In Memory of L/Cpl Ribeiro “Little Robbie”
Today the 30th of August 2007, I attended on behalf of ABS, the laying of the gravestone ceremony of L/Cpl Carlos Alberto Correia Pinto Ribeiro in the Military Cemetary in Voortrekkerhoogte (Thaba Tshwane).
It was a moving ceremony attended by the Special Forces League, 32 Bn Veterans Association, LAARSA, Airbornesoldier and numerous other friends and dignitaries. The ceremony was conducted by Ds S Botha from Klerksdorp who in an emotional tribute, joined two brothers together again. Little Robbie as he was fondly called by his Special Forces brothers, was also the brother of Sgt Jose Correia Pinto Ribeiro HC, who was laid to rest along with his fellow comrades Sgt P.G Silva Soeiro and S. Sgt Fransisco Daniel Roxo HC.
Nevvas Matias, legendary Special Forces Member and HC recipient unveiled the memorial stone.
Little Robbie was born on the 25th of November 1950 in the then Portuguese Colony of Guinea. He joined the Portuguese Air Force and in January 1970 he qualified and served as a Parabat.
Shortly after the Portuguese revolution of 1974, Little Robbie joined the SADF serving with 1 Recce. He was operationally deployed in Operation Savannah and on the 19th of August 1976, he went missing presumed KIA during a contact between Luenge and Coutada da Mucusso in Angola. At that time he was seconded to Bravo Group in Rundu, 32 Bn. Coincidently a mere week later his brother Jose was also Killed in Action.
31 years later, we are proud to say that through the efforts of Manny Ferreira, the two brothers are once again joined in rest and at peace in the land they fought and died for.
Little Robbie was single and was survived by his mother, who lost her two sons in the space of six days.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, We Will Remember Them.
Pictures are available to members only.
