Chris Venter

Major General Pieter Christoffel de Beer Venter SM & Bar
Birth name	Springfontein, Free State
Nickname(s)	Chris
Born	1943
Allegiance	South Africa
Service / branch	South African Army
Years of service	1962–1998
Rank	Major General
Unit	14 Field Regiment
Commands	Director of Artillery OC 4 Artillery Regiment
Battles / wars	South African Border War
Awards
Other work	National Chairman of the SA Gunner's Association

Maj Gen Chris Venter SM & Bar was a South African Army general officer from the artillery who served as the last Chief of Army Staff Planning (GS6).

Military career

He joined the South African Defence Force in 1962 and served at 14 Field Regiment, 4 Field Regiment and the School of Artillery where he was a Chief Instructor Gunnery in 1974. He was involved in Operation Savannah in 1975-76. He was appointed as OC 4 Artillery Regiment from 1978 to 1980. He served as Director of Artillery from 1983-1986.[1] Brigadier Venter served as Director Management Services and after promotion to the rank of major general, he served as Chief of Army Staff Planning for the SANDF in 1997 to 1998. He retired from the SANDF in 1998. He served from 1998 to 2005 as the National Chairman of the South African Gunner's Association.[2]

Honours and awards

Medals

• Southern Cross Medal (1975) (SM & Bar)
• Pro Patria Medal (South Africa) (with Cunene Clasp) [a]
• General Service Medal (South Africa)
• Unitas (Unity) Medal
• Good Service Medal (Gold (30 Years))
• Good Service Medal (Silver (20 Years))
• Good Service Medal (Bronze (10 Years))

Proficiency badges

Proficiency badges

Master Gunner: 38 Major P.C. 'Chris' de Beer Venter[b] Year: 1972 ←37: Major Steve van Aswegen Captain Jack C.D.F. Bosch :39→

Paratrooper Basic (Qualification) Basic, Static Line Black on Thatch beige, Embossed Small Black wings

Notes

1. Only the Cunene clasp was awarded, to members who served in Angola during Operation Savannah in 1975 and 1976. Recipients of the clasp wear a button, with the letter C encircled by a wreath, on the ribbon bar.
2. Post occupied when award was made: Battery Commander, 1 Medium Battery, 4 Field Artillery

References

1. Anon., "School of Artillery", South African Gunner (PDF), p. 9, archived from the original (PDF) on 13 June 2013, retrieved 31 March 2015
2. "Office Bearers". The Gunners' Association of South Africa. Retrieved 23 May 2023.

Military offices
Preceded by Col Joffel vd Westhuizen	Director Artillery 1983–1986	Succeeded by Col Koos Laubscher
Preceded by Lt Col Vossie Nell	OC 4 Artillery Regiment 1978–1980	Succeeded by Lt Col Koos Laubscher
Preceded by Maj Joffel van der Westhuizen	Chief Instructor Gunnery 1973–1975	Succeeded by Capt Koos Laubscher
Honorary titles
Preceded by Steve van Aswegen	38th Master Gunner 1972	Succeeded by Jack Bosch