I saw his name and I want to comment before I watch this one. This man came to Churchill boys high and had 1200 boys in laughter and in tears while he spoke to us. I often think about him and what ever happened to him. I remember Basil been pushed in his wheelchair onto stage and Mr Garbutt introducing him. I remember thinking....oh no this is going to be boring and man was I wrong. From hearing him all those years ago and not knowing him he inspired me and I cannot believe I am going to listen to this inspirational man again tonight. I very seldom shed a tear, you made me shed a tear in 79 at the age of 13 now 41 years later I am going to shed another tear. I will comment after I listen to this.
Basil and I would like to take this opportunity to thank each one who has taken the time to comment so kindly on this platform. We have been truly humbled. Special thanks to Hannes Wessels and John Van Zyl for creating this incredible platform. Hopefully we will meet one day.
Bas how you described seeing the chopper blades as a casavac is what I remember you telling us at Churchill. You were in wheel chair as you made a joke about the hot 🔥 nurse or care giver who wheeled you in. I am so stoked to see you are going strong. I always wondered what happened to you. Go well mate. Thanks Hannes for this and carry on with the good work you doing
Never laughed so much watching this old fella. His story takes you through all the good and bad ,positive and his will to live despite his injuries. I wish you well Sir.
You Sir Basil, have overcome tremendous adversity in your life. Massive respect to you, your family, all those people who helped you and the chopper pilot for taking you to a place you could be saved. Very moved by your attitude, smiles and the fact you have no bitterness. Very touching
Basil was my pastor at Bulawayo Christian Centre. Truly inspirational man of God. Thank you Hannes for the work you are doing interviewing all these brave soldiers. Always look forward for the next episode. E
Have met and been inspired by Baz during a ruff period in my life in Zim. This a long time after the war which I also went thru. A very inspring man of note. GOD BLESS Bazz.
A wonderful account Basil.Your triumph over severe adversity is tremendously inspiring and uplifting. That was a sad day for 2 Commando having lost Guy Mackenzie and almost losing you too.Such vivid memories of that fateful day. Go well shamwari and take care.Hope to see you soon.
I have watched this video, and it takes me down memory lane I was a sprog, (Form One Newbie) at Churchill Boys High School Salisbury Rhodesia. He came and spoke to the whole school about this event in his life. Everyone was impressed, he had just got engaged I belive. Wow to hear this story again, I had never forgotten it, and now it's going to be a film, "Fantastic"
A wonderfully candid, self-deprecating man whose interview was as entertaining as it was uplifting. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to it. Respect to you Basil and thanks again to Hannes and John.
I have to say that at the start of this interview I thought you had chosen a bad one - but it turned out to be a story of courage, strength and a belief that the Lord is the best healer and helper in our times of difficulty. Well done Hannes and great story by Basil- salute brave soldier 👏
What a fantastic interview with Basil .. such a life changing experience and to open your life and experience of war and death to everyone of us is truly inspirational. Humility beyond words .. a compelling story of a soldier who faced adversity and overcome all odds . Thanks so much Basil , Hannes and John for another brilliant part of the Fighting men of Rhodesia! They keep getting better and better. Salute!! God bless you Basil and my condolences on the passing of your mother . May she Rest In Peace 🙏🏻
Thankyou Basil C- J for sharing your funny, truthful and also tragic? Story For sharing and describing your ....out of body experience which I really believe! And for sharing your experience in accepting our Supreme Commander into your life...may it bring hope to many in distress.... I salute you Sir... To Hannes....thankyou for the excellent series...from an Old African..
Amazing (Grace). "The Peace that Surpasseth Understanding" = God. Very inspirational true story. Thank you Basil, Hannes and John for bringing it to us.
Thank you for your service. I'm glad you are saved. I was saved in September 1978 at a Scripture Union camp at Kariba. The day after we flew back to Salisbury the plane (Viscount Hunyani) we were on the day before was shot down. I'm very glad that our camp wasn't a day longer. I am one of those people who was able to sleep well at night because of the Rhodesian security forces. I was too young to be involved in military service. My Dad served in the police reserve (Dad's army: Salusa Scouts) because of his age and medical condition.
I met Basil about 11 years ago at a church conference in Mauritius. A couple years later visited him at his home in Hillcrest, South Africa. he has traveled around the world preaching Gods word. He has been in the USA. Europe, and of course throughout Africa.He is being used by the Lord tremendously dispite his war injury. He has been to my church in Sarasota, Florida. he is my brother in Christ and a dear friend. A must read is his book Amazing Grace!
Much respect and it highlights the experiences men who are maimed in action who are left to fend for themselves for the rest of their lives. This happens to veterans all over the world and even today.
What an inspiring interview Basil and Hannes, and well done Basil on a life clearly well lived. Sounds like you were a naughty little bugger, and you definitely need to get another rugby jersey ;) At Mount Pleasant school we were coached by a Mashonaland referee who had also been injured in the war but can’t remember his name.
Feel so honoured to have heard your story Sir.....what you have been through and conquered is truly inspirational thank you....to Hannes and John you are continuing to record such important facets of lives lived in a time that history needs to see from all angles...take care and enjoy every day
I recognised Basil immediately from the biopic Wosaka Another huge personality, with his own personality, his own story of that incredible struggle ...Darrell Watts, Andre Scheepers, Basil O Connell Jones, you are all of you the same as the men i looked up to as a boy, our Falklands veterans, the incredible men who trained me ... and whose wisdoms I saw whenever I looked through the trees and not at the trees ... Huge respect The NDE you recount Basil is startling and encouraging and rienforces my faith fella
I cried my eyes out at the end Basil, I too have been saved by the Lord and experiencing that light that gives us inner rest, is incredible. I will never be the same again. A great testimony and well done Hannes.
A great message on salvation Basil. You were the benchmark for naughtiness at Falcon, and so was Richard Brat at St Stevens.......all those years ago. God bless.
I'm relatively new to this page. Only finding it as it got into its 100 interview. End of last year, I bumped into your documentary/movie. Today after hearing your name in the interview with the heli doc, I went to find your interview with you. Please give us more on you Basil. Another interview is due. Please Hannes keep them coming. Basil your life is so uplifting with laughter and tears. So many need to hear it. Thank you and God bless
Wow! Small world indeed. Toc H Barbour House, 148 Baines Avenue, is where I also stayed during my aeronautical engineering apprenticeship years in the mid-1980s!
Very moving account of an inspirational man. Didge O’Donnel a Churchill mate was also shot in the head and he too is an inspiration...always positive and achieved so much despite his physical ailments. Respect.
Fabulous story telling and inspiring journey, Blessings from Australia 🇦🇺. You folks fought like demons and went it alone... shame on the West for not backing Rhodesia!!
Thank you Hannes and John for what must be one of the best series' on UA-cam. I hope you continue with this project for as long as possible. It must be a ton of work but know this, it is a great treasure.to so many of us. Thanks guys.
God is not finished with you Basil you have a calling on your life during these last days. You had me deep in thoughts about my earlier days in 1970. Had no idea who you were, by name, but heard about that incident. Laughing at your first half of the interview, again I have to thank both Hannes and John for bringing your true story. Trevor Hodgson was in 8 troop 2 Cdo. , so I know him well. Yes, a fine soldier, which makes me proud to have served with him. I would be very interested to hear the continuation in part 2. Your out-of-body experience, and rehabilitation will bring many to believe, and have faith in the Gospel of Christ, we are all sinners and need to ask God for forgiveness, and only He will change you. Will be buying your book, and look forward to the coming movie. Blessings
Great interview, Basil’s mention of Dick Padget brings back many fond memories. Dick was close friends with my father Clive Elias along with the late Chris Loots and Mike Strauss who were all Rhodesian Army medics. Please keep up the good work of these interviews.
Respect to you Basil I too found Jesus up in the Inyanga mountains, I found peace like I never knew before, I found then I was in two wars a physical war and a spiritual war.
Wow, what an inspiring life story. Please be sure to do another interview with Basil. I'd love to know what happened next, what has happened in his life since God saved him, where is he now?
Wonderful and inspiring. Had me in fits of laughter as well. I remember Toc H Good to see familiar faces in the introduction, Frank Van Druten, Reg Woodley, Mike Watson. Hannes, Frank would be a good laugh to interview. Can get his number for you if you don't have it. Well done guys, I love these videos, brings back hobbo memories
I remember Basil from Nchanga Diggers 🏉 days, was a great rugby player and what a story his life has turned into, good to see the pics of Frank Van Druten and Richard Bratt also gets mentioned a number of times, both Nchanga boys, knew both parents very well, heard that he had been seriously wounded and delighted to see how he has recovered, go well
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I saw his name and I want to comment before I watch this one. This man came to Churchill boys high and had 1200 boys in laughter and in tears while he spoke to us. I often think about him and what ever happened to him. I remember Basil been pushed in his wheelchair onto stage and Mr Garbutt introducing him. I remember thinking....oh no this is going to be boring and man was I wrong. From hearing him all those years ago and not knowing him he inspired me and I cannot believe I am going to listen to this inspirational man again tonight. I very seldom shed a tear, you made me shed a tear in 79 at the age of 13 now 41 years later I am going to shed another tear. I will comment after I listen to this.
Yes, very moving!!
Basil and I would like to take this opportunity to thank each one who has taken the time to comment so kindly on this platform. We have been truly humbled. Special thanks to Hannes Wessels and John Van Zyl for creating this incredible platform. Hopefully we will meet one day.
My Uncle had an out of body experience when he was dying, witnessed by my friend and I, and I believe every word of Basil's tale. What a brave guy.
Bas how you described seeing the chopper blades as a casavac is what I remember you telling us at Churchill. You were in wheel chair as you made a joke about the hot 🔥 nurse or care giver who wheeled you in. I am so stoked to see you are going strong. I always wondered what happened to you. Go well mate.
Thanks Hannes for this and carry on with the good work you doing
Mr Jones, you are a very special man. Thank you for sharing your testimony about the real life in Christ Jesus.
Never laughed so much watching this old fella. His story takes you through all the good and bad ,positive and his will to live despite his injuries. I wish you well Sir.
Wonderful testimony. So happy you are saved brother Basil God bless
You Sir Basil, have overcome tremendous adversity in your life. Massive respect to you, your family, all those people who helped you and the chopper pilot for taking you to a place you could be saved. Very moved by your attitude, smiles and the fact you have no bitterness. Very touching
A great story. Told without any graces. Easier to speak the truth and tell the story as it really was.
What an INSPIRATIONAL MAN!!! Well done Basil. You deserve such a happy and long life.
Basil thanks for you life story and your testimony, many blessings.
Thank you for such an incredible testimony of God's love! Praise you Jesus!
What kept his spirit going? Was the spirit of Rhodesia. Those Rhodesians are the toughest batch of men I have ever seen
Think it was the zol. Opened up his mind. 😂
They were of tough stock . . men & women , they had a task & they did it
Damn they really are….some of these solider interviews are wild and these chaps were in killer shape
A humbling interview. So much respect for Basil.
Basil was my pastor at Bulawayo Christian Centre. Truly inspirational man of God. Thank you Hannes for the work you are doing interviewing all these brave soldiers. Always look forward for the next episode.
E
Have met and been inspired by Baz during a ruff period in my life in Zim. This a long time after the war which I also went thru. A very inspring man of note. GOD BLESS Bazz.
Basil,thank you for your testemony .Hannes as one soldier to another, thank you for this inspiring interview,. I feel blessed to have watch it.
Now I have watched it all and I am touched.
I was at Churchill all those years ago when `Basil came to speak to us, I remember it so well .... Great respect !
A wonderful account Basil.Your triumph over severe adversity is tremendously inspiring and uplifting. That was a sad day for 2 Commando having lost Guy Mackenzie and almost losing you too.Such vivid memories of that fateful day. Go well shamwari and take care.Hope to see you soon.
I have watched this video, and it takes me down memory lane I was a sprog, (Form One Newbie) at Churchill Boys High School Salisbury Rhodesia. He came and spoke to the whole school about this event in his life. Everyone was impressed, he had just got engaged I belive.
Wow to hear this story again, I had never forgotten it, and now it's going to be a film, "Fantastic"
Respect Basil and thank you John and Hannes for sharing this touching and poignant story. Jim
A wonderfully candid, self-deprecating man whose interview was as entertaining as it was uplifting. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to it. Respect to you Basil and thanks again to Hannes and John.
I have to say that at the start of this interview I thought you had chosen a bad one - but it turned out to be a story of courage, strength and a belief that the Lord is the best healer and helper in our times of difficulty. Well done Hannes and great story by Basil- salute brave soldier 👏
Basil, This is definitely the best of this series in my mind. Thank you Hannes and John.
What a fantastic interview with Basil .. such a life changing experience and to open your life and experience of war and death to everyone of us is truly inspirational. Humility beyond words .. a compelling story of a soldier who faced adversity and overcome all odds . Thanks so much Basil , Hannes and John for another brilliant part of the Fighting men of Rhodesia! They keep getting better and better. Salute!! God bless you Basil and my condolences on the passing of your mother . May she Rest In Peace 🙏🏻
Thankyou Basil C- J for sharing your funny, truthful and also tragic? Story
For sharing and describing your ....out of body experience which I really believe!
And for sharing your experience in accepting our Supreme Commander into your life...may it bring hope to many in distress....
I salute you Sir...
To Hannes....thankyou for the excellent series...from an Old African..
Amazing (Grace). "The Peace that Surpasseth Understanding" = God. Very inspirational true story. Thank you Basil, Hannes and John for bringing it to us.
Thank you for your service. I'm glad you are saved. I was saved in September 1978 at a Scripture Union camp at Kariba. The day after we flew back to Salisbury the plane (Viscount Hunyani) we were on the day before was shot down. I'm very glad that our camp wasn't a day longer. I am one of those people who was able to sleep well at night because of the Rhodesian security forces. I was too young to be involved in military service. My Dad served in the police reserve (Dad's army: Salusa Scouts) because of his age and medical condition.
Sic itur ad Astra... puma lapa bushstick....inspirational interview
Amen
Just an honour and privilege to be in the presence of humble men with such fortitude,incredible,an example to all.
What an incredible story of God’s amazing grace! Thank you for sharing it with us.
What an uplifting interview. Hats off Basil. I cherish my copy of your book Amazing Grace. Always an inspiration to us all. 🤙☝️🙏
I met Basil about 11 years ago at a church conference in Mauritius. A couple years later visited him at his home in Hillcrest, South Africa. he has traveled around the world preaching Gods word. He has been in the USA. Europe, and of course throughout Africa.He is being used by the Lord tremendously dispite his war injury. He has been to my church in Sarasota, Florida. he is my brother in Christ and a dear friend. A must read is his book Amazing Grace!
Much respect and it highlights the experiences men who are maimed in action who are left to fend for themselves for the rest of their lives. This happens to veterans all over the world and even today.
What an inspiring interview Basil and Hannes, and well done Basil on a life clearly well lived. Sounds like you were a naughty little bugger, and you definitely need to get another rugby jersey ;)
At Mount Pleasant school we were coached by a Mashonaland referee who had also been injured in the war but can’t remember his name.
Feel so honoured to have heard your story Sir.....what you have been through and conquered is truly inspirational thank you....to Hannes and John you are continuing to record such important facets of lives lived in a time that history needs to see from all angles...take care and enjoy every day
Sorry I did not mention the laughter you had me in whklst recounting your pre Army days 🤣
@@karlrandall6346 o
I recognised Basil immediately from the biopic Wosaka Another huge personality, with his own personality, his own story of that incredible struggle ...Darrell Watts, Andre Scheepers, Basil O Connell Jones, you are all of you the same as the men i looked up to as a boy, our Falklands veterans, the incredible men who trained me ... and whose wisdoms I saw whenever I looked through the trees and not at the trees ... Huge respect The NDE you recount Basil is startling and encouraging and rienforces my faith fella
Thank you very much for your testimony, Basil. You are certainly a role model for all of us. May the Lord bless you and fill you with his peace.
So much laughter and joy wrapped in pain and suffering. Staggering interview boys, no wonder they are making a movie. Amazing story. Truly.
What an incredible man. Very humbling. Salute Basil.
Brilliant story's thanks
Glad you enjoyed it
Andy Samuels aka Captain Devil was a great officer and fine friend. RIP.
I cried my eyes out at the end Basil, I too have been saved by the Lord and experiencing that light that gives us inner rest, is incredible. I will never be the same again. A great testimony and well done Hannes.
A harrowing tale and fierce determination and thank God for Mike Borlace SCR.
A great message on salvation Basil. You were the benchmark for naughtiness at Falcon, and so was Richard Brat at St Stevens.......all those years ago. God bless.
God bless that man
What a beautiful spirit. Hand salute.
I'm relatively new to this page. Only finding it as it got into its 100 interview.
End of last year, I bumped into your documentary/movie. Today after hearing your name in the interview with the heli doc, I went to find your interview with you.
Please give us more on you Basil. Another interview is due. Please Hannes keep them coming.
Basil your life is so uplifting with laughter and tears. So many need to hear it.
Thank you and God bless
I never know what I'm gonna get with each guest, and they've all been so valuable. Basil's in great company, glad to hear he's doing well.
Wow! Small world indeed. Toc H Barbour House, 148 Baines Avenue, is where I also stayed during my aeronautical engineering apprenticeship years in the mid-1980s!
Very moving account of an inspirational man. Didge O’Donnel a Churchill mate was also shot in the head and he too is an inspiration...always positive and achieved so much despite his physical ailments. Respect.
I won't deny I shed a year at the end. Thanks Hannes, fantastic and inspiring interview with Bas.
Fabulous story telling and inspiring journey, Blessings from Australia 🇦🇺. You folks fought like demons and went it alone... shame on the West for not backing Rhodesia!!
An incredible story Basil, much respect.
That war did many strange things to many people. I was 148 intake too.
Inspirational and moving. Basil your testimony is life changing.
This is a really interesting talk. I can identify with Basil. I had a similar experience in 3 Eng minefields
Inspirational
What a remarkable man , thanks for sharing.
So much respect....
Thank you Hannes and John for what must be one of the best series' on UA-cam. I hope you continue with this project for as long as possible. It must be a ton of work but know this, it is a great treasure.to so many of us. Thanks guys.
God is not finished with you Basil you have a calling on your life during these last days. You had me deep in thoughts about my earlier days in 1970. Had no idea who you were, by name, but heard about that incident. Laughing at your first half of the interview, again I have to thank both Hannes and John for bringing your true story. Trevor Hodgson was in 8 troop 2 Cdo. , so I know him well. Yes, a fine soldier, which makes me proud to have served with him. I would be very interested to hear the continuation in part 2. Your out-of-body experience, and rehabilitation will bring many to believe, and have faith in the Gospel of Christ, we are all sinners and need to ask God for forgiveness, and only He will change you. Will be buying your book, and look forward to the coming movie. Blessings
Great interview, Basil’s mention of Dick Padget brings back many fond memories. Dick was close friends with my father Clive Elias along with the late Chris Loots and Mike Strauss who were all Rhodesian Army medics. Please keep up the good work of these interviews.
Thank you sir for telling us your fantastic stories
Amazing strength. Well done and Keep believing . Salute.
Thank you Basil. A truly inspiring interview.
Respect!
Can’t wait for the film
What a story! Respect Sir Also remembering Guy McKenzie from Shamva RIP
ThankYou, ThankYou & Bon Courage.
There is Much to Be Grateful For.
A Great Gift You Share. Thanks again
Respect to you Basil I too found Jesus up in the Inyanga mountains, I found peace like I never knew before, I found then I was in two wars a physical war and a spiritual war.
Another amazing interview. An incredibly inspirational story. Thank you for sharing your story Basil and thank you for your service. God bless you.
Wow, what an inspiring life story. Please be sure to do another interview with Basil. I'd love to know what happened next, what has happened in his life since God saved him, where is he now?
Great Interview, God is merciful and Great, and always gives a second chance. Respect it and respect to you Sir
What a story one of the best so far, don't get me wrong, they are all great every last one of them thank you guys for sharing.
A true Rhodesian who deserves all accolades and respect.
I was there. Proud of your guts coming through your travails. Well done my boet
A brilliant interview. Thank you Basil, Hannes and John. Can't wait for his second interview. What an inspiration!
I met him in chinhoyi 1989 somewhere there
Just watch the documentary, incredible story!
Absolutely amazing.
Basil what can we say except glad you made it. You are the man
Eish BOET and that particular rugby 🏉 top your are wearing?,😉
Good to hear about the Soldiers who were injured .. Interesting story.. Great interviews ..
Brings back some memories of growing up in Rhodesia what a time it was. God bless you brother
Toc H. What year?
That was one very moving recollection.
Thank you.
Now I know what my brother experienced.
Wonderful and inspiring. Had me in fits of laughter as well. I remember Toc H
Good to see familiar faces in the introduction, Frank Van Druten, Reg Woodley, Mike Watson. Hannes, Frank would be a good laugh to interview. Can get his number for you if you don't have it. Well done guys, I love these videos, brings back hobbo memories
PM me for his number :)
@@fightingmenofrhodesia will do
@@fightingmenofrhodesia check your PM
One of the most interesting accounts I'v seen
A very touching story from a brave warrior of Christ...... God bless this man.
I remember Basil from Nchanga Diggers 🏉 days, was a great rugby player and what a story his life has turned into, good to see the pics of Frank Van Druten and Richard Bratt also gets mentioned a number of times, both Nchanga boys, knew both parents very well, heard that he had been seriously wounded and delighted to see how he has recovered, go well
Thank you very much for sharing your experiences, you are truly inspirational.
Yes Baz my old friend, you are a truely special man - Kitwe boys rule !!
Great series of interviews. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent video!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you!!
Hilarious 😂😂😂 honesty. Skabenga. Great podcast. Captivating storytellers . All of you men of men .
Unbelievable, respect Mr Jones
Thanks Bas, John and Hannes. By the way Bas, Three Monkeys Inn spent many a happy session there.
Yes very humbling. So glad that these memories are being documented. Would love to have you on my channel. Lynne Nangle
Another awesome interview guys !!!
I was there @ TOC H at 16, going to Post Office Engineering College