Trooper Neil “Death Wish” Hooley, a British volunteer in 11 Troop, 3 Commando, Rhodesian Light Infantry. Hooley became a bit of a legend in the regiment, for his ability to seemingly attract trouble, and spent quite a bit of time recovering in Tsanga Lodge from either combat wounds or venereal disease (see Chris Cocks’ Fireforce for a fun story on Hooley pricked by a few needles to keep his willy in tact!). He was wounded a total of three times in combat while operating in Fireforce missions against the communist guerillas in Rhodesia.

The second, and most dramatic wound he suffered, he was shot through the legs by a communist guerilla, who then proceeded to bayonet his legs. This guerilla was quickly dispatched, and a Canberra bomber from the Rhodesian Air Force made short work of his ambushers. Hooley recovered and went back into action, where he was wounded for a third and final time. For his many troubles, he became known as “Death Wish” in the unit.