How many of us follow news of disasters around the world with only a passing interest.  With our improved communications, we are able to learn of all such incidents almost as they happen and see live pictures.  We feel sorrow for the victims, but then we move on to the next without feeling any real empathy for them.  This was certainly the case with me personally.  However, this changed for me when I was advised that an ex member of the Force, 5363 Andrew Northcote and his wife Pam, lost their home and came close to losing their lives in the recent dreadful bush fire disaster that devastated large areas of the state of Victoria, and  whole communities in that state.  Andrew said that “Such was the speed and ferocity of that wall of flames that descended upon us and our house, that our motorcar was our saving grace.  Even as we passed the end of our house, flames were emerging from the other side.  Five seconds - that was all we had - and I wouldn't be writing this letter.”  With this knowledge, the Victorian disaster became so much more real and personal.  It was no longer a disaster that affected unknown people in an unknown corner of the world.  It was a disaster that affected real people, friends and colleagues.  Knowing this, I was able not only to sympathise but also to empathise with ALL the people adversely affected by this terrible disaster.

6308 Dan Hughes forwarded the following poem that originated in Australia to the UK Branch editor who included it in the UK Outpost.  I agree with Dan that the sentiments expressed in this poem echo the sentiments of Rudyard Kipling.

It's the Soldier, not the reporter, who has
given us the Freedom of the press.
It's the Soldier, not the poet, who has given
us the Freedom of speech.
It's the Soldier, not the politicians, that
ensures our Right to Life, to Freedom and
the Pursuit of Happiness.
It's the Soldier who salutes the flag, who
serves Beneath the flag, and whose coffin
is draped by the flag.

While I was pondering on this poem, my thoughts were drawn to other poems written by Kipling, and in particular his well known poem Tommy in which he wrote: -

For its Tommy this an’ Tommy that, an’ Chuck ‘im
out the brute!”
But its “Saviour of ‘is country” when the guns begin
to shoot.

I thought of this extract from Tommy in the context of the Group of 20 meeting in London recently, and the flack that the Metropolitan Police came under arising from their crowd control measures that they took against the protestors.  These measures must have been successful for London did not experience the damage and mayhem that the protestors caused at a similar meeting in Milan, although some malicious damage was caused in London.  The two incidents for which the “Met” was most severely criticised related to the newspaper seller who was pushed to the ground and who later died, and the woman who was struck with a baton.  One has to ask why the police acted as they did.  Certainly, the woman who was struck on the leg with a baton was right “in the face” of the riot police and I cannot believe that she was merely standing there minding her own business.  Something must have been said by her which caused the baton blow.  The newspaper vendor was walking diagonally across the front of a line of riot police with his hands in his pockets.  He walked right in front of the police line and made no attempt to avoid it.  It may well be that something was said by him, which caused the push.  The media were very quick to criticise as usual, citing the right of the public to demonstrate.  Had the demonstration got out of hand, the “Met” would have been criticised for the failure of its control measures.  They were placed in a “No Win” situation!

Zimbabwe News

The following article appeared in The Herald: -

'State Pensioners to get Forex” - Herald Reporter

State Pensioners will now get allowances in foreign currency’, the Minister of Public Service, Professor Eliphas Mukonoweshuro, has said.  In a statement, the minister said, ‘All State pensioners would get their allowances by mid-March.’  The Minister of Finance issued a Press statement on Thursday February 19 2009, where he announced that mobilisation of necessary resources for the payment of allowances of pensioners in foreign currency was currently underway and that payment modalities would be announced in due course.  He said, ‘Consistent with the above undertakings, all pensioners are therefore being advised that pension allowance payments, which take account of the foreign exchange allowance being paid to serving members, will be made to all pensioners in mid-March 2009’, he said.  Serving State employees started receiving allowances of US$100 in redeemable coupons earlier this month.' 

So far, we have been unable to get any information regarding this change from the Pensions Office.

An article appeared in The Times, giving the details of a scheme to assist British Citizens to return to the United Kingdom.  Details of the scheme appear hereunder: -

“Elderly Britons given lifeline out of Zimbabwe - Wednesday, 18 February 2009

Hundreds of British citizens are being offered a resettlement package to leave worsening economic conditions in Zimbabwe and move to Britain, The Times has learnt.

The emergency measure to fly people out of the country comes as increasing numbers of residents approach the British Embassy in Harare asking for help to leave.  Up to 1,500 elderly and infirm Britons are expected to take advantage of the British Government's ‘Zimbabwe Resettlement Programme’.  Letters outlining the offer of help were sent to elderly, vulnerable and infirm citizens ten days ago and have already drawn responses from people keen to take it up.  One elderly person described the deal as a ‘lifeline’.

The offer is focused on helping the most vulnerable to leave the increasingly desperate conditions in Zimbabwe's collapsed economy.  Britain is acutely sensitive as to how the resettlement offer will be viewed by Zimbabwe's new unity government.  It is emphasising that it is a humanitarian move driven by a collapse in the country's infrastructure, which is hitting the elderly and sick the hardest.

John Healey, the Local Government Minister, said yesterday: ‘The situation in Zimbabwe continues to make it hard to access food and medical care.  That's why we are offering help to older, vulnerable British people, who are unable to support themselves in Zimbabwe and want to resettle in the UK’.  Whitehall has been planning the operation for months and officials said it was a coincidence that the timing of the offer came as the new unified government took power.  It will be some months yet before the first group arrives.  We have put in place this programme, which is available to older and vulnerable British citizens and British nationals with the right of abode in Britain”, a Whitehall source told The Times.  “We do not think Zimbabwe is about to blow up and that it is time to head for the hills, but life is getting tougher for the vulnerable.”

The source added that the new Zimbabwean Government, whose Cabinet met for the first time yesterday after Morgan Tsvangirayi, the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change was sworn in as Prime Minister, could not be expected to put right the collapse of Zimbabwe's infrastructure overnight.

Under the programme, which is being coordinated by the Communities Department, people returning from Zimbabwe will be offered housing, state benefits and support.  Ministers are preparing to waive the rules on residency tests to allow people to claim housing and council tax benefit on arrival.

The programme is available to British citizens over 70 who are living in residential or nursing homes in Zimbabwe and to younger people in need of social care who live in their own homes.  They will be interviewed by British officials in Zimbabwe and will be allowed to bring spouses and partners with them.

There are an estimated 12,500 British citizens in Zimbabwe, of whom 3,000 are over 70.  The Government believes that only between 500 and 1,500 will be eligible for the scheme, which will run over the next 18 months.

Under the terms of the scheme, the British taxpayer will pay for flights to Britain and a hotel stay until permanent housing can be arranged.  Some of the returning Britons will be found places in nursing or care homes with the State meeting the bill if, as is likely, they cannot afford to pay.

Those who can manage on their own will go into social housing or rental accommodation with the help of housing benefit.  They will be provided with furniture and other household goods as the scheme does not include funding the return of furniture.  There will be no help with transporting pets to Britain.

The Britons will be eligible for state benefits, subject to a means test, and will be offered a support worker to help them settle.  The scheme, which will be means-tested to ensure that the Government does not fund the return of wealthy people, will apply only to those permanently resident in Zimbabwe for five years or more.  The means-testing will not include a person's fixed assets, such as their house, as the Government believes that most people will find it difficult, if not impossible, to sell property in Zimbabwe's present economic conditions.

Ministers have not ruled out chartering an aircraft to fly groups of elderly people to Britain but for now they are looking at using scheduled commercial flights.  ‘Times Online’.”

Commencing in March 2009, the Pensions Office commenced the payment of pension allowances to resident Zimbabwe residents in US dollars.  Some pensioners, myself included, have experienced problems with the pen sion allowance being paid into the wrong account.  These problems are slowly being ironed out.  There is no intention to pay pensions to external pensioners at this time however.

Mashonaland Branch

The Annual Remembrance Day service was held at the Chapel at the Athol Evans Centre on Sunday the 9th November 2008, with arrangements being made by the British Embassy in conjunction with The Legion.  Once again, there was an excellent attendance which included a large number of Regimental Association members.  The Chapel was full with the large overflow being housed in a marquee that had been erected outside the chapel.  Wreaths were laid in the Garden of Remembrance adjacent to the Chapel by diplomats, military attachés, and ex service organizations, including the Regimental Association.  Invited guests attended a most enjoyable luncheon, hosted by the British Ambassador at his Highlands residence

The Mashonaland Branch held a Christmas Sundowner at the Dandaro Club on the 5th December 2008.  The following members attended - 5568 Dennis and Peggy Anderson; 5111 Jack Bacon; 5281 Peter Bellingham; 7760 Rod Bowen; 5608 Dave de Burg-Thomas; (4261) Gill Denley; 4728 Bill Ellway; 7456 Mike and Sue Fox; M Hickman; 5252 Bill Linfield; 8150 Dave Lurie; 6377 Tony Maycock; (6047) Judith Naude, (Wife of Dudley); 9406 Red O’Connell; 6184 Red Oldknow (Visiting from New Zealand); (4086) Olive Osborne; 4059 Peter & Lonya Robinson; 5162 Mike Robinson; 20895 John Slade; 8746 Rick Summers; (7644) Ann Wilson & WP134 Denise Woodiwiss.  Apologies were received from - 4795 Bob Burrell; 3905 “TG”. Coetzee; 8646 Andrew Field; 6262 Nigel Gabriel; 3960 Jack Hammond; 8235 Martin Kay, 4319 Dave Martin; 3976 Taff Morgan & (5387) Jane Phillips..  The turnout was reasonable considering that it was an evening event, the camaraderie and fellowship was first class, and the venue T the Dandaro Club was excellent.  All in all it was a most enjoyable event, and that Mashonaland Branch is to be congratulated.

Matabeleland Branch

The Matabeleland Annual Luncheon was held at the WI Hall in Hillside, Bulawayo, on the 1st November 2008.  Amongst those attending were – 8510 David & 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 and Mrs D.MacKenzie, 5117 Dick Hall and Sheila Chisnall, 6451 Don and Kay Hatton, 386444 Kit and Margaret Hawkin, 6530 Robert Hopkins, 9499 Karl and Denise Hurry, Guest David & Mrs Johnstone-Butcher. 7435 Taffy Jones, 8766 Gordon and Sandy Kent, Guest Barry & Mrs Knight, 5962 Paul Kruger, 8496J John and Margaret Learmonth, 5247 Ken & Glenys Macdonald, WPO 484 Carol and Graham Mackenzie, 9660/901412 Hugh Montgomery, 110711 Gus Oosthuizen, 5798 John Osborne, 13034 Allan Pearson, 3893 John Robertson, Ass Peter Rollason, 6540 Hugh Squair, 17859J Ian Terry and Pat Parker, 961231 Tony Turner & Ass Piet and Joy Van Rensburg.  Apologies were received from 4750 Ken Berry, John Minshull, 5889? Dave Anderson, Derek Marshall, Ray Herran, 8960 Nigel Fawcett, Dave Meggitt, 8905 George Parkin, & 5348? Hugh James.  The Guest Speaker was David Johnstone-Butcher gave an interesting talk regarding his experiences as a Magistrate.  During the lunch, it was announced that 3893 John Robertson had celebrated his 90th birthday in August 2008.  The lunch was most successful and was enjoyed by all who attended.

The Matabeleland Branch AGM was held at the WI Hall in Hillside on the 28th February 2009.  A new committee was elected as follows – 1231QTony Turner – Chairman; Denise Hurry – Secretary, & Members 5247 Ken Macdonald, 9499 Karl Hurry & 8498J John Learmonth.  (The E-Mail address of the new Secretary, Denise Hurry, is karden@mweb.co.zw”. Ed)

Regional News

Eastern Cape Branch

The Annual Luncheon was held at the Maritime Club, Port Elizabeth on Saturday the 8 November at 1230 hours.  The following members attended: -  Will & Anne Basson, 6443 Basil Blatch, 6570 Brian & Helena Burstein, 5225 Jim & Elaine Carse, Pr Dave & Di Cartwright, 6966 Rob And Pam Clarke, 5922 Trevor & Pat Compton, 5624 Pat & Lyn Ferguson, Pr James & Connie Fisher, (6664) Francis Foster. WFR Mignonne Gibbings, 7890 Ed Holloway, Pr Aubrey Ingram, Guest Rose Kennedy, (4782) Jill Mackenzie, (PR), Conceptia Mccanlis, 7777 Digby & Trish Pocock(Port Alfred), Pr Rodger & Betty Slater (Humansdorp), 5879 Dave & Shelagh Stow, 9434 Jimmy & Liz Swinnerton, C245 Dave And Margie Whinney, & Alistair and Claire Wilson.  Apologies Were Received From: -  4696 Tony & Laura Down, 6664 Norman Foster, 6115 Dave & Dorothy Green, PR Roger & Rose Southgate, PR Dick & Margaret Wait, 5144 Ray Weare & Pr John Wilkins.  There was no guest speaker, but Trevor COMPTON gave a humorous and well received account of the patrol instructions that he received from his Member in charge for a horse patrol of the Lower Gwelo TTL.  This was followed by Digby Pocock who gave details of some interesting occurrences involving Pat Ferguson & himself when they were stationed together in Salisbury.

The Xmas Bring and Braai was held at the Maritime Club, Port Elizabeth on Saturday, 13 December 2008 and the following members attended: - Anne Basson, 6443 Basil & Jill Blatch, 6570 Brian & Helena Burstein, 5225 Jim & Elaine Carse, Guest Annette Carter.Pr Dave & Di Cartwright, 6966 Rob & Pam Clarke, 5922 Trevor & Pat Compton, 5624 Pat & Lyn Ferguson, Pr James & Connie Fisher, 6664 Norman & Francis Foster WFR Mignonne Gibbings, 7890 Ed & Glynis Holloway, Pr Aubrey Ingram, (4782) Jill Mackenzie, Pr Rodger & Betty Slater (Humansdorp), 5879 Dave & Shelagh Stow, 9434 Jimmy Swinnerton, & Claire Wilson.  Apologies Were Received From: - 4696 Tony & Laura Down, 7777 Digby & Trish Pocock, Pr Dick & Margaret Wait.5144 Ray Weare & 5001 Jamie Whitelaw.  The good attendance resulted in a great get-together and all had a good time.

Natal Branch

The Natal Branch Annual Dinner was held at the Shamwari Club on Saturday 23 August 2008 in a most convivial atmosphere.  Not only were the usual suspects present, but also fifty-seven ex-Dog Section members who were holding a re-union in Durban.  Some of those 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 member nominated to thank the Guest Speaker.  This  , the roles were reversed.  His address was as hilarious as usual.  Smudge Smith was nominated to thank the Guest Speaker.  Much to the delight of those present; he managed to keep his speech short!  Peter Gibson gave a talk about the history of the Dog Section,

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 Bishop; 6081 Brian Blithenfall 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 Du Toit; 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; 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 Crerar; 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 6047 Dudley); 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.

The Branch organised a “Black Boots” Reunion over the weekend 14th-16th November 2008 at the Midmar Dam.  Not only did ex members of the Support Unit come from all over South Africa, they also came from Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Ireland, Zambia, and the United Kingdom.  It was the re-union of all re-unions!  To some it was a lost weekend, but to others it was a weekend packed with memories and the renewing of friendships.

The weekend started on Friday evening with a braai and social get-together at the yacht club.  Saturday evening was the dinner where the lads tried to be serious for a few minutes!  The attendees were - 8053 Gus & Brenda Alberton; 7249 Pete & Cindy Allanby; Kevin & Barbara Allen; 8704 Hamish Scott Barnes; 8242 Alan & Flick Bennett; 8556 Darroll Brent; 6468 Dave Callow; Mac Calloway; 4307 Jimmy & Joan Collins; 8507 Mike Crabtree; 111060 Phil Day; 5272 Pat Deasy; 9405 Manie Du Preez; 8997 Richard & Jo Fiddler; 111017 Gus Forbes; Peter & Sheila Francis; Linda Franklin & Chris (Guest); 8679 Brian & Rose Goddard; 10197 Dave Griffiths; 9271 Frik Hanekom; 8277? Hans Hoffman; 5428 Ian Hogg; 111075 Richard Hogg; 7899? Rusty & Nan Hustler; 8436 Brian & Jenny Hutchinson; 8749/9569 Ewan Isdale; 111118 Ron & Anne Jamieson; 8765/10207? Rob Kemp; Rowland Kennard; 8966 Derek & Jackie Lowe; 5934 Fred & Lindsay Mason; 6019 Sakkie McKay; 7717/8640 Tony &Yvonne Merris; 8555 Les & Kathy Milne; 8526 Des Niemandt; 111056 Steve Nightingale (Friday only). 8968/9769? Dave & Caroline Nixon; 8214 Bob & Kim Packer; 111064 Dave & Cal Panton; 8175 Rob Parker; 8980 Duncan & Doreen Paul; 8458 Brian & Trish Pitt; Ron & Alyson Rink; 8793 Alistair Sempill; 10034 Clive & Luisa Sharp; 7954 Roger Shaw; 8970 Kelvin Shewan; 8733 Tim Sidey; 8732 Red Smith; Alistair Stuart; 8594 Hugh & Denise Temple; 8581/10354? Jim & Di Van Dyk; Rob & Vicky Veale &  6467 Garth “Butch” & Hillary Von Horsten.

The worldwide support for this event was excellent, as was the organisation.  From the responses received from those who attended, it would appear that this could become a regular event.  (The Natal Branch is to be commended for organising this event, so close on the heels of the successful Dog Section Reunion that that was held in Durban in August 2008.  Ed.)

Natal Midlands Branch

The Natal Midlands Branch held its Annual General Meeting on Saturday the 22nd of November 2008, at the Hilton Hotel.  The Chairman of many years, 4521 Phil Mingard,stood down this year, having turned 80 in October 2008.  The incoming committee comprises - 4767/5717 Steve Stevens – Chairman; 8242 Alan Bennett – Secretary; WFR “Flik” Bennett – Treasurer, Members – 4564 Peter Reynolds, 5473 John Clack, 4898 Chris Thorne, 9878 F/R Brian Jarvis, 8507 & Mike Crabtree.  (The new Secretary’s E-Mail address is “flikbennett@vodamail.co.za”.  We wish the new committee, and particularly the new Secretary well in what will be a new era for the Branch.  Ed)

The “Bring and Braai” social gathering was held at Amberglen on Sunday the 15th of February.  It was intended to get-together on the banks of this beautiful dam, but due to the inclement weather we had to move to the veranda of the Social centre.  Steve and Marion Stevens and son Michael did a marvellous job preparing the fires and the venue.  Everyone enjoyed themselves.  This is a relatively inexpensive method of socializing.  The following attended:   8242 Alan And Flik Bennett, P/Res Jeff and Carol Biles, 5473 John Clack, 6519 John And Nancy Carroll, Sheila Chadwick, 5826 Nigel Cuerden, P/Res Tickey And Penny Dalton, Ian and Ann Forrest, “Honk” and Gina Hyde, P/Res Brian and Barbara Jarvis, Betty Lumsden, Malcolm and Barbara Raistrick, 4564 Peter And Jean Reynolds, And 4767/5717 Steve and Marion Stevens and their Son Michael.  (Would “Honk” & Gina Hyde and Sheila Chadwick be the people that I knew from Stragglers and from Country Districts cricket?  Ed)

(Examination of the proposed Social Calendar for this branch reveals that this will be an active year, for which the new committee is to be congratulated.  Ed.)

Transvaal Branch

The Regimental Dinner was held on Friday the 12th September 2008 (At the Johannesburg Country Club?).  This was a great event: the premier one on our calendar.  Our guest speaker was David Pirrett, a lawyer from Scotland who also happens to be your Chairman’s brother.  He took us away from the norm (ex BSAP, Army etc) and it proved a great experience.  David spoke with much aplomb about his life in Scotland and his brushes with the local constabulary.  He read his audience well and was given a great ovation.  We were again happy to have 4254 Smudge Smith from Natal with us, and he replied to the speaker in his inimitable way, even taking us back to 1937!  Despite the increase in ticket prices (unavoidable these days and they could go up again), we had a very good turnout and a wonderful time was had by all. The food was good.  The following attended:  Guest Rob Allan, 9142 Max Barker, 2402152 Gordon Barker, Army Ian Bate (RLI), 7847 Brian Beeden, 110756 Chris Birtle, 6910 John Bissett, 7902 Brien  Bonynge, 2746 Bill Bragge, Guest Ray Branch, 7102 Harry Browne, Intaf Alex Bundock, 23730 John Cannon, 781418 Ian Carswell, 7038 Ashley Collings, Kenya Regt 4296 H.P. de Bruin, Guest R. Deacon, 900335 Noel Deacon, 110838 Jamie Demetriou, 5526  Phil Devlin, 6817 Keith Douche, 7789Q Peter Drysdale, 7489 Ian Duncan, 5619 Barry Enslin, Guest Charlie Farndell, 5498 Raoul Gilbert (From Spain), 6769 Dick Glanville, 7319 Tony Glover, Guest Peter Griffiths, 9271 Frik Hanekom, 6587 Ian Harries, Guest John Harvey, Guest Trevor Harvey, 8026 Jonathan Harvey, 110887 John Herdman, Army 0410 Pat Hill, 7959 Ray Hoggins, 6345 Dave Holmes, 8749/9569 Scatch Isdale, 8452 David James, 25780W John Jones, 5991 Don Joss, 6535 Rob Kenny, Guest Ernie Kriek, Piper Rodney Kuck; Guest Kim Latilla, 7651 Dick Latilla, 6904 Ian Lawrence, 6255 Jack London, 7581 Les Lotter, 49286 Chas Lotter, 6538 Glenn Macaskill, Guest Vikash Maharaj, 5587 Howard Marshall, 6715 Sam McCrorie, Guest Grant Miles, Guest Alastair Pirrett, Guest Speaker David Pirrett, 6610 Jock Pirrett, 6507 Seamus Power, 8557 Corrie Pretorius, Guest Joe Rankin, 5845 Gordon Rendall, 18813Y Hamish Roberts, 34476Y E. Robinson, 7400 Bryan Rogers, Guest Ian Ross-Marsh, 7184 Chris Russell, 19714C Tom Rutherford, 6382 Terry Schwartz, 5695 Dave Sloman, 8544 Clive Slowe, 4254 Smudge Smith, 8359 Tom Thomas, 5577 John Thorne, 7290 Steve van den Heever, 8393 Dutch van Eck, 6593 Jac van Niekerk, 8057 Robin Waller, Guest Cameron Waugh, 9790 Duncan Waugh, Army 728230 Ron Wheeldon,; 6185 Eryl Worton, 4577 John Yeoman & 71521867 Ron Zeman,

The Annual Remembrance Day Parade was held at the Dickie Fritz Shellhole, Edenvale, on the morning of Sunday the 9th November 2008.  The following members were sighted: -  Intaf Alex Bundock, 23730 (Army) John Cannon, 7038 Ashley Collings,,5272 Pat Deasy (Out from Ireland), 9574 Ian Denholm, 5619 Barry Enslin, Army Roy Gardener, 6769 Dick Glanville, RRAF Bruce Harrison, Army Pat Hill, 6345 Dave Holmes, 7651 Dick Latilla, 19708W Dave Little, 6538 Glenn Macaskill, 6610 Jock Pirrett, (Who laid the Wreath), 7670 John & Verona Sutton, & Guest Morag Willis.  In the crowd there may well have been other Association members whose presence was not noted.

Visitors to Johannesburg must bear in mind that the Monthly Gatherings are held at “The Jocks” on the second Friday of each month, with the exception of the month of April, for this clashes with Good Friday.  The April 2009 gathering will therefore be held on the 17th April.

Western Cape Branch

Monday 1st December, 2008, we held our The Annual Christmas Party was held at Timour Hall on Monday the 1st December 2008.  Once again, this took the form of a ’spit braai’.  The numbers attending were down from 106 the previous year to 83.  There was the usual splendid raffle with excellent prizes donated by our members. A good time was had by all —some more than others, as certain members were seen leaving in the wee hours (no names no Regimental Numbers). Amongst those attending were:- F/R 5408 Alex Atkinson, 6639 Bob Bedingham, 6354 Derek Bothwell, 6920 Andy Bullmore, 4991 Rex Craker, 7751 Alan Crook, 6900 Martin Gee, 7797 Eddie Gleeson, 5860 Doug Grierson, 7544 Dave “Fluff” Hawks, WP.328 Caroline Hogg (Nee Charnock), 5517 David Hogg, 6267 Geoff Holloway, 6694 John Holmes, 8173 Lockie Howie, 9329 Roy Hunt, 7310 Ed Ions, 5342 Peter Jackson, 6780 Graham Jansen, 6869 Pete Logue, 4691 Peter Lord, 4501 Vince Lovegrove, 8302 Rob Maclean, 8302 Niall McKrill, 5880 Stan McMillan, Wendy Meyer, 7364 Dusty Miller, 6893 Brian Oberholster, 5689 Gilly Potter, 5795 Giff Reade, 5098 Dave Riley, 7139 Dave Rogers, 4974 John Taylor, NRP Chris Thorne, Dave Tippetts, 8897 Carl Van Woerden & 8265 Stewart Woodcock.

International News

Australia

The Annual Luncheon for 2008 took place on Saturday the 8 November at the RSL Belmont attended by 69 members and friends.  Our Guests Speaker was Marcus Woodgush who was accompanied by his wife Jenny.  Marcus was a Senior Magistrate in Rhodesia, and he came to Australia (via Johannesburg) in 1980.  He opened his own law practice in Freemantle but has now retired.  He gave an excellent and most amusing speech.  This event was very well attended by: -  8260 David Amm, P/R Rod & Brenda Blevin with guests Guy and Pat Jellicoe (Ex Centenary), 7682 Ian Calderwood, 6922 Earl Cameron. “A” Reservist Pat & Moira Cane, 8617 Doug Capper, 5154 Jim & Peggy Clampit, (4147) Vivienne Cordy Hedge; (4977) Valerie Davies, P/R Pat Dunne, 4105 Bert & Sylvia Freemantle; 7045 Rob & Lori Gates, 7572 Alasdair Greenly, 7236 John Henderson and guest Simon Haigh, 5316 Kerry & Olivia Hoadley, Guest Sylvia Holborn (Daughter 2386 Henry Stuart), WFR Merle Howden, P/R Arthur Hutson and his son Chris (ex NSPO), Associate Bill & Liz Johnstone (Ex District Commissioner), 7694 Steve & Linda Martin with guests Howzer and Paddy Pinder, “A” Reservist Alan & Joyce McGrath, 7340 Chris & Dorothy Morten, P/R Bob & Barbara Osborne, P/R John & Jean Ovenden, 4663 John Savage, P/R Dick & Jenny Scallan; P/R Charles & Adele Scott, 7365/8217 Peter & Celia Scott, 4649 John & Margaret Seward with guests son Michael Seward & Mike Gale (Son of the late Rhodesian Magistrate Leyton Gale), 7392 Butch & Liz (Ex WP100) Walker; 6211 Lew & Joanne Whitmore and 110752 Ian Wilson with guest 110725 Jeremy Powell-Jones.  The excellent meal was supplied by the RSL Women’s Auxiliary who, near the end of the luncheon, presented all those present with a small Xmas cake.  This was greatly appreciated.

4649 John Seward and 7682 Ian Calderwood represented the Branch at the Annual Remembrance Day commemoration at the RSL Belmont, where Ian laid wreath on behalf of the Branch.

There have been several visitors to our shores.  5695 Dave Sloman and his wife came over from Johannesburg and stayed with their daughter in Esperance, some 750 kms from Perth.  They had hoped to attend our Annual Luncheon, but distances precluded this.  However they did meet up with John Seward prior to his departure to South Africa and, together with their daughter Janet and granddaughter, they all visited the Swan Valley.

5231 Don Rowland and his wife Sylvia were also over from Johannesburg, visiting their daughter Fiona.  They met up for lunch with Bert and Sylvia Freemantle.

I understand that 4711 Brian Chalk was visiting his sister and brother in law, Fleur and Graham Blick.  Fleur and Brian’s wife are both daughters of the late 3922 Dave Holt.

5486 Mike Wood of Umtali fame and his wife were visiting friends near Perth.  Mike made contact with John Seward whom he knew in Umtali.  Mike was at the time a member of the CID.  When he left the Police, he and his wife ran the very successful restaurant near the Mozambique border know as The Little Swallow.  However they have since moved to the UK where they are now running another Little Swallow restaurant.

Queensland Branch

The Annual Dinner was held on the 29th November 2008 at the Manly Sports Club, which turned out to be a very pleasant place to hold the dinner and the meal was assessed to be the best we have ever had since the branch was founded.  Unfortunately, due to clashes with other events, the turnout was disappointing.  The attendees were: - 6969 Billy Budd, 5848 Dave & Jeanie Clinker, 4727 Mike & Rosemary Edden. 6604 John & Mary Gold, 6994 Colin John; 7432 Will & Jacquie Keys, 7012 Mike & Ginny King, Guests Rob & Sandy Knights (Intaf); 25548T Simon & Jacqui Lucas, 5165 Don & Pat Silliss and 205169J Les & Margaret Underhay.  All had a thoroughly enjoyable evening.  It was decided to have an informal function this year without the usual speaker and traditional toasts and I for one found the opportunity to relax and chat to all and sundry was a very pleasant change.

Due to the diminishing number of members in and around Brisbane, the turnout for functions has been disappointing of late, and so a decision had to be made with regard to the future of the Branch.  A Special General Meeting was convened for the 18th January 2009.  At the Special General meeting, it was decided that the Branch would continue, but would be far less active.  It was also agreed that the AGM would be held electronically, which it was.  At the AGM it was approved that the roles of Chairman and Secretary would be merged, and that 4727 Mike Edden would become the new Chairman/Secretary.  The only other committee member would be a Social Secretary, and this position was undertaken by 6604 John Gold.  The only official function that would remain would be the Annual Dinner.  Otherwise any functions would be arranged on an ad hoc basis.

United Kingdom

The Whitwell Braai was held on the 27th July 2008 at the Whitwell Hotel at Rutland, with a good attendance.  This included visitors from Zimbabwe and SA.  The combined efforts of Barry Henson, Bertie Cubitt, Peter Phillips, Alan Toms and Dennis Poole in setting this up are certainly deserving of credit, and our thanks.  Bertie Cubitt fulfilled his usual role of selling photos and other memorabilia in the show room.  A list of those in attendance follows: - 5975 Mike & Audrey Abbotts, Associate Robert & Suzi Amphlett.7211 Peter & Margaret Biddulph, PR4891 Sid Cooper, 7359 Bertie Cubitt, 4882 Peter Dancer, 5755 Stewart & Pam Edwards, 5917 Rod & Laura Finnigan (Zimbabwe), 4005 Stan & Ginny Forrest, 9086 Tony Granger, 6605 Cy & Ronnie Hartley, 6789 Matt & Glennis Harwood, 6630 Jim Hazlett, 5662 Barry & 204715 Jean Henson, Associate Sandi Henson; 7603 Bleign and Sue Knox-Davies, 5248 Alan & Pauline Lane, 5312 Mike & Sara Lindley, 7136 Dave &  Lindsay Lynas, 7440 Jeff Manning, 7892 Peter & Liz Marshall with guest Ann Derham, 5508 Gordon & Eve Norris, 6632 Gerry Paxton, 6905 Peter & Bim Phillips, 6348 Dennis Poole, 4853 Fred & Margaret Punter, 6123 Brian Pym with Jan Lemon, 4549 Ken & 204504 Dorothy Stanford-Smith, 6130 Randy Symmons, 7391 Alan & Lynn Toms, 5625 Biff & Anita Way, 4158 Tim Weimer, 5920 Mike Wills, 4857 Mike & Celia Wiltshire, WFR204556 Caroline Witts and 5486 Mick & May Wood.,

The 7th BSAP Irish Gathering was held once again at Sandy Stoke’s excellent venue near Clonmel, County Tipperary, on Saturday 6th September.  Sandy also received everyone’s thanks for his prowess as organising Chef.  The weather wasn’t kind to start with but cleared up in the afternoon. A total of 32 attended, including some new faces.  However, due to the unavoidable absence of Tom Meekin, most of the Northern Ireland contingent was unable to attend.  A good time had by all, was had by all, with food and drinks aplenty and much discussion ensued between people who had not seen each other for many years.  Welcome returnees were Roger and Renata Capper from the USA, and there was a good contingent from the UK.  There was a special vote of thanks to all the ladies who assisted with the important tasks of cooking, serving and cleaning up, especially Eve Norris, Marie Berry and Katherine Flynn.  Attending were: - 5584 John & Marie Berry, Photographer Willa Bryant; 5936 Roger & Renata Capper, Guest Dick Condon; 5272 Pat Deasy, 8196 Tom Devoy, 6264 Bob & Katherine Flynn, 5681 Robin & Carole Harvey, PR23361 Chris & Wendy Kavanagh, 5196 Graham & Kathy Mageean, Airforce Len & Mary Murphy; 5508 Gordon & Eve Norris, 7348 Peter O’Hara, 6580 Jim O’Toole, 4770 Hugh & Dawn Phillips, 4853 Fred & Margaret Punter, 5635 Dave Riley, 9225 John & Linda Scott, 5586 Sandy Stokes, 6130 Randy Symmons, 7851 Bryan Walthew,   Apologies were received from: - 4209 Julian Burkitt, 7396 Jim Hazlett, 4789 Eddie Matchett, Norman McNarry; 5615 Tom Meakin, Stan Mills, and 6312? Geoff Wood. The next Irish Gathering will be on Saturday 5th September 2009, at the same venue.

The UK Branch Annual Dinner was held on the 26 September 2008 at the Victory Services Club in London.  Those attending were the Patron of the BSAP Trust General Lord Michael Walker; the Guest Speaker Group Captain Peter Petter-Bowyer, (RRAF Association), and Guest Brigadier Pat Lawless (Rhod Army Association), together with the following members and guests:- 5975 Mike Abbotts, 4278 John Balchin, 5408 Richard Barnes, 7211 Peter Biddulph, 7212 Tony Brown, 9591 Les Burrows, 8009 Peter Butler, Guest Tim Callow, 6737 Mike Coleman, 3948 Eric Collier, PR4891 Sid Cooper, 6388 Will Cornell (USA), 6603376 Kerry Croasdell, 7394 Brian Croasdell, 7359 Bertie Cubitt, 8318 Dave Cushworth (USA), 4882 Peter Dancer, 5272 Pat Deasy (Eire), 7677 Peter Dewe, 5755 Stewart Edwards, 4615 Gus Gale, 9086 Tony Granger, 6768 Geoff Groves, 4851 Murray Harrison (Spain), 5872 Winston Hart, 6630 Jim Hazlett, 5662 Barry Henson, 5171 Peter Hillier, 9137 Doug Hubbard (USA), 6308 Dan Hughes, 9240 Dick Iddon, 9270 Gerraint Jones, 5248 Alan Lane, 5349 Peter Lane, 4972 Peter Langhan, 5615 Tom Meekin, Guest Stanley Mills, 201279 Heather Milner, 5055 Ken Miners, 4955 Bob Morriston, 6355 Mike Moysen, 6527 Mike’Donnell, 5783 Ed Padget, 6632 Gerry Paxton, Guest Paul Paxton, 6905 Peter Phillips, 6348 Dennis Poole, 4853 Fred Punter, 6123 Brian Pym, PR19566 Skip Rausch, Guest Ron Reid-Daly (Rhod Army), 4735 Cliff Rogers, 8021 Mike Rowley, 6509 Don Scarff, 6130 Randy Symmons, 5507 Brian Taylor, Guest Tom Thomas, 5559 Dick Thompson, 7391 Alan Toms, 4158 Tim Weimer, 4857 Mike Wiltshire and 5358 Mick York.  It was pleasing to see some of our older members at the dinner, namely Sid Cooper (93 years), Eric Collier (85 years) and Tim Weimer (83 years).  It would not go amiss at this stage to give a big vote of thanks to those who made this event so enjoyable.  A special word of thanks also to Dennis Poole for organising the raffle - the main raffle this year was won by Tom Meakin and the evening raffle by his guest Stanley Mills.  Who says it’s the luck of the Irish!!

On the 14th September 2008 there was another Myerscough Gathering.  Those who attended were: - 4041 Allen Day (Aged 87), 6621 Stu Findlay, 8307 Flash & Jeanette Firth. 8131 Brian & Anne Hodson, 6514 Chris & Anne Johnson (Visitors from Kent), 8199 Bugs & Tessa Moran, 4549 Ken & Dot Stanford Smith, 5658 Alan Whitehurst, 4933 Rod Wilson and 7207 Arnold & Paula Woolly.  Apologies were received from: - 9786 Lance Combrinck, Rhona Johnston, Larry King, 4757Ron Pilbrough (From New Zealand), 7192 Steve Robins and 4843 Sid & Vera Strickland.  Mention was made of 4039 Ted Chapman who has returned to the UK, and is now living at Lazenby near Penrith in Cumberland.

On the 4th October 2008 there was another very successful Chudleigh Gathering, which registered the best turnout yet.  Those attending were: - 5468 Dave Adshead, 9661 Colin Anderson, 6479 Ted & Tina Ayers-Hunt, 9196 Doug & Jane Bing, 8355 Chris & Shirley Butler, 9226 David Cardy, 6388 Will Cornell (From the USA), 11999 George Fardell, 5965 Peter Fitzgerald, 14777 Howard Garbett, 5085 James & Molly Gilbert, 9337 Geoff & Ursula Hurst, 3967 Johnny Johnston, 5956 Dave Kennedy, 5349 Peter & Ann Lane, 8693 David Lemon, 9486 Dave Luscombe, WP101 Sherri Lynn, 5566 Dave & Joan Macdonald, 5329 Paddy Morton, 6580 Jim O Toole, 202956 Hilda Olivier. 6431 Iain & Grace Penfold, 4709 Ron & Margaret Peters, 4770 Hugh & Dawn Phillips,8515 Martin & Sally Powis, PR3356 Wally Pratt , 6681 Geoff Quick, Steve Sherren (Son of Compol Peter Sherren), 9281 Steve Teasdale, 4484 Buchan Telfer, 21962W David & Lesley Vickery, 204497 Gill Watson and 4933 Rod Wilson (All the way from Myerscough).  Apologies were received from: - Chris Jones, Anne Kennedy, 7463 Mike Loftus 5406 Peter Penning, Lin Venter, 4857 and Mike Wiltshire.

Roll of Honour

Obituary

8235 Martin Roger KAY (3/8/1950 – 23/1/2009)

Martin died suddenly in Johannesburg, South Africa on Friday 23rd January, 2009 where he had gone to seek treatment for Leukaemia which had only recently been diagnosed.  Martin joined the B.S.A. Police on the 15th April, 1969, and served in the District Branch at Chirundu, Concession and Mount Darwin.  In 1975 he transferred to C.I.D. and served at Gweru, Kadoma, Chivu, C.I.D. Fraud Section Harare, and then to C.I.D. HQ.  He was the Zimbabwe’s first Interpol Representative, and to fit him for this position he attended a course with Interpol in Paris.  He retired on the 1st August, 1983 leaving with the rank of Detective Chief Inspector.  He served on the Mashonaland Branch Committee member as a Committee Member, Branch Secretary and later as Branch Chairman.  A Memorial Service for Martin was held at the Chapel of his old school, St George’s School College in Harare, on the 20th March, 2009.  This was very well attended by family, colleagues and friends.  He is survived by his wife Lynn who lives is Harare.

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