Oranjemund Online

ORANJEMUND DISCUSSIONS! => Looking For Oranjemunders! => Topic started by: georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP) on October 04, 2007, 04:24:50 PM

Title: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP) on October 04, 2007, 04:24:50 PM
Where are they :

Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld

Hope some of them are busy in the net

Pepe and Niel are to be seen in my old film, when we serviced the wave buoy of 3 plant

Here 3 old films

http://www.livevideo.com/video/D22F1100801D4AABA462DB8620C1617D/wave-survey-diamond-coast-nami.aspx?lastvcid=289816

http://www.livevideo.com/video/801B144209834055BCB5E606D0F08453/diamond-mine-part-1-3-8-mm-fi.aspx

http://www.livevideo.com/video/4019FBC11E8447308BB3187121CCEA15/diamond-mine-part-2-3-8-mm-fi.aspx

Georg Ruf

Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP) on October 05, 2007, 08:56:45 PM
3Plant Electric about 1978

L to R

Niel Hasland, Jonny ( Contractor) Bertie v, Jaarsveld, John Smith, Driver, Georg Ruf
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP) on October 21, 2007, 08:37:20 PM
Gene Bennet

I recevied a mail from Gene. My return mail comes back via Mailer Daimon

Hope Gene´s sister in law reads this post and can help with the correct mail
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: Terri on October 25, 2007, 04:35:24 PM
Hello everyone! I am Terri, Gene Bennett's eldest daughter. We lived in Oranjemund from July 1975 to July 1977. With much reluctance, we moved back to the United States. I was a month away from turning 13 when we arrived. What a culture shock! "what do you mean...no television?!? What? There isn't a furnace in the house either???? ha ha ha
My dad, Gene, is alive and well. Both he and my mom will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary next June. Both know about this site and hopefully will answer soon.
I'd love to see pictures and be told how much it has changed. (By the way, Sonny and Ena Bennett are my uncle and aunt - Uncle Peter is my dad's brother).

I've viewed some of the pictures...thank you for posting them! What GRAND memories!
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: Terri on October 25, 2007, 04:38:56 PM
Re: Gene Bennett's email....this is his daughter. Dad's email is: geneben48348@juno.com

If you get the "non-deliverable" again, let me know and I'll give dad the message.

Terri
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsve
Post by: barb (Fry) on October 25, 2007, 06:26:50 PM
Terri
the mad american counsin of Alison who went to WGHS with me
You waved your bra at the boys over the fence, I remember you -
I was very short and full of attitude, you were in the wing with me and Caroline Dichmond at the top of the stairs on the study side of the boarding house.
How are you ?
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP) on October 25, 2007, 07:36:09 PM
Thanks Terri, hope we can clear that Email Adr. problem about your dad
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: georg ruf jr. on November 15, 2007, 04:18:59 AM
Hi Terry.
I remember you well. I also remember your problems with the culture shock. You were telling stories what would go on in american schools. Something like: A by riding is motorcycle into the school building and not being wxpelled.
I've seen american schools in Philidelphia from the outside. High fences and security check. This was 98. Seemed more like a jail. How are you?
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: Paul (Pepe) Freemantle on June 19, 2008, 09:53:26 AM
Hi Georg, I am here LOL. I am now trying to locate Bertie, John and Neil.
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP) on June 19, 2008, 09:58:07 AM
@ Pepe

That would be great

After all it makes now

Pepe, Geene and me, quite good compaired to the others

I have tried for some years, no avail.

If you google " Georg Ruf " i am found due to my many activities

You also find me as georgswa, try it and you see how active i am in the net, almost an addiction.... image21
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: DUNJA WRBKA on June 19, 2008, 05:04:56 PM
With regards to Bert van Jaarsveld.  He use to be married to Adele.  I know they divorced and Adele married Jack van Niekerk.  Jack and Adele now live in Rayton (next to Cullinan)  If push come to shove, I am sure Adele will have the contact details for Bert.

Shout if I can assist.

Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP) on June 19, 2008, 07:18:21 PM
@ Dunja

Yes push it, would be glad to get 3 Plnt Elec. together on the board
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP) on June 19, 2008, 07:19:46 PM
We also look for John Smith-3 plt electrician
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: Paul (Pepe) Freemantle on June 20, 2008, 06:47:07 AM
Yes please Denju, help us locate these guys as Georg says we are featuring better thasn the others at this stage LOL. 3 Plant was the best plant I ever worked on and the guys made it all worth while. Remember Sundays fetching all the crayfish from the desanding tank and feeding the whole plant crawfish. We of course were organised with all the utensils and mayonnaise of course LOL. Fridge was always stocked.
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: Paul (Pepe) Freemantle on June 20, 2008, 06:49:14 AM
That photo of the guys was when I was in Bakers Bay? Jimmy standing next to you George was my tool boy and believe it or not, was my dad's tool boy when he was still on the tools. 
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP) on June 20, 2008, 07:16:03 AM
@ Pepe

Dont know where you were at that time

Bill Fry took that Pic, it was in the newsletter in the same month

Geen Bennett had left already for USA
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: Paul (Pepe) Freemantle on June 20, 2008, 08:23:22 AM
I know now Georg, I was in the army for 3 months call up at that time.
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: Carl Zeelie on January 21, 2009, 07:50:37 PM
Hi George,
Perhaps you will remeber me as part of the metallurgical start up crew? I think your Mech counterpart was Jerry Hauser? Last time I saw Jon Smith was in his own electrical shop in Mosselbay....but that was yonks ago!
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP) on January 21, 2009, 08:56:07 PM
Thanks Carl for the info, i honestly dont remember your name , i am sorry, but we must have been together in that start up time. Exciting experience.

Yes Jerry Housen was there too

If you should find out about the guys i am looking for. let us know.

Pepe is searching too
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: Paul (Pepe) Freemantle on January 28, 2009, 01:44:40 PM
Hi Georg, I am in  contact with Jerry Howsen's daughter Kathleen. Jerry lives in Wolsley and is doing well. Our family and the Howsens were great friends that time. But to find Leon, John and Neil is a mission. They seem to have left planet earth LOL. Take care and regards.
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP) on January 28, 2009, 02:04:29 PM
@ Pepe. give my refards to Jerry.

Pity those other guys have left the planet

But the more often we raise that topic, the bigger the chance somone will know

Good luck in searching or must i come down and look for them ??? LOL

Georg
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: Diana Rudd (Boehme) on January 28, 2009, 02:32:06 PM
I'm just thinking to myself I am.....was Gene Bennet's wifes name Magarate? They lived at E11/11 and were the American family of Enna Bennet. If so I heard from Magarate March 2007 when my dad passed away. They are well and living in the States somewhere.
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP) on January 28, 2009, 03:12:46 PM
@ Diana
Thanks. Yes you are right, they live in the US, i had personal contact with Gene, he also send me a picture. They are well and have a lovely family.

Pity we have not found the other chaps, would be nice to hear from them.

Neil Hasland was once supposed to contact me on the net, it never happened.

Niel´s son was a Pal of my son Marcel.

O-munders one big family that we often think of.

Georg jun was pal of the van Gruenen Sons, the sad story, we all know. Iggy died also while in O-mund on Pancreatis cancer. All to young to go.....
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: Paul (Pepe) Freemantle on January 30, 2009, 05:13:24 AM
@ Georg,

Thanks I will pass your regards to Jerry through Kathleen. Keep well my firend:)
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: Denise Smith on March 20, 2009, 11:01:48 AM
Hi Just come across this post, Leon Cilliers is my uncle.  He lives in Randfontein on a smallholding and was well the last time my father Chum Pretorius spoke to him aprox. 2 weeks ago.

Email gppretorius@polka.co.za and I will let you have his contact details
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP) on March 20, 2009, 11:03:44 AM
Thanks Denise for that info
Georg
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: Paul (Pepe) Freemantle on March 20, 2009, 11:19:40 AM
Hi Georg and Denise, many thanks for the info Denise and have just sent a mail to the mailing address you posted. I am hoping we shall make contact with Leon soon. Will keep you all posted. Regards, Pepe
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP) on March 20, 2009, 11:22:59 AM
Thanks Pepe
May be you can get him to come here.....  woo_hoo
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: Paul (Pepe) Freemantle on March 20, 2009, 11:38:18 AM
You welcome georg, I will get him to join us on the board. could be very interesting to hear what all he has to say  woo_hoo
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: Michael Alexander on March 20, 2009, 12:10:27 PM
It's always awesome when old friends reconnect on the site....Great News!   :ciupa1:
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP) on March 20, 2009, 12:20:02 PM
Yes Mike

we are now

Gene Bennet,
Pepe Freemantle,
Myself and hope for Leon Cilliers,
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP) on March 20, 2009, 12:22:04 PM
Pepe is also trying to locate John Smith, then 3 Plt el. would be complete
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsve
Post by: Michael Alexander on April 10, 2009, 04:38:01 PM
Georg, I 'm sitting with my father, the unknown in the top pic, is that not a young Robbie Shuster?

Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsve
Post by: georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP) on April 10, 2009, 04:45:58 PM
Quote from: Michael Alexander on April 10, 2009, 04:38:01 PM
Georg, I 'm sitting with my father, the unknown in the top pic, is that not a young Robbie Shuster?
On this topic is only one picture and i have identified the guys that i know names ...
Happy Easter to all
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: Diana Rudd (Boehme) on April 11, 2009, 04:25:59 PM
2nd guy with the name tag????  Doesn't look like Robbie to me more like a young Ben Wilson.    idontknow
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP) on April 11, 2009, 04:34:39 PM
Quote from: Diana Rudd (Boehme) on April 11, 2009, 04:25:59 PM
2nd guy with the name tag????  Doesn't look like Robbie to me more like a young Ben Wilson.    idontknow
@ Diana and Mike
i dont know what picture you are looking at, on this topic is only one and i am 100 % sure of the w. guys names

3Plant Electric about 1978

L to R

Niel Hasland, Jonny ( Contractor), Bertie v, Jaarsveld, John Smith, Driver, Georg Ruf
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: Diana Rudd (Boehme) on April 11, 2009, 07:51:20 PM
 202   then it must be Jonny the contractor I'm looking at.
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP) on April 11, 2009, 07:54:09 PM
Thats right Diana, he was a nice guy from Yougslavia also spoke german from his time in germany, he worked with us on 3 plant electric, from groenewalds contractor
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: Paul (Pepe) Freemantle on April 14, 2009, 10:44:27 AM
LOL, I used to remember jonny always having his beer lunch time. I used to tell him we arn't allowed to drink during working hours. He said it was traditional in Germany to have a beer lunch time LOL
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP) on May 04, 2009, 11:32:55 AM
Slowly but surely we get the 3 plant electric to the site

Pepe found Bertie van Jaarsveld who lives in Plett.... Thanks Pepe

Wrote him and hopefully he will join us here

Also still looking for the others......
Title: Re: Niel Hasland, Gene Bennet, Leon Cilliers, Pepe Freemantle, Berty Van Jaarsveld
Post by: georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP) on May 04, 2009, 08:08:57 PM
Got a reply from Bertie and a Photo, he also send me the email adress of John Smith, wrote back to both to join us here and post pictures from our time in O-Mund, lets hope they register....

Bert van Jaarsveld on the right