Matthys Andries de Beer Jacobs

A gental Man, broken by a war....

The scars that he carried, from the war were not outwardly seen. Though they caused his life to become unbearable.

His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were robbed of a father, grandfather and great grandfather because of "THE WAR."

His son mourned his death till he was no more. His daughter still mourns his death every day.

I his eldest granddaughter feel deprived and longs to meet him soon. He should have been a part of my life.
Instead people made as if he was nothing, just a passing figment of our imagination.

He was a hero, though not cerebrates and honoured like those who actually died in the war.

The scars he had tore him apart. Tore his family apart.

THE WAR KILLED HIM SLOWLY...BUT SURELY.

East Africa North Africa East Africa: 21 October 1940 to 15 June 1941 and Middle East: 15 June 1941 to 24 October 1942

24 October 1942 El Alamein, Rifleman, R.P

Wounded... While on a fixed bayonet charge at EL Alamein on the 24 October I was hit by a hand grenade on my left forearm and left leg. I felt my arm was broken so I went back but had not gone very far when I was hit by a bullet, passing superficially through the right upper chest and continuing to go through my uper right arm causing a compund fracture of the humerus. Almost simultaneously I was hit by Mortor schrapnel in my right skull and left hip.

18 SA Field Ambulance 24 October 1942 (4 days in desert ) Bone fragments were removed from the brain.

15 Scottish Hosp 28 October 1942 – January 1943 (3 months)

Jan 1943 to March 1943 Mil. Sec. (2 months)

Gen. Hosp. Pretoria March 1943 to May 1943 (2 months)

7 months in hospital

Granted 30 days N/RSL then reclass for 3months. Medicaly Discharge 19 April 1944.

Medals & Decorations: 1. 1939 – 1945 Star 2. Africa star with 8th army clasp 3. War Medal 4. Africa Service medal

Employed at S.A.R & H before joining the Army. General Character: Very Good Efficiency: Very Good Sobriety: Sober Discharged: 19 April 1944 Place: Hector Norris Park, JHB

Army Number : 62281V Rank on discharge: CPL

Date of attestation: 18 May 1940 At: Ladysmith D.D H.Q Ex F.F.B