Second World War and VAN RENSBURG

Author: A.M. van Rensburg (b4 c2 d1 e6 f5 g5 h3 i2)
Webmaster: M.A. van Rensburg (b4 c2 d1 e6 f5 g5 h3 i2 j1)

Back to home Back to Historical

All together 334 324 South Africans served in uniform during the Second World War.
Population wise they can be broken down as -

211 193 Whites
45 892 Coloureds/Indians
77 239 Blacks

Total deaths from South Africa during Second World War was 12 046, of these 3 136 were killed in battles or as a result of performing duties.


Nearly 9 000 South Africans were killed in action in campaigns in Ethiopia, North Africa, Italy and Madagascar during the Second World War.

A J van Rensburg, Gunner 73421, died 14 June 1942, age 19 South African Artillery South African.
Additional Information: Son of Elizabeth Maria van Rensburg, of Retreat, Cape Province, South Africa. cemetery: Knightsbridge War cemetery, Acroma, Libya Grave or Reference Panel Number: Coll. grave 5. J. 4.

C J J van Rensburg, Private 700879, died 10 July 1946 Essential Services Protection Corps, S.A. Forces South African.
Additional Information: Husband of C.J.J. van Rensburg, of Roodepoort. cemetery: Roodepoort Old cemetery, Gauteng, South Africa Grave or Reference Panel Number: D.R. Plot. Grave 3010.

D T van Rensburg, Private 591234V, died 19 May 1945 Royal Durban Light Infantry, S.A. Forces South African.
cemetery: Castiglione South African cemetery, Italy Grave or Reference Panel Number: VI, A, 9.

Edward A van Rensburg, Private M/15460, died 8 April 1945, Indian and Malay Corps, S.A. Forces South African.
cemetery: Cape Town (Maitland) cemetery, Western Cape, South Africa Grave or Reference Panel Number: Mil. Allotment. Grave 98730C.

Freddy van Rensburg, Private M/17701, died 4 September 1943, age 30, Indian and Malay Corps, S.A. Forces South African.
Additional Information: Son of Johannes J van Rensburg and Johanna van Rensburg; husband of Sina van Rensburg, of Port Elizabeth cemetery: Cape Town (Klip, Grassy Park) cemetery, Western Cape, South Africa Grave or Reference Panel Number: Mil. Allotment. Grave 19216.

F A van Rensburg, Lieutenant 206272V, died 22 July 1944, age 26, South African Air Force South African.
Additional Information: Son of Pieter F. and Dorathea E. van Rensburg. cemetery: Klagenfurst War cemetery, Austria Grave or Reference Panel Number: Coll. grave 5. D. 10-12.

Frederick J van Rensburg, Gunner 13085, died 2 December 1941, age 19, South African Artillery South African.
Additional Information: Son of Fredrick J. and Caroline E. van Rensburg, of Port Elizabeth, Cape Province, South Africa. cemetery: Halfaya Sollum War cemetery, Egypt

Frederick J J van Rensburg, Private 5994, died 4 February 1943, Royal Durban Light Infantry, S.A. Forces South African.
Additional Information: Son of Willem and Martha M. van Rensburg; husband of Phyllis H. J. van Rensburg, of Durban, Natal, South Africa. cemetery: Bari War cemetery, Italy Grave or Reference Panel Number: X. D. 2.

Gert van Rensburg, Private 117814V, died 20 January 1945, age 44, Q Service Corps, S.A. Forces South African.
Additional Information: Son of Willem J and Francina van Rensburg; husband of Minnie M van Rensburg, of Cape Town. cemetery: Cape Town (Maitland) cemetery, Western Cape, South Africa Grave or Reference Panel Number: Mil. Allotment. Grave 96915C.

G J van Rensburg, Trooper 145882, died 15 May 1942, age 38, Armoured Car Regiment, S.A. Forces South African.
Additional Information: Son of Gideon J van Rensburg and Isabella M van Rensburg, of Riversdale; husband of Anna M van Rensburg, of Riversdale.

G P van Rensburg, Private 125585, died 1 September 1940, age 27, Q Service Corps, S.A. Forces South African.
Additional Information: Husband of M. D. van Rensburg, of Edenvale. cemetery: Germiston (Primrose) cemetery, Gauteng, South Africa Grave or Reference Panel Number: Block 212. Row T. Grave 26.

H P J J van Rensburg, Private 196075, died 21 September 1940, age 36, South African Police South African.
Additional Information: Husband of A. G. van Rensburg, of Johannesburg. cemetery: Johannesburg (Brixton) cemetery, Gauteng, South Africa Grave or Reference Panel Number: Police Plot. Grave 58.

J D van Rensburg, Corporal SR/598906V, died 2 October 1944, General Service Corps, S.A. Forces South African.
cemetery: Athems Memorial, Greece Grave or Reference Panel Number: Face

Johannes Frederick van Rensburg, Petty Officer D/JX 131196, died 19 December 1941, age 30, Royal Navy United Kingdom.
Additional Information: Son of Johannes Frederick Janse van Rensburg and Nellie van Rensburg, of Pretoria, South Africa. cemetery: Plymouth Naval Memorial Devon, United Kingdom Grave or Reference Panel Number: Panel 45, Column 3.

Jacobus F J van Rensburg, Corporal 329253, died 5 November 1943, age 56, South African Corps of Military Police South African
Additional Information: Husband of Petronella J. S. J. van Rensburg, of Droeekraal. cemetery: Kareeboskuil Farm Burial Ground, Wolmaransstad, North West Province, South Africa

J H P J van Rensburg, Captain 87024V, died 20 June 1945, General Service Corps, S.A. Forces South African.
Additional Information: Husband of Gladys M. van Rensburg, of Rondebosch, Cape Province. cemetery: Johannesburg (West Park) cemetery, Gauteng, South Africa Grave or Reference Panel Number: Mil. Sec. Grave 341.

J N Rensburg, Private C/286371, died 9 December 1941, Cape Corps, S.A. Forces South African.
cemetery: Alamein Memorial Egypt, Grave or Reference Panel Number: Column 155.

K Rensburg, Private C/19729, died 21 January 1943, Cape Corps, S.A. Forces South African.
Additional Information: Husband of L. Rensburg, of Fort Beaufort, Cape Province, South Africa. cemetery: Tripoli War cemetery Libya. Grave or Reference Panel Number: 9. D. 4.

L M J van Rensburg, Second Lieutenant 35114, died 4 August 1942, South African Air Force South African.
Additional Information: Son of Mr and Mrs N van Rensburg, of George. cemetery: George cemetery, Western Cape, South Africa Grave or Reference Panel Number: C of E Allotment.

Lucas M J van Rensburg, Private, 701993, died 3 January 1945, age 48, Essential Services Protection Corps, S.A. Forces South African.
Additional Information: Husband of S.J.J. van Rensburg, of Parys. cemetery: Wildfontein Farm Burial Ground, Parys, Free State, South Africa

Matthew van Rensburg, Boy, died 9 March 1943, age 19, Merchant Navy United Kingdom.
cemetery: Tower Hill Memorial, London, United Kingdom Grave or Reference Panel Number: Panel 105. Visiting Information: The Memorial Register may be consulted at Trinity House Corporation, Trinity Square (Cooper's Row entrance), which will be found behind the Memorial. Tel: 020 7481 6900

N van Rensburg, Corporal C/286882, died 27 March 1946, age 31, Cape Corps, S.A. Forces South African.
Additional Information: Son of Nicholas and Annie C. van Rensburg; husband of Joyce van Rensburg, of Alexandria. cemetery: Kimberley (West End) cemetery, Northern Cape, South Africa Grave or Reference Panel Number: D.R.C. Block O. Row D. Grave 3.

N van Rensburg, Captain 102853V, died 15 August 1944, South African Air Force South African.
cemetery: Krakow Rakowicki cemetery, Poland Grave or Reference Panel Number: Coll. grave 1. C. 1.

O F J van Rensburg, Sapper 191337, died 23 November 1941, age 24, South African Engineer Corps South African
Additional Information: Son of Piet van Rensburg, and of Ina van Rensburg, of Brakpan, Transvaal, South Africa. cemetery: Knightsbridge War cemetery, Acroma, Libya Grave or Reference Panel Number: 5. G. 19.

P E van Rensburg, Lieutenant 102156, died 3 February 1943, age 24, South African Air Force South African.
Additional Information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. van Rensburg; husband of J. A. van Rensburg, of Ladybrand, Orange Free State. cemetery: Vereeniging Old Town cemetery, Gauteng, South Africa
Further information from his son (ciggdvz@mweb.co.za): His father was born c1919, he became a pilot Lt. Peter Edward (Eddie) van Rensburg, the son of William Johannes van Rensburg and Catherine Louisa Groenewald. Pilot Peter was married to Jacomina Adriana de Villiers (later married a Minnie). Pilot Peter was based at George. He was flying on a "Dawn Patrol" along the Cape South coast, the morning of 3 February 1943, his plane crashed into the Pakhuisberge (near Riversdal). "Sabotage" was suspected. 20 days later his son was born, and he was named after his father. Photo one of pilot, photo two.

P J van Rensburg, Trooper 613041 19, died August 1947, age 23, Q Service Corps, S.A. Forces South African
Additional Information: Son of Hendrik J. van Rensburg and Maria M. van Rensburg, of Klerksdorp. cemetery: Klerksdorp cemetery, North West Province, South Africa Grave or Reference Panel Number: D.R.Church Sec. Grave 237C.

Philippus Roedolf van Rensburg, Lieutenant 328416V, died 29 December 1944, age 22, South African Air Force South African.
Additional Information: Son of Johan A. P. and Christina M. J. van Rensburg, of Kuruman, Cape Province, South Africa.

R A van Rensburg, Private 65731, died 14 August 1942, age 61, 1st Reserve Brigade, S.A. Forces South African
cemetery: Johannesburg (West Park) cemetery, Gauteng, South Africa Grave or Reference Panel Number: D.R. Church Sec. Grave 172.

T J van Rensburg, Air Mechanic 578632, died 30 January 1945, South African Air Force South African.
Additional Information: Husband of D. M. van Rensburg, of Ermelo. cemetery: Ermelo cemetery, Mpumalanga, South Africa Grave or Reference Panel Number: Grave 1338.

D J Janse van Rensburg, Lieutenant 542743V, died 23 January 1945, South African Air Force South African
cemetery: Belgrade War cemetery, Yugoslavia Grave or Reference Panel Number: 5. A. 10.

S S Janse van Rensburg, Private 39121, died 19 October 1940, Regiment de la Rey, S.A. Forces South African
cemetery: Thaba Tswane (Old No. 1) Military cemetery, Gauteng, South Africa Grave or Reference Panel Number: J. 10

W C Janse van Rensburg, Private 323187V, died 12 June 1943, age 44, 1st Reserve Brigade, S.A. Forces South African
Additional Information: Husband of C. M. Janse van Rensburg, of Potgietersrust. cemetery: Potgietersrust cemetery, Northern Province, South Africa Grave or Reference Panel Number: Grave 18.

http://www.cwgc.org/

Depot SAB
Source URU
Type LEER
Vol No 2293
System 01
Ref 3318
Part 1
Description AWARD OF THE LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL TO WAR SUBSTANTIVE LIEUTENANT HH VAN RENSBURG AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NAVAL FORCES (V).
Starting 1945
Ending 1945

Depot SAB
Source URU
Type LEER
Vol No 2172
System 01
Ref 1625
Part 1
Description CONFIRMING THE FINDING AND SENTENCE OF THE COURT-MARTIAL ON SECOND LIEUTENANT RJJ VAN RENSBURG, HELD IN JOHANNESBURG ON 30TH MAY, 1944.
Starting 1944
Ending 1944

Depot SAB
Source URU
Type LEER
Vol No 2202
System 01
Ref 3093
Part 1
Description DIRECTING THAT THE RECORD OF CONVICTION BE REMOVED AND THAT PRIVATE HW VAN RENSBURG, GSC, BE RELIEVED OF ALL THE CONSEQUENCES OF HIS TRIAL BY COURT-MARTIAL HELD IN THE MIDDLE EAST ON AUGUST 28TH, 1944.
Starting 1944
Ending 1944

 Back to Historical van Rensburg's

Back to home

andre@rensburg.com