Members Killed in Action

Trooper R. Binks KIA (Killed in Action)

Reggie (AKA Jappie) grew up next door to the Norris family and is included here as a token of respect and great friendship I had with this fine young Rhodesian who gave his life for his country at the tender of 17.

The photo used was taken just prior to him leaving Umtali to enlist with the RLI and I would say it is late December 1967

Rest in Peace Reg

1 st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry
2 Commando 10 Troop
K.I.A. 19 July 1975


Cpl. Jannie De Beer was on Fireforce duties at Mt. Darwin . They were called out to a contact between terrorists and a Territorial unit. This vicious contact became a black day for 2 Commando. Tragically killed were Cpl. Jannie De Beer, Rfn. Hennie Potgieter, Cpl. John Coey and a Territorial Sergeant

Rhodesian Army Medical Corps
(Attached to 1st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry) K.I.A. July 19, 1975

John Coey from Columbus Ohio was a very devout Christian and graduate of Ohio State University. He was a noble dedicated man with spiritual insight and political acumen with a keen perception of world affairs and the evils of communism. John joined the Rhodesian Army in March 1972 and became an elite member of the Rhodesian Special Air Service. John did officer training but eventually found his niche as an Army paramedic. In July 1974 John was posted to the RLI as a commando paramedic and participated in over 60 fire-force missions. John helped pioneer the role of combat medic with the RLI. By war 's end RLI had 3 medics KIA and 3 WIA. John Coey whilst deployed with 2 Commando on Operation Hurricane in Kandeya TTL was tragically shot by terrorists when he went to assist 2 fallen soldiers in a riverbed.

This contact resulted in 4 Rhodesian soldiers being killed and 4 wounded. John Coey posthumously received his bravery award in Heaven; he was a soldier of the Cross and a son of liberty. His family and many friends sadly miss him. John 's journal and letters have been published in a book titled 'A Martyr Speaks '

1st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry
1 Commando 2 Troop
K.I.A. 28 February 1976

Sgt Peter White earned his BCR for tracking a gang of terrorist 12 Kilometres and accounting for 6 of them. His BCR citation states he showed outstanding qualities of leadership, tactical skills, tracking ability and personal bravery. Sgt. Peter White was engaged to RWS Dawn Losper (nee Doughty) and was tragically killed 6 weeks before their scheduled wedding. Sgt. Peter White along with L/Cpl Cookson, Tpr Diedericks and a tracker were KIA on a follow-up operation by Chibara Hills in Operation Hurricane that accounted for 20 terrorists.

1 st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry
1 Commando 4 Troop
K.I.A. 28 February 1976

L/Cpl. Doug Cookson along with Sgt. Peter White, Tpr Diedericks and a tracker were KIA on a follow-up operation by Chibara Hills in Operation Hurricane that accounted for 20 terrorists.

1st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry
3 Commando 12 Troop
K.I.A. 7 November 1976

L/Cpl. Matt Lamb was a Canadian who joined the Rhodesian Army Special Air Service. He transferred to RLI as they were seeing much more combat action doing Fireforce. He was a very professional soldier who didn't smoke and quite physically fit. He was very popular with all his fellow soldiers. Matt was tragically killed in Operation Thrasher in the Mutema TTL.

1st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry
2 Commando
K.I.A. 16 December 1976

Cpl. 'Butch' Alexander was killed on operations at Rambanayi in Mozambique.

1 st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry
2 Commando 7 Troop
K.I.A. 1 February 1977

A fine young brave MAG gunner. Tragically killed in Makoni TTL in OP Thrasher on a fireforce deployment against 15 terrorists involving a nasty cave scene.

1 RLI Support Cdo
KIA May 15 1977

George was from California and quite Californian in style and manner always smiling. He was a Vietnam veteran having served in the U.S. Marine Corps. George was in the battle of Hue city. George was in RLI Intake 156 where both these photos were taken. George was a regular in the Monomatapa Hotel lounge where a lot of foreign volunteers hung out. George had spotted some terrorists and turned to warn the others when he was fatally shot. George was greatly missed by his fellow soldiers and Rhodesian friends.

1st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry
2 Commando
K.I.A. 30 May 1977

Trooper C.J. Edmunds was an avid darts player. He was tragically killed on Operation Aztec.

1st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry
3 Commando 11 Troop
K.I.A. 4 October 1977

L/Cpl. Peter Garnett was popular soldier and combat tracker. He earned his MFC on 15 November 1976 in the battle of �Hill 31� in the Honde Valley against a gang of 40 terrorists of which 32 were accounted for.

He was tragically killed while tracking terrorist spoor.

1 RLI 3 Cdo
KIA March 6 1978

Frank resided in Florida and New York City. He was a Vietnam veteran having served with the U.S. 173rd Airborne. One week after being casevaced wounded his platoon suffered a severe ambush. One week after tour of duty his other platoon suffered a severe ambush. Frank served a full contract with the Spanish Foreign Legion. He received a great honor there to carry the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in a huge religious feast day parade.

Frank came to Rhodesia with his wife, and went to SAS training troop. His wife joined the Rhodesian Air Force and worked packing parachutes. Later Frank would always check the parachute packing number and had jumped with a chute packed by his wife a few times. Frank after SAS training joined 1 RLI 3 Cdo 14 Troop. He was and avid poker player and gave some young Rhodesian soldiers poker lessons while playing for matches. Frank was KIA on Op Turmoil in Zambia by a ZIPRA machine gun nest.

1 st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry
1 Commando
K.I.A. 8 August 1978

Sgt. �Coenie' Marneweck was a very popular and able soldier. He was KIA in Op Hurricane.

1st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry
3 Commando 14 Troop
K.I.A. 28 August 1978

Tpr. Simon Clark was from New Zealand. He was tragically killed in Operation Hurricane.

1st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry
3 Commando, 14 Troop
K.I.A. October 26, 1978

Joe Byrne was a proud Irish American from Kearney New Jersey. He joined the Rhodesian Army in October 1977. He was a very keen soldier and avid learner of military affairs. Joe joined 3 Commando March 24, 1978 from Recruit Intake 162. He was a regular in the crowd of foreign volunteers that socialized in the Monomatapa Hotel and a friend of American author Robin Moore. Joe was tragically killed on Operation Repulse in the Mutema TTL Middle Sabi area when his patrol came under fire in an open area devoid of cover. His family and friends deeply missed him. When you're standing at Joe's grave and look to the left, you see the Empire State Building

1st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry
3 Commando
K.I.A. 5 January 1979

Tpr. Brad Little was killed in a fireforce action in Operation Thrasher of which 27 terrorists were accounted for. He was always proud of his English heritage but fought as a brave and dedicated soldier for Rhodesia.

1st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry
Support Commando
K.I.A. 4 April 1979

L/Cpl Martin Overbeek was from New Zealand. He was a quiet, intelligent and popular soldier. He was tragically KIA in Operation Hurricane on the Rathcline Estate near Tanda TTL. His last contact is mentioned Cpl. Peter Binion�s BCR Citation.

1st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry
Support Commando Mortar Troop
K.I.A. 17 April 1979

Tpr. Mike ‘Little Meese’ Moore was quite popular with his fellow soldiers. He was tragically killed on Operation Hurricane in Chiduku TTL.

Tpr. Michael J. Chance
1st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry
3 Commando 11 Troop
K.I.A. 15 May 1979

Tpr. Michael Chance joined 3 Commando on 12 October 1978. He was a young Rhodesian devoted and dedicated to the cause of fighting for his country. He served nearly a year with 11 Troop. He was a National Serviceman that became a regular soldier. He was tragically killed on May 15 1979 south of Mtoko in Operation Hurricane.

1st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry
3 Commando 12 Troop
K.I.A. 16 July 1979

Tpr. Eike Elsaessar was a Canadian from Alberta Canada. He had served in the Canadian Army Reserves. He joined 3 Commando 17 October 1978 and served with them nearly a year. Eike was a quiet professional popular soldier. He would sometimes play catch with a fellow Canadian with a rugby ball but throwing it North American football style. He was tragically killed along with Tpr. Bruce McKend in a contact in Operation Hurricane.

1st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry
3 Commando, 11 Troop
K.I.A. July 16, 1979

Hugh McCall was from New York and had served with the U.S Army 173rd Airborne. Hugh fought in the Rhodesian war for 3 years, a veteran of many Fire-Force and other combat operations. Hugh was very well respected and liked professional soldier with a tremendous sense of humor. Hugh was tragically shot while advancing uphill against the enemy in thick bush on the last day of a six-week bush trip in Operation Repulse near Buffalo Range. Another American Steve Dwyer was killed trying to rescue Hugh. Afterward a big American ex U.S. Marine carried Hugh’s body down the hill crying like a baby. Hugh was loved and missed by all. A daughter, a son and his Rhodesian wife Josie survived him.

1st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry
3 Commando, 11 Troop
K.I.A. July 16, 1979

Stephen Dwyer was born and raised in Jamaica Plain (Boston) Massachusetts, the youngest son of a large Irish American Catholic family. He enlisted in the USMC after high school and was stationed in Korea. He was an intelligent, quiet, private soldier with a sharp wit. Stephen at the age of 26 joined the Rhodesian Army in 1978. Stephen had a close call in May 1979 when a terrorist bullet neatly parted his hair down the middle without bloodshed but leaving a bald streak. After that combat operation his fellow soldiers all checked his fancy parting and kidded him a lot. On Operation Repulse near Buffalo Range fellow American Sgt. Hugh McCall was fatally shot by a terrorist while advancing up a hill in thick bush on the last day of a six-week bushtrip. Stephen went immediately to the aid of his fallen comrade and was tragically killed too. Stephen Dwyer received his posthumous bravery award in heaven. His family and many friends sadly missed him.

Rhodesian Army Medical Corps
Attached to 1st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry
K.I.A. 6 September 1979

Cpl. Gordon Fry joined 12 Troop 3 Commando in mid 1978. In 1979 Gordon completed a Medical Assistant Class 3 (MA3) course at the Rhodesian Army Medical School in Llewellen Barracks. He was posted back to RLI as a Commando Paramedic and attached to 1 Commando. Cpl. Gordon Fry was tragically killed along with 16 other servicemen of whom 8 were RLI when their helicopter was shot down on Operation Uric at Mapai in Mozambique. The Rhodesian Army Medical School named a classroom in Cpl. Gordon Fry’s honor with another 2 classrooms named in honor of RLI medics Cpl. John Coey

1 st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry
Support Commando Recce Troop
K.I.A. 14 October 1979

Tpr. ‘Geordie' Furness once served in the British Royal Marine Commandos. He was best friend with fellow Royal Marine George ‘Paddy' Windrum also of Recce Troop. Geordie never lost his strong ‘Geordie' accent. Geordie was tragically KIA in Operation Thrasher.

100055 Rfn Martin Betts was a national serviceman from Intake 157. He attended Peterhouse School and the University of Cape Town. He joined A Company, DRR in February 1977 and later volunteered for the RLI where he was posted to 2 Commando. He was killed in action in December 1977 during a fire-force deployment. Martin was one of the finest of his era (posted by 120147 Smn Atkinson).

Respect to you all.

Henry Atkinson (120147, Smn Atkinson, RhSigs).