Peter Allum was born on 12 June 1926 in Isleworth, United Kingdom, and educated at Gunnersbury Catholic Grammar School. Following his schooling, he served in the Fleet Air Arm before embarking on a distinguished policing career in Southern Africa.

On 28 April 1946, Allum attested into the British South Africa Police (BSA Police) as a trooper, Reg. No. 3939. He devoted nearly his entire service to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), working at Beitbridge (Immigration), Umtali, Salisbury, Bulawayo, and Gwelo stations. His aptitude for investigative work saw him rise steadily through the ranks: commissioned in 1960, appointed Provincial Commander (PCIO) of CID Midlands Province in 1963, and later of Salisbury and Mashonaland Province in 1967.

On 1 October 1970, Allum became Officer Commanding CID, a post that placed him at the forefront of criminal investigations across Rhodesia. His leadership was further recognized when he was promoted to Deputy Commissioner (Crime and Security) on 7 February 1974. He continued to serve with distinction until June 1982, retiring with the rank of Commissioner.

Allum’s service was marked by numerous honors: the Police Cross for Distinguished Service (PCD) in 1973, the Officer of the Legion of Merit (OLM) in 1976, the Colonial Police Long Service Medal (CLM) in 1978, the Colonial Police Medal (CPM), and the Police Long Service Medal (PLSM).

Peter Allum passed away in Carltonville, South Africa, on 17 April 2015, aged 89. His career reflected both dedication to law enforcement and a steady progression through the ranks of the BSA Police, leaving a legacy of professionalism and service in the CID.

Peter Sherren was born on 16 August 1920 at Wimereux, France, and educated at Leigh Hall College, Essex, where he distinguished himself in sport. After an initial period in the family business, he elected to pursue a career in Africa and attested into the British South Africa Police on 13 August 1939, receiving Regimental Number 3862.

His early service was spent in district postings, providing him with practical experience of rural policing before he was seconded for active service during the Second World War. He returned to Southern Rhodesia in 1946 and continued his advancement within the force. Commissioned in October 1956, he held command appointments in Umtali and Fort Victoria Districts, subsequently serving in Matabeleland Province before transfer to General Headquarters.

In 1970 he was promoted to Deputy Commissioner responsible for Crime and Security and shortly thereafter assumed office as Commissioner of Police. He served in that capacity until his retirement in February 1978. His honours included the Colonial Police Medal in 1959, the Police Cross for Distinguished Service in 1971, the Officer of the Legion of Merit in 1973 and again in 1978, the Campaign Long Service Medal in 1977, and the Police Long Service Medal. Peter Sherren died in Harare on 16 August 1995.

Sydney Bristow was born in 1919 in South Africa and educated at Maritzburg College in Natal, where he distinguished himself both academically and athletically, serving as head boy and excelling in sport. In August 1939, he joined the British South Africa Police (BSA Police), but his career was quickly interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War. Bristow was posted to Abyssinia on active service and only returned to policing in 1946.

Resuming his career, Bristow entered the Criminal Investigation Department, where he spent most of his service in plain clothes. His leadership qualities were soon recognized: in 1958 he was commissioned and posted to Bulawayo Headquarters, which relocated to Salisbury the following year. A decade later, in 1968, he assumed command of the Special Branch, and in January 1970 he was appointed Deputy Commissioner. Four years later, he rose to the position of Commissioner of the BSA Police, serving until his retirement in February 1974.

Bristow’s distinguished service was recognized through numerous honours and awards. He received the Colonial Police Medal (CPM) in 1960, the Colonial Police Long Service Medal (CPLSM), the Police Cross for Distinguished Service (PCD) in 1971, the Commander of the Legion of Merit (CLM) in 1972, and the Police Long Service Medal (PLSM). These accolades reflected both his professional dedication and his contribution to policing in Rhodesia.
After a career marked by discipline, integrity, and leadership, Sydney Bristow retired from public service but remained a respected figure in law enforcement circles. He passed away in Harare on 18 July 2008 at the age of 89.

James Spink was born on 26 June 1914 in Arbroath, Scotland, and educated at Stewart’s College in Edinburgh. He began his career in the insurance industry before joining the Edinburgh Police, where he served for four years. In April 1938 he attested into the British South Africa Police, the colonial force in Southern Rhodesia that combined civil policing with paramilitary duties.
During the Second World War, Spink was seconded to the Rhodesian African Rifles and deployed to Burma. He saw active service in one of the most demanding campaigns of the war, contributing to the Allied effort against Japanese forces. His service was recognized with the War Medal 1939–45 and the Burma Star.

Returning to Rhodesia in 1946, Spink resumed his policing career and was commissioned as an officer in 1949. Much of his subsequent service was in Salisbury, where he became a central figure in the administration of law and order. His rise through the ranks culminated in November 1967 when he was appointed Deputy Commissioner (Crime and Security), a role that placed him at the heart of Rhodesia’s policing and intelligence operations during a period of mounting political tension.

Spink’s distinguished service was marked by several honors, including the Colonial Police Medal in 1956, the Queen’s Police Medal in 1964, the Independence Commemorative Decoration in 1970, and the Police Long Service Medal. After retiring, he settled in Australia, where he died in Perth on 24 January 1997. His career reflected a lifetime of service across continents, institutions, and the shifting demands of war and peace.

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