The South African
André Eugene Rudman who crossed the bar on 1 May 2023 was a member of the Eastern Cape Branch of the SAMHS. He joined the Society after giving a series of excellent lectures to the Cape Town branch on early South African naval and military history.
His distinguished 43 year long service career commenced in 1955 when he volunteered for Citizen Force training in 1 Locating Battery, SA Artillery, whilst at the University of Stellenbosch. In 1957 he spent a year at the Naval Gymnasium at Saldanha and in 1958 he joined the Permanent Force as a midshipman. He was awarded the Packer Memorial Shield as the most outstanding student on the Lieutenant's Qualifying Course in 1964 and qualified as an Anti-Submarine Warfare Specialist in HMS Vernon in the United Kingdom in 1966.
André with his wife
After serving in the frigates SAS President Kruger and SAS President Steyn he was appointed Senior Officer 147 Mine-sweeping Squadron in command of SAS Walvisbaai in 1973. He had extensive experience in training posts ashore as Acting Officer Commanding SAS Saldanha from 1976-77 and Officer Commanding SA Naval Staff College from 1979 to 1981.
From 1981 André was responsible for training in the SA Navy with all the training units under his command. He retired when Naval Training Command was disbanded in 1987 but joined the SA Naval Staff Reserve in 1992 and was a member of the Naval Reserve Board until 2004.
In 1993 he initiated the formation of the Naval Heritage Trust and served as a trustee until 1999,
Rear-Admiral (JG) A.G. Söderland has written: 'few before him have contributed as much to the SA Navy and maritime organisations serving the people of South Africa. He will long be remembered by all who were privileged to know him.
'Mac' Bisset
Cape Town
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