Flight Lieutenant Dick Paxton, in his “fighting order” while flying for the 8 Squadron, Rhodesian Air Force.

He commissioned as a helicopter pilot in the Rhodesian Air Force, seeing active service throughout the Rhodesian Bush War. He was shot down twice by enemy fire, most notably during Operation Uric while he had flown to medevac a wounded Rhodesian SAS soldier. Dick knew the risks well enough, a day earlier at Mapai, a South African Puma helicopter was shot down.14 Rhodesian and 3 South African servicemen died in the crash. Under heavy fire, he made his approach with skill and daring.

As he hovered over the wounded troopie, his Bell 205 took a direct hit from a terrorist RPG. The helicopter plummeted to the Earth in a fireball, killing his technician Aircraftsman Alexander Wesson. Despite being badly wounded, Paxton managed to escape from the burning aircraft. He would be evacuated by SAS back to Rhodesia by the conclusion of the cross border incursion in what is now Joao, Mozambique.

Despite the severity of his wounds, Dick Paxton would fly again for the South African Air Force, in support of Border War operation. He found himself supporting operations aboard the SAS President Kruger, a recently refurbished frigate. It had been recommissioned to be equipped with a Westland Wasp helicopter which Paxton operated.

On 18 February 1982, while conducting anti-submarine exercises in the South Atlantic, the SAS President Kruger collided with an oil replenishment ship, the SAS Tafelberg in a freak accident. 13 sailors were killed outright while sleeping in their quarters at the point of the collision impact, and another 3 would lose their lives as the ship listed over. After less than 40 minutes, it was determined the ship was beyond saving and the order to abandon ship was given. Due to the professionalism of the South African Defence Force and men like Paxton, 177 crewmen of the 193 aboard were rescued.

Having survived the events of his own extraordinary history, Dick Paxton still lives in South Africa to this day. He remains highly regarded by all who served with him as one the Bush War’s best and bravest helicopter pilots.