I am certain that the non-resident readers of this Newsletter will be interested in recent happenings within the country. The following is a précis of an article written by Eddie Cross that appeared in Rhodesian’s Worldwide in which he dealt with the power sharing agreement and the developments, or lack of them, thereafter.

“It was on the 15th September 2008 that the “Power Sharing” agreement was signed by the MDC, ZANU PF and MDC Mutambara. However problems arose almost before the ink was dry. Almost two months have elapsed since the signing of the agreement, and still there is no agreement on the allocation of Ministries.

The MDC position is that they want a fair allocation of the more senior Ministerial posts and all other senior political appointments (such as Governors). ZANU PF would not compromise, insisting that ALL the senior Ministries should to ZANU PF. The MDC then requested SADC intervention, but ZANU PF would not agree to this.

Eventually Mr. Mugabe went ahead and published in the Government Gazette a full list of the Ministries and to which Party they had been allocated. This was a step too far, and there was an immediate outcry with MDC stating that they would never accept such an arrangement and accusing ZANU PF of acting unilaterally and outside the letter and the spirit of the September agreement. This was enough to bring in the South Africans.

Mbeki announced that he would fly to Harare to mediate between the parties. He sat down with the negotiating teams to listen to the problems, and later met with the Presidents of the three factions, but Mr. Mugabe stonewalled all attempts to come to an agreement.

The following day the MDC tabled written proposals for consideration. These led to counter proposals, but still the parties could not agree. Eventually, the MDC asked that the matter be referred to SADC and Mbeki agreed to this. An emergency meeting was arranged, to be held in Swaziland, but Mr. Tsvangirayi could not attend this meeting because the Government would not provide him with a passport. Subsequent meetings have also failed to reach any agreement on the allocation of cabinet posts.

But why is this issue so important and difficult to resolve? It's because what is at stake is the transfer of power in Zimbabwe from a military/civilian Junta that has held power for at least a decade, and has made all key decisions in the past 5 years, to a Council of Ministers and Cabinet drawn from a newly elected House of Assembly controlled by the MDC. It entails a return to democratic governance after 28 years of creeping autocracy and corruption.

It is to be hoped that the issue can finally be resolved at the forthcoming SADC meeting to be held in South Africa.

Zimbabwe News

Life in Zimbabwe continues to be very difficult for the “povo”, the ordinary people of this country, and in particular those living in the tribal areas. The move to US dollars is fine for those persons who have access to the American currency, but is of absolutely no help to those who do not. There are massive problems because of the tight control of the money supply imposed by the Reserve Bank. People can currently withdraw only Z$50 million dollars per day, and for people to withdraw this meagre amount from their accounts, they have to join long queues. It costs many workers Z$50 million to travel to and from work! A loaf of bread today in the Spay Supermarkets costs Z$150 million. Mealie Meal is in very short supply and is very expensive (Around US$1.00 per kg). The tribes people in the TTLs do not have access to US dollars and are currently living off what they can find in the bush. Until the political impasse has been resolved, this situation cannot improve. There are no figures available relating to the death of people due to the lack of food, but people are dying, with young children at the forefront.

Mashonaland.

The Annual General Meetings of the Mashonaland Branch, followed by that of the Central Committee, were held at the Mount Pleasant Sports Club commencing at 12 noon. Bearing in mind the present situation within Zimbabwe, and problems members face with regard to the procurement of petrol, the attendance was good. The following members attended: - 5111 Jack Bacon, 5281 Peter Bellingham, 6354 Peter Birkett, 7760 Rod Bowen, 4795 Bob Burrell, 900511F P Chisholm, 5084 John Clements, 203222N Alice Cowley, 4728 Bill Ellway, WP.12 (WW2) Dorothy Espach (nee Wesson), 8263 Athol Estment (Malawi), 5917 Rod & Laurel Finnigan, 7458 Mike Fox, 6262 Nigel Gabriel, 3960 Jack Hammond, 5067 Dennis Hardy, 5118 Ian Hayes, (4234) Pat Hobley, 8374 Peter Jelliman, 111038 Cliff Johnson, 8235 Martin Kay, A9403 Gerry Kolpien, 5652 Bill & Merle Linfield, 10115 Dave Mackintosh, WFR Pearl MacLachlan, 4371 John March, 3976 Taff Morgan, 6047 Dudley Naude, 9406 Red O’Connell, (4086) Olive Orborne, (5387) Jane Phillips, 8477 Peter Quick, 8021 Mike & Gayle Rowley, 6789D Geoff & Roma Sandford, 9494 Malcolm Smith, Guest Graham Swart, 5673 Ralph Williams, (7644) Anne Wilson & WP.134 Denise Woodiwiss.

Apologies were received from: -
5608 Dave de Burgh-Thomas, 8646 Andrew Field, 6927 Chris Lee, 6319 Chris Looker, 4394 Dave Martin, 24083B Dusty Miller, P/P Pilot Ronnie Pascoe, 5162 Mike Robinson, 6007 Bob Schonken & 6029 Jamie Tennant.

The Mashonaland Committee volunteered to serve on for the year 2008/2009, and comprises Red O’Connel – Chairman, Martin Kay, Peter Quick, Dave Mackintosh, Malcolm Smith, Cliff Johnson & Denise Woodiwiss. This was approved unanimously by the meeting.

The Central Advisory Committee Annual General Meeting followed the Mashonaland Meeting after a short break to recharge glasses. The President Bill Ellway, the Secretary Peter Bellingham, and the Matabeleland representative Rod Finnigan volunteered to serve for another year, and this was approved unanimously by the meeting. There was a vacancy due to the Manicaland/Masvingo representative, Mike Rowley, moving to the UK. Jack Bacon was nominated to take over from Mike Rowley. There were no other nominations, and Jack’s appointment was approved by the meeting. The President formally thanked Mike Rowley for his long service as a member of the Central Committee. He also thanked the Chairman and Committee of the Mount Pleasant Sports Club for the use of their facilities.

After the two Annual General Meetings, the assembled members enjoyed each others company at a very successful braaivleis.

Regrettably, because of the continuing hyper-inflationary situation within the country and the political uncertainty caused by the failure of the political parties to implement the September agreement to form a government of national unity, there will be no Annual Luncheon this year.

Matabeleland Branch.

The Annual Reunion Lunch was held at the Women’s Institute Hall, Hillside, Bulawayo, on the 1st November 2008. The Chairman, Tony Turner, welcomed all members and guests. He informed the gathering that 3893 John Robertson, who was present, had turned 90 in August. The Guest Speaker was David Johnstone-Butcher who spoke of his experiences as a Magistrate. .Ex Magistrate 6068 Gordon.Geddes thanked the Speaker for his interesting talk. Those attending were: - 8510David And Sandy Adams; (4511) Joan Bradfield; Guest Alan and Eria Bradnick; (3497) Beryl Castle-Ward; 11040 Jeff and Dawn Davidson; 27346Y Father H.F.Day; 4993 John and Val Fielder; 6068 Gordon Geddes; 901227 John Glossop &Mrs D.MacKenzie; 5117 Dick Hall & Sheila Chisnall; 6451 Don and Kay Hatton; 386444 Kit and Margaret Hawkin; 6530 Robert Hopkins; 9499 Karl and Denise Hurry; Guest Speaker David & Mrs Johnstone-Butcher; 7435 Taffy Jones; 8766 Gordon & Sandy Kent; Guest Barry & Mrs Knight; 5962 Paul Kruger; 8496J John and Margaret Learmonth; 5247 Ken & Glenys Macdonald; WP.484 Carol & Graham Mackenzie; 9660/901412 Hugh Montgomery; 110711 Gus Oosthuizen; 5798 John Osborne; 13034 Allan Pearson; 3893 John Robertson; Associate Peter Rollason; 6540 Hugh Squair; 17859J Ian Terry & Pat Parker; 961231 Tony Turner and Associate Piet & Joy van Rensburg. Apologies were received from- Dave Anderson; 4750 Ken Berry, Nigel Fawcett; Ray Herran; Hugh James; Derek Marshall; Dave Meggitt; John Minshull and George Parkin.

Thanks to most generous donations of both cash and kind from both members and friends, there was no charge for the meal.

Under the present trying circumstances, it was wonderful to see such a fantastic turnout with everyone thoroughly enjoying the day and the special time together. Hugh Squair, the caterer, received a special vote of thanks. A donated bottle of whisky was auctioned by John Osborne, and this raised US$50.00 towards expenses.

Regional News

Natal Branch.

Annual Dinner: The Natal Branch Annual Dinner was held at the Shamwari Club on Saturday 23 August 2008 in a most convivial atmosphere as, not only were the usual suspects present but fifty-seven ex-Dog Section members, who were holding a re-union in Durban, also attended. Some of those ex-members present had not seen each other for 30 years or more.

The Guest Speaker this year was none other than the well-known John Haswell alias ‘Ticki Ndlovu', who had been coerced into a role reversal situation. John, for years has been the person to reply and now he was required to be the main speaker. His address was as hilarious as usual. The Guest Speaker response role was ably filled by “Smudge Smith” who, much to the delight of those present; believe it or not, managed to keep his speech short! Pete Gibson said a few (well, rather more than a few) words about the history of the Dog Section.

In his address, Chairman Nobby Clark mentioned the possibility of making the Dinner a lunchtime event in future, as many members were increasingly reluctant to travel at night.

Those attending were: 7249 Pete Allanby; WP96 Val Austin; 6422 Lionel & Rose Baker; 8426 Miles Barnfield; Guest Ted & Phil Beck; 8242 Alan & Flick Bennett; 7675 Bob & Wendy Bishops; 6081 Brian Blithenthall; 9275 Rich & Marion Boulton; 8308 Rob & Dee Bristow; 6283 Nobby & Natascha Clark; 9021 Ian & Anne Clarke; 6650 Peter Combes; 7725 Declan Condon; 5826 Nigel Cuerden; 8674 Charlie & Joy Davis; 5470 Buddy & Avril Deetlefs; 9992 Chris & Mags Diggs; Guests Gordon & Debbie Donaldson; 7706 Chris & Elspeth Driver; 6268 Leon & Kristen duToit; 5293 Trevor & Beryl Dutton; 7543 Pete & Elsa Gatland; 5156 Peter Gibson & Cathy Munford; 4749 John & Laurette Hardie; 6187 John & Yvonne Haswell; 6413 Tony Hawken; 5428 Ian & Penny Hogg; 6696 John & Rosealee Holmes; 7229 Des & Trish Howse; 7229 Des & Trish Howse; 7026 “Stretch” Hughes; 7106 Trevor & Cheryl Hughes; 7482 Tony & Barbara Hywood; 5087 Robin Johnson; 9131 Ken & Barbara Joubert; Guests Martin & Sandy Kennedy; 6535 Rob & Alma Kenny; 6520 Barrie Lane; 6371 Roger Lee & Janice le Crera; 7463 Mike Loftus; Guest Garth & Caryn Loudon; 6872 Dave Lynn; 5480 “Scotty” Macaulay; 6578 Ken & Monica MacKay; 5934 Fred & Lindsay Mason; 6019 “Sakkie” McKay; 8691 George & Betty Mclennan; (6047) Judith Naude (Wife Dudley Naude); 6097 Ted & Sue Painting; 6245 John Pfaff; 7752 Ben & Joan Pretorius; 7930 Andy & Martha Scholtz; 4254 Smudge & Shirley Smith; 5842 Derek Starr; 5940 Vic & Rina Sutherland; 8594 Hugh & Denise Temple; 6467 Garth & Hilary von Horsten; 8446 Derek & Louise Walters; 4947 Roy Welch; 6484 Mike & Hazel Williams; 5661 Trevor & Lorna Wilson; 5268 Malcolm & Daphne Wiltshire; 5802 Ken & Yvonne Wood & 8068 Denis & Marion Wyatt.

Natal Midlands.

A lunch was held at Amberglen on Wednesday 24 September, (which was a public holiday). A total of thirty five members attended and from all accounts had a good time. Amongst those attending were: 8426 Miles Barnfield; Bill & Geraldine Carter; Sheila Chadwick; Betty Chance; 5473 John & Sandra Clack (plus Mother-in-Law); 3708 Bill & Kay Crabtree; 8507Mike & Cheryl Crabtree; 5826 Nigel Cuerden; Tickey & Penny Dalton; Ross Gower; Brian & Barbara Jarvis; Jenny MacDonald; 4380 Pat & Rosemary McCulloch; 4521Phil & Eve Mingard, Les & Pam Munger; 4564 Peter & Jean Reynolds; Steve & Marion Stevens; 4898 Chris & Hilary Thorne; Sid & Phyllis Tower & Bill & Isobel Treacy.

The Midlands Branch Annual Dinner will take place on Friday 7th of November 2008 at the Hilton Hotel 18:00 for 19:00. Bookings are already coming in -we hope to fill the room which only holds seventy! Don't be disappointed if you are late in making your reservation. To make your reservation, contact Alan Bennett on 033-3441122.

Fast on the heels of the dinner is the Annual General Meeting, which is scheduled for Saturday 22nd of November 2008, commencing at 11:30am.

Support Unit - Black Boot Gathering: Preparation and planning is well advanced for the Black Boot 151 “get-together” that is scheduled for the weekend of the 14-16 November 2008 at Midmar Dam outside Howick. Registrations have been coming in thick and fast, and at the last count over 80 have registered for this function. It is going to be a fun weekend starting on the Friday evening with an informal gathering round a braai. The Saturday evening function will be a little more formal but still a somewhat casual with limited speeches, plenty of beer, music, and for those who are able, a dance floor! If there are any members out there who have not yet registered, it is still not too late.

Transvaal Branch.

A Curry & Rice Lunch was held at the Dickie Fritz Shellhole at Edenvale on the 29th June 2008. The event was self-catered, and attracted 129 people. Comments during and after the event were that this was the best event ever. Those who signed the register’ midst the great food hubbub and companionship, were: 110758 Peter Allan, Liz Ballington, 900202 Malcolm Barnfield, 5806 Steve Barry, Graham Bates, 110756 Chris Birtle, Nyasaland Police Mike Bowery, 16379 Eric & Mrs Bowes, Army Bill & Pat Bragge, (4303) Christine Bremner, Kevin Cartwright, 6866 Robin Clarke, 7038 Ashley Collings, 6650 Peter Combes, 6848 John & Mrs Condon, 8318 Dave Cushworth (USA), 6534 Ian & Dee Cuthbertson, 9574 Ian Denholm, 5526 Phil & Robin Devlin, SAS Carol Doughty, 5780 Mark & Lyn Doyle, WP58 Gwen Drummond, 6268 Leon & Merle du Toit, 5619 Barry Enslin, M. Eorwine, 7885 Harry Esterhuizen, 9528 Francesco. Falcone, 8003 Greg Ferguson, 6000 Peter Finch, 6145 Alex Fraser, 5930 Roy & Pauline Gardener, 6769 Dick Glanville, (5703) Judy Hankinson, Trevor & John Harvey, 0410 (Army) Pat Hill, 6017 John Hill, Kerry Holmes, 6345 Dave Holmes, 24154D Vic Houska, 6059 Laurie Ibbitt, Rob Jones, 6144 Dick Judson, 1960 Michelle Knight, 6904 Ian & Shirley Lawrence, 110980 N Lloyd, 6255 Jack London, Andy Louden, 6538 Glenn Macaskill, 7088 JP. & Mrs Martin, 6537 Pierre & Gail Maurel, Mike Mayers, 8741A Dave McClellan (P/R), 5927 Max McDonald, W346 Maureen Merrifield, 22979 M. Miskulin & Ruth Reed, 5137 Don Norris, 4763(2RR) Richard Owen, 6610 Jock Pirrett, Allan Poultney, 7179 Len Powell-Rees, Karin Prentice, 9716 Graham Reeves, Associate Lorraine Rutherford, 6382 Terry & Denise Schwartz, 5695 Dave Sloman, 110891 Garry Smit, 10114 Martin Squier, 7819 Rob Stewart, 4831 Peter & Fran Stiff, Patu/Praw Don Stotter, 7670 John & Verona Sutton, 5405 Brian & Myra Thomas, 6714 Tiff Thomson, (6823) Janet Thornberry, 5577 John Thorne, 8007 John Tuey, Johan & Myra van Eyssen, W375 Sharon Vos (Wylie), 9790 Duncan & Carol Waugh, and Morag Willis.

It is good to see that the monthly gatherings at the Transvaal Scottish (The Jocks) are still well supported. Anyone visiting Johannesburg should note that this takes place every second Friday of the month from 5.30pm onwards. All members of the Association, and any ex member of the Force, will be made most welcome. Wives, partners and guests are also very welcome.

Western Cape Branch.

The Annual Dinner was held on Saturday 20th September, 2008, at the PGA’s Restaurant at Mowbray Golf Club. A big turn out of 75 members and guests enjoyed the evening. Our guest speaker was Terry Crawford-Brown who revealed some interesting and quite startling facts and figures regarding ‘The Arms Deal’, and the corruption that went with it. Dave Blacker kept us entertained with his humour, and the meal as usual was excellent. For those who weren’t there, you missed a good evening. (Unfortunately, there was no nominal roll of those who attended this function, but with a turnout of 75 members and guests, this important event was very well supported. Ed)

The following report on the origins of our Regimental Quick March appeared in the Western Cape Outpost, and is reproduced here for it will be of interest to all members, including those who do not know all the words: “The tune Kum-a-Kye is based on an old American folk song, ‘The Chisholm Trail’. This trail was used between 1860 and 1880 to move cattle from San Antonio in Texas to Abilene in Kansas where they were loaded on to rail wagons to continue the journey to the east coast. The cowboys would sit around the campfires in the evening adding ditties to the verses as they made them up. It is believed two of these cowboys later joined the BSA Company Police and accompanied the column into Rhodesia. The tune was sung around campfires and local words and verses added over the years. In 1939 the Bandmaster, then Sergeant Max Sparks, arranged the tune so that the band could play it. The band committee, consisting of the Depot Commandant and two other officers from PGHQ, would meet from time to time and have the bandmaster wait outside until they called him in if they wanted to discuss an item with him. Questions arose over copyright of the tune. Letters were sent to London to see if the tune breached any copyright in existence. A record (old 78) was made and sent to London. The record broke en route and another had to be dispatched. German torpedoes sank the ship carrying the second one and so no record ever got to London and the music was never published. The band played the march from handwritten parts that were photocopied over the years, until 1980 when it became politically incorrect to do so.
S.J Barry BSA Police Band”.

International News

Australia.

There have been several visitors to our shores. In particular, 5247 Ken Macdonald and his wife from Bulawayo were staying with their son in Perth. It was nice to see Ken at our AGM where he was able to give updates on life in Bulawayo. He was also feted by 7236 John Henderson and 6922 Earl Cameron, both of whom were stationed with Ken at Victoria Falls.

5316 Kerry Hoadley caught up with 5425 Roy and Alma McTaggart who were visiting Western Australia from New Zealand. They have recently moved from Whakatane to Christchurch.

The late 4774 Butch Fletcher and his wife Joan from Cape Town were visiting family in Perth. Butch attended a Branch Committee meeting where he caught up with members that he had not seen for years, including his old squad mate 4780 Sam Williams.

P/R Air Wing Observer Richard Seward – cousin of our Secretary John – son of the late Col H.G. Seward (Whose memoirs appeared in our Outpost) and his wife Dorrie were visiting their daughter and her family in Bunbury. They attended the Christmas get together at Kings Park. They have now returned to Harare where they live.

7661 Rod Shelley was visiting family in Perth from the UK and has been in touch with our members 7682 Ian Calderwood and 7694 Steve Martin.

New Zealand

The Annual General Meeting of the New Zealand Branch was held at the Silverdale RSA on Saturday, the 26th May 2008, and was well attended. 8089 Tony Connolly, who with his family has recently settled in Christchurch, was welcomed to the Branch. To important presentations were made at the meeting. The Chairman, 3693 Bill Schollum, was awarded Honorary Life Membership for his services to the Association. He was a founder member of the New Zealand Branch, and has remained as Chairman since its inception. Another presentation was made to Brian Davies, who retired as Assistant Commissioner of the NZP, and was made an Honorary Member of the Branch. He had been the Headquarters Planning Officer during the Springbok Tour of 1981, and was the Operation Commander of the Erobus Disaster of 1979.

An excellent Luncheon was served after the meeting. There was a great choice of menu, and the Silverdale RSA provided a meal of excellent value.

This amusing anecdote appeared in the 2007/2008 Kiwi Outpost: - “Two British traffic patrol officers from North Berwick were involved in an unusual incident while checking for speeding motorists on the A1 Great North Road. One of the officers was using a hand-held radar device to check the speed of a vehicle approaching over the crest of a hill, and was surprised to note that the speed was recorded at over 300 mph. Then the radar suddenly stopped working, and the officers were unable to reset it.

Just then, a deafening roar over the treetops revealed that the radar had, in fact, latched onto an RAF Tornado jet fighter that was engaged on a low flying exercise over the Border district, and was approaching from the North Sea.

Back at police headquarters, the Chief Constable fired off a stiff complaint about the wrecked radar equipment to the RAF Liaison Officer. Back came the reply in true laconic RAF style.

‘Thank you for your message, which allows us to complete the file on the incident. You may be interested to know that the tactical computer in the Tornado had detected the presence of your hostile radar equipment, locked onto it, and automatically sent a jamming signal back to it. Furthermore, an air-to-ground missile aboard the fully-armed aircraft had also automatically locked onto your equipment. Fortunately the pilot flying the Tornado recognised the situation for what it was and quickly responded to the missile’s alert status. He was able to override the automated defence system before the missile was launched, and your hostile radar installation completely destroyed. Have a good day.’

United Kingdom.

It is pleasing to see that the London Monthly Gatherings at the Victory Services Club are still well supported, and that visitors to London make a point of attending to meet up with old friends and colleagues. The Club is situated in Seymour Street, off the Edgware Road, and around the corner from Marble Arch. They are held on the first Tuesday of every month, from 5.30pm until late!

The Annual General Meeting of the UK Branch took place at the VSC on the 10th May 2008. The Chairman, Peter Phillips, welcomed all those who had made the effort to attend and read out greetings and good wishes from Her Majesty the Queen, Central Branch, the Australian Branch and Dick Ray. The meeting was attended by 6479 Ted Ayers-Hunt, 4278 John Balchin, 7211 Peter Biddulph, 6183 Mick Blamey, 2431 Rose Bowen, 7225 Keith Brown, 7350 Bertie Cubitt, 8457 Mike Cundy, 4882 Peter Dancer, 7677 Peter Dewe, 9086 Tony Grainger, 7900 Gordon Greenwood, 5469 Dave Grimbly, 6605 Cy Hartley, 6630 Jim Hazlett, 5662 Barry Henson, 6308 Dan Hughes, 6514 Chris Johnnson, 6609 Hywel Parry-Jones, 7941 Randal Kennerley, 7603 Bleign Knox-Davies, 5479 Mike Leach, 4955 Bob Morrison, 6527 Mike O’Donnell, 6632 Gerry Paxton, 4770 Hugh Phillips, 6905 Peter Phillips, 6348 Dennis Poole, 4853 Fred Punter, 6681 Geoff Quick, 19566 Skip Rausch 5635 Dave Riley, 4735 Cliff Rogers, 6130 Randy Symmons, 5507 Brian Taylor, 7391 Alan Toms, 8739 Lin Venters, 9962 Ian Venters, 5625 Biff Way & 4158 Tim Weimer.

Apologies were received from: - 5975 Mike Abbotts, 9015 Dave Burford, 9591 Les Burrows, 5936 Roger Capper, 6388 Will Cornell, 8289 John Dineen, 5947 Martin Edwards, 6629 George Glibbery, Assoc Iain Henson, 204715 Jean Henson, Assoc Sandi Henson, 5659 Henry Hopkins, 4503 Derek Humberstone, 5956 Dave Kennedy, 5248 Alan Lane, 4393 Allen Lucas, 5196 Graham Mageean, [4180] Jeanne May, 5725 Phil Mead, 6792 Dave Milne, 7023 Mike Moss, 4996 John Neale, 6123 Brian Pym, 5075 Dick Ray, 6432 Chris Roberts, 5391 Richard Smallshaw, 6063 Alan Stock, 5920 Mike Wills, 4857 Mike Wiltshire & 204556 Caroline Witts.

The only changes to the Committee were that 6479 Ted Ayers-Hunt joined the committee as Almoner. 6609 Hywel Parry-Jones felt he needed to stand down as Almoner, but will m continue as one of the Trustees.

As was previously reported in the UK Outpost No. 67, 7368 Mike Rayne rescued a young woman from the River Avon at Evesham in July last year during a flash flood. The Royal Humane Society has awarded him their ‘Testimonial on Parchment’ in recognition of his bravery by putting himself in danger in order to save her. We again extend our congratulations to Mike. (I too would also like to offer my congratulations to Mike. We were stationed together in Marandellas in 1979/80, and in that time, I got to know Mike and his family very well. Congratulations on your bravery award Mike. Your actions deserved recognition, and I am very pleased that you received this recognition. Ed)

The Chudleigh Gathering.

Some forty ex-members and their partners converged on Chudleigh on Cup Final Day last May for the fourth gathering of West Country members of the Association. Some had travelled long distances to be there. [4766] Pat Shaw, widow of Terry had journeyed from Walton on the Naze in Essex! Amongst those present were: - 5468 Dave Adshead; 9661 Colin & Louise Anderson; 9196 Gordon & Jane Bing; 8355 Chris & Shirley Butler; PR 4777 Howard Garbett; 5085 Jim & Molly Gilbert; 3967 ‘Johnny’ Johnston; 5956 Dave & Anne Kennedy; 5349 Peter & Ann Lane; 8693 David Lemon; 9486 Dave Luscombe; 5566 David & Joan MacDonald; 6580 Jim & Joyce O’Toole; 202956 WFR Hilda Olivier; 9640 Dave Penman; 4709 Ron & Celia Peters; 4770 Hugh & Dawn Phillips; PR 3356 Wally Pratt; 9281 Steven Teasdale; 4484 Buchan Telfer; 9129 Tony Trethowan; PR 8739 Lin Venters; 21962W David & Lesley Vickery; WFR Gill Watson & 4857 Mike & Celia Wiltshire. Apologies were received from: - 5975 Mike Abbotts; 6479 Ted Ayers-Hunt; 9226 Dave Cardy; 3948 Eric Collier; George Fardell; 5965 Peter & Ann Fitzgerald; 7298 Julian Hincks; 9337 Geoff & Ursula Hurst; 10462? Chris Jones & 6681 Geoff & Fiona Quick.

3967 Johnny Johnston, now a spry and incredibly alert 84 year old, talked of 4487 Roy Coop, 3746‘Butch’ Buckley, 3960 Jack Hammond and the police soccer triumphs of the post war years. During the lunch break ‘Johnny’ presented 5956 Dave Kennedy with a copy of ‘Blue and Old Gold’ that had been signed by all those present, and had come from Johnny’s archives. It was a simple but precious gesture for the man who, with the able support of Anne, had arranged these reunions in Devon for a number of years.

Hugh Phillips later commented that this reunion was, one could say, the meat and drink of memories. This was what reunions are all about - the past - its’ glories and failures, follies and successes – and the people who made those memories. Where they are now? What remarkable folk they were!

The Irish Gathering.

Hugh & Dawn Phillips attended the Irish Gathering at Clonmel on the 6th September last and they spent a very pleasant day with the Irish members of the Association. The gathering, organised by John Berry, was held at the farm of Sandy Stokes, which is situated atop a hill, with wonderful views of the various mountain ranges of southern Ireland providing a distant backdrop. Amongst those attending, nearly all with their wives, were 5584 John Berry; W Bryant; 5936 Roger Capper; 7725 Declan Condon; 5272 Pat Deasy; 8196 Tom Devoy; 6264 Robert Flynn; 5681 Robin Harvey; F/R Chris Kavanagh; G Mageean; Len Murphy; 8649? Michael Murphy; 5508 Gordon Norris; 7348 Peter O’Hara; 6580 Jim O’Toole; 4853 Fred Punter; 5098 Dave Riley; J Scott; Randy Simmons; 5586 Sandy Stokes; 7851 Brian Walthew & M Wood.

The organization was excellent, and those attending were treated to a huge three course meal. The gathering was a great success, and was enjoyed by one and all.

Roll of Honour

Obituary

3754 Desmond Hayward Hill attested into the BSA Police on the 2nd June 1938 and left, at his own request, on the 19th January 1947. He served for the duration of the Second World War. He became the Rhodesian welterweight boxing champion whilst he served in the BSAP.

After leaving the force, he worked his passage to Canada and commenced his studies of veterinary medicine at Ontario Veterinary College in the University of Guelph, near Toronto. He graduated from there with first class honours. After his graduation, he was recruited by the British tin 1950 to work at the University of Nigeria in Ibadan as a lecturer.

In 1963, he established the first school of veterinary medicine in Nigeria at the Ibadan University. He was appointed as Professor of veterinary medicine, then to Head of Veterinary Medicine and finally to the position of Dean of the faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 1975.

When he retired from the University of Ibadan in 1978, he took up the post of Director of Animal Husbandry at the International Livestock Centre for Africa (Now the International Livestock Research Institute) at its Nigeria office. In 1979, he moved to its Head Office in Addis Ababa, and worked there until 1979 when he retired.

Upon his retirement, he returned to his native Yorkshire, and wrote a book on cattle and buffalo meat production in the tropics. He was appointed OBE in 1972 and CBE in 1978. He died on the 21st April 2008 after a long and distinguished career. His wife Heather, their two sons and a daughter, survives him.

Obituary.

3844 Sydney Frederick Samuel Bristow was educated at Maritzburg College. He was a keen sportsman. He played Tennis and cricket. He captained the 1st Rugby XV.and played rugby for Natal Schools. He was the Head Prefect, and was an Officer Cadet. He attested into the BSA Police on the 6th August 1939. On the 3rd September 1939, World War II was declared and so he was deployed to “the wilds” of Eastlea to guard the petrol installations there. In 1940, he was posted to Diredawe in Abyssinia (Now Ethiopia) to help police that country during the war, and was given the Rank if Lieutenant. In 1946, he returned to police duties in Salisbury with the rank of Sergeant. Shortly after his return, he transferred to the CID. In 1951, he took over the Mashonaland Gold section. In 1954, he was transferred to Que Que as Member in Charge CID, where again he was successful in illegal gold dealings. In 1958, he was commissioned and was posted to CID Headquarters, which was then located in Bulawayo. He progressed through the ranks, and in 1968 he was promoted to the rank of Senior Assistant Commissioner and was appointed O.C. Special Branch. He was appointed Commissioner of Police on the 27th June 1970, and he served as Commissioner until the 6th February 1974. It was during his term as Commissioner that the Bush War started in earnest. Upon his retirement, he remained in Salisbury, and retired to his Borrowdale home. He was appointed as Commander of the Order of the Legion of Merit, and received the Police Cross for Distinguished Service plus other lesser medals. He was both well liked and very well respected throughout his service, and will be sadly missed by his family and his many friends.

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