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Natal Midlands Branch of the BSAP Association Compiled by Alan Bennett Views expressed in this Outpost are not necessarily those of the Regimental Associations |
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BSA Police Note Book Volume 9 – April 2009 Obituaries It is with great sadness that we have to report the passing of two of our esteemed members of the Midlands Branch. Firstly 5470 Duane 'Buddy' Deetlefs, passed away on Friday the 6th of March 2009 in Pietermaritzburg. Buddy had been suffering from heart related problems for a while. Buddy joined the Force on the 13th of April 1956, retiring on gratuity in July 1968 with the rank of Section Officer. On the BSAP web site, Buddy stated, ‘I did one of the first Dog Patrols in Salisbury with PD Ranger (also with 5411 Rusty Bye and PD Toff in December 1958).’ Buddy later transferred to Dog Training School as Dog Master then Instructor. Buddy was the founding Honorary Secretary of the Natal Midlands Branch of the Association in which position he served with distinction for seven years. Buddy was a stalwart member of the BSAP Regimental Association, always organizing behind the scenes and will be greatly missed. Our condolences go out to Avril and Buddy’s family and friends at this distressing time. Secondly Kay Crabtree, the loving wife of 62 years of 3708 former Deputy Commissioner Bill Crabtree, and mother of 8507 Mike Crabtree passed away peacefully on 08 April ’09 at Amberglen, Howick, South Africa, after suffering a long and painful ailment. Her family, the Chairman and Committee members of the Natal Midlands Branch bade her ‘bon voyage’ at the home of Mike and Cheryl on Good Friday. Kay aptly described as a “gracious gentlewoman” will be missed by her loving family and those of us who were privileged to know her. Past Functions The Natal Midlands Branch Golf day was held on Sunday the 15th of March 2009. We try and make the event a social occasion as well as a test of golfing ability. Unfortunately not many members of the Association participated in the golf, but quite a few stalwarts joined us for the lunch after prize giving. The following members of the Association took part, 6187 John Haswell and his sons Garrick and Mathew, 6519 John Carroll, 8242 Alan Bennett, 8303 Rob Bristow, 4564 Peter Reynolds, 4898 Chris Thorne, 8181 Malcolm Dale, 6170/7756 Graham de Wit and 7706 Chris Driver. Chairman, 4767/5717 Steve Stevens and his good lady Marion, John Clack and his son Michael, Geoff and Carol Biles, Malcolm and Barbara Raistrick and golfing widows Flik Bennett, Jean Reynolds, Nancy Carroll and Hilary Thorne were members in attendance for lunch and prize giving. A special vote of thanks must go to Flik Bennett, Margie Cronje and Alette for all their hard work, and of course all our sponsors. A total of 40 golfers took part, and we don’t need to announce the winners except to say everyone present was a winner on the day, thanks to you all. The Amberglen “family day” lunch was held on Monday the 13th of April 2009, and again we had a good turn out. The lunch was superb, and there was plenty of food for those of us who had sacrificed breakfast and even managed an early round of golf on what can only be described as a beautiful crisp autumn day. Drinks before lunch were enjoyed while we mingled and chatted on the veranda, while also keeping tabs on the SA – Australian cricket match showing on the big TV screen in the lounge. The following were in attendance, 4767/5717 Steve and Marion Stevens, 6519 John and Nancy Carroll, 4564 Peter and Jean Reynolds, 8242 Alan and Flik Bennett, 8426 Miles Barnfield, 5826 Nigel Cuerden, Sheila Chadwick, Honk and Gina Hyde, 3708 Bill Crabtree, 8507 Mike and Cheryl Crabtree, Beverley Rixon and partner Dennis Logan, Brian and Barbara Jarvis, 4559 Sid and Phylliss Trower, 4380 Pat and Rosemarie McCulloch, Bill and Geraldine Carter, Ross Gower, Geoff and Carol Biles, Betty Chance, Marion Davies, Allison Blackmore, Jenny McDonald, Bette Riddle, Bill and Isobel Treacy and last but certainly not least - 4521 Phil and Eve Mingard, Phil was appropriately awarded Honorary Life Membership of the Natal Midlands Branch at the lunch for his outstanding service to the branch since inception until he “retired” at the end of 2008. Well done Phil, an honour richly deserved. Future Functions May 2009 – Brunch or Lunch on the Midlands Meander: Unfortunately our scouts have gone AWOL, or missing in action, or have found something so suitable that they are refusing to share it with us, so the committee have decided to give the month of May a miss, so look below and see what June has in store for you. Sunday 21 June 2009 – Race day at Scottsville Racecourse: An event not to be missed, we are going to brave the chill of winter this year, but the Sun is sure to shine as you either bring a picnic basket full of goodies, or braai your meat on the gas burners provided. You may need an umbrella, and definitely a garden chair or woollen rug to sit on the lovely lawns. We will be located on the infield of the racecourse with all facilities right next door. So if you fancy a flutter on the odd nag, expert advice is readily available in the form of Smudge Smith or our resident retired jockey Ticky Dalton. Entrance to the infield is normally free and we would like to see as many of you Natal Branch chaps supporting us. For any information, Contact Peter or Jean Reynolds on 033-3302292 Sunday 19 July 2009 – Inchanga Social Day: (Date to be confirmed) We have liaised with the Natal Branch regarding a function at Inchanga, and we have concurred that a Social Day at Inchanga where the Midlands Branch can meet the Natal Branch, so that we can braai around the pool would be appropriate. There is so much potential with Inchanga being so central, and considering that we have not had a get-to-gether for so long imagine the turnout we could have. Smudge Smith has promised to lay on some horses for us to groom, anyway more news on this closer to the time. Sunday 15th of November 2009 – Annual Lunch at the Hilton Hotel: We are looking at changing our Annual Dinner to an Annual Lunch. Many people are not happy going out at night, and we feel that a lunch will be a change for the better. Feedback so far has been very positive, and we hear that the Natal Branch will also be holding a lunch which we need to support. Snippets Smudge and Shirley Smith have been through the wars. Shirley was admitted to hospital with a painful and very swollen foot, and needed to have a new vein implanted in to her leg, which was being starved of blood. Then Smudge had to have two melanomas removed from his shoulder. They are both full of beans and continue as if nothing happened! Obituaries 2009 8792 PAGE, Ian Douglas died in motor vehicle accident in Cape Town on the 11th of January 2009. He served from 28th of March 1972 to 27th of March 1975 and left with the rank of Patrol Officer. He was a member of the Western Cape Branch of the Association. 8235 KAY, Martin Roger, passed away on the 23rd of January 2009 in Johannesburg while seeking treatment for suspected Leukaemia. Martin lived in Harare and was a committee member of the Mashonaland Branch of the Association. He served from the 15th of April 1969 to the 1st of August 1983 retiring as Detective Chief Inspector. 8977 KILGOUR, Ian Peter, took his own life by means of an overdose on Sunday, 22 February 2009. Ian joined the BSAP on the 15/4/73 and left as a Patrol Officer. Ian had a brain tumour for which he had been receiving treatment for a long time. 5219 BOOTH, Roger, passed away on the 29th of February 2009. Roger joined the force in March 1954 and served until January 1978 when he retired with the rank of Superintendent. 6142 GLANFIELD, Eric James (Dick) died on the 14th of March 2009 in East London as a result of a heart attack. Dick joined the Force on the 15th of March 1960 and left as Constable on the 29th of September 1963. Dick played wing for the Police first team in the early 60’s. 3960 HAMMOND, Jack Raymond passed away in Harare on the 30th of March 2009 while recovering from surgery for cancer. Jack served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, and was captured on the island of Leros in the eastern Mediterranean during the abortive attempt to capture the Island of Rhodes. Jack was captured and spent the remainder of the war as a POW. Jack joined the Police on the 28th of April 1946 and served until the 30th of November 1969 when he retired with the rank of Chief Inspector. Jacks wife Sybil was murdered in her home in Harare on the 18th August 2005. 4693 LENARD, Christopher William Percy (Chris) died on the 7th April 2009 in the United Kingdom. Chris served from February 1951 to August 1955 leaving with the rank of Constable. Chris was a member of the Mashonaland Branch of the Association. 5467 ROWEN, Henry Edward A`Beckett (Ted) died of a heart attack on 14th of April 2009 in Cape Town. Ted served between the 15th of April 1956 and the 31 January 1971 retiring on gratuity with the rank of Inspector. Your Committee for 2009 are:
Note Book Volume 7 – January 2009 Well another year has slipped past in a flash, and I believe that from the Midlands Branch of the Association perspective we had a good year. Sadly we lost one member, P/Res Air wing Alistair Davies, on the 25th March 2008 in Pietermaritzburg. Alistair was an air wing pilot based at Buffalo Range and farmed in the Nkwasine area near Chiredzi. Alistair leaves his wife Marion who resides at Amberglen, Howick and whom we are pleased to see attending our functions. Snippets: I received a telephone call from Ian Lewis 5543 living with his wife Julie in Glencoe Kwa Zulu Natal. Ian advised that he is not a member of the Association but is in possession of a number of old “Out Posts” which he would like to donate. Ian’s contact number is 034-3933248. Wendy Addison nee Jarvis WPO 367 visited her parents Brian and Barbara Jarvis at Amberglen over the Christmas period, and 4394 Dave Martin from Beatrice down visiting relatives in the Midlands, visited our Chairman Steve Stevens also at Amberglen. Alan and Flik Bennett darted over to the other side of the world to visit their daughter Shirley and her family who have settled at One Tree Point near Whangerei on the North Island of New Zealand. Alan made contact via email with 7023 Mike Moss who lives in Hamilton who sends his regards to all. Mike served on the Natal Branch committee for many years. We held our Christmas Lunch at the Howick Lions club on Sunday the 30th of November 2008. 48 member and guests attended what turned out to be a great meal put on by the Lady Lion members of Howick. The following attended: P/Res Jeff and Carol Biles, P/Res Bill and Geraldine Carter, 5473 John and Sandy Clack, With Their Two Sons and Sandy’s Mother, 6519 John and Nancy Carroll, 5888 Neville and Elsa Cook, 3708 Bill and Kay Crabtree, 8507 Mike and Cheryl Crabtree, 5826 Nigel Cuerden, Sheila Chadwick, P/Res Tickey and Penny Dalton, Roz Crone, Marion Davies, P/Res Ross Gower, P/Res Brian and Barbara Jarvis, Tony Jennings, Jenny Macdonald, 4380 Pat and Rosemarie Mcculloch, 6759 John and Denise Miller, 4521 Phil and Eve Mingard, 4564 Peter and Jean Reynolds, Malcolm and Barbara Raistrick, Bette Riddle, Stella Robertson, 4767/5717 Steve and Marion Stevens, 4898 Chris and Hilary Thorne, P/Res Bill and Isobel Treacy and 8242 Alan and Flik Bennett. The first meeting of the committee took place on Tuesday the 13th of January 2009, at the home of our new Chairman Steve Stevens, and the amongst other items, functions were organized for the next couple of months. Some of the dates and events are provisional and will be confirmed closer to the time. Sunday 15th of February 2009 - Midlands Branch Braai – Amberglen Dam 11:00 onwards: A “bring and Braai” will be held at the beautiful Amberglen dam in Howick. Braai fires will be provided and all you have to do is bring yourselves, your own food, drinks and enjoy the company. We suggest you also bring garden chairs and an umbrella or two. Please let Steve or Marion Stevens know if you will be attending. Phone: 033-2394276. Sunday 15th of March 2009 - Midlands Branch Golf day
at Sakabula Golf Club: Date: Sunday 15th of March 2009. This is not a serious competition, and golfers of all capabilities are welcome with or without handicaps. This is the Midlands Branch main fundraising event so please look for prizes and sponsorship, every little contribution helps. Contact: Alan or Flik Bennett on 033-3441122 (h), 033-3922910 (w) or 0823721448. Monday 13th of April 2009 (Family Day) – Amberglen
Lunch: Please book with Steve or Marion Stevens early to avoid disappointment. Phone: 033-2394276. May 2009 – Race day at Scottsville Race Course: We are looking at changing our Annual Dinner to an Annual Lunch. Many people are not happy going out at night, and we feel that a lunch will be a change for the better. Feel free to comment on this if you wish. Roll of Honour It is with regret that we have to advise of the
death of the following members:
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