 |
Extracts from the UK Outpost Issue
No 67 -
Autumn 2007
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Chairman's Chat Our last gathering, the Regimental Dinner, was, again, a great success. The numbers were up on last year which is encouraging and I am sure those present will agree that Pat Lawless struck just the right note in both content and duration of his speech. One area where I was disappointed, despite my plea in the last edition, was in the number of people who still choose to wear lounge suits rather than get dressed up for the occasion. I am grateful to the few people who responded to my request previously as to why attendance at the AGM seems to be dropping off. I fear nothing new was forthcoming from those responses - factors such as distance, cost, timing were all raised and are matters which your committee have considered. Regretfully, it is impossible to please all of the people etc..... so I guess we are going to have to live with it. The other factor, anno domini, is not something I can do much about however, we will keep the date/time/venue constantly under review. Upcoming is the Remembrance Day service at the Rhodesia Plot at Westminster and we are hoping for good representation. We shall particularly miss Ricky May this year. He was a great supporter of this event and designed our regimental plaque for the plot. After that is our Christmas Sundowner on the first Tuesday of December. I shall be back from South Africa and look forward to seeing you there. 6905 Peter Phillips
I have to report that I am going AWOL again and by the time you read this, I will have been away for two months. Quite unexpectedly I received an offer of a six month contract with the United Nations, which involves quite a bit of globetrotting. As I cannot afford to turn it down, I leave tomorrow (9/9). We will have the same arrangement as during my last absence, with Bertie Cubitt, Mike Abbotts and my wife Jean, keeping things running with input from me on line and Chairman Peter Phillips where necessary. Nothing new on the State Pension front. Several people have had similar responses to that which I reported in the last Outpost and we are still not holding our breath. With regard to subs defaulters. The last appeal has had quite positive results but by the time you receive this Outpost, many of those still in default, will have received a letter from Bertie Cubitt. I wish everyone a very happy Christmas. Take care. Barry Henson 5662 Hon Sec
Around And About The UK And Ireland The LONDON Monthly Gatherings take place at the Victory Services Club, Seymour Street off Edgware Road, around the corner from Marble Arch from 5.30pm until late on the FIRST Tuesday of EVERY month. 7 August 2007 attracted the following bods & bodesses: 4278 John Balchin, 4735 Cliff Rogers, 4503 Derek Humberstone, 4853 Fred Punter, 5055 Ken Miners, 5507 Brian Taylor, 5662 Barry Henson, 5975 Mike Abbotts, 6348 Dennis Poole, 6507 Seamus Power (visiting from Spain), 6527 Mike O'Donnell, 6735 Mike Coleman, 7359 Bertie Cubitt, 7391 Alan Toms, 8338 Mal Thurman, Guest Roz Thurman, WP 335 Jan Knight (nee Irvine) (visiting from Botswana). 4 September 2007 those present were: 6905 Peter Phillips, 5662 Barry Henson, 7391 Alan Toms, 7085 Hugh (Fred) Hubbard, 7084 Frank Dearden, 8510 David Adams (Mat Branch), 6308 Dan Hughes. 7225 Keith Brown, 7260 Ray Dale, 6609 Parry Jones, 4278 John Balchin, 5322 Stuart Rodda, 19566 Skip Rausch, 5507 Brian Taylor, 6527 Mike O'Donnell. 2 October 2007 - present were: 6905 Peter Phillips, 6527 Mike O'Donnell, 6348 Dennis Poole, 5469 David Grimbly (Mat Branch), 8278 Tony Marillier, 4278 John Balchin, 19566 Skip Rausch, 5812 Derek Singleton (from Bermuda). Ireland Gathering 5588 John Berry reports that another successful Gathering was held on 8th September, 2007, at the usual venue, Sandy Stokes' place near Clonmel, County Tipperary. A big thanks is due to Sandy for again making his spacious home and garden available. The weather was very good, warm, dry and calm and small groups were dotted here and there A big thanks due to Sandy and to Marie Berry for the cooking, Kathryn Flynn for the Dessert, Pat Deasy for the fish Braai, and all the ladies who helped with the cleaning-up. Once again, the large B&B-cum-Pub nearby, which we block-book for our members from afar, was full up and judging from the looks of many when they arrived at the gathering, a very convivial Friday evening was had by all. In addition to the usual crowd, we welcomed Roger and Renate Capper from the U.S., Roger Cook from France, Peter and Maggie Biddulph and Dick Mallinson from UK. Several old Rhodesians also attended as guests. Regrettably, 4358 Andy Bryant could not be present due to ill-health and we wish him all the best. Willa Bryant attended on his behalf and also acted as Official Photographer. Thanks, Willa. Those attending (numbering 36) were; 4789 Eddie & Joan Matchett, 5615 Tom & Joan Meekin, with guests Stan & Anne Mills, 5508 Gordon & Eve Norris, 5635 Dave Riley, 5272 Pat Deasy, 5936 Roger & Renate Capper with guests 23359 (FR) Chris & Wendy Kavanagh (Wendy was a WFR), 9225 John & Linda Scott, 6130 Randy Symmons, 6234 Bob & Kathryn Flynn, 8196 Tom Devoy, 5584 John & Marie Berry and guest Nicky Hall, 5541 Dick Mallinson, 7211 Peter & Maggie Biddulph, 7348 Peter O'Hara, 4209 Julian & Alison Burkitt, 6753 Roger Cook, 5681 Robin & Carole Harvey, 5586 Sandy Stokes and guests Geoff and Maggie Wood (ex Chipinga), and Willa Bryant. Apologies were received from; Peter Phillips, Barry Henson, Mike Abbotts, Mike Leach, Fred Punter, Clive Evans, Rose Bowen, Howard Byrne, and Bill O'Connell. Donations in cash and kind came to Euro100, which was fowarded to UK Branch Fund. Thanks to all. The 7th Annual Gathering will be on Saturday 6th September, 2008, same venue, so make a note in your diaries. The 2007 Uk Branch Annual Dinner Took place at the Victory Services Club in London on Friday 28th September 2007. As Peter Phillips remarked in this edition's "Chairman's Chat" the Regimental Dinner, was, again, a great success. It was well attended and our Guest Speaker, Brigadier Pat Lawless of the Rhodesian Army Association, struck just the right note in both content and duration of his speech. Parry Jones and Dan Hughes are also to be thanked for their organisation of the dinner and the reception and handling of the finances., while Dennis Poole did his usual good job in organising the raffle (apart from using the microphone as a pointer!) and in this years presentation our Patron, Lord Walker, ably assisted him. The attendance register consists of : Gen Lord Michael Walker (Patron of the BSAP Trust), Brigadier Pat Lawless (Guest Speaker), thereafter the cast in alphabetical order consisted of: 5975 Mike Abbotts, 6743 Bruce Allen, 4278 John Balchin, 5408 Richard Barnes, 111697 Charles Bennett, 7764 G L Best, 111032 Colin Bewes, 7211 Peter Biddulph, 6639 Eric Birrell, WP344 Renee Birrell, WFR 2434 Rose Bowen, 5044 Tony Bradshaw, 5317 K J Brooks, 9591 Les Burrow, Tim Callow (Guest), Helen Cathro (Guest), 3948 Eric Collier, 6753 Roger Cook, 4891 Sid Cooper, 7394 Brian Croasdell, 7359 Bertie Cubitt, 4882 Peter Dancer, 6925 Dave Darby, 5272 Pat Deasy, 7677 Peter Dewe, 4615 Gus Gale, 4428 Bruce Gates, 5355 Hugh Gibson, 6629 George Glibbery, 9086 Tony Granger, 7461 Peter Grant, 8962 Bill Hand, 5872 Winston Hart (South Africa), 6605 Cy Hartley, 5171 Peter Hillier, 8131 Brian Hodson, 5659 Hoppy Hopkins, 5259 Wilf Howe, 6308 Dan Hughes, 4503 Derek Humberstone, 7418 Colyn James, 6609 Parry Jones, Chris Kinsey (Guest), FR Pat Lacy, Liz Lacy (Guest), Paul La Fonteine (Guest), 5248 Alan Lane, 5349 Peter Lane, 4819 Brian Lay, 5312 Mike Lindley, 3385 Lummy Lumholtz, Cliff Mason (Guest), John McAdam (Guest), 5725 Phil Mead, 5615 Tom Meekin, Stan Mills (Guest), 5055 Ken Miners, 4955 Bob Morriston, 6360 John Moxham, 8443 Anthony Murphy, 6527 Mike O'Donnell, 5310 Brian Parnaby, 6632 Gerry Paxton, 6905 Peter Phillips, 6348 Dennis Poole, 5398 Tim Potter, 4853 Fred Punter, 9573 Graeme Restorick, 5601 Eric Robb, 6432 Chris Roberts, 8160 Mike Robertson, WP199 Linda Robertson, 5322 S A Rodda, 4735 Cliff Rogers, 6988 Colin Say, 9439 Glenn Seymour-Hall, 7661 Rod Shelley, Ian Spackman, 5668 Dan Stannard, 6130 Randy Symmons, 5507 Brian Taylor, 5559 Dick Thompson, 7391 Alan Toms, 5625 Biff Way, 4158 Tim Weimer, 24181H Ian Welch, 4857 Mike Wiltshire, Brian Winter (Guest), 5358 Mick York Chudleigh Report 6th October 2007 England v Australia in the Rugby World Cup did not deter the 23 Old (and not so old) fossils who attended our gathering. Considering that we had 11 apologies (holiday, family commitments etc) the turnout was gratifying (not to mention the smoking ban!) In passing, The Old Coaching House is currently erecting a large awning at the rear for inclement weather and with a large decked area with tables, umbrellas and ashtrays this caters admirably for the smoker. Those that did attend enjoyed the camaraderie recounting old times from bye-gone years and catching up on news of old friends. The rugby match was shown on a big screen in the bar with the sound turned off which did not intrude on the private scrums formed by some over glasses at tables nearby. PRESENT were 3948 Eric Collier, 11999 George Fardell, 3967 Johnny Johnston, 202956 Hilda Olivier, 5329 Paddy Morton, 5566 Dave Macdonald And Wife Joan, 8355 Chris Butler And Wife Shirley. 8693 David Lemon, 5085 Jim Gilbert and wife Molly, 5541 Dick Mallinson, 5468 Dave Adshead, 9270 Geraint Jones, 9486 David Luscombe, 4484 Buchan Telfer, 5956 Dave Kennedy And Wife Anne, 5098 David Riley once again over from Capetown and Guest Christine Tennant. Worthy of mention are 5349 Peter Lane and wife Ann, who have recently moved over from Capetown, they are in the process of moving home, and we hope to see them on a regular basis. George Fardell kindly put up Dave Riley, Eric Collier and guest Christine Tennant, well done George. The May 2008 Gathering has been arranged for Saturday 17th, same venue - from 1130hrs. Queries, directions etc contact Dave or Anne Kennedy by phone at 01726-851258 or Email at: plumville@ btinternet.com.
6348 Dennis Poole reports having had the pleasure of arranging the visit of squad mate 6345 Dave Holmes and his partner Michelle on their first visit to these shores from J'Burg. They were greeted at the home of Norma and Dennis by 4853 Fred and Margaret Punter, 5668 Dan and Pat Stannard and 7964 Stuart Thomson. Fred and Dave were e-mail correspondents but had never met before. Dave and Michelle stayed variously with Norma and Dennis in Sufflok, 6349 Mike and Marge Eglington in Staffordshire, 6336 Tony and Carol Hall in Gloucestershire and Dave's daughter in Cupar, Fife, completing their visit spending a week aboard a canal-boat in and around Stratford -on- Avon. Their final day saw a gathering in Evesham for a farewell lunch attended by Mike and Marge, Dennis and Norma and to the great pleasure of all, Miriam Gallagher, the recent widow of 6337 Peter Vincent. Mike Wiltshire 4857 writes: "I have just been away sailing for a few days and it has prompted me to make a contribution to the Outpost. Sanctions : The Beira Patrol. After the imposition of Economic Sanctions against Rhodesia on 11 November 1965, I was soon appointed to a counter-sanctions role both inside and outside the country. Much water under the bridge since then, but at a sailing rally on 30 August this year I met with Peter Booth, the Harbour Master at Poole Harbour (which incidentally is the second largest natural harbour in the world, after Sydney). I discovered that in his Royal Navy service he was navigator on the Frigate HMS Daring that had several spells off the port of Beira in 1967 to enforce the UN sanctions. They were able to turn away a number of oil tankers and also examined other vessels for goods traffic. We jokingly agreed that we were then "enemies" and I reminded him of our petrol rationing and other shortages. Naturally this was all in good part and he has assured me of future safe passage through Poole Harbour. Sailing - On the subject of sailing, I was pleased to have 4882 Peter Dancer as crew for a four-day sail in the Solent earlier in the 2007 season. We hoisted sails and visited Yarmouth IOW, Cowes and Lymington. My boat, Jouet of Arne (20ft) has 4 berths so is comfortable for two. More sailing to come later and we may link with 5044 Tony Bradshaw who tells me that he has recently bought a Moody 27. P/R 23450N Cyril Walter Terry in notifying us of his change of address (recorded in the "CoA" column) takes the opportunity to greet all and tells us that he is still alive and kicking miss the old life but now enjoying retirement, and traveling around the world "whilst I can." . He takes this opportunity to wish all the members of our association a long and peaceful life wherever they are. 5936 Roger Capper writes "During our recent tour of Europe, My wife and I paid a visit to the lakeside Austrian city of Bregenz, on the Bodensee (The Swiss call it Lake Constanz) and called upon old Rhodesian friends, Jock and Veronica (Nee Brandl) Zurawski 7922 who settled in Voralberg after leaving Zimbabwe about 20 years ago. Some of you might remember Jock who served in Manicaland, Midland Province and finally at Salisbury Central, after a long period of recovery resultant from a motorcycle accident in Mid Prov. Veronica is the daughter of the late Sepp Brandl, who owned a garage in Juliasdale, and was a Police Reserve PRAW pilot. (He also had an ex Police Marmon-Herrington armoured car, which he restored and kept in a garage below his home, during the Hondo) Jock,Veronica and their adult son and daughter are happily and comfortably settled in this beautiful alpine region. During our short and enjoyable stay, Jock and Veronica introduced us to the Austrian rail system, which suspended all fares over that weekend to encourage the locals to use this means of transportation with the onset of a long-term closure of a mountain road tunnel which was expected to cause serious vehicular delays in and around the city....Jock who has not forgotten his Scottish heritage, could not resist the free travel, to the extent that we rode into Switzerland, then Germany and back to Austria later to drive to Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein all on a Saturday morning......(Jock proudly sports his " BSAP 1 " number plate on his car) Jock who still works, is eagerly looking forward to his retirement next year and extends his best wishes to former comrades and friends scattered around the globe. As a postscript for our avid aviation members, modern day airships fly above the cities of Bregenz and Lindau (Germany) from their lake side factory at Friedrickshaven, the original home of Count Von Zeppelin. 4595 Mike Brookes tendered his apologies for being unable to attend the Annual Dinner this year and sends his greetings to all and particularly to those of his vintage. He went on to say "Reading the recent Outpost I was sorry to read about two deaths in particular. One Denis Sherringham. He used to be i/c African Police Camp in Bulawayo. If I remember correctly he was given a staff roll after a nasty m/cycle accident. He was a great supporter of the Police football teams. Another name which rang some bells was Nelson Graham(4596) who was with me and others on the Stirling Castle on our way to Cape Town in March 1950. He had spent some time in the Palestine Police, again if my memory has not let me down." 3708 Bill Crabtree writes "Through the columns of the Magazine I would like to express my appreciation for the kind Birthday thoughts expressed by "senior nonagenarian" Neal Arden, in the Summer Edition of your Outpost. Whilst we have never had the pleasure of meeting, I did serve with a number of his squad mates, including 3009 Les Gaylard (my equitation instructor in Depot), 3011 Gascoigne Hull, with whom I served at Shamva in 1938 and 3021 Steve Maybrook, my SWO in CID Salisbury in 1947. It would be interesting to ascertain just how many nonagenarians are still thriving I know of six, namely 3385 Lionel "Lummy" Lumholtz in UK; 3411 Bunty Ludlow; 3657 Alan Godwin in Austrailia; 3658 Bryan "Bill" Hayes in UK; 3676 John Hamilton; 3693 Bill Schollum in New Zealand and 3875 John Stanyon in Australia. Dave Darby 6925 writing to Barry Henson from "a from a very hot and humid Bahrain" offered "congratulations to you all on the very good Summer 2007 issue 66 of the Outpost. Some of the following are among the many memories that always arise from reading the Outpost, I did not know that Alan Birchall (photo page 10) was in the UK. On page 13 was the mention of Billy Budd 6969 and Jack Taylor 6940, I have not seen nor heard of those two Depot mates for over 30 years. On page 6 at the Chudleigh Gathering is a mention of Wally Pratt PR 3356. I knew Wally well when he was an "A" reservist at Hatfield in the 1960s, I would love to drop him a line and pay my respects, the years pass by, he was in the Royal Air Force during the war, how can I get a contact address for him? Many thanks and well done again, a lot of work has been put in by you all to produce such a fine magazine." 4046 Ted Galloway, commenting on the death notice of the late 4630 Barry Ball writes "Obituaries, sad readings 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 to the Zambezi Valley. He had his own m/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, in 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 Royen), 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 a 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 muzzleloader! though shooting elephant with a .303 is not to be recommended. Bob Slade (Trooper 4061) writes "I am most interested in the article ZAMBESI PATROL (Page 25, Issue 66 - Summer 2007). In 1948 I was stationed at Gokwe and did the last Zambesi Patrol before radios were introduced. Unlike Trooper Hoddinott we travelled to the river in the Native Department lorry to Binga. From there to Sampakoluma (now Kariba) by the steel boat, propelled by four Batonka oarsmen, which I understand was put there by the BSA Company in 1923. The NC at Gokwe, Bill Swanson, was was allocated £100 a year for the maintenance of the roads in the Zambesi valley. As this was not enough to pay labour he bought a load of salt that was divided between the chiefs villages along the route. The chief was then expected to make up the road between himself and the next chief. The main job was to fill in the holes in the road left by elephants during the rainy season. On completion of his tax business the chief lined up the women who then received one tin of salt each, payment for the work on the road. Whist this was going on a medical orderly and myself vaccinated children born since the last patrol. In the book 'Blue and Old Gold' published in 1953 it is my photo of the croc with an arm protruding from it's belly. I meet up with Eric Collier from time to time." 4933 Rod Wilson, who organises the Myerscough gatherings at in the North West Region, writes that he would like to appeal to members of the BSAP Association to try to attend more meetings, be they in London or out in the bush. He goes on to say, "It seems to me that there are three main reasons for non-participation as follows: 1. Some see it as a long time ago and are just not interested. 2. Some have health problems or perhaps just don't drive anymore. 3. Some are struggling to make ends meet and cannot afford to travel. In the North West there are many members who live within a days walking patrol and others who live within a days cycle patrol (how I hated those) of a venue where members meet but just do not go. The other day, in need of something to do, I checked the Obituary pages of the Outpost and noticed that we lose over 100 members per year and of course this will increase as years go by. We have some 750 members in the UK so you do not need a calculator to see that in 6 or 7 years the Association will no longer exist. Many people who go to meetings are very surprised to find they are very friendly events, people mingle and talk about all sorts of things, not just "Remember" when" they pass news of others around, it jogs memories and people then want to contact old friends. These meetings are not expensive to attend and much pleasure is to be had. We need to know which of us has health problems so we can give them a call and perhaps give them a lift, you will be surprised how close a member lives that you do not know about, and then there are those who don't run a car, so they could get a lift too.If the Association could print a list of all members, addresses and telephone numbers and give each member a copy, surely we could make a difference and we could contact those still living close by before it is too late. As I pointed out to Rod, we do have membership lists available for our members and through the efforts of many members and our Almoner we keep in touch with members who are in poor health. None-the-less some interesting thoughts - I look forward to response from our readers. Mike Abbotts, Ed. Flood Hero In the middle of 2007 Britain experienced dreadful floods. Well, Alan Toms 7391, our Deputy Chairman, draws our attention to an incident reported in the Evesham Observer dated 25 July 2007, which reported that "A brave Evesham man was dubbed a hero this week after rescuing a young woman from the River Avon." The hero of this report is 7368 Mike Rayne, who served in the BSAP from 1965 to 1981, retiring as a Supt. He is a member of the UK Branch. He dived into fast-moving water, saving the life of a young woman floating in the river. Mike's partner, Jennifer Edwards, saw the woman in the water, shouted for Mike and alerted the emergency services. Team leader, Keith Williams from Evesham Ambulance Station, said by his action in pulling the young woman from the water he had saved her life. Well-done Mike. Canadian Visitors 5109 Maurice & Ethel Aked visited the UK in September/October mainly to family and friends in Yorkshire and on their way back to Canada spent a couple of weeks in the Home Counties with Doug and Carol Brodrick, and Mike & Audrey Abbotts. Their last stop was with some other (not BSAP) friends. Unfortunately the visits to the Home Counties didn't tie up with the VSC gatherings. They send regards to all. It was really great seeing them and Doug & Carol. MSA ED. Outpost Memorables Alan Toms reports that the booklets, edited by John Berry and the income from which goes to BSAP UK funds, are now available for purchase. There are 7 titles in the series, Zambesi Patrol, Kalahari Patrol, Sunrise Patrols, Makaha, Not Without Incident, Down the Decades and The BSAP Origins and Early History 1885-1901. They are in matching covers. Cost is £7 each, except Origins and Early History which is £8.50. A full set of 7 for £41. All prices include postage and packing. Orders accompanied by cheques please to UK Branch Assistant Secretary Bertie Cubitt at: "Fritton", 55 Church Road, Elmstead, Essex CO7 7AW. He can be contacted by email at bsapuk2@aol.com. Dates For Your Diary 2007 / 2008 The London gatherings are from 5.30pm to midnight on the FIRST Tuesday of every month at The Victory Services Club, Seymour Street, just off Edgware Road, close to Marble Arch and the underground station of that name. December Tuesday 4th - 5.30pm Christmas get-together at VSC. 2008 January - Tuesday 2nd - 5.30pm VSC February - Tuesday 5th - 5.30pm VSC March - Tuesday 4th - 5.30pm VSC April - Tuesday 1st - 5.30pm VSC May
June - Tuesday 3 rd - 5.30pm VSC
It is with regret that we report the following deaths and we extend our deep sympathy to the family and friends of the deceased. 13855 Douglas David Pedler Cracknell, OBE, CPM. A Member of the UK Branch, David died peacefully at Dorchester on 24/06/2007 aged 89 years. He served in the BSAP from 18/08/1939 to 22/04/1948 leaving with the rank of Sergeant. David was born in India on 11/09/1918 but he moved to England whilst still very young and after boarding schools and a brief period in Banking, he fulfilled his interest in Overseas Service by joining the BSAP. Released for Military Service in North Africa in June 1941, he and a small cadre of Officers set up Police Forces in the former Italian occupied Territories of Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia. Whilst serving in Eritrea he was appointed Commissioner of Police at the age of 29. After the war he returned to the BSAP but left the Force in 1948. He then played a part in the effective restoration of order in Somalia.. On completion of that task he returned to his post in Eritrea where he played an inspirational part in the progress of Eritrea to Independence in 1952. His experience in counter insurgency, led to his Appointment in the Kenya Police in 1954 as Assistant Commissioner of Police of Operations with a direct responsibility for a Special Force of Teams of pseudo gangs. With the operational phase of the Kenya Emergency ended in 1956, and almost on cue, London approached the Kenya Government to release David for appointment as Commissioner of Police of British Somaliland Protectorate. The call to take up the challenge of Constitutional change on Somaliland was welcomed after 3 years of unrelenting pressure in Kenya. He would be back among people he knew well in a friendly environment. On the 26th June 1960, the Somali Flag was raised to symbolise the Union of the two Territories. On his return to England, David began a new career with the Foreign Office, a career he regarded as a 17-year privilege. A commendation letter by the 'Chief', dated 19th. September 1979, on his retirement from the Foreign Service, is worthy of note - " It was certainly a fortunate day for the Service, early in 1963, when you (David Cracknell) brought us all the qualities and experience developed during your previous distinguished career with various African Police Forces. Since then you have turned your hand, with excellent effect, to a number of jobs of increasing responsibility. Training Department, Security Branch, Personnel department and the world of Q/G have good reason to be grateful for the invaluable contribution you have made in their respective fields. Now that you are poised for retirement it falls to me to convey the sincere thanks of the Service for all you have done for us and to add our very best wishes for a long and happy retirement - which will no doubt be far from an idle one." David and his late beloved wife Jan retired to Bridport, Dorset in 1980, happily involving himself in active Scouting and two terms as a Dorset County Councilor. 4184 Peter Bosley, Peter died in Dandaro Clinic, Harare on the morning of the 3rd September 2007. He was hospitalised after suffering a fall which damaged his hip some two months ago, and never left hospital. Those of you who knew him will remember that he had a fine singing voice. 5433 Patrick Eric Edward Walsh. Mrs Rosemary Walsh, Pat's wife, informs us that he died at Bournemouth. on 15 March 2007. Sadly Pat had been unwell for the past ten years. Pat served from 29/01/1956 - 31/01/1964, leaving with the rank of Sergeant. He was a member of the UK Branch. 5710 Duncan Stuart McDougall passed away in Durban on 26 August 2006 following a long battle with cancer. He joined the Force on the 6 May 1957 and retired as a Superintendent on 11 July 1980. Duncan is survived by his wife Anne and their sons Robbie and Bruce. Alf Taylor and five other members the Reg. Assoc attended the funeral. Anne said that they were much appreciated and it was so nice that his friends from the BSAP were still there after so many years. Duncan was a member of the Natal Branch of the Regimental Association. 7659 Peter Robert Gill died from cancer on 08/08/07. Peter, a member of the UK Branch, served from 13/12/1966 to 05/04/1977, retiring as a Detective Inspector. He was stationed in Victoria Province for part of his service and was so attracted by the area that he returned to the Province on retirement working for Puzey and Payne Fort Victoria and later in the Lowveld where he was involved as Chairman of the Natural History society of the Lowveld. He is survived by his wife Alice and their sons Robert and Mathew. 9376 Michael John Davis died in Johannesburg on 20/8/07 after battling lymphatic cancer. Mike served from 10/03/1975 to 04/0619/80, leaving in the rank of Inspector. He was not a member of the Transvaal Branch. 5607 Francis Harold (Harry) Davies passed away in hospital at 11-30am on Sunday 29/07/07. 4933 Rod Wilson reports that Harry's daughter Penny was at his bedside for the previous three days and went out to get a sandwich and when she returned he had gone. Harry served in the BSAP from 06/01/1957 to 05/01/1960 left as a Constable. He met and married WP42 Sheila Wynn Marriott, who also served in the BSAP from 1957 to 1960 and they returned to the UK. Sadly Sheila died suddenly in 2004, an event which had a very bad effect upon Harry, whose health deteriorated markedly and he became quite ill about 18 months before he died. Back home Harry went into the Landscaping business and at one time was in charge of the racecourse at Aintree. He was a very keen member of the BSAP Association and a very good friend Again we have lost another very keen member of the Myerscough group and he will be sorely missed - but he no longer suffers and has gone to join Sheila. 5244 Brian Ruff by David Ruff eldest son of Brian. I am very sorry to have to tell you that my Dad passed away, on Monday 30 July 2007. Dad had a stroke at 2114hrs on 20 July, followed by two terrible falls brought on by the stroke - which cracked the skull of an already haemhorraghing brain. Sadly, his passing was avoidable, hastened by the prevailing situation in Zimbabwe; in this case, the parlous state of the country's medical services. And so, when my Dad had a stroke at 2114hrs on 20 July, followed by two terrible falls brought on by the stroke - which cracked the skull of an already haemhorraghing brain - he did not receive the right treatment. I'm pleased that you guys out there kept in touch with my Dad; the BSAP Assn was very much one of his major windows on the world, from this once proud and beautiful country. He always signed off "Post Nubila Phoebus" - after darkness there is light/ sunshine. Thank God that Dad is now back in the sunshine. 8314 Paul Weinel died at Riebeeck Kasteel, near Cape Town, on the morning of Sunday 29 July 2007, after a long battle with cancer. Paul served from 14 September 1969 to 2 July 1974 and left in the rank of Patrol Officer. 4957 Ronald Freeborn died on 04/10/2007 at Hiberdene, Natal.. Ronald served from 28/07/1952 - 27/07/1955 leaving with the rank of Constable. He was a member of the UK Branch of the Association. 16772 FR Christopher William Ensor McCanlis, who was a member of the Eastern Cape branch, died on Thursday the 19 July 2007. Chris, who was admitted to Groote Schuur Hospital in April this year after being diagnosed with leukaemia, returned home to PE several days before his death.. He was born in the UK in 1937 and after joining the military he saw service in Cyprus for several years. He resigned from the army and went to Sri Lanka where he worked on a tea estate. He went to Rhodesia in 1965 to New Year's Gift Estate where he worked for 2 years. He then joined the Immigration and Tourism Dept in Umtali and later moved to Salisbury. He was a member of PATU for 7 years and later joined the Rhodesia Defence Regiment and during an incident in the Kandeya TTL was wounded in the right elbow resulting in the loss of the arm. For his part in the action Chris was awarded the Bronze Cross of Rhodesia for bravery. Chris and his family emigrated to RSA in 1982 and at various stages he was also a Provincial Old Bill and Old Bill of local MOTHs. 3435 Roger Atherston "Jock" Hilton-Barber DFC, died in Harare on the 6th August 2006 at the age of 93. He served as a Trooper in the Eastern Districts from 1935 to 1938. When he left the police, he joined the Royal Air force as a fighter pilot. He served in Malta during the siege where he flew Hurricanes, and Gloster Gladiators of World War 1 vintage. He later specialised in aerial photography flying Gloster Meteors, for which he was awarded the DFC. He transferred to the RRAF in 1950 where he served until his retirement in 1964 with the rank of Group Captain. He served as Station Commander at both Thornhill and at New Sarum. 4264 Vincent Hustler died at his home in Port Shepstone on 20 October 2007. Vince joined the Force on the 01/05/1948 and retired on 01/08/1983. He retired on pension in the rank of Assistant Commissioner. 4243 John Lynn Keppel Brett died in Natal on 21 July 2007 after a prolonged illness. John served, mainly in the CID, from 01/05/1948 to 31/10/61 when he left on gratuity and took over the Rhodesia Railways Security unit May they Rest in Peace A Christmas Wish! In conclusion we wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year. As that old Irish saying has it "As you slide down the banisters of life may the splinters never point in the wrong direction."
|
