Brigadier Hendrik Jacobus Greyvenstein (July 11, 1916 – March 15, 1986) was a senior officer in the South African Army from the

artillery Artillery is a class of heavy military ranged weapons that launch munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry firearms. Early artillery development focused on the ability to breach defensive walls and fortifications during siege ...

. He was educated at the

University of Pretoria The University of Pretoria ( af, Universiteit van Pretoria, nso, Yunibesithi ya Pretoria) is a multi-campus public research university in Pretoria, the administrative and de facto capital of South Africa. The university was established in 1908 ...

and took part in the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposi ...

as an artilleryman. In 1944, he was seconded to the

Royal Artillery The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery (RA) and colloquially known as "The Gunners", is one of two regiments that make up the artillery arm of the British Army. The Royal Regiment of Artillery comprises t ...

and served as an Adjutant at the

Artillery School Artillery is a class of heavy military ranged weapons that launch munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry firearms. Early artillery development focused on the ability to breach defensive walls and fortifications during siege ...

, officer instructor, and Battery Commander of the 10 Field Battery, 4 Field Regiment.

Military career

Greyvenstein graduated from the British Overseas School in

Egypt Egypt ( ar, مصر , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia via a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Medit ...

during the

and completed the SA Military College Staff course. He served as Chief Instructor Gunnery during the fifties, Battery Commander at 1 South African Infantry Battalion in

Oudtshoorn Oudtshoorn (, ), the "ostrich capital of the world", is a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa, located between the Swartberg mountains to the north and the Outeniqua Mountains to the south. Two ostrich-feather booms, during 1865– ...

. He commanded 4 Field Regiment and the School of Artillery. before being appointed as the Director of Artillery. Brigadier Greyvenstein served at General Headquarters, Chief of Staff section before he retired in the mid seventies. Greyvenstein died in Pretoria on 15 March 1986, at the age of 69.

Awards and decorations

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Notes

References

1916 births 1986 deaths South African Army generals South African military officers South African military personnel of World War II Afrikaner people South African people of Dutch descent {{SouthAfrica-mil-bio-stub