Wikipedia

Deon Fourie (army general)

Brigadier General

Deon Francois Schonland Fourie

GCStJ SD MMM JCD
Brig Gen DFS Fourie SANDF
Born (1932-11-17) 17 November 1932 (age 92)
Johannesburg, Transvaal, Union of South Africa
Allegiance South Africa
Branch South African Army
Years of service1950–1997
RankBrigadier General
UnitPretoria Regiment
Commands
Battles / warsSouth African Border War
AwardsVenerable Order of Saint John GCStJ Southern Cross Decoration SD Military Merit Medal MMM Pro Patria Medal General Service Medal (South Africa) Unitas (Unity) Medal John Chard Decoration JCD John Chard Medal
Other work

Deon Francois Schonland Fourie (born 17 November 1932) is a South African retired general officer, academic, military historian and heraldist. He served in the South African Defence Force (SADF), where he commanded the Pretoria Armour Regiment from 1975 to 1980,[1] and was later promoted to brigadier general, serving as Director Citizen Force Liaison.[2][3]

In parallel with his military service, Fourie held a long-standing academic appointment as professor of strategic studies at the University of South Africa (UNISA) from 1968 to 1997.[1][4]

He is also known for his decades-long voluntary leadership within the Order of St John, serving in national roles including Vice Chancellor of the Priory in South Africa. In recognition of this service, he was appointed a Bailiff Grand Cross of the Order in 2021.[5]

From 1995 to 1997, Fourie chaired the Heraldry Council, a statutory body advising the South African government on heraldic matters.[6][7]

Early life and education

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Fourie was born in Johannesburg and raised in Sabie, Lichtenburg, and Pietersburg (now Polokwane), where he completed his schooling. He later studied at the University of Natal in Durban and the University of the Witwatersrand.[8][better source needed]

Military career

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Fourie began his military service in the South African Army's armoured corps. From 1975 to 1980, he served as Officer Commanding of the Pretoria Armour Regiment.[1] He was later promoted to brigadier general and appointed Director Citizen Force Liaison on the general staff of the SADF.[2][3]

His military honours include the Southern Cross Decoration, Military Merit Medal, the John Chard Decoration, and the Pro Patria Medal.[1]

Academic career

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From 1968 until 1997, Fourie served as professor of strategic studies at the University of South Africa (UNISA) in Pretoria.[1][9]

Order of St John

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In 2021, in recognition of his service to the Order of St John in South Africa including positions as Chair of the Priory Executive Committee, Chair of the Order Affairs Council, and ultimately Vice Chancellor of the Priory in South Africa, Fourie was appointed as a Bailiff Grand Cross of the Order of St John, one of the highest grades within the Order.[5]

Heraldry Council

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Fourie served as Chairman of the South African Heraldry Council, the statutory body responsible for the approval of coats of arms, badges, and other heraldic representations in South Africa, from 1995 to 1997.[6]

Awards and decorations

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He has been awarded the

Selected publications

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Fourie has authored a range of academic papers focusing on South African military history, civil-military relations, and defence policy. Selected works include.[10]

  • Fourie, Deon (2013). Decline and Fall: Why the South African Civilian Defence Secretariat Was Dissolved in 1966. Vol. 40. Scientia Militaria. doi:10.5787/40-3-1032.
  • Fourie, Deon; Whittle, Marius (2013). Where Fact and Memory Meet: The Amateur Historian's Contribution to Military History. Vol. 58. Historia. ISSN 0018-229X.
  • Fourie, Deon (2010). Wensdenkery? Die inburgering van demokratiese militêre waardes in die SA Nasionale Weermag. Journal of Contemporary History. doi:10.38140/sjch.v35i2.79.
  • Fourie, Deon (2007). South Africa: The Order of Good Hope. Diplomacy & Statecraft. doi:10.1080/09592290701322630.
  • Fourie, Deon (1990). South Africa's developing security and defence policies. RUSI Journal. doi:10.1080/03071849008445434.
  • Fourie, Deon (1977). Chimurenga: The War in Rhodesia. Vol. 15. Africa Institute Bulletin.
  • Fourie, Deon (1968). War Potentials of the African States South of the Sahara. South African Institute of International Affairs.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Redaksie (26 November 2021). "Saluut aan 'n lewe van diens – van Kerkplein tot strategiese lesingsale". Maroela Media (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  2. ^ a b "South Africa's Gold Medals for Bravery: The Honoris Crux Awards 1975–2003". Military History Journal. The South African Military History Society. December 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Decline and Fall: Why The South African Civilian Defence Secretariat Was Dissolved In 1966". Academia.edu. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  4. ^ "Department of Military Strategy". Stellenbosch University. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Order of St John Appointments". The Gazette. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  6. ^ a b Annual Reports of the National Archivist. Pretoria: National Archives and Records Service of South Africa. 1997.
  7. ^ "Bureau of Heraldry". National Archives of South Africa. Department of Sports, Arts and Culture. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  8. ^ "Deon Fourie – Profile". Quora. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  9. ^ Spaarwater, Maritz (2012). A Spook's Progress: From Making War to Making Peace. Penguin Random House South Africa. p. 76. ISBN 9781770224377.
  10. ^ "Deon Fourie". Academia.edu. Retrieved 20 June 2025.