1 minute read
Corporal RH Sonnekus, 2nd Battalion, SA
Maj JP Scherman (SANDF)
Advertisement
Based on the handwritten memoir of my Grandfather: Corporal Rudolph Henry Sonnekus, 2nd Battalion, South African Police 76 years ago...... The HMSAS Natal (above) was one of three Loch-class frigates in the South African Navy (SAN). Built for the Royal Navy during World War II, the ship was transferred to the SAN before completion in 1945. After the end of the war in Europe on 8 May 1945 the Natal and her sister ship the HMSAS Good Hope were ordered to head for the Far East to fight the Japanese. As both would be travelling past South Africa it was decided to load some ex-POWs aboard for the ride. As neither ship was designed to accommodate passengers only 29 ex-POWS could be housed on the two ships. Leaving Scotland in early June 1945 the ships sailed for Freetown along Africa's west coast, where they received a new paint job better suited for Far East waters. When the ships reached Wal-
vis Bay, two of the ex POWS passengers aboard Corporal Rudolph Henry "Sonny" Sonnekus (2nd Battalion South African Police) and his friend Private van der Merwe (also from 2SAP) disembarked. At the local Police Station both men were welcomed and offered a meal and accommodation for the night. Suddenly a Major Malan and his driver appeared. They had with them rail tickets for both men... for Van a ticket to East London and for Sonny one for Durban. A few days later Sonny arrived in Durban where his mother, aunt and two sisters were waiting for him. They had driven down from Eshowe in Zululand in the family car to come fetch him. Sonny was finally home after 4 years of being way (10 June 1941 - 25 June 1945).
Comments by HBH
The force numbers of Corporal Rudolph Henry "Sonny" Sonnekus (2nd Battalion South African Police) are: SAP Force number 19254(M) & UDF: SAP 197086 Corporal Rudolph Henry "Sonny" Sonnekus (2nd Battalion South African Police)
