'REPORT ON LIFE IN THE POLICE FORCE TINAPI MURGWIRA ZIDENGA CHIANIKE 11016 - EX STN/SGT
Born in 1924 in the District of Marandellas in Chihota Reserve. My father was a member of the Police Force who retired on pension after 20 years service, and his name was Zidenga.
 

I joined the Force on 11th November 1942 as a Native Constable. My first station was Umvuma after my initial training, and this was in 1943. On arrival to Umvuma, I met Sgt. Jack Hodnott (Probably 2753 Sgt. John Henry Hoddinott) who was the Member in Charge. I stayed on this station for four years. Whilst on this station the Falcon gold mine was still functioning. Captured Italians were kept under restrictions on the mine where they were working. These people were very cunning. They brewed beer out from Matamba which are known as African wild oranges, mixed with Tom Tom cigarettes. This sort of beer was thereafter sold to Africans and it was very intoxicating that most of the Africans could not go to work for two days after drinking this kind of beer. These Italians were also stealing clothes issued to them and selling them amongst the Africans. They were also escaping oftenly and were recaptured later. The type of beer they were brewing was known as 'Konyaki'. I was still a single member of the Force and we used to leave (live) in old fashion huts thatched with grass.
 

In 1947, I was then transferred from Umvuma to Buhera. Before I left Umvuma our station transport was one Chevrolet truck and one motor cycle. The vehicle was used by three stations, Umvuma, Gutu and Chilimanzi. The purpose of my transfer was for a probation as an interpreter as during those days very few people could speak English well to the new Troopers, who had no knowledge of the African languages, and as a result, (needed) one (qualified) Native Constable (interpreter) or the other name (by which Native Constables were) known was 'BURAKWACHI' meaning Black Watch
 

On arriving to Buhera I met Sgt. Mitchell (Cannot identify) who was the Member in Charge, and the senior African member was Cpl. Chiyangwa. During those days the P/Os were known as Troopers.
In 1948 during the month of February, I left Buhera for Fort Victoria, and at this stage I was a Grade One Police Interpreter, and on my arrival I met the District Inspector, Mr. Babridge (Cannot identify), and only stayed there for two weeks. Thereafter, I was transferred to Mashaba where I met Mr. Finch (Possibly 3253 Sgt. Reginald Peter Finch) who was the Member in Charge. The O.C. Victoria District was Mr, Streeter (2807 A/Comm. Ernest Stanley Streeter). I also stayed with Mr. Anderson (Possibly 3168 Sgt. Mevill Thomas Anderson) during my stay at Mashaba who took over from Mr. Finch when he was transferred. I had a hard time to interpret asbestos, because all the Africans were saying 'shinda', meaning asbestos, whilst in the actual meaning of 'shinda' it means cotton. We had to conduct our patrols around the mines only, we had no reserve to patrol, and the area consisted of the following mines, Gaths, King, Kilmarnock, Rex, Murie, D.S.O., Shashi, Temeraire and Empress mine. The latter processed gold while the rest processed asbestos.
 

In 195 I was transferred to Bikita where I met Sgt. Kelly (Probably 3413 Richard Basil David Kelly), and later Sgt. Sawter (4063 Colin John Sowter) who was known as 'Maromo'. This was his nickname because he had thick lips. This station was known to be a station where witchcraft was still practiced at a great extent as one of the Native Constables was bewitched at Dumbura, a section of the Devuli Ranch situated near Umkondo mine, and he became mad and was sent to Ungutsheni where he was treated and thereafter he transferred to the Town Branch.
In 1951, I was transferred from Bikita to Fort Victoria Rural to meet Sgt. Andrew (Probably 3799 Anthony Lawry Andrew) who was nick named 'Chiwundura', a man who was very quiet, but was very cheeky upon witnesses and accused since the Makaranga Tribe are and were very hard people to give information and to tell the truth of what they know. 'Chiwundura' means to clear up or clear off the hair. At this stage, we were then known as Constables, actually as African Constables, and Patrol Officers as European Constables.
The Officer Commanding was Mr. Harris (3369 D/Comm. George Mervyn Harries) who is now retired and retired being the Senior Assistant Commissioner. The District Inspector was Mr. Cooke (3427 Henry Roper-Cooke) who was very fond of riding horses with his children and always with a pipe in his mouth. He retired and is now owning a hotel at Enkledoorn.
 

Mr. Cooke's place was taken over by Insp. Spencer (3630 Rodney Alexander Spence) who was later known as McCaul-Smith (3630 Rodney Alexander 'Sandy' McCall-Smith. S/Insp. Spence changed his surname by deed poll from Spence to McCall-Smith). The Camp Provost was Sgt. Jackson who is now deceased in the Goromonzi District. The senior N.C.O. Rural was Sgt. Luke, and Urban was Sgt. Munemo who was nick named 'Chakahwanda' which was meaning that he used to drink beer on duty secretly in the Railway Compound. He has now a son who is a member of the Force and in the Staff Branch, a teacher at Tomlinson Depot.
 

When I left Fort Victoria Rural in 1956 the Member in Charge was Jack Berry (4321 C/Supt. Jack Berry) whose place was taken over by (Who took over from) Sgt. Binne (4034 Sgt. Andrew Sutherland Binnie) who did not want to marry a schotch bachelor (Who did not want to marry - a Scottish bachelor). The O.C. was Mr. Stanley Edwards (3749 S/A/Comm. Stanley Edwards) who was very interested in hunting. There after Mr. Edwards (was the) District Inspector Mr. Molly Brown (3607 C/Insp. John Pitt Moray-Brown. He could walk five paces whilst you could walk two paces. Mr. Molly Brown took over from Mr, White (3512 S/A/Comm. Eric Gordon Hammett White - who was nick named 'Chikowokowo'). He did not want to see any fowls running round the camp and was also very cheeky. Punishments were his lesson on every little thing done, and Rural A/P were using tunics for their daily duties and a weekly camp inspection as well as parade inspections. Promotions in the Victoria Province (District at that time) were very rare, neither (as were) Commendations for good work performed.
 

In 1956, I went to Nuanetsi where I met Mr. Hughes (4700 Brian George Hughes) as the boss of the station (Member in Charge) who later left (on transfer) for the National Parks (Game Department in those days) since he was a very good marksman, and on his place we welcomed Sgt. Weston (4923 Sgt. Thomas Henry Weston) who also left to join Internal Affairs Department (Then the Native Department). Sgt. Masango was in charge of the African Police.
I was made a Sgt in the year 1954, and in 1958 I was transferred (back) to Fort Victoria Rural where I met Insp. Jim Watkins (4157 C/Supt. James Oliver Watkins), a man who referred to himself as the only policeman in the Victoria Province (District at that time) and (an) ex army man. The O.C. was Mr. Ward (Possibly 3882 Supt. George Ward) whom I stayed with at Umvuma and during that time he was a Trooper.
In 1961, I went back to Mashaba to meet Insp. Smith (Cannot identify) who could be seen after hours having a walk with his dog around the village.
 

In 1963, I was transferred (back) to Bikita to meet Sgt. Joslyn (5193 Sgt. Brian Frank Joslyn) and later on his relief Sgt. Dunbar (Possibly 5998 S/O Ian Patrick Dunbar.
 

In 1964 I went to Triangle where I met Insp. Robinson (Possibly 4854 David Martin Whitmore Robinson) who had taken over from Insp. Weare (5144 A/Comm Raymond Eric Weare).
 

I retired in 1965 and took up employment with the Hippo Valley Estates as an Assistant Personnel (Personnel Assistant?). I am married and have three boys and three girls, all in school.'
 

Hot Air?
 

The autumn edition of the RYA magazine contains an article on Climate Change. This article contains the statistic that '50-64 year olds have the highest average CO2 footprint in the UK. 13.52 tonnes per year compared with the average of around 10 tonnes.' I assume that this means that to combat this problem, we over 50s must do our bit to combat climate change by eliminating beans from our diet!
 

Normal!
 

The UK Summer 2007 Outpost (Issue 66) has the following comment after the reported Zimbabwe News, 'The Zimbabwe news above suggests that life there is normal, but there are reports posted on the internet and in newspapers that imply that Zimbabwe is on the brink of economic disaster.' I think that the commentator is applying the norms of the United Kingdom to the Zimbabwe situation, which he cannot do. Life in Zimbabwe is 'normal'. Certainly, we live with almost daily power cuts, water cuts, general shortages of most things, but this is 'normal' here. In London during the blitz the nightly raids by the Luftwaffe were 'normal'. In Darfur, in Iraq and in Afganistan, the fighting is 'normal'. The people living in those countries, and the people living in Zimbabwe, have to get on with their lives in the circumstances in which they are living now, and have to make the best of bad situations. Certainly, many people are leaving Zimbabwe for other parts of the world, and not only the 'whites' I might add. However, many are staying, firm in the belief that things will get better eventually. This conviction may be long term, but things will improve. We have good examples in the SADCC region - both Mocambique and Zambia. Things must also be looking up in Malawi, which is currently able to export maize to Zimbabwe!

Zimbabwe News

Mashonaland

The Annual General Meeting of the Mashonaland Branch and the Central Committee was held at the Old Hararians Bowls Pavilion on the evening of Friday, the 1st June 2007. The following members attended, 5111 Jack Bacon, 5281 Peter Bellingham, 5503/6384 Peter Birkett, 11997 Dennis Borra, 7153 Mike Crafter, 203509E Connie De Kock, 4728 Bill Ellway, 8646 Andrew Field, 5917 Rod Finnigan, 6832 Graham Frees, 6262 Nigel Gabriel, 5233 Willie Hamilton, 3960 Jack Hammond, 8235 Martin Kay, 6982 Harry Kefford, 90215 Mike Lear, 6319 Chris Looker, 8150 Dave Lurie, 3976 'Taff' Morgan, 6047 Dudley Naude, 9406 'Red' O'Connell, 15043A Bob Potter, 6123 Brian Pym, 8021 Mike Rowley, 5673 Ralph Williams and WP134 Denise Woodiwiss. Apologies were received from the following members, (4752) Aileen Coetzer, 8262 Jeff Cooper, 5608 Dave de Burgh-Thomas, 6942 Dave Elder, 8374 Peter Jelliman, 6569 Felix Kuttner, 5652 Bill Linfield, 10115 Dave Mackintosh, 4394 Dave Martin, 7532 Gillie Oberholzer, 8477 Peter Quick, 6794 Ray Ritson, 4059 Peter Robinson, 6789 Geoff Sandford, 6007 Bob Schonken, 7014 Malcolm Smith, 8746 Rick Summers, 6724/9210 John Van Zyl, and 6783 Dave Young,
 

The makeup of the new Mashonaland Committee is: - 9406 'Red' O'Connell, 8235 Martin Kay, 8477 Peter Quick, 10115 Dave Mackintosh, 6123 Brian Pym, & WP134 Denise Woodiwiss. There were no volunteers for the position of Secretary, and so it was left that the Mashonaland Committee would appoint a Secretary at their first committee meeting.
The constitutional amendments were presented and explained to the meeting by the President. These amendments were designed to place the internal Zimbabwe branches on the same footing as the external branches. The object of the amendments was remove all authority for the affairs of the Association from the Central Committee, thus leaving it in place in an advisory capacity only. All branches, whether internal or external, would be autonomous bodies responsible entirely for their own affairs. The reduced Central Committee would remain, but in an advisory capacity only. After some healthy discussion the motion to amend the Constitution was passed by a show of hands without amendment. There were no dissenters.
 

Elections for the new and reduced Central Committee were held. The makeup of the new Committee is: - 4728 Bill Ellway - President, 5281 Peter Bellingham - Vice President/Secretary, 5917 Rod Finnigan - Member, and 8021 Mike Rowley - Member. The position of Treasurer fell away with the reduced responsibilities of the Central Committee.
 

A sundowner was held at the Round Table premises just off 2nd Street Extension on the evening of Friday, the 29th July 2007. Those attending were: - 5111 Jack Bacon, 5281 Peter Bellingham, 7852 Dave Blake, 11997 Dennis Borra, Guest Simon Bull, 100571F P Chisholm, 7153 Mike Crafter, 5608 Dave de Burgh-Thomas, 203509E Connie De Kock, 4728 Bill Ellway, 5917 Rod Finnigan, 7458 Mike & Sue Fox, 3960 Jack Hammond, (4234) Pat Hobley, 902015 Mike Lear, 6927 Chris & Mickey Lee, 8150 Dave Lurie, 10115 Dave Mackintosh, Guest Don Maclean, 3976 'Taff' Morgan, 9406 'Red' O'Connell & Rosie Mercer, 90430 Mark Oxley, 6123 Brian Pym, 8021 Mike Rowley, 31795J Geoff Sandford, 6007 Bob Schonken, 9210 John Van Zyl, and WP134 Denise Woodiwiss. Apologies were received from: - 8646 Andrew Field, 8235 Martin Kay, 6319 Chris Looker, 4394 Dave Martin, 6377 Tony Maycock, 8477 Peter Quick & 5673 Ralph Williams. The turnout was disappointing, but was understandable in the light of the ever increasing inflation, and the uncertainty regarding fuel supplies. These facts, when coupled with the reluctance of many older members to travelling at night more than explains the poor attendance. Those members, who did attend though, spent a very pleasant evening reminiscing about old comrades and colleagues, and times past, interspersed with many a risqué story.
 

The Mashonaland Branch Committee has advised that it was decided, at their Committee Meeting held on the 19th October 2007, that due to circumstances beyond its control, the Annual Luncheon, provisionally organised for the 28th October 2007, has been postponed indefinitely. They state that over the last six weeks they have looked into every aspect and option for the staging of this event, but it just is not feasible in the current situation. Should the situation change for the better, then the Committee will look at holding a belated October Luncheon at some later date.
 

The committee has also advised that it will be holding a Sundowner at Round Table Joint Venue on Second Street on Friday 30th November, 2008 commencing at 1730 hours. They hope to see as many members as possible present for this, the last event of the year.
 

Matabeleland Branch
 

At the first committee meeting after the Annual General Meeting, held on the 25th April 2007. It was resolved that the makeup of the new committee would be 8510 Dave Adams (Chairman), 1231Q Tony Turner (Vice-Chairman), John Learmonth (Secretary), 4993 John Fielder (Treasurer), and Members 4750 Ken Berry, 5867 Derek Marshall, 9392 Ian Spackman & 5247 Ken Macdonald.
At this meeting Ken Berry was appointed as the Matabeleland Benevolent Officer/Almoner.
The meeting was advised 5240 Roger Patching and 9392 Ian Spackmen were both re-locating to the UK. Ian Spackman held a farewell party at the MOTHS Club on the 25th May 2007. I have no attendance details however.
 

Manicaland Branch
 

Although the Manicaland Branch is has not functioned as a branch for some considerable time, and is in fact moribund, 5662 Alf Hitschman acted as Secretary, and kept the Central Committee advised of matters pertaining to Manicaland and Manicaland Branch members. Unfortunately, he has just left Safeguard Security where he was employed and is returning to the United Kingdom. A volunteer from Manicaland is required to take over this roll.

Regional News
 

Natal Branch.
 

Hillcrest Station Function. A 'bring-and-share' social evening was held on Saturday 2nd June at the Augusta Estate Clubhouse which, despite the poor turnout (what's new?), was thoroughly enjoyed by the twenty-two members who pitched up. The food was good, the company excellent and old acquaintances were renewed - Fred Mason recognised Laurie de Witt, who he last saw in the 60's when Fred was training reservists, and many stories were told. Those members who don't attend the Station functions don't know what they're missing!
 

Our congratulations go to the Natal Branch Chairman, 'Nobby' Clark who ran in the 2007 Comrades Marathon, and completed the course well within the time allowed. For those who pledged money, which goes to the Branch Petty Cash by the way, it is time to cough up, even that tight-fisted member (Who shall remain nameless) who pledged R20.00 per mile - but only for the first mile
 

The Annual Durban/Pietermaritzburg Challenge took place on Sunday 28 July at Inchanga Country Village (well, the bowls almost took place - the Midlands guys forgot to turn up! A relaxed crowd of 30 or so Natal Branch members and Phil and Eve Mingard from Maritzburg, enjoyed the day, playing bowls, socialising around the braai and generally having a good 'chinwag'. The Bowls Trophy naturally goes to the Durban boys who had eagerly anticipated 'whipping' the Maritzburg lads, for the Durban team had been strengthened by some regular bowlers, recently recruited ex-Reservists. Ah well, there's always next year....
 

The Natal Branch Annual Dinner was held at the Shamwari Club, Westville, on Saturday 28 July 2007. What a great evening - I think it was the best Annual Dinner we have had in many a year. Our guest speaker was none other than Ian 'Mac' the ex-Matabeleland, Rhodesian, Natal Sharks and Springbok coach. He spoke with great warmness of his days in Bulawayo and the rivalry between the Police and locals rugby teams. He even admitted to poaching one or two of our players! He touched on his days as Rhodesian coach with Butch Von Horsten coming in for some serious 'Mickey taking'. He was very diplomatic in his comment about his stay as the Springbok coach however. Attending the function were: - 5855 Terry Albyn, 6422 Lionel Baker and Rose, 8242 Allan and Flick Bennett, 7055 Alan and Myrna Brent, 8303 Rob Bristow and son Rickie, 6283 Nobby and Natascha Clark, 6136 Ant Crossley, 8105 Peter Cutting, 4603 Don Darkes and friend, 6170 Graham and Betty De Wit; 7706 Chris & Elsabeth Driver; Guests George and Lynn Galbraith (SAS); 7543 Peter & Elsabe Gatland; 7564 Phil Hart and guest, 6187 John and Yvonne Haswell; 5874 Garth Hatton, 5428 Ian and Penny Hogg; 7229 Des and Trish Howse; 5958 Dick and Jenny Isemonger; 7033 Derek and Megan Kerr; 6253 Iain Laing; 6454 John Lees; 6695 Peter & Carol Lyes; 6872 Dave and Maddy Lynn; Guest Speaker Ian 'Mac' and Rona MacIntosh, 5934 Fred and Lindsay Mason and Guest Daphne Huddleston, 5480 Scotty McCauley; 4521 Phil and Eve Mingard; 6097 Ted and Sue Painting; 8276 Brian 'Perky' Perkins; Guest Judge Hilary and Coralie Squires; 5939 Vic and Reena Sutherland; 6467 Garth 'Butch' and Hillary Von Horsten and family; 4947 Roy Welch; 8531Ken and Yvonne Wood; 8531 Kevin Woods and family and 8068 Dennis & Marion Wyatt.
 

A few weeks ago 4749 John Hardie had a bad fall at his home in Durban North that resulted in a fractured spine, cracked ribs, and quite a bad facial injury, which caused him to be hospitalised. As if that were not bad enough, whilst in Highcare it was found that he had to have his Gaul bladder removed. He will be returning home on 21st September after some 3 weeks in hospital. He is still very weak and very uncomfortable but is making steady progress.
 

Eastern Cape
 

A winter braai of the Eastern Cape Branch was held on Saturday, the 28 July 2007 at the Maritime Club, Port Elizabeth. Although the attendance by members was reasonable, some having come from out of town, the threat of inclement weather reduced the attendance. All those who attended had a good time however. Discussion centered on past and present situations. Amongst those attending were: - 6570 Brian & Helena Burstein, 5225 Jim Carse, 6966 Nobby Clarke, 5922 Trevor & Pat Compton, 6687 Alan 'Son of Dick' & June Dickinson, 4696 Tony & Laura Down (from Port Alfred), 6115 Dave Green (from Kenton On Sea and 9791(R) Aubrey Ingram.
 

Transvaal Branch.
 

A BSAP Golf Day was held at the Roodepoort Golf Club on the 1st June 2007. It was organised and run by Jock Pirrett, and as usual, the event was a great success.
 

A Curry and Rice luncheon was held at the Northcliffe Bowls Club on the 9th June 2007. The turnout was great and good fellowship was enjoyed by one and all. Good sales of memorabilia were made topping the R2,000.00 mark. This was mainly due to new lines introduced by Dave Holmes. Thanks also go to Glen Macaskill and Keith Douche for organising and running the event.
 

The monthly gatherings at 'The Jocks' continue to be well supported. There was a good attendance at the July 2007 gathering, and it was good to see members there who haven't been there for a long time, like Charlie Piscopou and Harry 'The Horse' Brown. (I have been unable to identify either of these two members. Ed)
 

The Annual Dinner was to be held at the Johannesburg Country Club on the evening of Friday the 14th September 2007. I have received no further details regarding this event however.
 

The Transvaal Branch of the Regimental Association is involved with other Rhodesian service organisations whose aim it is to establish a memorial to all former service members who were killed in action during the 'Bush War'. A committee has been established to investigate the feasibility of establishing such a memorial. This is an ongoing project that is being actively pursued.
 

Western Cape Branch
 

The Branch Annual Dinner was held at the Mowbray Golf Club on Friday the 7th September 2007. The Guest Speaker was that well known schoolmaster Neil Jardine, who was also the Guest Speaker at a Transvaal Annual Dinner two years ago. I do not have a full report on this event, but from what I have heard it was well attended, was held at an excellent venue, and was a most successful event. One of the Branch members, Howard Neill took a servies of photographs at the dinner, and these can be seen on website www.capevideos.com/Dinner-2007.htm. I do not have a nominal roll of those attending, but know that the following members did attend for they all appear in the photographs. They are: - FR Dave Acker, 6639 Bob Bedingham, 7880 Guy Bekker, 5483 Dave Blacker, 7751 Alan Crook, 4885 George & Maureen Farmer, Bobby Gibbons, 4760 Dermot Gloster, 5860 Doug Grierson, 5872 Winston Hart, 7544 Fluff Hawks, PR9402 Peter Henning, Dion Heysamen, John Holmes, (Advocate?) Dick Horn, 6780 Spats Jansen, Guest Speaker Neil Jardine, Johnny Johnson, 6118 Pat Keyser, 4501Vince Lovegrove, 7108 Alistair Mackenzie, 5959 Brian Marriott, Mike Mays, Ralph McArthur, PR21091 Ralph McArthur, 5880 Stan McMillan, (Forensic) Wendy Meyer, PR24083? Dusty & Alex Miller, 8714 John Munro, 6749/7104 Howard Neill, 6893 Brian Oberholtzer, 6120 Dave Parry, 6158 Don Peters, Guest Gideon Pienaar, Guest Craig Pitcher, 5689 Gilly Potter, 5098 Dave Riley, PR14754 Len & Janice Rowley, 6494 Tony Rozemeyer, 6874/8032 Neville Spurr, 6226 Andrew Stephens, Guest Luke Stephens, 4898 Chris Thorne, 6222 Rob Traill, Ted Vickery, John Waterhouse and Sue & Phil Wright. I am certain that Carl Van Woerden was also there for Gideon Pienaar and Craig Pitcher were his guests, but there was no photograph of him.
 

Both 5483 Dave Blacker and 5689 Gilly Potter have been appointed as Honorary Vice Presidents of the Regimental Association in respect of their services to the Regimental Association over the year. They were both presented with their certificates at the dinner by another Western Cape Honorary Vice President, 5860 Doug Grierson.
(I am certain that all members of the Association will be most grateful to Howard Neill for taking the many photographs, and displaying them on the Internet. It is good to be able to see up to date photographs of old friends and colleagues after so many years. I certainly enjoyed looking through the 'r....s' gallery. Ed.)

International News
 

Australia
 

The AGM of the Australia Branch took place on Saturday the 10th of March 2007 at the Returned Services League premises (RSL for short), Belmont, in Perth. A total of 35 were present. Amongst those attending was 6592 Barry Dawson from Thailand who is in Perth for medical reasons. The Chairman, 7049 Lew Whitmore, gave a resume of our activities for the year 2006. The committee was re-elected 'en bloc' with the exception of PR19304N Alan McGrath, who stood down as he and his wife Joyce are moving to Bunbury in the near future. Alan will be sadly missed, not only for his excellent inputs whilst serving on the committee, but in particular for his outstanding achievements in extracting money from members at our raffles. In fact at the AGM he managed to do it again. In this regard we had prizes donated by 8318 David Cushworth from the USA. Dave operated an Internet Website 'Memories of Rhodesia'. Our sincere thanks go to him for his generosity. The catering after the AGM was once again up to the highest standard was organised by 7694 Steve Martin and his wife Linda.
After the meeting 7340 Chris Morten gave an interesting talk about his recent book 'The Benefactors Monkey'. A review of the book appeared in our Winter and Spring Edition, and Chris gave a round up as how he came to write the book, in which many of its aspects were as a result of his BSAP experiences.
 

Since our last edition there have been several visitors to our fair shores. There were Fred and Margaret Punter from the UK, who spent a few days with John and Margaret Seward and toured the South West of Western Australia, Brian Pym and Jan from Zimbabwe, who were staying with relatives in Perth, and ex WPO Pauline Clark (WP424?). Pauline was en route to Adelaide to celebrate her father (4040?) Derek Clarke's 85th birthday. Derek is an ex member of the BSAP.
 

The Queensland Branch held their AGM on Saturday the 25th February 2007 at the residence of Mike & Ginny King in Brisbane. Present were: - 7429 Fred & Carol Carr-Thompson, 6278 Gerry & Wendy Dyer, 4727 Mike & Rosemary Edden, 6604 John Gold, 7012 Mike & Ginny King, 5757 Ian & Rachel Milton, 6303 Peter & Carol Nortje and 205169J Margaret & Les Underhay. Apologies were received from: - 5885 Mike Fitton, 6833 Pete Greef, 6994 Colin John, 25548T Simon Lucas, 7694 Steve Martin, 5165 Don Sillis, 23451Chris Wheeler, 5147 Wally Wilton and 7861 Mike Woods.
New Zealand.
 

I have received Issue No. 22 of the Kiwi Outpost, which is, as usual, a beautifully produced and presented publication, and a credit to both the Editor and the Branch Committee.
 

In my previous Newsletter, I advised that I had no attendance details for the New Zealand Branch Christmas Luncheon for 2006. The latest Kiwi Outpost advised that the following members attended: - 7750 Peter & Barbara Burrage, Guest? Mel Clements, 4346 Terry Cottam, 8543 John Crisp, NRP 'Fitz' Fitzgerald, 5335 Dick & Lyn Hopper, Guest? Bill Jowles, 5333 Dave Le Sueur, 10431Steven & Kim McIntosh-Dona, NRP390 Greg McManus, NRP718 Arthur Moulds, 4757 Ron Pilborough, 12933G Ted Preston, 4623 Maurice Roffey, 3693 Bill Schollum, Guest? Paul Taylor, WP123 Shirley Winters (Nee Swanepoel) and 7595 Ian Winters. A total of 38 were seated for lunch.
 

The New Zealand Branch AGM and Luncheon was scheduled to be held on the 26th May 2007, but I have received no further information regarding this 'get-together'.
 

I enjoyed these two stories, which I thought was well worth repeating. 'At a world brewing convention in the US, the CEOs of various brewing organisations retired to the bar at the end of the first day. Bruce, the CEO of Fosters, shouted to the barman, 'In Stralia, we make the best bloody beer in the world, so pour me a Fosters mate.' Bob, the CEO of Budweiser calls out next, 'In the States, we brew the finest beers of the world and I make the King of them all - gimme a Bud.' Hans steps up next saying, 'In Germany ve invented das been. Give me un Helles, ze real King of beers.' Jan, CEO of Grolsch follows by stating that Grolsch is the ultimate beer and asks for one with two fingers of head on top. Frikkie, Chairman of South African Breweries steps forward and says, 'Barman, give me a diet coke with ice and lemon please'. The other four stare at him in stunned silence, amazement written all over their faces. Eventually Bruce asks, 'Are you not going to have a Castle Norm?' Frikkie replies, 'Well if your guys aren't drinking beer, then neither am I.'
An elderly man from Winklespruit called his son in Cape Town and said, 'I hate to spoil your Christmas, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are getting a divorce - 35 years of misery is enough.' 'Dad, what are you talking about' his son screams. 'We can't stand the sight of each other any longer' the old man said. 'We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so call your sister in England and tell her.' He hangs up. Frantic, the son calls his sister who explodes on the phone. 'Like heck they're getting divorced' she shouts. 'I'll take care of this.' She phones her father immediately and screams at him, 'You are NOT getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother back and we'll both be there on Friday. Until then, don't do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?' and hangs up. The old man hangs up and turns to his wife. 'Okay', he says, 'they're both coming for Christmas and are paying their own airfares.'
 

United Kingdom
 

The United Kingdom Branch AGM was held at the Victory Services Club on Saturday the 12th May 2007 commencing at 11.00am, to be followed by lunch. The UK Branch Patrol, Lord Walker was present, although the overall attendance was disappointing with less than forty members attending, and was lower than in previous years. The committee was re-elected en bloc. Hugh Phillips reported that the lunch that followed the AGM was excellent with 'food aplenty'. The committee had catered for an attendance of sixty! There is speculation that the reason for the lower attendance at the AGM is the change from a Friday evening to a Saturday morning, but the committee will be looking into this.
 

CHUDLEIGH GATHERING 19 May 2007 by 5956 Dave Kennedy
There is a move afoot to include Chudleigh as part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site! 33 existing and rapidly forming fossils attended and appeared to enjoy the gathering on Saturday 19 May 2007.
Attending were: - 5468 Dave Adshead, 9661 Colin & Louise Anderson, 6479 Ted Ayers-Hunt, 9926 David Cardy, PR11999 George Fardell, 5965 Peter & Ann Fitzgerald, 4046 Ted Galloway, PR14777 Howard Garbett, 7900 Gordon Greenwood, 9337 Geoff Hurst, 7547 Chris Inglis, 3967 'Johnny' Johnston, 5956 Dave & Anne Kennedy, 8693 David Lemon, 5566 David & Joan MacDonald, 1279F Heather Milner, 5329 Paddy Morton, 6580 Jim & Joyce O'Toole, 202956 Hilda Olivier, 4709 Ron Peters, 6348 Dennis & Norma Poole, PR3356 Wally Pratt, 6681 Geoff & Fiona Quick, [4766] Pat Shaw, 9281 Steven Teasdale and WPR Gill Watson.
Apologies were received from: - David Vickery, 9196 Doug Bing, 9486 Dave Luscombe, Ian MacIntyre (returned to SA), Alisdair MacIntyre, Dennis Wadsworth (moved to Austria), 3948 Eric Collier, Chris Butler, Lin Venters, 5085 Jim Gilbert and Chris Jones.
 

THE MYERSCOUGH JUNE 10TH 2007
4933 Rod Wilson wrote that it was very nice warm day for our gathering at The Myerscough. As usual members were in a very convivial mood, drank a fair bit, ate a bit more and chatted non stop, with people moving from table to table from 12 noon until about 3-45pm. A new member, 5642 Michael Parr, joined us from Manchester area. Those attending were: - 9786 Lance Combrinck and Charley, 5607 Harry Davies and guest Barbara Mercer, 4041 Allen Day, 7084 rank and Margaret Dearden, 8307 'Flash' Firth with Jeanette and guest Linda Farrell from Zim, (6314) Val Marsden, 5642 Michael Parr, 7192 Steve Robins, 4933 Rod Wilson and 7207 Arnold & Paula Wooley. Apologies were received from Mike and Jan Leach and Dot Stanford Smith. The Hodsons were also AWOL and will be dealt with at a later date!
15 July 2007 there was a Braai at The Myerscough. It was a little wet and it a little cold but not enough to spoil things. Mine Host at The Myerscough had built a permanent Gazebo type room outside, with a roof and a heater but with only railings for walls and with picnic type benches and tables inside. All this was done for smokers to legally smoke and have a drink, but in our case, a Braai. Not everybody signed in, but those who were: - 9786 Lance Combrinck with young Charley girl and guest, 4041 Allen Day, 8307 'Flash 'Firth and guest, (6314) Val Marsden and whole family, 7192 Steve Robins, 4549 Ken & Dot Stanford-Smith, 4933 Rod Wilson and 7207 Arnold Woolley. Apologies from Harry Davies, Jeanette Meakin, Barbara Mercer and Paula Woolley.
 

THE RUTLAND BRAAI - SATURDAY 30 JUNE 2007
The Rutland Braai, successor to the now defunct Broadway Braai, took place as planned at The Whitwell Hotel and Conference Centre situated at Rutland Water. The hotel is situated in beautiful countryside and lived up to its assurance that it was renowned for tailoring events to meet the exact needs of its clients, and that this years BSAP Braai would be a remarkable day. Over 100 bods (and bod-esses) attended this function, but there is no nominal roll showing just who did attend.

Congratulations and thanks must go to Jim Hazlett, Bertie Cubitt, Alan Toms, Barry Henson and Peter Phillips for organising this function. All who attended the braai were so impressed that the Committee decided to book this venue for next year, for the week-end of 25/26 July 2008.

Mailbag
 

Andrew Field is seeking assistance from ex members, particularly ex Special Branch members, as follows: -
'Andrew Field is attempting to put together an authoritative history of the Rhodesian Special Branch, in which there has been much interest by historians. He is looking for former members of the Branch who may be able to contribute to this with anecdotal recollections or documentary support, no matter how small. This project has been a year in the making and many former SB members have made substantial contributions already. Not unexpectedly, there has been some resistance to this, ranging from the strangely (perhaps laughable) paranoid to simple disinterest. Andrew's present location, Zimbabwe, hasn't helped either. The position is this - the official history of the force was sadly lacking in presenting the Special Branch fully as an autonomous branch of the force and what has been written about the Special Branch, unofficially, has concentrated much on the war effort. Military history is critical of the SB role in the war and the branch is not represented fairly by those who seem to have failed to use the intelligence that was available. There was a lot more to the Branch and the history of intelligence in Rhodesia than that which has been written. After 30 years, there should be little cause for concern about any regime being out to get anyone, or of compromising anyone. There is no threat to any regime here, Andrew is in the thick of it and should know, besides which, most officers of the Branch pursued their activities lawfully, as gentlemen and dedicated police officers. The general modus operandi is to 'interrogate' a list of former SB officers with a series of questions on specific topics concerning the Branch and encourage their commitment to paper of their recollections - generally by e-mail / fax / or letter. Former members are also being encouraged to dig into their personal archives to find classified documents acquired during service and get these scanned into PDF documents for e-mail transmission to Andrew. This appeal has been made to broaden the source base of information. Andrew would be happy to provide a basic outline of his project initiative and he may be contacted at  , or PO Box HG.935 Highlands, or on the phone/fax +263-4-755593 during normal working hours or a phone/fax +263-4-882897.'
Will those members who feel that they are able to assist in this worthwhile project please contact Andrew direct, either by E-mail or by phone/fax.
 

I received an E-Mail from 6068 Gordon Geddes, now living in Bulawayo, regarding the Nuanetsi Leopard incident reported in issue No. 89 of News From Central. He states: -
'Having served at Nuanetsi in the early 60's, (5526) Phil Devlin's report on the leopard encounter caught my attention. I have retained contact with (5523) Bob Jenkins for many years and when I last saw him in Bristol in 2003, he recalled the occasion and asked me to find the report in the Outpost. Needless to say the editorial staff did not shown much enthusiasm to find it.
A couple of weeks after leaving Bob, I had caught the plane back to Johannesburg and then motored to Durban to join the rest of my family. The diesel engine of my car developed a fuel problem and I took it into a Nissan agent in Durban. A white mechanic of about 50 yrs stripped out the filter and said it was clogged with 'dirty Zimbabwe fuel'. Whilst we were waiting for a replacement filter, we got talking where we were from and he said he was brought up in the Lowveld. We narrowed it down to Nuanetsi and then I mentioned my visit to Bob Jenkins and the leopard episode, he replied 'My Dad was the AHI who eventually shot the leopard'.
Much as I try to avoid cliches, the oft-used term 'Small World' seems appropriate here.

Roll of Honour

 

Obituary 4630 Lennard Barrett 'Barry' Ball.
4046 Ted Galloway was Member in Charge Miami, and Barry Ball was his senior troop. Ted sent the following obituary by E-Mail upon learning of Barry's passing: -
 

Obituaries, sad reading as they are, make good prompters for the memory box. In my case, I have to go back to the mid 50s, to find myself Member i/c at Miami, a station destined to be taken over by Karoi. In those days, it was a very large district to police, with a sprinkling of tobacco farmers on the higher levels, TTLs spread along the top of the Zambezi Escarpment, and a few die hard kraals at lower levels where the tsetse fly controlled life. The Zambezi river frontage stretched from what is now the Kariba Gorge down to the neighbouring police area (Sipolilo) , and was heavily populated by game of virtually every type known, with limited legal hunting areas. Policing of this vast area was the responsibility of 4 E/P and a dozen or more A/P. Barry was senior trooper at the time I recall, and one weekend, he sought permission, being off duty, to go camping down in the Zambezi Valley. He had his own motor cycle, upon which he would take along his blankets, personal needs for existence, and his servant. I clearly recall him asking permission to take his .303 rifle, on the assurance that it was for protection purposes, only, as this was a non-hunting area, and he certainly had no hunting rights anyway! Off he went. I think it was Sunday, when I was called off the tennis court (in those days district policemen didn't have political meetings interfering with their weekend leisure's), for a phone call from the Chirundu police (border station). It was Barry to say, ' I've shot an elephant'. I wonder what reactions other Members in Charge could have to a report of that nature. My thoughts obviously went from - 'there goes my tennis' to 'wonder how many weeks I shall be on the typewriter explaining this off to the O.C. ' I digress. Barry was OK. Sounded very self-assured. It seems that he had set up his camp amongst some baobabs. Inn the evening light, when a cow from a passing herd of elephants, must have picked up his scent, and made her way to his site. There she knocked over, and butted his m/cycle, with his servant, already up a tree, shouting warnings. Barry grabbed/loaded his rifle, and, by now being the target of the intruder, fired at the approaching animal. With some presence of mind, aiming the first shot into a front knee which brought the animal to a halt, before he fired off two or three more, putting an end to its life - as it fell on to his blanket roll. He was later able to make his way back to Miami camp - with the dented petrol tank of his Matchless bearing witness to the event. Prior to his ultimate transfer from Miami, Barry did carry out one of the obligatory annual foot patrols of the Zambezi Valley, bagging a buffalo, I later learned. Perhaps I should have foreseen that Barry was soon to transfer into the Wild Life and National Parks Dept. from where he ultimately took retirement holding the rank of Senior Game Warden.
 

Footnote I recall, whilst at Miami, a visit by a South African (a Mr Van Rooyen), arriving at the Charge Office, asking if we had a record of his brother's grave, down in the Valley. His brother had apparently been an associate of the famous SELOUS, whose hunting exploits covered a deal of the country before the arrival of Rhodes and the early settlers, and had, as far as he knew, been killed by a lion. Station records were, sadly, of no help. Makes you think. At least Barry wasn't armed with a muzzle loader, though shooting elephant with a .303 is not to be recommended!
 

Obituary 3435 Roger Atherstone 'Jocl' Hilton-Barber
 

Although I had met Jock Hilton-Barber, I knew nothing about him until after his death. He was born in South Africa. He joined the BSAP at the age of 21 in January 1935, and served as a trooper in the Melsetter area till 1938 when he lest proceeded to the UK to join the RAF as a pilot. He saw active service as a fighter pilot in Malta where he flew one of the famous Gladiators (Faith, Hope and Charity) and Hurricanes in defence of the island against the combined airforces of both Italy and Germany. He later moved into photographic reconnaissance and saw service in Italy, and later over Western Europe and Germany, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. During one of his photographic missions over Germany, whilst flying a Mosquito, he was attacked by two ME262 jet fighters. Jock says, 'He jettisoned his long distance fuel tanks and selected emergency power by pushing the throttles 'through the gate' and accelerated to over 300 knots, but we could not outrun the ME262s. By taking evasive action, we managed to avoid being hit by the enemy fire. Eventually, the ME262s broke off the attack, possibly because they had run out of either ammunition or fuel, or both. Before the ME262 left us however, an extraordinary thing happened-the leader swept past us in the same vertical bank as ourselves, and I had a clear view of the pilot, not more than 30 feet away, raising his hand in salute. It was with great relief that we watched them disappear to the east.' Jock later transferred to the RRAF and served as Station Commander at both Thornhill and New Sarum. He retired in 1964 with the rank of Group Captain.

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