Draft:Deon Fourie (army general)

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Brigadier General Deon Francois Schonland Fourie GCStJ SD MMM JCD
Brig Gen DFS Fourie SANDF
Born	(1932-11-17) 17 November 1932 Johannesburg, Transvaal, Union of South Africa
Allegiance	South Africa
Service / branch	South African Army
Years of service	1950–1997
Rank	Brigadier General
Unit	Pretoria Regiment
Commands	Chief Defence Reserves Director Citizen Force Liason OC Pretoria Armour Regiment
Battles / wars	South African Border War
Awards
Other work	Professor in Strategic Studies, University of South Africa Chairman, Heraldry Council Vice Chancellor of the Priory in South Africa, Order of St John

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: and was later promoted to brigadier general, serving as Director Citizen Force Liaison.

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.

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.

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

Early life and education

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.

Military career

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. He was later promoted to brigadier general and appointed Director Citizen Force Liaison on the general staff of the SADF.

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

Academic career

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

Order of St John

Fourie has been involved with the Order of St John in South Africa for over 40 years in various senior voluntary leadership roles. His service has included positions as Centre Chairman, Chair of the Priory Executive Committee, Chair of the Order Affairs Council, and ultimately Vice Chancellor of the Priory in South Africa.

In 2021, in recognition of his historic and sustained contributions to the organisation, Fourie was appointed as a Bailiff Grand Cross of the Order of St John, one of the highest grades within the Order.

Heraldry Council

Fourie served as Chairman of the South African Heraldry Council from 1995 to 1997. The Council is a statutory advisory body responsible for the approval of coats of arms, badges, and other heraldic representations. His tenure coincided with South Africa’s early post-apartheid years, when heraldic practices were undergoing reform to reflect a broader national identity.

Awards and decorations

He has been awarded the

• Venerable Order of Saint John (Gr I - Bailiff/Dame Grand Cross) (GCStJ)
• Venerable Order of Saint John (Gr II - Knight of Justice or Grace) (KStJ)
• Southern Cross Decoration (SD)
• Southern Cross Medal (1975) (SM)
• Military Merit Medal (MMM)
• Pro Patria Medal
• General Service Medal (South Africa)
• Unitas (Unity) Medal
• John Chard Decoration (with 40 year clasp) (JCD)
• John Chard Medal
• General Service Medal

Selected publications

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

• "Decline and Fall: Why the South African Civilian Defence Secretariat Was Dissolved in 1966" – A study of the dissolution of the Civilian Defence Secretariat. Published in Scientia Militaria (2013).

• "Where Fact and Memory Meet: The Amateur Historian's Contribution to Military History" (with Marius Whittle) – An exploration of amateur contributions to military historiography. Published in Historia (2013).

• "South Africa: The Order of Good Hope" – An historical analysis of the Order of Good Hope. Published in Diplomacy & Statecraft (2007).

• "South Africa's Developing Security and Defence Policies" – A review of South Africa’s evolving defence strategies. Published in the RUSI Journal (1990).

• "Wensdenkery? Die inburgering van demokratiese militêre waardes in die SA Nasionale Weermag" – A critical view on the institutionalisation of democratic military values. Published in the Journal of Contemporary History (2010).

• "Chimurenga: The War in Rhodesia" – An analysis of the Rhodesian Bush War. Published in the Africa Institute Bulletin (1977).

• "War Potentials of the African States South of the Sahara" – A regional assessment of African military capacity. Published by the South African Institute of International Affairs (1968).