ISSUE 102-WINTER 2019 THE UNITED KINGDOM OUTPOST
WWW.BSAPUK.ORG
THE U.K. BRANCH OF THE REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION OF THE BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA POLICE BENEVOLENCE COMRADESHIP REMEMBRANCE BSAP Regimental Association United Kingdom Branch Committee
Honorary Life President UK Branch Chairman: of the BSAP Regimental Association: 6737 Mike Coleman 6905 Peter Phillips (2014) 2 Knights Way, Great Dunmow, 28 Cemmaes Court Road, Hemel CM6 1UL Hempstead, HP1 1SU Email: [email protected] Tel: 01371 874800 Home: 01442 244919 Mob: 07831413430 Mobile: 07733 358692 Email: [email protected]
Deputy Chairman and Trustee: Hon. Secretary: 7391 Alan Toms 7784 Steve Acornley High Trees, Manor Road, Wickhamford, Rowan Tree Cottage, Lochton, Evesham, Worcestershire Birgham, Berwickshire TD12 4NH WR11 7SA Tel: 01890 830235 Tel:01386 831541 Mob: 07881 520 345 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Deputy Secretary and Quartermaster: Hon. Treasurer: 7359 Bertie Cubitt 10577 Jim Harris Fritton, 55 Church Road, Elmstead, 32 New Road, East Hagbourne, Nr. Colchester, Essex Didcot, Oxfordshire CO7 7AW OX11 9JU Tel: 01206 822814 Tel: 07831 316591 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Member: Almoner and Trust Co-ordinator: 10532 Dave Pillans 9086 Tony Granger 6 The Glades, Uckfield, The Harridge, 11 Melbourne Rise, Sussex Bicton Heath, Shrewesbury, Shropshire TN22 1EF SY3 5DA Tel: 07500 235041 Tel:01743 360827 Email: [email protected] Email:[email protected]
Member: Member: 9439 Glenn Seymour Hall 472 Betty Simpson 3 Merlin Drive, Sandy, 32 New Road, East Hagbourne, Bedfordshire Didcot, Oxfordshire SG19 2UN OX11 9JU Tel: 01767 691095 Email:[email protected] Email: [email protected]
Co-opted Member Paul Brewster [Historian] 2 Rowan Drive, Walton Cardiff, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 7BA Tel: 01684 276703 Mob: 07894 202215 Email: [email protected]
In memory of Ted Fee THE UNITED KINGDOM OUTPOST Patron of the BSAP Trust- Field Marshal The Lord Walker of Aldringham GCB CMG CBE DL
The UK Outpost records the past, present and future activities of Issue 102 members of the United Kingdom Branch and other branches of Winter 2019 the British South Africa Police Regimental Association. Feedback, comments and corrections are welcome. www.bsapuk.org
Editor - 6737 Mike Coleman
British South Africa Police Regimental Association President: 7432 Will Keys Hon. Secretary: Joan Fletcher Honorary Life Vice Presidents: 8646 Andrew Field 5281 Peter Bellingham 6905 Peter Phillips 5247 Kenneth MacDonald 6610 John (Jock) Pirrett
Meritorious Service Award 5917 Rodney Finnigan 5567/6219 Richard Hamley 6161 Michael Harvey
Honorary Life President UK Branch of the BSAP Regimental Association: 6905 Peter Phillips (2014) Honorary Life Members
5075 Dick Ray 5662 Barry Henson 7359 Bertie Cubitt 5248 Alan Lane 5956 Dave Kennedy 7391 Alan Toms 5358 Mick York 6650 Peter Combes 9591 Les Burrow 5625 William (Bliff) Way 7211 Peter Biddulph
In memory of Dave Sloman Diary Dates
Monthly Gatherings: Former Members of the BSAP and Reserves, along with family and friends can be assured of a warm welcome on the FIRST TUESDAY of every month at the Victory Services Club, Seymour Street, London [nearest Tube – Marble Arch]. 1700 hrs onwards in the bar.
TUESDAY 3RD DECEMBER 2019 The ‘CHRISTMAS SUNDOWNER’ 1700hrs onwards in the Trafalgar Room, The Victory Services Club, Seymour Street, London. Bar; Buffet; Raffle. SUNDAY 8th DECEMBER 2019 North West Gathering, The Ferraris Hotel, Longridge. TUESDAY 7TH JANUARY 2020 Monthly Gathering, VSC, Seymour Street, London. 1700hrs. TUESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY 2020 Monthly Gathering, VSC, Seymour Street, London. 1700hrs. TUESDAY 3RD MARCH 2020 Monthly Gathering, VSC, Seymour Street, London. 1700hrs. TUESDAY 7TH APRIL 2020 Monthly Gathering, VSC, Seymour Street, London. 1700hrs. SATURDAY 2ND MAY 2020 10TH Annual Scottish Lunch, The Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh. TUESDAY 5TH MAY 2020 Monthly Gathering, VSC, Seymour Street, London. 1700hrs. SATURDAY 9th MAY 2020- South West Gathering, Dolphin Hotel, Station Road, Bovey Tracey. SATURDAY 16TH MAY 2020 Branch ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, VSC, Seymour Street, London 1100hrs in the Trafalgar Room. [buffet lunch]. TUESDAY 2ND JUNE 2020 Monthly Gathering, VSC, Seymour Street, London. 1700hrs. TUESDAY 7TH JULY 2020 Monthly Gathering, VSC, Seymour Street, London. 1700hrs. SUNDAY 2ND AUGUST 2020 10th ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON AND REMEMBRANCE SERVICE. The National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire. 1100 hrs. TUESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2020 Monthly Gathering, VSC , Seymour Street, London. 1700hrs. TUESDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER 2020 Monthly Gathering, VSC, Seymour Street, London. 1700hrs. SATURDAY 20th SEPTEMBER 2020 Annual Irish Gathering, in Howth, Dublin FRIDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER 2020 Annual Regimental Dinner, Carisbrooke Hall, Victory Services Club, London.
FOR DETAILS OF REGIONAL GATHERINGS PLEASE CONTACT THE FOLLOWING: -
South East: 5626 Biff Way: [email protected] South West: 9196 Doug Bing: [email protected] 9661 Colin Anderson: [email protected] 9621 Guy Halls: [email protected] North West: 7902 Brien Bonynge: [email protected] West Midlands: 8014 Allan Ross-Smith: [email protected] East Midlands: 9439 Glenn Seymour Hall: [email protected] Scotland: 8405 Rob Minchin: [email protected] Ireland: 7348 Peter O’Hara: [email protected]
2 In memory of Mac Mcguinnes “Points to Ponder”
Anniversaries are usually seen as a time to celebrate – for instance – a birthday, a wedding, a partnership and so on. However, Anniversaries are also times of remembrance……. This year we marked the 130th anniversary of the formation of the Regiment. The 50th anniversa- ry of UDI. Next year sees the 40th anniversary of the final parade in Zimbabwe, and the 10th anniversary of the ‘Last Parade’ and dedication of the Regimental Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum. Whilst nationally we mark the 75th anniversary of VE day in May. If one googles ‘anniversaries’ well over 100 are shown for 2020 including the 80th anniversary of Britain introducing food rationing; the 30th anniversary of Nelson Mandela being released from Prison to name just two.
The Branch will be holding the Annual Regimental Memorial Service and Lunch at the NMA on Sunday August 2nd and would like as many who are available to attend – ten years on from the ‘Last Parade’ is a significant milestone. Details will be published on the Branch Web site and in the Summer Outpost.
Members will be interested to note that in an act of ‘Comradeship’ the Branch has given the Kenya Police Association Affiliated Membership with the addition of accepting Full Individual Membership of the United Kingdom Branch of the BSAP Regimental Association for those KPA Members who wish it. The Kenya Police Association was formed 55 years ago with the aim to exist for fifty years – so the extra five has been a bonus. The officers of the KPA will hold ad-hoc get together, as and when. No Annual dinner or AGM. However, they do plan to maintain their annual ‘Curry Lunch’.
In respect of our own Branch Membership, the continued prod and quest for new members continues and we are seeing a steady trickle. Although those taking their ‘Last Parade’ means the actual Branch Membership remains almost static. The strength of our Association in the future is, as I have often said, down to the strength of the regions and I would thank the Regional Representatives for their efforts.
In managing the affairs of our Branch your Committee put in many hours and do their level best to ensure we gain in strength. However, there are a number of areas where help would be welcome, in planning events, publicity and so on. Therefore, if anyone feels they can contribute a little time – no need to attend meetings – no need to become a committee member – just a willingness to lend a hand. Please contact myself or the Hon Sec.
THE PRESIDENT & COMMITTEE WISH EVERYBODY THE VERY BEST FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON AND GOOD WILL FOR THE NEW YEAR 6757 MIKE COLEMAN
3
In memory of Mike Plant 33 A Message from the President
William (Will) Keys
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4 5111 Jack Bacon - in memory of Brian Nightingale Bertie’s Blether
The evenings are drawing in, the clocks have gone back and there is a definite nip in the air with a deal of rain, the latter playing havoc with my lodger Arthur Ritis. A pat on the back for those members who listened to my entreaty in the last OP to advise changes to their circumstances but there are still a few who forgot: Behind the guard was not awarded, this time! Turning to Stock: Thanks to all who supported the Memorabilia Sales during the year, we could not do without your continued support. Smashing news - any person attending the Xmas Party at the VSC on Tuesday 03/12/2019 will be able to purchase the stock on my tables at 20% discount. With winter looming, time to think about purchasing a Fleece, Jersey or a Polo Shirt,t all well made, warm, washable and with the Force Logo emblazoned thereon, also I have a supply of Dry Macks from RSA, these are light weight and shower proof jackets.
For Christmas I have stocking-fillers such as pens, key rings with a light, Small China Mugs etc. just the thing for grand kids. For the Adults how about a Not Politically Correct Joke Book (for Uncle Fred) and for the Boffins a Blue and Old Gold Force History book; for the oldies such as myself a Grabber for a fiver, negates bending. Please see BSAP Memorabilia Page.
Finally Subscriptions. Please don’t forget that Subscriptions for 2020 are due at the beginning of January 2020 and are now £20.00: if you have not done so please alter your Bank Standing Order to read £20 or if no BSO please ensure early payment by any means listed on the OP “payment” page. In this regard I regret to advise that despite a very positive response to payments there are still 9 members (£135.00 revenue) who have not yet paid their 2019 Subs, so please make a priority check that you have paid, any queries please speak to me. I am sure you will agree that it is unfair for those members who are good payers to have to “carry” those who are not! Finally Jenny and I wish all members and their families a rumbustious Christmas and a splendid New Year.
Bertie Cubitt, Deputy Secretary/Q
BSAP Regimental Association UK Branch incorporated
On the 11th September 2019 the UK Branch was registered in England and Wales at Companies House as a private company limited by guarantee, with the title of the BSAP Regimental Association United Kingdom Branch.
The purpose of the company is “to operate and administer the affairs and activities of the United Kingdom Branch of the BSAP Regimental Association in accordance with the constitution of the BSAP Regimental Association and the by-laws of the United Kingdom Branch made there-under and as amended from time to time.”
A Company limited by Guarantee means a company incorporated not for profit and whose directors act as guarantors.
The benefit is that the Branch is now able to own property, including intellectual property, in its own name as well as being able to enter into contracts. More importantly the liability of the company is limited to the amount pledged by the guarantee members, £1.
Members will notice no difference to the way the Branch is managed with the committee members becoming directors of the company.
The present guarantee members and directors are:
Steve Acornley, Paul Brewster, Michael Coleman, Peter Phillips, Tony Granger, James Harris, David Pillans, Alan Toms
7211 Peter BIDDULPH - in Memory of Mike Abbotts 5 Looking forward to seeing you
Tuesday 3rd December in the Trafalgar Room at the Victory Services Club, Seymour Street, London – Nearest Tube ‘Marble Arch’. This is our last gathering in London this year and is always well attended and popular. The bar is open from 1700 hrs – you can enter via the main entrance to the Club or the Carisbrooke Hall entrance. A great informal gathering to kick start the festive season. Refreshments in the form of a finger buffet and a Tombola make the evening that bit special and ‘Q’ Bertie Cubitt will have his stall of memorabilia to assist you in filling stockings!! SPECIAL REQUEST : please bring a tombola prize if at all possible. “Hand of Friendship” Fifty five years ago the Kenya Police Association was formed with the aim of keeping their Memorial Upkeep members in touch, providing comradeship, and events for The BSAP Memorial at the the next fifty years. Sadly their National Memorial Arboretum is numbers have dwindled and, although having continued now ten years old and it requires those extra five years, their regular maintenance to keep it in committee feel that the Associ- good condition. ation is no longer viable. Although the intention is to The authorities at the Arboretum continue with their annual ‘Curry Lunch’, to all intents and will undertake to maintain the purposes the KPA has, sadly, Memorial in good condition for reached the end of the road. 'Life' on payment of a one off charge of just under £6000. However, your Committee have In order to meet this charge it agreed that the Kenya Police Association be affiliated to our was announced at the AGM that Branch. Their own small com- a Memorial Maintenance Fund mittee will keep their members was to be established and informed of events and the donations to the fund sought from members and Branches world wide. members of the KPA will be welcome at any of our gather- ings and events. Since its launch donations in excess of £4000 have been received, so we are well on the way to achieving the required sum. Added to this, Members of the To reach our target (£6000) we appeal to members for a donation, KPA will be able to apply for however small to this very worthwhile fund. Your contribution will help full membership of the UK to ensure the BSAP and 'All Who Served', will continue to be remem- Branch, subject to the accept- ance by our Committee, when bered long after the last person who served has passed on. they will pay the full subscrip- tion and receive The Outpost Details of how to donate can be found on the UK Branch website or by and Newsflash like everyone contacting a committee member. else. They will not be eligible Donations may also be made directly to the fund via the United for any assistance from the Trust. Kingdom Branch “Online Shop”. - See page 36 for details
Copy – Copy – Copy As Editor of the Outpost and the ‘Newsflash’ I can only produce a publication if I have copy to fill the pages……. Please don’t feel shy….put pen to paper – or rather finger to key board, and send me anecdotes, memories, comments, pictures…I and my team can edit them into worthwhile pieces. On clearing out a cupboard I came across a photograph of my squad 10/62 – half a page of memories. Send contributions to me, Mike Coleman at [email protected] or to 2 Knights Way, The Maltings, Great Dunmow, Essex, CM6 1UL
6 7211 Peter BIDDULPH - in Memory of Derek Humberstone News from the College
Three years ago the British South Africa Police Regimental Association ‘COL- LEGE’ was formed to be a global body acting as guardians of the Constitu- tion. Each Branch was to have a representative and a Branch would be elected to hold the management of the College for a period of three years. The representative of that Branch would be elected as Global President for a three-year period and would hold the Secretariat. 7391 Alan Toms [Deputy Chair of the UK Branch] was duly elected as President and greatly responsi- At a recent meeting of the ble for the formation of the College for which we are indebted. National Council of the This year sees the College administration being passed on to the Australian International Police Associa- Branch and 7432 Will Keys being elected as President – and we wish him all tion the following motion the very best in his tenure. was passed: [see page 4 – for a message from Will] ‘That IPA Section UK wel- comes as a category of Associate Member past officers of the British South National events Africa Police (BSAP), who served three or more years There is still an ongoing discussion as to the format of National Events: with the BSAP and who are Dinner or Lunch, annual or bi-annual etc., etc. Your committee will be taking current members of the a close look at the facts and figures from 2019 in February with a view to BSAP Regimental Association making any proposals for change at the AGM in May. However, as things UK.’ stand at the time of writing – the Memorial Service and Luncheon will be at To apply visit the IPA UK the NMA on the 2nd August. And the Annual Regimental Dinner at the VSC website : https://ww- on Friday the 25th September. Please e-mail any comments that you might w.ipa-uk.org/Join-Us and have to any of the committee – they will be gratefully received. complete the online applica- tion form. Select BSAP from the ‘Current/Previous Role’ drop down list on the second The Field of page of the online process. Remembrance On receipt of the form the IPA will check with Tony 6737 Mike Coleman with 90566 Chris Granger to confirm eligibility. and Helen Tate represented the The BSAP UK Branch is the Branch at the opening of the Rhode- first Associate Member sian Plot at the Field of Remembrance Group of the UK Internation- at the Westminster Abbey on Thurs- al Police Association UK day the 7th November in the presence Section and Tony is congrat- of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. ulated for his persistence in negotiating this valuable benefit for UK Branch mem- bers. Remembrance Day Service The UK Branch of the Regimental land and was attended by a Association was once again repre- good number of former Rhodesia sented at the annual Service of service members, family and Remembrance organised by the friends. Luckily the weather was Rhodesian Army Association on relatively kind; a very cold wind Sunday 10 November 2019. This but with the sun shining. year marks 100 years since the first Our Honorary Life President Remembrance of Armistice Day after 6905 Peter Phillips read the the cessation of the first World War lesson whilst 7540 Charlie hostilities. It was held at the Field of Atkinson had the honour of Remembrance, St Margaret’s carrying the BSAP Standard, Church, Westminster Abbey, London standing to the right of the six which had been officially opened by standard bearers. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex on Also attending the service were: Thursday. 5248 Alan and Pauline Lane, The service was conducted by 6348 Dennis Poole, 7339 Bertie Monsignor Robert Mercer, the and Jenny Cubitt, 90566 Chris former Anglican Bishop of Matabele- and Helen Tate and 25400 Ian Matthews.
[6736] Carol COCHRANE - in loving memory of husband Ian 7 A BSAP History Sketch
The PIONEER and REBELLION FORTS of RHODESIA
Researching the Pioneer and Rebellion Forts of 1890’s Rhodesia I turned up an early dated map showing the route of the Pioneer Column to Salisbury which of course located all the Forts, and Forts they were, military style, manned by the trained men of the BSA Company Police and no wonder they were entering or certainly circling hostile territory. Lobengula had warriors shadowing the column for the first part of the journey from Fort Tuli which was situated in the southern border of his Kingdom. Gatling Guns and a Searchlight(s) impressed both Lobengula’s men and the more friendly Shona villagers that lived along the Pioneer Road which was hacked out of the bush as they proceeded north.
Another route to the north and the settlement that became Salisbury, was from the Cape to Mafeking and then through Tswana Territory to Mangwe, better known as Plumtree these days, and then on to “The Place of Slaugh- ter”; Lobengula’s Capital, GuBulawayo. King Lobengula ruled a Ndebele military state run by elite warriors who had fought their way through southern Africa from the Natal coast of South Africa to the Zambezi river and beyond leaving a path of blood with devastation behind them. The wise advice to the pioneer column from hunters who had previously operated in the Kingdom with permission, was to avoid Matabeleland, despite the fact that Rhodes’s agents had persuaded the King to sign the Rudd Mineral Exploration Concession and had partly paid the Fee that was agreed. And anyway, Lobengula was having second thoughts. A third route to the settle- ment was through Beira on the east coast in Mozambique, to Umtali and then on to Salisbury.
The security of both the alternative routes was vital, when the short-lived Rebellions broke out and the Rebellion Forts, as strongpoints on those routes, were the key to safe transport of supplies to the beleaguered settlers in Bulawayo for Matabeleland and other Centres in Mashonaland. The nascent settlement of a few permanent structures and tents at Salisbury was not besieged. The Rebellion Forts then spread out to population centres where the Imperial and Local Troops suppressed the rebels. For example, Fort Rixon in Matabeleland. Telegraph communication was especially important during the Rebellions because it was faster than despatch riders over long distances. The woodenpoles strung with wire between Bulawayo and Mafikeng and then on to the seat of the Imperial Authority in Cape Town, the High Commissioner, were never effectively sabotaged.
It is interesting that the interruption of petrol supplies to Rhodesia on rail through South Africa together with the Beira Naval Blockade 100 years later, eventually led to the negotiated settlement of the modern liberation war. The seeds of the modern war of liberation were sown during the Rebellions. Dis-unity was a factor that assisted the Rhodesians. The guerrilla armies, ZIPRA and ZANLA were never exclusively tribal in outlook but ZIPRA came to represent the Ndebele people and ZANLA the Shona people. This tribalism was not the end of the complexity. Numerous Ndebele and Shona fighting men volunteered for and whole-heartedly fought with the so-called white oppressor Rhodesian Forces which steadfastly and successfully opposed the guerrilla armies over more than four years. Many settlers, soldiers, and civilians; men women and children, died at the hands of rebels. The rebellions could have been much worse for the settlers if the rebels had more determined leadership and a little more unity. With determined leadership they would have decisively cut off all land routes and communication with the South and East, which in turn would have delayed the despatch and then the arrival of Imperial Troops. The lack of unity was probably decisive. Unity among the rebel forces was probably never possible because Lobengula regarded the Shona Tribes as subject peoples who had to pay up or have their cattle and young women removed and enslaved for the benefit of his Kingdom and people. The Kalanga People in Matabeleland, who have always, even prior to the Ndebele occupation under King Mzilikazi, Lobengula’s predecessor, lived in the west of the country and down the border with Botswana, including in the vicinity of Mangwe, were a Shona subject tribe. Lobengula lived by the sword and died; apparently of disease and old age, a fugitive in his own kingdom.
Anthony Murphy, Douglas, Isle of Man, 31 st October 2019. © Copyright Anthony Murphy. ALL RIGHTS of the Author and Owner of the written work are Reserved. Email [email protected] Telephone +447624201559 and http://Linkedin.com/in/anthony-murphy-07a878104
8 6925 Dave DARBY London Gatherings at the Victory Services Club
2 July 2019 - A better turnout than usual almost entirely due to there being a Committee meeting earlier in the afternoon. Showing their faces this month were: 6737 Mike Coleman, 6905 Peter Phillips, 7359 Bertie Cubitt, 7391 Alan Toms, 7784 Steve Acornley, 8338 Mal and Roz Thurman, 9086 Tony Granger, 9790 Duncan Waugh, 10532 Dave Pillans, 10577 Jim Harris, 110619 Bruce Braes, WP 472 Betty Simpson, 90566 Chris Tate and Assoc. Paul Brewster.
6 August 2019 - Following the Memorial Service and Luncheon on Sunday it was likely that there would not be many members turning up for this month’s get together. We were pleased to see 110619 Bruce Braes, on a visit to London on business from the West Country, who called in with his latest news. Also putting in an appearance were: 5248 Alan Lane, 6424 Wynne Berry, 6737 Mike Coleman and 6905 Peter Phillips.
3 September 2019 - Another good attendance this month, but once again due to a Committee meeting to discuss the latest arrangements for the forthcoming anniversary dinner. We were pleased to welcome a new face, PR 25400 Ian Matthews, who presently lives on a boat in the South Dock Marina, London – we hope that he enjoyed his visit and will become a frequent visitor. Others attending were: 5248 Alan Lane, 5625 Biff Way, 6737 Mike Coleman, 6905 Peter Phillips, 7359 Bertie Cubitt, 7391 Alan Toms, 7784 Steve Acornley, 8338 Mal Thurman, 9086 Tony Granger, 9439 Glenn Seymour Hall, 9790 Duncan Waugh, 10532 Dave Pillans, 10577 Jim Harris, WP 472 Betty Simpson, 111697 Charles Bennett and Assoc. Paul Brewster.
1 October 2019 - With the 130 th Anniversary Dinner held on Friday there was only the regular faces at the gathering this month. 5248 Alan Lane, 6737 Mike Coleman and 6905 Peter Phillips arrived as usual and had much to talk about.
5 November 2019 – despite the clocks having gone back, the evenings getting darker and winter setting in, there was a reasonable turnout at this month’s get together at the Victory Services Club. We were very pleased to welcome 7389 Dave “Taffy” Roberts from South Africa, who found the time to call in during a visit to his family living over here - it was good to see his smiling face and to hear all his latest news. Showing their faces this month were:- 5248 Alan Lane, 6424 Wynne Berry, 6737 Mike Coleman, 6905 Peter Phillips, 7211 Peter Bid- dulph, 7391 Alan Toms, 9392 Ian and Sarah Spackman, PR 25400 Ian Matthews and Assoc Paul Brewster.
6925 Dave DARBY 9 Irish Gathering 7th September 2019
The Irish Gathering was celebrated as usual on the first Saturday in September in Peter O’Hara’s house, in Howth, Dublin.
Peter and Marjorie were the perfect hosts providing a splendid array of food and drink and as expect- ed from an Irish ‘do’, the craic was excellent. Many thanks are due to them for their efforts.
Biff Way organised the raffle raising over €500 euro for the Association. He also gave a memorable rendering of “Saucepan’s” tale - (don’t ask, you had to be there to understand)
In his speech as Chairman of the Branch, Mike Coleman paid tribute to John Berry and Sandy Stokes for organising the Gathering for the past 15 years and stressed the Branches gratitude to Peter and Marjorie for carrying on the tradition. A special mention was made of Tom Devoy RIP who died last July.
Those attending were - 5615 Tom and Joan Meekin with daughter Corrine, 5625 Biff Way, 5861 Robin and Carol Harvey, 6737 Mike Coleman, 7184 Chris Russell, 7211 Peter Biddulph, 7348 Peter and Marjorie O'Hara, 8557 Corrie and Enid Pretorius, 90566 Chris and Helen Tate, Stan and Ann Mills, Cath Hall and Gillian Conway.
The 2020 Gathering will take place on first Saturday in September (5th) – please note the date in your diary.
10 6925 Dave DARBY South West Gathering 5th October 2019
On Saturday 5th October 2019, thirty members & their guests met at the Dolphin Hotel, Station Road, Bovey Tracey. Devon TQ13 9AL. Many thanks to the staff at the hotel who really looked after us despite having a full house.
Doug Bing welcomed everyone, in particular Ted Sheriff; new comer Pete Arnold (who had driven up from Bournemouth) as well as all the regulars, adding that Dave Kennedy sent best wishes from sunny Spain.
He gave a report back on the 130th year Reunion celebrations, which he attended in Johannesburg on 20-22nd September, making particular comment on how well organised the functions were; congratulating the Transvaal Branch on their excellent effort. (Gremlins in the IT system didn’t allow for the PowerPoint Presentation Doug had prepared to be played on the big-screen but this has been remedied; will be played at our next gathering.)
Gill Watson brought along a selection of memorabilia left by F/R 4777 Howard Garbett, one of our regulars who sadly passed away on 29th May, in particular two side-tables made from elephant feet (for which she has a receipt dated 1959.) If anyone is interested please contact Doug or Colin, Gill asks only for a donation to Cancer Research.
A big thank you to Jenny & Jane for organising the raffle & also thank you to the those who generously donated prizes. £145.00 was raised for the Association. Our next gathering will be on the 9th May 2020 at the same venue. Look forward to seeing you all then.
Those in attendance were - 4024 Ted Sheriff and his daughter Christine, 5248 Alan and Pauline Lane, 5755 Stewart Edwards, 6575 Brian Coveley, 6657 Keith Samler, 6902 Bob and Ellie Horn, 7156 Paul Rust, 8315 John Padbury, 8355 Chris Butler, 8693 Dave Lemon, 9196 Doug and Jane Bing, 9281 Steve Teasdale, 9375 Peter Arnold, 9640 Dave Penman, 9661 Colin Anderson, WP 97 Sally Jones, WP 354 Jenny Evison, 202956 Hilda Olivier with her guests Peter and Sarah Olivier and Barbara Botha, 204556 Caroline Witts, WFR Gill Watson, Tommy Tomkins (NRP) and guests Barrie and Julia Grist. Apologies received from - 5242 Martin Howell, 7125 Pop Ellis, 7761 Iain and Elaine Lendrum, 8097 Dave Quilliam, 8107 Dave and Shirley Poultney, 8515 Martin and Sally Powis, 9621 Guy Halls, 26265 Norman and Wendy Baker and Dave McClew.
Apologies received – Norman; Wendy Baker, Pop Ellis, Dave McClew, Martin Howell, Dave and Shirley Poulltney, Guy Halls, Iain and Elaine Lendrum, Dave Quilliam and Martin and Sally Powis.
8289 John DINEEN - in memory of Michael Kernick 11 South East Gathering 12th October 2019
The second gathering of the year, once again organised and hosted by Biff and Netta Way, was held at the K Sports Club, Aylesford, near Maidstone, Kent on Saturday 12 October 2019. This is proving to be a very popular event with 65 former members, family and guests coming from the wide surrounding area, making it one of the biggest regional gatherings which wouldn’t be the same without the welcome appearance of a large number of former members’ widows.
On arrival everyone was welcomed by Biff and Netta, signed the attendance register, issued with name badges and were soon meeting up with friends, both old and new. Such gatherings often bring surprises and today was no exception, when we were pleased to welcome Paddy and Joan Crowe for the first time and Paddy was to meet up with his old squad mate, Phil Mead, who hadn’t seen each other since leaving Depot in 1957 - they had much to talk about.
Chairman, Mike Coleman said a few words, thanking Biff and Netta for organising the event and to Bertie and Jenny Cubitt for setting up and manning the “Q” table which he was sure would attract many customers. Mike also thanked all those who had made the effort to come and make the gathering a success.
A very successful tombola was held thanks to the numerous and varied prizes generously provided by those attending with the first ticket being drawn by Peter Phillips (Honorary Life President of the UK Branch). A very big thank you goes to Anne Johnson who sold the tickets and to Betty Simpson and Helen Tate for sorting the prizes. This raised a very creditable amount of £304 for Association funds. The buffet lunch provided by K Sports Club was excellent, very tasty and in the end there was a little left over for “doggy bags”.
It was well into the afternoon before those attending started to bid their farewells to make their way home after what had been a very successful and enjoyable gathering.
Attending were:- 4428 Bruce and Odette Gates, (4819) Jackie Lay with Caroline Moon, Corrine Strathern and Valerie Zacharius, (4822) Betty Beale, (4942) Ivy Marriott with Debbie Marriott, (5005) Jean Miners with Ida Ballard and Lynne Irwin, 5248 Alan and Pauline Lane, 5351 Derek and Babs Hollis, (5405) Myra Thomas, 5482 Mick Wood, 5625 Biff and Netta Way, 5725 Phil Mead, 5730 Paddy and Joan Crowe, 6193 Peter and Cheryl Good, (6197) Barbara Addison, 6355 Mike Moysen with Todd Kingsley-Jones, 6432 Chris Roberts, 6514/7562 Chris and Anne Johnson, (6684) Shirley Wells with Daphne Oosthuizen, 6737 Mike Coleman, 6905 Peter Phillips, 7211 Peter Biddulph and Maggie Mitchell, 7359 Bertie and Jenny Cubitt, 7540/8595 Charlie Atkinson, 8131 Brian and Ann Hodson, 9086 Tony Granger, 10046 Graham Wheeler, 10522 Dave and Eileen Pillans, 10577 Jim Harris and WP 472 Betty Simpson, WP 129 Sheila Gault, 901566 Chris and Helen Tate with Kathy Hall, PR 16043 Percy Claridge, 381733 Ron Dicken with Alice Mann, Caroline Burton and Sandra Grams, SPR 2387 Norman Simister with Barbara Russell, Will and Viv Ransom (RAA), Hobo and Jenny Hobson (RAA) and Spring and Margaret Allsop.
12 7411 Dick EDIE A truly wonderful evening
Held in the Carisbrooke Hall at the Victory Services Club, London on the 27th September the Branch Annual Regimental Dinner was a wonderful evening, where 97 members, guests and their partners engaged in anec- dotes, memories, excellent cuisine and entertainment. This year marks the 130th Anniversary of the formation of the British South Africa Police, which sees its origins in the Royal Charter authorising the formation of the British South Africa Company in 1889 shortly before the Pioneer Column entered the territory which eventually became Rhodesia. Formed and trained at Macloutsie in Bechuanaland (now known as Botswana) as a mounted infantry unit, the Force’s initial task was to protect the Pioneer Column. On arrival at what was to become Fort Salisbury it was evident that the Force would have to assume a more civil role in policing the immediate area of occupa- tion and later the surrounding farms and mines.
The Mashonaland Mounted Police was formed in 1892 to serve this purpose and in 1893, after the Matabele occupation, the Matabeleland Mounted Police was established followed by the Matabeleland Native Police in 1894. The amalgamation of these forces saw the birth of the BSAP, which was to become one of the most respected and finest Police Force in the World.
All gathered in the bar from 1700 hrs and were called to table at 1900 hrs – The Mess call being sounded by Bruce Perfect (Bugle Major). Master of Ceremonies 10577 Jim Harris intro- duced the host for the evening, Branch Chair- man, 6737 Mike Coleman, who welcomed Members and Guests. Mike especially welcomed those from overseas, the Speaker for the evening and his wife – David and Kate Pirrett (brother of 6610 Jock Pirrett), John and Pam Newton representing the Kenya Police Associa- tion and mentioned that during coffee there would be a ‘Chairman’s surprise’! Mike then requested the Branch President 6905 Peter Phillips to say Grace.
Between courses the Master of Ceremonies brought diners attention to the raffle and to the Memorabilia stall manned by ‘Q’ rep 7359 Bertie Cubitt. Coffee was duly served and 10577 Jim Harris read out a message from Her Majesty the Queen thanking the Association for their contin- ued loyalty and sending good wishes for the evening, followed by the Loyal Toast. As everyone sat down a beautiful female voice could be heard singing ‘Tonight’ from West Side Story. This got stronger as a delightfully attractive young lady descended from the gallery and proceeded to sing a selection of light classical numbers and music from the shows as she walked around the tables before taking to the stage. The Chairman surprise was a great success illustrated by the standing ovation. Mike then introduced the young lady as Nancy May, a Mezzo Soprano of 26 years. Nancy was presented with an engraved vase on behalf of the Associa- tion by 472 Betty Simpson.
After a short ‘comfort break’ The Chairman introduced David Pirrett who after enquiring if everyone could understand his Scottish accent recounted many anecdotes during his time as a lawyer and his dealings with judges which kept his audience highly amused throughout. David concluded by speaking of the strong traditions of the Force before asking all to be upstanding and proposing the toast to the Regiment.
5755 Stewart EDWARDS 13 111697 Charles Bennett (Junior Troop) suitably responded and proposed a toast to ‘Absent Friends’. This was followed by the draw for the in-house raffle (£50) which was won by Jane Cooke, wife of 10519 Paul. The main raffle draw then took place with the first prize (£500) going to 6905 Peter Phillips; the second prize (£150) going to 7136 David Lynas and the third prize (£100) going to 6771 Harry Kershaw. After expenses a total of £1,060,00 was raised for Association funds.
Closing the formal part of the evening Mike thanked the staff of the VSC for their service and excellent food; 10577 Jim Harris and 472 Betty Simpson for their splendid organisation; 10532 Dave Pillans and Eileen who along with 90566 Chris Tate and Helen provided a welcoming party; 5358 Mick York for the raffle and most importantly the Members and guests for attending. Wishing those who were travelling a safe journey home as those who were staying drifted to the bar. The Bugle Major sounded he Last Post.
14 [6349] Marjorie EGLINGTON - in loving memory of husband Mike Those sitting down to dinner were:- Field Marshal The Lord Walker (Patron) and Lady Tor Walker, Dave and Kate Pirrett (guest speaker], John and Pam Newton (Kenya Police Association), 4428 Bruce and Odette Gates, 4964 Mike Tadman, 5111 Jack Bacon, 5248 Alan Lane, 5358 Mick York, 5385 Robert and Sarah Gillespie (Canada), 5408 Richard Barnes (Canada), 5618 Tom and Joan Meekin, Corinne Meekin, 5673 Ralph Williams, 5755 Stew- art Edwards, 5861 Robin and Carole Harvey (Ireland), 5872 Winston Hart (New Zealand), 6355 Mike Moysen, 6193 Peter and Cheryl Good, 6507 Seamus Power, 6632 Gerry Paxton, 6650 Peter and Vicki Combes (South Africa), 6737 Mike and Pauline Coleman, 6743 Bruce and Paddy Allen, 6753 Roger Cook (France), 6905 Peter Phillips and Tess Gartside, 6925 Dave and Dianne Darby (Canada), 7184 Chris Russell with Phillip and Patrick Russell, 7211 Peter Biddulph and Maggie Mitchell, 7212 Tony Brown, 7359 Bertie and Jenny Cubitt, 7391 Alan Toms, 8443 Anthony Murphy, 8557 Corrie and Enid Pretorius, 8569 Richard and Barbara Davies, 9086 Tony Granger and Louise Taylor, Shaun and Sarah Cheeseman, Rob and Toni Snell, Andrew and Dana McNeil, 9345 Jock Gemmell, 9439 Glenn and Jane Seymour Hall, 9591 Les and Mandy Burrow, 9962 Ian Venters, 10057 Tim Lambon, 10066 Peter Hughes, 10319 Chris Taylor, 10519 Paul and Jane Cooke, 10532 Dave and Eileen Pillans, 10577 Jim Harris and WP 472 Betty Simpson with Maureen Harris, 110619 Bruce and Maria Braes, Mike and Kate O’Neill, 111032 Colin and Nicola Bewes, Gareth and Louise Bone and Doris Bone, NS 90566 Chris and Helen Tate, 111697 Charlles Bennett, Associate Stanley and Anne Mills, Associate Paul and Elaine Brewster, Pierino Massi, Bruce Perfect (Bugle Major).
[4005] Ginny FORREST - in loving memory of husband Stan 15 130th Reunion-Transvaal 20–22 September 2019
Five members represented the UK Branch at the Transvaal 130 th Reunion over the period 20th – 22nd September 2019: 7540 Charlie Atkinson; 7784 Steve Acornley; 8477 Peter Quick; 9196 Douglas Bing and 110619 Bruce Braes. On the 20th we all met up at the Jeppe Quondam Club, in Bedfordview, Johannesburg where old friendships were renewed and new ones made. A small opening ceremony took place along with registration for the weekend’s events. We retired back to our hotel(s) in the early evening. The following morning at the Dickie Fritz Shellhole in Edenvale, suitably attired in our blazers (and suits) and with the requisite headgear (Slouch Hats, Trilby Hats and BSAP Caps) we paraded under the command of 7790 Mike Lambourn (a former squad mate) and marched from the assembly point to the cenotaph in the Garden of Remembrance where members took their seats. Reading from the Gospel was by WP346 Maureen Merrifield Sermon by Bishop David Bannerman (7705)
Unveiling of the BSAP Statue by the last Trooper 4426 Guy Brooke-Smith
Dedication by Bishop David Bannerman (7705) Roll of Honour on this day 7670 John Sutton Address by 6345 Dave Holmes
Followed by “The Last Post”, Observation of Silence, “Reveille, Wreath laying and
Rhodesian National Anthem
“I Was There” written by Dave Blacker was read by 7670 John Sutton Finally the “Remembrance Vow” was recited by all present
Under the Command again of 7790 Mike Lambourn, members formed up and marched back to the previous assembly area for the following group photograph:
16 (4414) Gail GLICK - in loving memory of father Ray Stenner Lunch took place at the Dickie Fritz Shellhole along with entertainment by John Edmond –once again old comrades were met and new friendships established throughout the afternoon. On Sunday at 1100hrs members, partners and guests gathered again at the Jeppe Quondam Club for the Transvaal Regimental Association Luncheon and were called to sit by the piper as per tradition at 1230hrs. Décor in the Dining room reflected the history of the BSAP with specially prepared photographic displays and video. A small closing ceremony was held at the end.
Various activities took place to raise funds for the Transvaal Associa- tion, quality memorabilia was offered for sale along with books written by members.
It was a privilege to have been able to attend what was a truly memo- rable weekend and as always it is difficult to single out any particular members to thank, but apart from their Chairman 6477 Doug Hay, the Transvaal Committee and their members. I must also pass on our special thanks to 8303 Rob Bristow, 10185 Derek Rausch, 7670 John Sutton and 6345 Dave Holmes.
I have often hear the statement “I did not go because I would not know anyone there” in any event such as this there is always someone who knows someone that you know and that is how friendships develop and are maintained. As mentioned earlier, new friendships were established by all who attended. “We were there”.
7784 Steve Acornley
An important Note From the Treasurer
At the 2019 Annual General Meeting, it was overwhelmingly agreed that Subscription payments to the UK Regimental Association would increase with effect from 1st January, 2020, from £15 to £20. As the majority of the membership settle their dues by standing order, we are taking the opportunity of changing the Association Bank account as well. Santander Bank, where we currently bank, is closing branches all the time, and we have decided to move our account to Lloyds Bank which is more accessible for committee members who need to visit the Bank personally.
Please be good enough to edit your standing order at your Bank to credit:
BSAP Regimental Association-Lloyds Bank plc
Sort Code: 30-93-93 Account No: 01324653 IBAN: GB72LOYD30939301324653 BIC: LOYDGB21097 In the reference section of your bank payment, please use your force number, surname and subs as the reference, EG: 10577 Harris Subs. This will make analysing payments much quicker and easier to recognise. The amount you pay should be changed to GBP£20.00 annually, effective from January, 2020. I will keep on reminding you in future Outposts until the end of the year, but doing this immediately would be very much appreciated, and save untold difficulties at the end of the year.
10577 Jim Harris Hon Treasurer.
(4414) Gail GLICK - in loving memory of mother Moira Stenner 17 ‘A PLEA FOR HELP’ From Seamus Power
I am making this personal appeal for help in writing the history of the BSAP Police Reserve with- out whose help the regular force would not have been able to manage as well as it did especially between the middle 1960s and 1980.
My two years 1975-1977 running the BSAP Salisbury Police Reserve was an eye opener to the willingness and standard of men and women of the Reserve. In general they lived up to and were a credit to the Force.
Not long after I took over we had a request to send 200 men every two weeks out into Operation Hurricane Farms and so the name “BrightLights” was born. Within a few months this rose to 600 doing a variety of jobs. More Brightlights to Victoria, and amongst these were Bert Rosetten- stein and Mervyn Hamilton running the radio section dropped on high ground to act as relays for Patu and other Forces. Drivers who took out the heavies on a daily basis. Patu men for the Patu office next door. Katiyo Tea Estate, Forbes Border Post, Marine, Convoys, Dorowa Mine Convoy, PRAW and men to help in various areas Armoury, CID etc.
The ‘A’ Reserve continued their weekly duties along with the Specials under Dave le Guern. The APR looked after by Pieter Badenhorst at Yotamu were deployed where needed. So it became a very busy time for all.
Needless to say they all had tales to tell as I’m sure you Matabeles, Mashonas, Victorians and Easterns have. Paul Brewster has started the book which naturally begins in 1939 due to WW2. But this is as dry as dust stuff and the meat is in stories and anecdotes regarding the men and women who gave their time voluntarily and many of their lives in assisting us.
It is unfortunate that we have left this until just on 40 years after the demise of the BSAP which makes it much harder to gather in the stories.
But please, please, please whatever you have, however small let me and Paul weave things together. Where we are very light is in the early years 1940- 1965. My memory from 1961 was that in Salisbury we had a couple of unrest patches over things like house rents etc. I can remem- ber on one occasion the Recce Unit with their Marmon Harrington Armoured cars were on patrol but there was nothing of an earthshaking problem to deal with. In fact one Field Reserve has a little story that they got bogged down and the rioters seeing this came over and gave them a hand to get it out and that broke up that gathering.
I have asked other groups/people for any stories but emphasising that snippets, anecdotes, hap- penings, personalities can be woven into bigger things. For instance see below one little story I made up from several emails about the Enkeldoorn Inn and its owner FR Henry Roper Cooke.
Now some of you may be able to add to this and that is appreciated. But you may also have other little bits and not forgetting photographs. These can tell a story in themselves.
So Please I ask you to spend a little time in thought and let me have whatever to bogjumper@g- mail.com
18 5681 Robin HARVEY - in memory of Gerald Gibson 3427 Henry Roper-Cooke - Retired as an Insp. in 1954 and settled in Enkeldoorn (Afrikaans for single thorn) . Became a Police Reservist and the proprietor of the Enkeldoorn Inn. An eccentric character as will be seen. He had a cell in the bar which housed a skeleton and he built an oldtime stocks alongside it. As one Police traveller said , if you were a stranger and did not have an Enkeldoorn passport, you were incarcerated in the stocks, until you applied or produced your passport. One good thing was other patrons fed you with copious amounts of beer. For the offence you also had to pay a fine and all monies received went to charity, and not into Henry’s pocket! I had a passport, which regrettably I have lost. Another Police traveller commented he would walk to the shower naked and then walk back to his room naked Not a pretty sight when trying to have breakfast of T bone, egg and chips with a huge hangover.
Another police officer had this to say - Henry Roper-Cooke was a legend in his own time as I recall. An excellent shottist both military and Bisley. He taught me a lot about shooting, kind man that he was. He carried a little wooden box with him all the time he was on the range. It had all his bits and pieces in it, plus a bottle of Roses lime juice from which he would take often and regular sips. I asked him why he kept drinking the lime juice and he replied that it was his muti. It surely was! He gave me a sip and I nearly fell over backwards! Must have been pretty close to 100% alcohol!! Might even have been (illegal African brew). We shared top honours at one of the Inter-Service shoots at Cleveland Range. I had a good day out - went from [amateur] to 1st Class shot in one meeting. As I recall, Dennis Castell-Castell was a semi permanent resident in Enkeldoorn after he left the Police. Those two must have made a few gallons of hooch disappear in a pretty short time!!
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5681 Robin HARVEY - in memory of Malcolm Savage 19 Photo Gallery
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20 5681 Robin HARVEY - in memory of Michael Crafter Man I gotta boy
The Inyadzodzi Tobacco farmers prided themselves as much on their rugby as on their tobacco. Tobacco is labour-intensive and demanding, so the farmers tended to employ labour through the various labour supply agencies recruited from areas outside Rhodesia. Language and cultural differences led to misunderstanding, especially between labourers and the young tobacco assistants and trainees. To add to this was the fact that the Inyadzodzi Tobacco Growers Association happened to consist of the same citizens who were active and influential in the Inyadzodzi Rugby Club. Each year at their AGM the farmers would direct their concerns as much to the weaknesses apparent in the rugby team as to the problems of farming. It came under the heading of “Any other business”. “Hennie’s leaving to start up on his own in Banket.” “Ja. And so’s Danie Jones. And I hear that John Baker will be losing young Eric who’s going overseas.” “Hey! Bokie, you’re getting madala now. Are you going to play one more season for us or are you going to pack it up this year?” The result was an annual pilgrimage of tobacco farmers to attend “Craven Week”, the annual senior schools’ rugby tournament, in South Africa. There they would select their prospective assistants and trainee managers from the rugby field. Employment was directly related to one’s position and performance on the rugby field and whether there was a potential vacancy in that role in the Inyadzodzi team. They certainly had the finest rugby team in the country but they were not necessarily the finest controllers of labour. At peak times during the season the Charge Office telephone never stopped ringing and the despairing voice on the line would blurt out “Man! I gotta boy. You must send a Blackwatch to sort him out.” The pleas were heartrending and the crimes committed were horrendous. “Man, no matter what I do I can’t get him to pull out the weeds and leave the tobacco. He keeps pulling the tobacco and leaving the weeds. You must sort him out, man!” The boss, who had been in the business long enough to know the signs, never answered the telephone during these peak irritation times. With a close ear to the ground and a sixth sense for trouble, Mike had caught on fast and he too devised a thousand ploys to avoid answering the phone. The boy, with fewer years of experience and much to learn, got caught every time. He suspected a secret code devised with old Rwatarinda, the telephone operator. Christmas was fast approaching and Mike and the Boy were sitting in the mess discussing how they would spend the festive season. “Why don’t we book a table at Brakenridge for their Christmas Dinner” suggested the Boy. “Too far - and you know what happened the last time we dined out at Brackenridge. We ended up half way to Beira on a body chase with two doctors”. “Yeah! You’re right. The Inyadzodzi Hotel’s not too far though. We could give Ida a ring and arrange Christmas Skoff there”. They squared it with the Boss and the deed was done. On the evening of Christmas Eve the Boss was disturbed by frantic bashing on his front door. Ida, who always tended to go straight to the top, stood there in a terrible state of agitation. “Boss!”, she shrieked. “You must do something. I’ve never seen anything like it. Blood everywhere! The chef’s still chasing the kitchen boy with a meat cleaver and the rest are too drunk to know if it’s night or day”. There was a twinkle in the Boss’s eye as he muttered “Man! I gotta boy”. “Okay Ida. I’ll send the Boy down and he’ll sort them all out. He’s had plenty of practice”. Ida had been right. The most sober member of the hotel staff was the kitchen boy and he had a meat cleaver sticking out of his back. Not one of the others was capable of speech let alone
[4503] Joan HUMBERSTONE- in loving memory of Husband Derek 21 mobility. With the help of the Sar Major and Constable Jonas they were all ‘sorted out’ and the regular inhabitants of the Police cells faced the indignity of sharing their accommodation with this evil smelling crowd of drunkards. Ida was distraught. “What can I do? The hotel’s full of visitors from Salisbury and overseas who are here for Christmas. How can I feed them with no staff?” she wailed. “Don’t worry Ida. We’ll make a plan. Remember we’ve also booked for Christmas Dinner”. The Boy was confident and determined. Back at the station Mike and the Boy started working on their “Emergency Plan”. The Occurrence Book provided a list of names of a score of tobacco assistants who had called for help in the past. This they passed to Rwatarinda at the telephone exchange and each was contacted and given the same message. “Is that you, Frank? - Man I gotta boy!” “What d’you mean you Gottaboy?” “Remember all those boys we sorted out for you? Well we’ve got our own problem now. You’ve got to get down here tomorrow morning at seven to sort it out”. “But tomorrow’s Christmas, man”. “Ja. That’s why we need you. You won’t be busy in the lands”. On Christmas morning a distraught Ida could not believe her eyes. The Police Landrover pulled up outside the hotel followed by a convoy of pickups, jeeps, motorbikes and trucks. Nervous guests peered from behind bedroom doors and then hastily banged them closed again. Mike and the Boy led a labour force of some of the finest rugby players in Southern Africa into the hotel. “Right, Ida. Where do you keep the clean uniforms?” “Okay blokes, once you’re kitted up, Ken, Frank, Koos and Willem, you go down to the kitchens with the Boy. Ida will show you what to do. Boet, Frikkie, Charlie and Nick come with me to the dining room and I’ll teach you how to be waiters. Anyone spare can grab a mop or a broom and start cleaning this place up. Remember, if you see a guest you call them ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam’ and you wish them a Happy Christmas. Okay! Get moving”. Christmas that year was magic. Ida was thrilled. The guests were more than impressed. The meal was excellent and the service impeccable. The tobacco assistants, who had been facing the prospect of a lonely day on their farms far from family and home, had the time of their lives.
And the lads? They got their Christmas Dinner … but, boy, they worked for it!
22 WP145 Shirley KAY - in loving memory of father Paddy Kay Andy O'Sullivan Bobbies in the Bush
It ismany years since British Police Officers supervised the Independence elections in Zimbabwe/Rhodesia. Andy O'Sullivan, MBE, BEM was one of those chosen for that 'African Adventure', here he recalls the experience.
I had been in the 'Job '5 years when I saw a telex in the Charge office at Rochdale Police On the 1st Morning in Avoca I saw absolutely , Station requesting applications from UK thousands of Natives turning up to vote. All Police Officers for the impending personnel, with the exception of myself, were Independence elections in armed. All voters were physically searched Zimbabwe/Rhodesia. It was February 1980 before being allowed into the 'Keep' (Polling and the prospect of visiting Southem Africa Station). I watched with great interest as the was indeed, very inviting! I completed a voting sheets were handed out to individuals, report offering my services, and never thought these papers contained pictures of those in anything more about the matter. contention for power/government. All voters had to dip their fingers in a solution which It was sorne 18 months later when those A couple of evenings later I tumed in for duty was aimed at preventing them voting on more Officers from Greater Manchester attended for the local football match when the than one occasion (It was well known that if Chester House HQ to receive their medals. Communications Sergeant informed me that I they redipped their fingers in Coca Cola, it The 'Chief' Jim (Latterly Sir Jim) Anderton had been selected as the only officer from would remove the stain???) The voters had awarded us the Rhodesia Medal and the Rochdale division to be making the 'trip'. to make an X at the side of their Zimbabwean Medal. As he did so he jokingly Candidates picture. said 'Gentlemen I like your Helrnets'. It was Shortly afterwards I received £50.00 for clearly apparent that he realised we had left Sundries. Then it was time for the long haul I made a mistake on the first day! I purchased them at the Police bases as a memory of our from Manchester to Salisbury (Now Harare). a couple of locally carved, omate walking visit to a then great country. The flight was via Nairobi. sticks from the native men. The next day the pollers turned up with hundreds of locally On arrival in Salisbury, I was immediately rnade masks, sticks, drums etc, to sell to impressed with how prosperous and tidy the the 'Man in strange clothing'. place was, it was tree lined and there were so many business premises in the city. It breaks Over the 3 days, thousands voted and on --. my heart to see how it is now!!! the elections conclusion I went fishing with A briefing was held in a rugby stadium the soldier's, we didn't use rods, hand adjacent to the Army/Police camp. I was grenades were the order of the day!! being posted to Matabele Land South and It had been an experience to wear a 'British would be staying with the British South African Bobbies' uniform in a far off land. Police in Filabusi. I thoroughly enjoyed working with the The next day I was flown to Bulawayo Airport Election Officers and saw at first hand and from there it was in an armed convoy to how well the African's were treated by Filabusi Police Base. At this stage I teamed the Europeans. I also saw on my up with the Election Officers who were all ex travels how fertile the Rhodesian Brits and ex Dutch 'Afrikaans'. They all made plains were. it clear who they thought would win the Elections, and they made it clear how worried that made them.
Pictures show from top to bottom: At Medal presentation PS Peter Rawcliffe and PC Andy O'Sullivan In the, Helicopter PC Andy O'Sullivan" ", ~ At Heathrow Airport on the way out (f~ft to fight): Tony Simister (Retired as Superintendent),. Steve Qwen, Andy ,O'Sullivan and Sergeant Dave Street.
[6772] Mary LANGRAN - in loving memory of husband Tim 23 2428 Sergeant-Major James Blake-Thompson
The following is an interesting article posted by the late Alan Rich to the BSAP Association History Discussion Group on 5 June 2000. It is probably based on an article he had published in the Zimbabwe Medal Society’s Journal No.31 in July 1998.
Blake-Thompson was from Darlington in England, where he was born on 28 April 1886. He obtained a BSc (Analytical Chemistry) at Durham University and after lectur- ing at Sunderland Technical College he studied medicine for four years at l’Ecolede Medicine in Paris. In 1909 he emigrated to Cape Town, where he was employed by Juta & Co., the law publishers.
At the outbreak of WW1, he joined the Union Forces and served for nine months in South West Africa with the 3rd Mounted Brigade Medical Corps until September 1915. His regimental number was 337.
On 20 September 1915, he embarked on the SS Durham Castle with the 1st South African Field Ambulance unit of the South African Overseas Expeditionary Force and sailed for France. He served with the 9th and 66th Divisions and the S.A. General Hos- pital, Abbeville in France, Belgium and England, returning to South Africa on HMT Ingoma on 28 April 1919.
He was wounded once, suffered from gas poisoning and qualified for the British War and Victory Medals.
A lung injury during the war necessitated a dryer climate and he went to Bulawayo, where in 1921 he was a Sergeant Instructor with the Southern Rhodesia Volunteers. He responded to an advertisement in the Bulawayo Chronicle for a medical orderly in the BSAP at a starting salary of £26 per month. In his application he gave his occupation as bookseller and stationer and stated that he was able to ride, but had never handled firearms.
Blake-Thompson attested as a member of the BSAP on 3 October 1921 and retired as a Sergeant-Major (Medical) on 27 April 1937 with an “Exemplary” reference. At the age of 50 he sought an extension, which was approved for one year. The then Commandant Depot stated inter alia “though eccentric to a degree, is a thoroughly reliable NCO. From a military point of view his appearance and demeanour leave much to be desired, but most difficult to replace and retention recommended.”
Blake-Thompson appeared to have had direct access to the Ministry of Health and there is a possibility that the Department may have met his salary. The Senior Govern- ment Medical Officer signed a leave application and subsequently had to write to Police General Headquarters (PGHQ) for his “error”.
He was a conscientious member and extended his lectures to Police recruits and the Prince Edward School Cadet unit beyond the normal St. John’s Ambulance requirements. He was instructed to curb his time thus spent; this was given as a reason for rejecting his request for additional Depot Camp Hospital staff. It would appear he enrolled at the Wits University Medical School following his retire- ment from the Force, but presumably his age was against him and this aspect was not pursued. He was, however, able to study anthropology and ethnology and travelled
24 [4142] Ivy MARRIOTT - in loving memory of husband Trevor throughout Southern Africa. He was well liked by the Barotse Royal Family and Para- mount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba tribe.
His last years were spent in the region of the confluence of the Sabi and Lundi Rivers, where he ran a voluntary clinic for Africans, which attracted as many as 150 cases from Chipinga, Zaka and Nuanetsi areas.
Blake-Thompson never married and died in Bulawayo on 18 November 1962. A con- siderable amount of his anthropological and ethnological material was bequeathed by him to the Bulawayo Museum and is now housed in the Historical Manuscripts section of the National Archives of Zimbabwe in Harare. (NAZ Reference TH 10) End Note Alan Rich was a former member of the BSAP, who attested on 17 January 1950. He retired as a Senior Assistant Commissioner. His regimental number was 4547. 6681 Geoff Quick
Memories Recruit Squad 10/62
Back Row: Const. Brelsford; Const. Brown; Const. McDermid; Const. Walker; Const. Tavener; Const. Cochrane; Const. Flethcher. Centre Row: Const. Kenelly; Const. Denslow; Const. Coleman; Const. Mason; Const. Neill; Const. Allen; Const. Woodburne. Front Row: S/Inspr. Macintosh (Squad Instructor); Mr j.w.g Canon, D.F.C; Mr B.G. Spurling, C.B.E (Commisioner); Mr. R.J.V Bailey (Commandant, Depot); Acting D/C/I. Moisey; S/Sgt. Pearce (Equitation Instructor).
4777 Tackie MacINTOSH - in memory of Jimmy McEvoy 25 Advertisement
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Guarantees The Plan (when fully paid) guarantees the cost of funeral or cremation services, a funer- al director and extras purchased at the time, no matter when you die.
Payment Range £2,390 to £4,095 plus extras purchased. Direct Cremation Plan £1,895.
Be Prepared Service This essential peace of mind service provides a check list to be up-to-date and efficient with your financial and health affairs, so that executors and relatives and friends are not left to unravel your financial affairs after you pass on, which is a costly and time-con- suming exercise. The service provides for checking: wills, lasting powers of attorney (LPA’s), bank accounts, investments, title deeds, letter of wishes, organ donation, leav- ing your body to science, funeral arrangements and plans, and general later life plan- ning. It costs £600 usually, but to BSAP members it’s £400.
Contact Tony Granger, the Almoner: [email protected] or [email protected] Call 07968 451854 or 01743 360 827 Write to: Elysium, 11 Melbourne Rise, Bicton Heath, Shrewsbury, SY3 5DA
26 5725 Phil MEAD Their Last Parade It is with great regret that we report the following deaths. The Chairman and committee, on behalf of all members, extend their sympathy to family and friends of those who have departed.
Sylvia Freemantle It is with sadness that we announce the death on 16 May 2018 of Sylvia, widow of 4105 Senior Assistant Commissioner Bert Freemantle in Perth, Australia.
PR 18098 John McFadden Advice has just been received that John died on 27 May 2018 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He did all his Police Reserve duties in Gwelo and was a qualified rugby referee to Currie Cup level and refereed a number of games at that level before moving to Port Elizabeth.
7089 Graham Kennedy McAuslin Advice has just been received that Graham died aged 74, on 30 October 2018 in Shore- ham-by-Sea, West Sussex, England. He was a member of the UK Branch of the Regi- mental Association, and served from 10 April 1964 to 30 May 1967 leaving with the rank of Patrol Officer.
PR 20899 Norman Francis Vincent Advice has just been received that Norman died aged 87, on 12 November 2018 in Bonar Bridge, Sutherland, Scotland. He was a member of the UK Branch of the Regimen- tal Association, and served between 1955 and 1980.
PR Henry Christopher Harding Advice has just been received that Henry died aged 70, on 9 December 2018 in Park- stone, Poole, Dorset, England. He was a member of the UK Branch of the Association, and served from 1 January 1963 to 1 January 1968.
SRWAPS 59 Kathleen Clayton Kathleen died aged 100, on 15 February 2019 in New Zealand. She was a member of the New Zealand Branch of the Association, and served from 13 April 1942 to 15 November 1945.
PR 25481 Victor Henry Allan Lawry Victor died aged 95, on 17 th February 2019 in London, England. He was a member of the UK Branch of the Regimental Association and served from 4 April 1977 to 5 March 1979.
PR 14611 William John (Billy) Ratcliffe MSM Billy died on 9 March 2019 in St Georges Hospital, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He was awarded the Medal for Meritorious Service in the 1975 Independence Day honours list. Billy also saw service in the 1RR Tracker Combat Unit.
7596 Anthony James (Tony) Ryan Tony died on 21 March 2019 in Gaberone, Botswana. He served from 11 May 1966 to 10 May 1969 leaving as a Patrol Officer.
6717 Hugh Jeremy Ronald Dixon Hugh died on 26 April 2019 in Hillcrest, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. He served from 9 August 1962 to 31 October 1970 leaving with the rank of Section Officer.
5615 Tom MEEKIN 27 9403 Uwe (Gerry) Kolpien Gerry died on 1 May 2019 in Harare, Zimbabwe. He served from 17 April 1975 to 31 July 1980 when he transferred to the ZRP where he served until 30 April 1985 leaving that Force with the rank of Inspector. 5845 Gordon Frank Rendall Gordon died on 15 May 2019 in Benoni, Gauteng, South Africa. He served from 9 July 1958 to 29 May 1966 leaving with the rank of Patrol Officer. 8476 John Christian Morris-Smith John died aged 66, on 16 May 2019 in Camberley, Surrey, England. He was a member of the UK Branch of the Regimental Association, and served from 1 June 1970 to 30 Octo- ber 1977 leaving on medical grounds with the rank of Patrol Officer. John had spent most of his life in a wheelchair having been injured whilst in the BSAP. 5612 Peter Davies Peter died on 19 May 2019 in Hindhead, Surrey, England. He served from 6 January 1957 to 31 January 1967 leaving on gratuity with the rank of Detective Section Officer.
6838 Barend Andrew (Bennie) Steyn Bennie died on 20 May 2019 in Klerksdorp, North West Province, South Africa. He was a member of the Transvaal Branch of the Regimental Association, and served from 10 January 1963 to 31 July 1980 when he transferred to the ZRP where he served until 30 November 1983 retiring from that Force with the rank of Assistant Commissioner.
8747 Frederick Peter (Stompee) Van Zyl Stompee died on 29 May 2019 in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. He served from 25 Janu- ary 1972 to 31 July 1980 when he transferred to the ZRP where he served until 24 September 1981 leaving that Force with the rank of Inspector.
PR 14777 Howard Garbett Howard died aged 79, on 29 May 2019 in Exeter, Devon, England. He was a member of the UK Branch of the Regimental Association, and was a regular attendee at the South West Gatherings. He served in the 1970 – 1980’s.
8091 James Simpson McInnes (Jim) Parker Jim died aged 68, on 2 June 2019 in Helsinki, Finland. He was a member of the Trans- vaal Branch of the Regimental Association, and served from 27 September 1968 to 1 December 1973 leaving with the rank of Section Officer.
PR 11299 Warwick Phillip Norval Warwick died on 13 June 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was a Police Reserve Pilot of the PRAW Matabeland Flight and a well-known farmer in Matabeland.
5415 Alistair Walter (Jock) Thomson Jock died aged 87, on 16 June 2019 in Bourton on Water, Gloucestshire, England. He was a member of the UK Branch of the Regimental Association, and served from 2 May 1956 to 31 July 1980 when he transferred to the ZRP where he served until 2 April 1984 retiring from that Force with the rank of Chief Inspector (T).
8196 Thomas Pat (Tom) Devoy Tom died aged 72, on 24 June 2019 in Dublin, Ireland. He was a member of the UK Branch of the Regimental Association, and served from 4 March 1969 to 3 March 1972 leaving with the rank of Patrol Officer.
5070 Thomas Duxbury (Tom) Holden Tom died aged 86, on 29 June 2019 in Marondera, Zimbabwe. He was a member of the Mashonaland and Transvaal Branches of the Regimental Association, and served from 7 June 1953 to 7 November 1973 retiring with the rank of Detective Chief Inspector. During his career Tom was stationed with the Criminal Investigation Department in the Matabeleland, Midlands and Mashonaland Provinces. He was a keen soccer player and represented Midlands Province.
28 In memory of Hank Hankinson 8446 Derek Mitchell Walters Derek died aged 72, on 30 June 2019 in Sedgefield, Western Cape, South Africa. He was a member of the Transvaal Branch of the Regimental Association, and served from 24 March 1970 to 15 February 1977 leaving with the rank of Section Officer.
6454 John Andrew Lees John died on 9 July 2019 in Hillcrest, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. He was a member of the Kwazulu-Natal Branch of the Regimental Association, and served from 31 July 1961 to 31 July 1980 when he transferred to the ZRP where he served until 21 September 1980 retiring from that Force with the rank of Superintendent.
7796 Christopher Archie Spencer (Chris) Scott Chris died on 16 July 2019 in Rockingham, Western Australia. He served from 8 August 1967 to 7 August 1970 leaving with the rank of Patrol Officer.
5810 Peter Walsh Peter died on 21 July 2019 in Bergvliet, Cape Town, South Africa. He served from 3 February 1958 to 10 July 1960 leaving with the rank of Constable.
Honorary Justice Hilary Gwyn Squires Hilary died aged 86, on 22 July 2019 in Pinetown, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. He was a highly respected judge in both Rhodesia and South Africa. Hilary served as a Member of Parliament under Ian Smith and was appointed Minister of Law and Order before becom- ing Minister of Defence and Combined Operations, later being appointed as a judge of the High Court in Salisbury. On returning to South Africa he was appointed to the bench in Kwazulu-Natal. Hilary had a very high regard for the BSAP and was an honorary member of the Kwazulu-Natal Branch of the Regimental Association, regularly attending the Annual Lunch.
PR 23450 Cyril Walter Terry Walter, as he was known, died aged 81, on 26 July 2019 in Friarage Hospital, Northaller- ton. Yorkshire, England. He was a member of the UK Branch of the Regimental Associa- tion and served from 1 April 1976 to 31 May 1980. He was a stick leader in the late 1970’s.
4888 Peter John Morris Peter died aged 85, on 29 July 2019 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He served from 24 March 1952 to 23 March 1955 leaving with the rank of Constable. After leaving the Force, Peter became an officer in the Rhodesia army, before moving to South Africa in 1980. Having lost his right leg in 2002, Peter was the co-founder of the Amputee Sup- port Group in Port Elizabeth, formed to assist other persons who had amputations and offering counselling and support.
8771 Terence Michael (Terry) Price Terry died on 31 July 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa. He served from 29 February 1972 to 31 July 1980 when he transferred to the ZRP where he served until 29 May 1982 retiring from that Force with the rank of Section Officer.
6284/7939 Glen Edward Lyell Martin Glen died on 2 August 2019 in Velddrif, Western Cape, South Africa. He was a past member of the Western Cape Branch of the Regimental Association and served initially from 14 January 1961 to 31 January 1968 and then from 6 March 1968 to 5 March 1971 leaving with the rank of Patrol Officer.
204556 Caroline WITTS - in memory of Tich Burgoyne 29 6654 William Andrew (Bill) Merritt Bill died on 4 August 2019 in Chichester, West Sussex, England. He served from 16 April 1962 to 15 April 1965 leaving with the rank of Patrol Officer. He thereafter joined the Police Reserve. A talented sportsman who played professional football, Bill was very proud to have served in the Force, so much so, that when his son passed out of the Royal Navy Training College, he arranged for the band to play Kum-a-Kye. Pauline Willcox It is with sadness that we advise the death on 17 August 2019 of Pauline, wife of 5359 John Willcox in Jersey, Channel Islands. 4976 Harry Colin Brown Harry died on 26 August 2019 in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England. He served from 5 October 1952 to 31 January 1959 leaving with the rank of Detective Sergeant.
4797 Robert John (Bob) Pagett Bob died aged 88, on 31 August 2019 in Woolhampton, Berkshire, England. He was a member of the UK Branch of the Regimental Association and served from 22 October 1951 to 5 November 1965 leaving on gratuity with the rank of Inspector. 8426 Miles Joseph Barnfield Miles died on 3 September 2019 in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. He served from 25 February 1970 to 31 May 1976 leaving with the rank of Section Officer. 4503 Derek Anthony Humberstone Derek died aged 88, on 5 September 2019 in Stock, Essex, England. He was a member of the UK Branch of the Regimental Association and served from 18 November 1949 to 31 July 1980 when he transferred to the ZRP where he served until 31 May 1981 retiring from that Force with the rank of Chief Superintendent. After his Depot training, Derek was posted to Bulawayo Urban but soon transferred to the District branch, serving at Plumtree, Mangwe, Wankie, Nyamandhlovu, Essexvale and Victoria Falls. He was part of the BSAP contingent that went to Nyasaland and on returning to Rhodesia was posted to APTS to command the Askari Platoon. With the formation of the Police Anti-Terrorist Unit (PATU), he organised and trained the Salisbury Province units using the Great Dyke and Horseshoe Block areas and was active in patrolling in the Zambesi Valley. Posted to Umtali as PWO (Manicaland), Derek was involved in operational duties on the Mozam- bique border. On his promotion to Superintendent, he was posted to Salisbury Central, and like other officers became a JOC officer, serving three months on operations and three months on Police duties. Further promotion to Chief Superintendent resulted in Derek being posted to Support Unit, carrying out various operational duties in the coun- try. With the change over from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe, Derek’s final move was to take command of Salisbury Central, becoming involved with civil defence duties and various ceremonial duties for visiting Heads of State. 5975 Michael Sydney (Mike) Abbotts Mike died aged 81, on 6 September 2019 in Ashton Lodge, Sunbury, Middlesex where he had been for some time. Before joining the BSAP, Mike served with the Royal Military Police (RMP) mostly in Malaya. Mike attested into the Force on 9 March 1959 and after his Depot training, was posted to Salisbury where he spent the rest of his service at various stations and sections, including Salisbury Central, Borrowdale and Rhodesville. His last post was Member in Charge, Driving School at Cranborne before leaving the Force on 14 September 1979 with the rank of Chief Inspector. After leaving the Force, Mike and his family moved to South Africa where he became the General Manager of the Institute of Advanced Motorists of South Africa and later the Group Personnel Manager of Norman’s Transport in Johannesburg. He was a Life Member of the Transvaal Branch of the Regimental Association, serving on their Committee and one time Editor of their Outpost before returning to England in 2003. Mike was the Editor of the UK Branch Outpost from 2005 to 2011 and an Honorary Life Member of the UK Branch of the Regi- mental Association. 4048 Ben Gladstone Hustler Ben died aged 96, on 10 September 2019 in Balcombe, West Sussex, England. He served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War and was one of a large number of former service men who joined the Force after the war. Ben was the oldest member of the UK Branch of the Regimental Association and served from 11 June 1946 to 10 August 1969 retiring on pension with the rank of Chief Inspector (T) after having had a distinguished career in the Signals Branch. He was the elder brother of the late 4264 Vince Hustler, also of the Signals Branch of the Force.
30 5358 Mick YORK - in memory of John Dolby 4735 Clifford Ernest Mills (Cliff) Rogers Cliff died aged 90, on 25 September 2019 in Liss, Hampshire, England. He was a member of the UK Branch of the Regimental Association and served from 4 June 1951 to 3 June 1954 leaving with the rank of Constable. Cliff left school at 16 and started an engineering apprenticeship but after forging his father’s signature he joined the Royal Navy as a boy in 1946, training as a telegraphist. His hope of sailing the seven seas and see the world, did not happen as he spent the majority of the three years of his service at the Fleet Wireless Station in a grass hut in Welisara in Ceylon now Sri Lanka. Unable to settle back in England, Cliff joined the BSAP in 1951 and after his Depot training served in Mashonaland District at Mount Darwin, Wedza, Banket, Marandellas, Conces- sion, Sinoia and Miami. On leaving the Force he went to Northern Rhodesia, working initially for a prospecting company and then underground as a hard rock miner on the Roan Antelope Copper Mine in Luanshya. Cliff then moved to Toronto, Canada in 1959 to work for the technology company Olivetti before returning to England in 1966 where he spent the rest of his working life as a Sales Manager for the Xerox Corporation. Cliff took much interest in the Force history and became the UK Branch unofficial historian/archi- vist for some 10 years, making an immense contribution to the recording and preserva- tion of our history. It was during this time that he formed a special liaison with the Army Museum resulting in the storage and display of Force uniforms and memorabilia. Numer- ous acclaimed contributions to the recording and preservation of BSAP history and the authoring of several books followed; in particular, Cliff was responsible for rediscovering historical material that found new details on the Jameson Raid (1895-96), later described in the ‘Books of the BSA Police” series No.17 ‘Jameson's Men’. There is also a dedication to him in Book 21 – ‘Nyati the Last Quartermaster’. 4933 Rodney (Rod) Wilson Rod died aged 79, on 29 September 2019 in Wirral, Merseyside, Cheshire, England. Rod served from 2 June 1952 to 1 June 1955 leaving with the rank of Constable. He was an Honorary Life Member of the UK Branch of the Regimental Association and was the Branch North West Regional Representative for a number of years. 8970 Kelvin Michael Shewan Kelvin died on 30 September 2019 in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. He served from 27 March 1973 to 28 July 1978 leaving with the rank of Patrol Officer. He was the recipient of the Silver Baton. 8183/9001 Barry Michael Allen Barry died aged 68, on 1 October 2019 in Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Barry served initially from 16 January 1969 to 15 January 1973 and then from 7 June 1973 to 31 July 1980 when he transferred to the ZRP where he served until 31 Decem- ber 1980 leaving that Force with the rank of Detective Inspector. 8216 Duncan (Doc) Fraser Doc died on 5 October 2019 in Timaru, South Island, New Zealand. He was a member of the New Zealand Branch of the Regimental Association, and served from 12 March 1969 to 31 July 1980 when he transferred to the ZRP where he served until 30 April 1981 leaving that Force with the rank of Detective Inspector.
6870 David Vincent Low David died aged 76 on 1 November 2019 in Bushman’s River near Port Alfred, Eastern Cape, South Africa. He was a member of the Eastern Cape and Transvaal Branches of the Regimental Association, and served from 14 February 1963 to 1 May 1980 leaving with the rank of Detective Chief Inspector.
7893 Peter Douglas Harris Peter died aged 69 on 7 November 2019 in Colchester, Essex, England. He was a member of the UK Branch of the Regimental Association, and served from 9 January 1968 to 31 July 1980 when he transferred to the ZRP where he served until 31 July 1982 leaving that Force with the rank of Superintendent. 7125 Peter Joseph (Pop) Ellis Pop died aged 81 on 8 November 2019 in Exeter, Devon, England. He was a former Committee member and Honorary Life Member of the UK Branch of the Regimental Association, and served from 11 August 1964 to 31 July 1980 when he transferred to the ZRP where he served until 30 December 1980 leaving that Force with the rank of Inspec- tor.
Apology: 8861 Albert Pieter Kriel’s date of death should have read 2nd March 2019.
In memory of Mike Leach 31 General Andrew Lockart Charles (Sandy) Maclean OLM DCD
General Sandy Maclean who died aged 87 on 18 July 2019 in Harare, Zimbabwe, was the Commander of the Rhodesian Army and one of the men who led the fight against Robert Mugabe’s nationalist guerrillas during the Bush War that ended in 1979.
He was born in Bulawayo in 1932 but was brought up in Salisbury and attended St Georges College. He joined the Southern Rhodesia Staff Corps in 1951 and, as a young corporal, instructed on numerous courses including the popular Rural Training Camps at Inkomo at which Rhodesia’s Reserve Forces assembled for four-week periods of intense training and assessment. Commissioned in the Northern Rhodesia Regiment in 1954, he served with its 1st Battalion from 1954 to 1958 in Malaya for which he was Mentioned in Despatches. He then progressed through a number of roles including a posting to the Rhodesia Light Infantry, which culminated in his command of the 1st Battalion, the Rhodesia African Rifles in 1970, then engaged in the anti-terrorist operations over a wide area of Rhodesia.
His strong performance in command led to the award of the Exemplary Service Medal at the conclusion of 18 years’ service and resulted in progressively more demanding staff appointments and promotion, includ- ing command of 2 Brigade serving Operation Hurricane in the north and north-east of Rhodesia in 1975. The high troop levels and level of terrorist activity in the area demanded leadership of the highest order and Maclean was awarded the Defence Cross for Distinguished Service for his leadership in November 1976.
The appointment to Army Chief of Staff (Operations) in 1977 was followed quickly by promotion to Army Commander, and his exemplary service over 27 years was recognised by his appointment to the Order of the Legion of Merit in 1978.
As Army Commander in the era of the relatively newly founded COMOPS (Combined Operations, an organ- isation based in Salisbury to co-ordinate the efforts of different elements of the security services in the Bush War), he was responsible principally for preparing the army for operations just as the war reached its most intense period. That Rhodesia’s army was so professional, resourceful and effective was testament in large part to his administrative ability and attention to detail. When he was appointed supreme command- er of the Zimbabwe’s defence forces by the Prime Minister, Robert Mugabe in August 1981, political sourc- es were quoted as saying that the move was aimed to allay the fears of whites about their future in the country as an integral part of Mugabe’s “reconciliation” policy in the immediate post independence period. Though Maclean brought his usual determination to his new role, he retired in July 1982.
In the event of the death of a member
When a member dies, friends and/or family are asked to notify the Almoner as soon as possible. The UK Branch of the BSAP Regimental Association will endeavour to arrange representation at the funeral of a former member of the Force. Members of the BSAP Association living in the area of the funeral will be asked to attend. If requested, the Almoner will try to arrange for a BSAP flag and cap to be made available to the funeral director for use during the ceremony. To contact the Almoner: 9086 Tony Granger, Tel:01743 360827 Email:[email protected]
32 In memory of Paddy Anderson QM stores Memorabilia
£15.00 Badge, blazer with or without crown £5.00 Bag, shopping jute with force logo £1.00 Bookmark with Blacker poem £9.50 Cap, blue, jockey type with force logo £1.75 BSAP Christmas/Greeting Cards, pack of five, with envelopes £5.00 Cards Xmas, pack of Nine with envelopes £2.75 Cartoon Cards Greeting, pack of Five with envelopes £25.00 CD x3 - The BSAP Magazines & Regimental Records £10.00 CD as above but individually £2.50 DVD - BSAP Centenary 2013 £33.00 Fleece with crowned badge-sizes S-XXXL £35.00 Hats Bush with Hat Badge (New Stock & Price) £11.50 BSAP Hat Badge £28.00 Links, cuff with/out badge boxed £7.00 Mug, china with badge £2.50 Pen, ballpoint with force logo £8.50 Pins Lapel with force badge no crown £2.50 Portraits of BSAP in uniform -per set of 3 £1.00 or each £4.50 Ring, key with force logo £24.00 Shirt, polo with crowned badge- Sizes S-XXL £1.50 Sticker, Car £21.50 Tankard, glass with force badge with or without crown £5.00 Tankard, presentation box £7.00 Tea Towels Cloth with Force subjects £16.00 Tie, BSAP Association, silk £8.50 Tie, BSAP Association, polyester £1.00 Tie, BSAP Centenary, polyester £11.50 Tie, BSAP Regimental, polyester £19.50 Umbrella, blue fabric with BSAP badge £34.50 Wooden Plaque BSAP with Crowned Badge
In memory of Henry Wolhuter 33 Books of The British South Africa Police
BSAP Origins and Early History 1885-1901 £6.50 Wilfred Bussy was the editor of the Police Review, the first of the Force magazines and the forerunner of the Outpost.
Zambezi Patrol £5.00 Zambesi Patrol is an account of a patrol undertaken by Trooper John Hoddinott in 1928 in the Zambesi Valley to verify a report that smallpox was ravaging the area and, if so, to establish cordons to prevent the spread of the disease and to vaccinate the native population. Sunrise Patrols £7.50 Seeking a more eventful life, John Palmer resigned from his job as a storekeeper in Basutoland and joined the British South Africa Police in November 1926. Down the Decades £7.50 The British South Africa Police and its immediate forerunner, the British South Africa Company's Police, was responsible for maintaining law and order in the vast territories between the Limpopo and Zambesi Rivers and the Bechuanaland Protectorate on the West and Portuguese East Africa on the East. [contains Nominal & Medal Rolls] Not without Incident £6.50 This is a previously unpublished memoir by one of the early members of the British South Africa Police. Mocke £9.75 The British South Africa Police of Southern Rhodesia has been fortunate in having had many members who wrote interesting accounts of their experiences in the Force, especially of the early days. BSAP Operations WWI & WWII £9.50 This book is a compilation of memoirs and articles about the British South Africa Police involvement in military operations outside Southern Rhodesia during World Wars 1 & 2. Trooper’s Tales £10.70 This book contains eleven stories by members of the British South Africa Police who started out as troopers at periods ranging from the earliest days of the Force to immediately after World War Two. Commanding the Regiment £6.50 Discussion with many former members of the British South Africa Police of Southern Rhodesia revealed a dearth of knowledge amongst them concerning the Commanding Officers and Commissioners of their Regiment, particularly the early ones. Stand to your Horses £17.00 Stanley Edwards joined the British South Africa Police as a Trooper in 1938 and rose through the ranks retiring in 1966 as a Senior Assistant Commissioner having commanded Salisbury Province and be appointed Chief Staff Officer to the Commissioner. [well illustrated with drawings and photographs] Murray’s Column £11.25 Since its formation in 1889 the British South Africa Police had taken part in many campaigns, including service with distinction in the Anglo-Boer War, but during the period 1914 -1918 it was to take part in a longer and more challenging campaign than any that had gone before. Inimitable Style £9.00 George Cecil Style was a man of many parts; during his life he was a bank clerk, police trooper, cattle inspector, army lieutenant, tobacco farmer, pioneer of game ranching in the then undeveloped low-veld of Southern Rhodesia and, during his retirement, a voluntary relief farm manager during the years of the Rhodesian Bushwar.
In memory of Alan Ferguson 34 Humour in The BSAP £9.50 The British South Africa Police has been fortunate in having many great writers in its ranks, such as Eben Mocke, George Style, Constable Wonderwayi and Scrimshank-Wick. Personalities and Institutions of The BSAP £9.50 Over nearly seven decades the chronicles and happenings of the British South Africa Police, together with the experiences of ordinary members of the Force, have been recorded in the Police magazines. Motoring Memories of the BSAP £13.25 When were motorcycles first officially used by the Force? When was the first Information Room established? How did the 'B' Car get its name? When were the first Highway Patrol Cars used? When were Traffic Patrol Cars first introduced? Who drove a Morris Oxford Station Wagon from Rhodesia to Ethiopia and back? Who rode a motorcycle from Salisbury to Uganda, round Lake Victoria and back in thirty days? Includes over 250 photographs. The BSAP in the Great War £9.00 Many books have been written about the First World War campaign in German East Africa, sometimes called the Forgotten War as it was overshadowed by the battles of the Western Front. [containing Nominal Rolls] Jameson’s Men £6.50 The Jameson Raid was a defining event in the history of the British South Africa Police. What led Dr. Leander Starr Jameson, Rhodes’ right hand man in Rhodesia, to take most of the Police out of the country and invade the Transvaal with the aim of capturing Johannesburg? [contains Nominal Rolls] A Memoir of Early BSAP Days £10.00 In 1912 Southern Rhodesia was a very young country with vast areas of bush, few roads and mostly dependent on the horse, the mule and the ox-wagon for transport. Its Police Force, the British South Africa Police, together with its forebears, had only been in existence for twenty two years. It was that year the Bernard Seymour-Hall joined the B.S.A.P. as a Trooper. [well illustrated with drawings and photographs] More Tales of The BSAP £11.00 This book carries on the tradition of the other books in the Series of publishing a selection of stories, articles and memoirs written by former members of the B.S.A.P. They may include articles published in ‘The Outpost’ and also previously unpublished works which may have been gathering dust for decades and which could eventually disappear for ever. From Horse to Aeroplane £9.00 The Second World War was a watershed in the evolution of the British South Africa Police. Before it the horse, mule and pack donkey were the usual modes of transport. Mechanisation was gradually creeping in but this really accelerated after the War. Nyati, the Last Quartermaster (latest publication) £17.50 Nyati - The Last Quartermaster, the 21st and probably final book in the series of Books of the BSAP, is a tour de force of the BSAP. It is a compilation of the works of Richard Hamley, author, historian, artist and cartoonist. A companion volume to Blue and Old Gold with magnificent illustrations.
Set of 21 books with a free BSAP bookmark. £200.00
Blue and Old Gold BSAP History £30.00
Non BSAP Book Series
Non Politically correct Jokes £5.00
Blondie’s Revenge £5.00
In memory of Dave Hallward 35 Payment information
Payments to the BSAP Association
Payments to the Branch may be made by:
1) Cash, in person only, to Hon.Treasurer or Quartermaster (Bertie) - do not post. 2) Cheque, payable to the BSAP Regimental Association, endorsed on back with name, regimental number (if applicable) and purpose of payment, post to Hon Treasurer, 32 New Road, East Hagbourne, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 9JU. 3) Online- BSAP Regimental Association, Lloyds Bank plc Sort Code: 30-93-93 Account No: 01324653 IBAN : GB72LOYD30939301324653 BIC: LOYDGB21097 4) PayPal to [email protected]. Show name, regimental number and purpose of payment.
It is important that your name and purpose of payment is shown to enable the money when received to be correctly “allocated”
Charitable Collections
If you are making a will, or having a charitable collection at a funeral or memo- rial service, please consider remembering either the BSAP Trust or Association. Both would be grateful for donations in memory of a loved one in order to con- tinue their assistance to Members in need or the administration of the Associa- tion. For more information please contact a Trustee.
Outpost December 1940
36 In memory of Rickie May United Kingdom Regional Representatives
Anglia & East Midlands: 9439 Glenn Seymour Hall, 9 Hereford Grove, Biggleswade SG18 8HX Mob: 07881 585 388 Email: [email protected] Ireland: 7348 Peter O’Hara, 17 Woodside, Balkill Road, Howth, Dublin D13 YA29 Tel: 0035318322135 Email: [email protected]
North-West: 7902 Brien Bonynge Tel: 01516 391 369 Email: [email protected]
Scotland: 8405 Robert (Rob) Minchin, 92 Crosswood Terrace, Tarbrax, EH55 Tel: 01501 785541 Email: [email protected] West Midlands: 8014 Allan Ross-Smith 2 Gould Ave East, Kidderminster, Worcs. DY11 7HH Tel: 01562 228 344 [email protected] South-East: 5625 Biff Way, 16 Charles Busby Court, Bentley Close, Royal British Legion Village, Aylesford, Kent ME20 7SG Tel: (home) 01622 716473 Mob: 0785 425 2392 Email: [email protected] South-West: 9661 Colin Anderson, Tel: (home) 01392 439948 Email: civander- [email protected] 9196 Doug Bing Tel: (home) 01395 267705 Email: [email protected] 9621 Guy Halls, Tel: (home) 01722 333341Email: [email protected] Widow Liaison Officer: Pauline Seaward, Tel: 01890 882558 Email: [email protected] Overseas Visitor to UK Liaison: 5625 Biff Way, Email: [email protected]
Overseas Branches and Regions
Australia: Joan Fletcher Email [email protected] Border: 8705 Bruce Beukman, Email:[email protected] Canada: 5947 Martin Edwards, Email:[email protected] Tel:001-250-733-2697. Eastern Cape: 7890 Ed Holloway, Tel:+27822921664 Mob:+836516914 Email:[email protected] Mashonaland: 8746 Rick Summers Email: [email protected] Matabeleland: 9499 Karl Hurry Email:[email protected] KwaZulu-Natal: 7229 Des Howse, PO Box 804, Link Hills 3652, RSA Tel: 031-7621010 Mob: 083-4406740 Email: [email protected] New Zealand: 6121 Mike Harvey, 87 Jackson Way, RD3, Silverdale, 0993, New Zealand Tel: +64 27438668 Mob: +64274738668 Email:[email protected] Transvaal: 6345 Dave Holmes Email: [email protected] United States of America: 6388 Will Cornell, 17462 Walnut Street, Yorba Linda, California 92886-1827 USA Tel:001 714 993 1975 Email: [email protected] Western Cape: 8655 Peter Shout Email:[email protected]
In memory of Mike Lindley