Service Details
Name:
 OELOFSE
Given Name:
 JOHANNES ROELOF STEPHANUS
Initials:
 J R S
Service No:
 42519
Trade:
 Pilot
Rank:
 Pilot Officer
Other Casualties of this Rank
Regiment:
 Royal Air Force
Other Casualties from this Regiment
Unit:
 43 Sqdn.
Other Casualties from this Unit
Date of Death:
 1940-08-08
Other Casualties on this Date
Date of Birth:
 1917-04-29
Age:
 23
Cause of Death:
 Killed in action, Hurricane I P3781, took off from Tangmere Air Base in his Hurricane P3468 to attack enemy aircraft flying off the Isle of Wight. At 16:20 in a dog fight with enemy fighters and was shot down. His plane crashed into the English Channel and his body was washed ashore
Additional
Information:
Son of Johannes Roeloph and of Hester Sarah Oelofse (nee Brummer), of Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa. Born Johannesburg. Educated at Potchefstroom Boys' High School in 1934, having begun his education there as a boarder in 1930. Joined the RAF on a short service commission in June 1939. After completing his training, he began a course at 11 Group Pool, St. Athan on February 1st 1940. He was posted away two days later to make room for twelve Finnish pilots due to arrive for Hurricane training. One of twenty-three South African pilots who served during the battle of Britain, nine of whom were killed. "One of the few" Battle of Britain pilot.
Commemoration
Country:
 United Kingdom
Other Casualties commemorated in United Kingdom
Locality:
 Sussex
Other Casualties commemorated in Sussex
Cemetery:
 TANGMERE (ST. ANDREW) CHURCHYARD
Other Casualties commemorated in this Cemetery
Grave Reference:
 Plot E. Row 2. Grave 479.

Information to contribute? Noticed an error or wish to Request a Photo ~ Click here ~

This information was last verified for accuracy: 2020-12-20
 
 

Send us an email...

  • I wish to
     Contribute some information
     Report a problem
     Request this image

Sending your message. Please wait...

Thanks for sending your message! We'll get back to you shortly.

There was a problem sending your message. Please try again.

Please complete all the fields in the form before sending.