An Airforce Duo- Lemania 1872
2 Lemania 1872’s issued to to the same SAAF pilot
One Pilot, 2 Lemania 1872’s
I always ask for the back story of a watch……particularly if it is military. A lot of these guys are “closed books” and it is difficult to get the information from them……this one took some time and is quite brief……..but
i still really appreciate any information at all. Many of these guys were “Career Military gents”, who spent their whole working lives in the Military. Above is his history in the South African Military. I will type it out below
for ease of reading.
His History in the Military……
Wrote Matric in 1960
Joined the Army Gymnasium VoortrekkerHoogte in 1961 and qualified as a Gunner
Did a B-Mil degree 1962-1964 at the military academy in Saldanah (Facility of the University of Stellenbosh)
Transfered to 143 Artillary Battery Walfisbaai 1965-1966 as training officer
1967 Transfered to 4 Field Regiment Potchefstroom
Married to Jeannie Vermaak 13 May 1967
1967 Transfered to 42 Army reconnaissance Squadron Potchefstroom. Received wings on the 19th December 1967as a member of the last group of Army Officers to qualify as Reconnaissance Pilots.
1968- The Squadron was transfered to the South African Airforce and i did my first opperational tour in the then Rhodesian Airforce (Seconded to the South African Police)
1968-1969 Various operational tours and Harvard Aircraft conversion course.
1970-1971 Flying instructors course on Harvards at CFS Dunnottas.
1972-1974 Chief training officer and flight commander of 11 Squadron SAAF, Potchefstroom.
1975 Airforce HQ Staff Officer Light Aircraft.
1976-1978 Officer Commanding 41 Squadron SAAF Airforce base Swartkop and Lanseria
1980 Army Staff course at the Army College
1981-1983 Staff Officers at Chief of Staff- Opperations Defence Force HQ
1984-1990 Senior Staff officer Battlefield support of Airforce HQ
1990 Retired from the South African Air Force
The watches…..
He was unclear how he came to own 2 of these watches, but reading his history, it looks like he was in the flying unit of the army (as a reconnaissance pilot), and then there was a transfer of this unit to the Airforce. I am going
to assume that there was a re-issue of equipment at this stage and possibly he “forgot” 🙂 to hand in his first watch.
The Pictures
Click image below for the full restoration on YouTube
Click on the above image to View the full restoration of this Historic Military watch
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