Did anyone else notice that Mad Mike Hoare, veteran mercenary of the African conflicts of the 1960s an 1970s , finally turned up his toes?

1LT Voyle Smith — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 21:14:29 -0500

“Mad Mike” recruited mercenaries from throughout the U.K. and Europe to fight for land-owners and wealthy business owners against tribal bands that were raiding plantations and rural settler communities in the Belgian Congo and Rhodesia. Recruits were solicited through ads in newspapers in major British and European cities and were offered monthly payment of two Krugerands (then worth about $350 each) and a Swedish “K” as a personal weapon. His mercenaries were known as 5 Commando and unofficially as the Wild Geese.
Hoare’s passing was noted in Firearms News. He was said to be 100 years old, but he was almost 101, having been born on 17 March 1919 and passing on 2 February 2020. An OCS classmate at Ft Benning in 1966 had served with then Major Hoare in 1962. Ewen McK. was from Glasgow and saw the recruiting announcement in a South African newspaper. “Jock” McK only served for six months with Mad Mike, before becoming bored during a lull in the fighting and leaving for the U.S.A. to join the U.S. Army’s Special Forces. He met and married a Maine schoolteacher and became bored with that relationship also. He was contemplating his next move when I last saw him in Cam Ranh Bay in 1968. (images are copywriter. See them in 21 Jan 2021 issue of Firearms News.)
Ironically, it appears that my OCS classmate Ewen McK might have joined RP. have sent him a connection request to confirm. Attached photos show him in the 2d Platoon of the 91st Co. and me in the 1st Platoon.

Response by PO1 H Gene Lawrence made Jan 24 at 2021 9:20 PM

PO1 H Gene Lawrence — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 21:20:32 -0500

RIP soldier.

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Jan 24 at 2021 9:29 PM

CPL Douglas Chrysler — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 21:29:34 -0500

RIP

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jan 24 at 2021 9:48 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 21:48:14 -0500

Shown at right. He was 100 years old.
Requiescat in pace.

Response by SSG Paul Headlee made Jan 24 at 2021 10:31 PM

SSG Paul Headlee — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 22:31:16 -0500

Interesting guy. I was aware of him only through my readings throughout the years. What surprised me more than learning of his passing via your post is that he was still alive! He had a risky lifestyle there for a while, lol.