Warrant Officer First Class (retired) Paul J. Els descendant of Boer General Louis Botha, Voortrekkers Andries Potgieter and Hans Dons de Lange, was born in Empangeni, Zululand.

After completing his schooling in Durban, he enlisted in the Signal Corps of the South African Defence Force in January 1964. At the end of that year, he was transferred to 5 SA Infantry Battalion in Ladysmith. He did a three-month stint on the border in 1968, after which he spent a year on Gough Island as radio operator.

On his return to South Africa in 1969, he became an instructor at Signal School in Voortrekkerhoogte and was deployed for a few weeks towards the end of that year in Africa. In 1972 he married Annelie. Two children were born of this marriage – Johan in 1974, and Nelie in 1976. Paul and Annelie have four granddaughters and one grandson.

During 1975/1976 he took part in Operation Savannah and at the end of 1978 he was transferred to SA Special Forces as the first long distance non-commissioned officer radio operator and cryptographer for 5 Reconnaissance Commando. At the age of 36 years he completed the Parachute Course at DukuDuku and was awarded his parachute wings.