Identity
Person No.
7060
Service No.
232416V
Last Name
First Name
Gerrit Thomas
Initials
G T
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
26
Military Service
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause of Death
Killed in action, at 07h00 hours. He was originally posted as missing but his death was later confirmed in a report received on the 16th June., the 6th South African Armoured Division entered the streets of Rome. Regimental Headquarters together with B Squadron NMR and a Company of WR/DLR supported by a Troop of Sherman tanks was tasked to clear the roads to Foiano Romano. Contact with the enemy was soon made and the South African force came under intense German Nebelwerfer Rocket fire, 75mm anti-tank fire and were engaged by Mk IV Tiger Tanks. The South African Artillery joined in the fray with heavy shelling of the area. Heavy losses were inflicted on the German force with two Mk IV Tiger Tanks being knocked out, two 75mm anti-tank guns destroyed, a German Machine-gun nest wiped out and a building providing cover for the enemy forces was destroyed. One Sherman tank and a Stuart Honey tank were hit and abandoned but were later recovered by advancing South African Forces
Grave Reference
Location
Country
Locality
Unknown
Cemetery
Coordinates
Additional Information
Notes
Son of Christian Isias and Alida Ferreira, of Grasshill, Lettskraal, Graaff-Reinet, Cape Province, South Africa. Born in Graaff-Reinet. Employed in Department of Education as a teacher, in East London.
Citation
Unknown
External Source
Unknown
South African War Graves Project