A man who served his country with pride

Gary Cecil Venton, 61, said he had served his country with pride.

Gary was just 17 years old when he was drafted into the military in 1976.

“I was at 4 SAI in Middelburg from 1976 to 1977 for basic training. After that I was transferred to 7 SAI at Bourke’s Luck and, and when I finished serving at Bourke’s Luck, they transferred me to the Infantry School in Oudtshoorn where I did my officers course from 1977 until 1978.

“Then I was transferred to the West Rand Commando in Randfontein where I served from 1979 until 1985.”

According to Gary, after completing their training at the Infantry School, the unit was deployed in different parts of South West Africa, among them the Caprivi Strip, Kaokoveld, Sector 10 and Sector 20, where they received specialised bush training.

“From 1979 until 1985, I served at the South West African (Namibian) borders with Angola, Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and Mozambique. I was discharged from the commandos in April 1985.”

Gary told the Herald about the injuries he sustained while serving his country.

“I was shot in my leg. One of the worst incidents I faced was when we were ambushed at night behind enemy lines.” On some occasions he felt he would not see his home and loved ones ever again.

“The best lesson I could have learnt during the war was not to leave your men behind because they protect you, and to always work together as a team.”

ABOUT GARY:

Gary joined the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (M.O.T.H.) in 1984 at Quanta Costa Transvaal. The Shellhole unfortunately was closed down in December 2001 when the mine sold the land. While there, Gary held various executive positions, namely Adjutant for 12 years, and became Deputy Old Bill of the Far West Rand District.

“I helped to organise a relief from the mine by assisting with maintaining the surrounding areas and buildings. I was also involved with the Far West Rand Moth Cottages and served on this cottage committee as Secretary/ Treasurer for approximately eight years,” Gary said.

He is still actively involved with raising funds for the cottages.

Gary was among the M.O.T.H. members who initiated the establishment of Caprivi Bomgat for a younger generation of M.O.T.H.S and formulated the ground rules of the new shellhole.

He became actively involved in Caprivi Bomgat, and served as Adjutant from 1998 until 2000. He served as Old Bill from 2000 to 2003, again in 2004 and eventually retired to the floor in 2005.

“At the same time I was elected the District Adjutant for the West Rand District from 1999 to 2008, where I have been responsible in organizing various donations for the West Rand District and the Krugersdorp cottages.

“In 2008 I was elected as Transvaal Provincial Adjutant, a position I held until 2013 when I retired to the floor once again because of my health.”

According to Gary, any person speaking to him more than likely ends up joining the M.O.T.H. or donating towards it.