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 <[email protected]> Contents Tel:07831 413430 Production: Patryk Majewski Diary Dates 2 Proofreaders - 5248 Alan Lane, Points to Ponder 3 5662 Barry Henson, 4840 Michael Will Keys 4 Purslow, 6905 Peter Phillips Bertie’s Blether 5 News 6 The opinions expressed in The UK Outpost are not necessarily those of BSAP History Sketch 8 the Editor or of the UK Branch of the London VSC 9 BSAP Regimental Association or of Irish Gathering 10 the BSAP Trust. South West Gathering 11 All articles ascribed to a particular South East Gathering 12 author remain the copyright of that A Truly Wonderful Evening-London Dinner 13 author. Reunion Transvaal, South Africa 16 Distributor - 6737 Mike Coleman, Treasurer’s Note 17 Fuchsia Print & Publicity Services Ltd, Plea for Help 18 2 Knights Way, Dunmow, Essex Photo Gallery 20 CM6 1UL Tel: 01371 874800 Mob: Man I Gotta Boy 21 07831413430 Email: chair- Andy O’Sullivan 23 [email protected] 2428 Sergeant-Major James Blake-Thompson 24 Printed by Catford Print Centre, Recruit Squad 10/62 25 Catford, London SE6 2PN Their Last Parade 27 General Andrew (Sandy) Maclean 32 Published by The United Kingdom Memorabilia Store 33 Branch of the BSAP Regimental Book Store 34 Association. Payment Information 36 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 ­ ­ ­ ¡ ­ ¢ 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.