Russel was one of a number of paratroopers that was in a Puma Helicopter when it was shot down by enemy forces, all the occupants of the chopper died that die.

One of a squad of Parabats from 1 Parachute Battalion, he was flying in a SAAF SA-330C Puma helicopter, # 132, which was transporting men from 1 Parachute Battalion, when the helicopter was shot down by enemy 23 mm AA fire south-east of Cuvelai in Angola, crashing inverted. None of the Parabats or SAAF crew survived. The Parabats who died that day are commemorated on the Wall of Rememberance at 1 Parachute Battalion in Bloemfontein.

Russel was my room mate at boarding school at Klerksdorp Techinical High School in 1980, the year we wrote Matric. We played hockey together and he was a great friend and up today we miss him. Rest in peace Russel.

This was the day that real men cried. Tears fell from every troop and every officer at 1 Para, when the announcement of the downing was made, but you would not look any of them in the eye to witness their sadness.

I was busy with Basics (Delta '82).  We all assembled on the Parade Ground and cried for Brothers, we never met, but were never-the-less Our Brothers.

I am one of the "boys" in the photographs on 18 August 1982, standing up-right while the Last Tattoo and Reveille was played out and clearly remembering that there were no tears when Rev Moore, quoted Sir Winston Churchill's famous speech from the 2nd Word War.

It was surreal. We volunteered for the Elite Paratroopers, and on that day, before finishing Basic Training, we were already at war, but were not yet ready to go to war.

On this day, every "boy" became a "man". No-one cried on that Parade Ground, in front of Our Brothers Parents, while we honored our fallen Brothers.

It was one of the scariest moments of my life, knowing that when we left Bloemfontein for the Border, any-one of us could be next to have his name carved into the Memorial Wall.

It is with sadness that I was not able to join my Brothers on the Border as a Parabat, but managed to regularly cross their paths, meeting them at various destinations after moving into other active duty on the Border.

I salute all our lost Brothers and once again shed my tears, knowing irrespective of what gets said or who has said what about the dedication and selfless sacrifice of all our Brothers who ever served their Military Service, if I could have the chance, I would do it all over again.

Fighting soldiers from the sky
Fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say
The brave men of the Maroon Beret

Trained to live off nature's land
Trained in combat, hand-to-hand
Men who fight by night and day
Courage peak from the Maroon Berets

Silver wings upon their chest
These are men, South Africa's best
One hundred men will test today
But only three win the Maroon Beret

Back at home a young wife waits
Her Maroon Beret has met his fate
He has died for those oppressed
Leaving her his last request

Put silver wings on my son's chest
Make him one of South Africa's best
He'll be a man they'll test one day
Have him win the Maroon Beret.

http://youtu.be/FxqjXg6By20