Chris Le Roux
Christoffel Erasmus le Roux | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Chris |
| Born | 20 April 1946 Dundee, Natal |
| Allegiance | South Africa |
| Branch | South African Army |
| Years of service | 1964–2000 |
| Rank | Brigadier |
| Unit | 1 Parachute Battalion |
| Commands |
|
| Battles / wars | South African Border War |
| Awards | |
| Spouse(s) | Marlyna le Roux |
Maj Gen Chris le Roux SD SM MMM is a retired General Officer from the South African Army. He was born in Dundee[1] and matriculated from Pinetown Boys' High School in 1963.[1]
Military career
He joined the South African Defence Force in 1964[1] and completed infantry training. He was a student at the South African Military Academy from 1965 and graduated with a Bachelor of Military Science degree awarded by the University of Stellenbosch in 1967.[1]
He was commissioned as a lieutenant on 21 November 1967[1] and qualified as a static line paratrooper[2][3] on 9 October 1970. Officer Commanding 1 Parachute Battalion during 1984 to 1988.[1][4] Brigadier le Roux served as Officer Commanding Natal Command from 18 February 1995. He was promoted to rank of major general on 1 January 1996 and remained GOC Natal Command until 31 March 2000, the last person to hold that post.[1] GOC Regional Joint Task Force on 1 April to 31 December 2000. He went on early retirement on 31 December 2000.[1] He has remained actively involved in speaking about the military.[5][6]
Maj Gen Chris le Roux completed more than 300 parachute jumps[1] and was a qualified Freefall Instructor.
Honours and awards
| Instructor, Freefall Qualified Black on Thatch beige, Embossed Large Black wings |
Medals
- Southern Cross Decoration (SD)
- Southern Cross Medal (1975) (SM)
- Military Merit Medal (MMM)
- Pro Patria Medal (South Africa) (with Cunene Clasp) [a]
- Southern Africa Medal
- General Service Medal (South Africa)
- Unitas (Unity) Medal
- Good Service Medal (Gold (30 Years))
- Good Service Medal (Silver (20 Years))
- Good Service Medal (Bronze (10 Years))
Notes
- ^ Only the Cunene clasp was awarded, to members who served in Angola during Operation Savannah in 1975 and 1976. Recipients of the clasp wear a button, with the letter C encircled by a wreath, on the ribbon bar.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Averweg, Udo Richard (14 March 2019). "Stark reality of Natal Command" (PDF). Daily News. p. 6. Retrieved 13 July 2023 – via Facts About Durban.
- ^ "South African Unit Profiles : 1 Parachute Battalion". www.warinangola.com (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 13 July 2023.
- ^ Bierman, Jan (2020). "RHODESIË ONTPLOOIING G & A KOMPANIE, 1 VALSKERMBATALJON: OPS (16 OKT 79 – 01 DES 79)" (PDF). Pretoria Canopy Bat Chat (in Afrikaans). No. 4/20. pp. 15, 18.
- ^ Rooiplaas (22 May 2021). "Did you know? HISTORY". Rooiplaas - Paratroopers Community. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
Colonel Chris le Roux was the Officer Commanding of 1 Para Bn 1984
- ^ "July 2005 newsletter - Durban - South African Military History Society - Title page". samilitaryhistory.org. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
- ^ "The South African Military History Society". The Bugle. 25 August 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2023.