Service Details
Name:
 SHILEMBA
Given Name:
 ARAU
Initials:
 A
Service No:
 77121838
Rank:
 Rifleman
Other Casualties of this Rank
Regiment:
 5 Reconnaissance Regiment
Other Casualties from this Regiment
Unit 2:
 attd. "D" Sqdn. Rhodesian Special Air Service
Other Casualties from this Unit
Date of Death:
 1978-09-02
Other Casualties on this Date
Age:
 24
Cause of Death:
 Died in Aircraft Accident, deployed from Grand Reef by helicopter. As he de-bussed from the helicopter he was struck by the blade and died instantly. The helicopter blade was damaged and as it was late in the afternoon they could only repair it the next day (new blades). The helicopter brought him back the next morning.
Additional
Information:
First black man to be buried in the cemetery. Born Bailundo, Angola. ref. "Rhodesian Roll of Honour" by P. Geldenhuys (Roll compiled by Dr. J. R. T. Wood). ***His date of death given here corresponds with the Special Forces Roll of Honour whereas the date on his Grave Headstone incorrectly reads 18 August 1978).
Commemoration
Country:
 South Africa
Other Casualties commemorated in South Africa
Locality:
 Gauteng
Other Casualties commemorated in Gauteng
Cemetery:
 THABA TSHWANE (NEW) MILITARY CEMETERY
Other Casualties commemorated in this Cemetery
Grave Reference:
 Grave 994.

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