Rank:
 Rifleman
Unit:
 5 South African Infantry Battalion
Regiment:
 South African Infantry Corps
Date of Death:
 1979-12-14
Cause of Death:
 Died of wounds, near Nkongo when their Platoon was ambushed by a numerically superior force of SWAPO/PLAN insurgents near a village waterhole. Some soldiers were still drawing water when the enemy opened fire with Soviet B10 Recoilless Guns, RPG-7 Rocket Launchers and Machine-guns before speeding away in vehicles. Rifleman VICTOR was mortally wounded and died within minutes while Rifleman APPELGRYN was severely wounded when hit by a bullet that deflected off his shoulder blade and punctured his lungs. When his mates came to assist him, he told them to leave him and deal the more severely wounded members first. He succumbed to his wounds shortly afterwards
Commemoration
Cemetery:
 DURBAN (STELLAWOOD) CEMETERY
Localitly:
 Kwazulu Natal
Country:
 South Africa
Additional Information
Stepson of Mr. R. B. Seymis