November - Department of Defence

A career ofcommitment at seaBy Lt Glenn von Zeil,SA Naval ReserveWO1 Gerald Heydenrychrecently retired from servicein the SA Navy after48 years. His careerbegun in 1960 when hewas drafted into theArmy Gymnasium. Subsequentlyhe was transferred to theSA Navy in 1961. He was part of thefirst group to complete its basic trainingon board the SAS BLOEM-FONTEIN. He later qualified as adiver and torpedo and anti-submarinerating.He also served on board SASWALVIS BAY, SAS VRYSTAAT, SASVAN DER STEL and SAS PRESI-DENT PRETORIUS. He was a mem-ber of the first ship's company of theSAS PRESIDENT STEYN, whichaccompanied the frigate from theUnited Kingdom in 1963. In 1965 heattended an UC1 course at the HMSVernon, and on his return to SouthAfrica was employed at the WarfareSchool. In 1968 he requested an interservicetransfer to the SA Air Force atLangebaan where he served on boardthe air-sea rescue launches (crashboats) and later rejoined the SA Navyafter this function was incorporated atSAS FLAMINGO.His diving career included completingthe following courses: DivingInstructor, Diving Supervisors IEDD,USDD, EOD, and Demolition. He alsospent time as Warrant Officer inCommand of the Diving School. Hecompleted his full-time military careerWO1 Gerald Heydenrych at home in Glencairn overlooking Simon's Bay andthe sea he has served.in 1990 as the Warrant Officer inCommand of ODT. The following yearhe served in a civilian capacity (PSAP)as a tug master until his retirement in2008. During this period he was also amember of the Naval Reserve.WO1 Heydenrych remembers thecamaraderie which the Navy embodiedand has fond memories of his fellowcrew members. "While at SASFLAMINGO I observed a three-yearoldboy run and slip off the Langebaanjetty. I stripped down and divedinto the water to rescue him. ThereafterI applied CPR, which fortunatelyrevived him," recalled WO1Heydenrych."After an explosion in the engineroom of the George V - 400 nauticalmiles off Walvis Bay - the SA Navywas requested to provide medicalassistance to treat a badly injured crewmember. I used my knowledge andskills to transfer medical supplies anda doctor, Lt Cdr Jordan, from a crashboat via a life raft to the George V inheavy seas."Some of WO1 Heydenrych's mostmemorable moments were the towingand rescue tasks assigned to him, especiallytowing the powerful tug, JohnRoss, from Cape Point to Simon'sTown with the Umlazi after a rope hadbecome entwined in her propeller andhelping to combat the oil spill thatthreatened Table Bay and surroundingareas when the MV Treasure sank.During his career he was awardedthe Chief of the Navy's Commendationon two occasions, the Pro MeritoMedal, Military Merit Medal, ProPatria, and Good Service Medals(Bronze, Silver and Gold).WO1 Heydenrych looks forward tohis retirement and plans to enjoy histime cray fishing in Kommetjie andangling in Simon's Bay.NO VEMB ER 2 0 0 8 • S A S O L D I E R39