Service Details
Name:
 APPELGRYN
Given Name:
 WILLIE JACOBUS
Initials:
 W J
Service No:
 76293679BG
Rank:
 Rifleman
Other Casualties of this Rank
Regiment:
 South African Infantry Corps
Other Casualties from this Regiment
Unit:
 5 South African Infantry Battalion
Other Casualties from this Unit
Date of Death:
 1979-12-14
Other Casualties on this Date
Date of Birth:
 1960-07-31
Age:
 19
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
Additional
Information:
Stepson of Mr. R. B. Seymis
Commemoration
Country:
 South Africa
Other Casualties commemorated in South Africa
Locality:
 Kwazulu Natal
Other Casualties commemorated in Kwazulu Natal
Cemetery:
 DURBAN (STELLAWOOD) CEMETERY
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