The BSAP Memorial at the National Arboretum, Alrewas, Stafford

Introduction

The United Kingdom Branch, originally called the home branch is the oldest existing Branch outside Zimbabwe having been set up in 1923. The Branch has over 600 members, publishes its Outpost magazine 3 times a year, operates an Almoner service in conjunction with the BSAP Trust to support and assist members who suffer distress and has a History Section with the object of "gathering", recording and preserving BSAP records and memorabilia. There are five main functions every year, The Regimental Dinner, AGM, Braai, Remembrance Parade and Christmas Sundowner .In addition regular functions and gatherings are held all over the British Isles, in the South West, North West, Scotland and Ireland.

The United Kingdom Branch has a page on Facebook. One would have to be a member of the social newtork to access this page

The Branch has organised major events over the years including the Centenary Dinner, in 1989 attended by the Honorary Commissioner, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, the construction of a memorial to the BSAP at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Stafford and The Last Parade on 23rd July 2010 when at a ceremony attended by over 350 ex-members, wives, partners, relatives and guests the Memorial was unveiled, dedicated, the Roll of Honour blessed, laid up in the chapel, and the final command “British South Africa Police – Dismiss” was given. The Branch publishes the “Books of the BSAP” series and an ongoing exercise is the Outpost DVD project to digitise the entire collection of Force magazines from 1911 – 1980.

A range of memorabilia is available from the QRep and will shortly be for sale from the online shop.

Full membership is open to all ex-members of the BSAP and BSAP Reserve; Associate Membership may be granted to the spouse, widow or widower, son or daughter over the age of 18 of a member of the Association or ex-member of the BSAP; former members of the Rhodesian Army, Air Force or Prison Service; or person who may have had a close association with the BSAP.

Application forms can be downloaded here together with Bank Standing Order.

Office Bearers

Peter Philips Chairman Alan Toms Deputy Chairman Barry Henson Hon. Secretary

• Chairman: Peter Phillips (6905) - Tel: 01442 244919
• Deputy Chairman & Trustee: Alan Toms (7391) - Tel: 01386 831541
• Hon. Secretary: Barry Henson (5662) - Tel: 01572 770331;
• Assistant Secretary: Bertie Cubitt (7359) - Tel: 01206 822814;
• Treasurer: Mrs Cindy Kennedy
• Almoner: Peter Biddulph (7211) - Tel: 01622 812297
• Committee Members:
• Mike Colman (6737) - Tel:01371 874800
• Jim Hazlett (6630) - Tel:02476 343176
• Hywel Parry-Jones (6609) - Tel:01832 732668;

Bertie Cubitt Peter Biddulph Jim Hazlett Mike Coleman

• Editor Outpost magazine: Parry Jones (6609) - Tel: 01832 732668;
• Irish Regional Representative: John Berry (5584) - Tel:353 24 20573;
• North West Regional Representative: Rod Wilson (4933) - Tel:0151 6051333;
• Scottish Representative: Steve Acornley (7784) - Tel:01506 466593;
• South West Regional Representative: Dave Kennedy (5956) - Tel:01726 851258



• Trustees:^**
• Patron: General the Lord Walker GCB; CMG; CBE
• Alan Toms (7391) - Tel: 01386 831541
• Jim Harris (10577) - Tel: 01235 519924
• Fred Punter (4853) - Tel:01767 223393

Tony Granger(9086), former Trustee, is now a Trustee Co-ordinator.

Functions

The 3rd Annual Scottish Gathering
It is perhaps appropriate to remind former members who visit this site of the forthcoming 3rd Annual Scottish Gathering which will be taking place on the 25th May 2013. Attached is an invitation to all Association members and also former members of the BSA Police. There is also a copy of The Scottish Gathering Newsletter No 9 for your reading pleasure. Support these events... you will enjoy them if you do.
13 April 2013

Regimental Association Centenary
Peter Philips, Chairman of the United Kingdom Branch of the Regimental Association has sent in a 'flyer', that accompanied the most recent edition of the UK Outpost (Spring 2013 Edition). This brochure gives details of the United Kingdom Branch events to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Regimental Association. Former members of the BSA Police and members of the Regimental Association are invited to, and indeed encouraged to, attend these events, the series of which will most likely be the last 'global' meetings of members. Former members of the force are expected to converge for this celebration from around the globe. Please click on the image to view.
23 March 2013

BSAP Irish Reunion
John Berry provides this is advance notice for the next BSAP Irish Reunion which will be held on Saturday 7th September, 2013, from 12 noon to late. Venue as usual is Sandy Stokes' place near Clonmel, County Tipperary. Cost is 10.00 Euro (£9) per head. A good lunch will be provided, but bring your own drinks. Local B&B's are available for visitors from afar. On the Friday evening Sandy will have a traditional Irish music group at his place to entertain these visitors. A light supper will be provided (no additional cost but again bring your own drinks.) All proceeds go to Regimental funds, including those from the Raffle, once again masterminded by Biff Way. Any prizes donated by members would be much appreciated. Contact for further details
23 March 2013

United Kingdom Branch Regimental Dinner 2012

The Annual Regimental Dinner of the UK Branch of the Association took place at the Victory Services Club, London on Friday 28 September 2012. Members and their guests were gathering in the bar well before 17:00 with the greetings of old comrades. 4955 Bob Morriston called in to meet up with old friends but was unable to stay. The dinner bugle call sounded at 19:15.


The Carisbrooke Hall had been decorated with BSAP and Rhodesian flags and the BSAP banner displayed. HM the Queen’s response to the Branch’s greetings on her Diamond Jubilee was also on display alongside the President’s plaque, a model of a mounted BSAP Officer and Dave Blacker’s remembrance poem. A total of 74 members and guests found their places at tables which had been tastefully dressed in blue and gold and bearing the names of well-known Rhodesian raptors. The film of the Last Parade was shown during dinner.
Read more here...
7 October 2012

Magazines

Introduction

The Home News section of the United Kingdom Outpost magazine is edited by Parry Jones (6609), ably assisted by Alan Lane (5248). Born in Wales, Parry joined the BSAP in 1962 and was stationed in Salisbury before transferring to CID/SB in 1965. He served in the Gold Section and SB Que Que, and on promotion, CID Bulawayo from where he retired as Superintendent in July 1981. Parry returned to the United Kingdom, but later went to Papua New Guinea where he held an appointment as Principal, Detective Training School. He later joined the commission investigating corruption by politicians and civil servants in Papua New Guinea before returning to the United Kingdom in 1993. Parry finally retired in 2007 and keeps busy with Masonic activities, birding, amateur opera, trying to keep out of mischief and Regimental Association matters. He is the Functions Secretary in addition to his editorial duties. Parry is a widower, his wife, Jan, having died of cancer in 2008. He has four children and four grandchildren.

• Current Edition:
• UK Outpost Issue No 83 [Spring 2013]
  (PDF Document - 2,5Mb) Updated: 23 March 2013
• Previous Editions:


• UK Outpost Issue No 82 [Summer 2012]
• UK Outpost Issue No 81 [Summer 2012]
• UK Outpost Issue No 80 [Spring 2012]
• UK Outpost Issue No 79 [Winter 2011]
• UK Outpost Issue No 78 [Summer 2011]
• UK Outpost Issue No 77 [Spring 2011]
• UK Outpost Issue No 76 [Winter 2010]
• UK Outpost Issue No 75 [Summer 2010]
• UK Outpost Issue No 73 [Winter 2009]

The Scottish Gathering Newsletter

• Editions:
• UK Scottish Gathering Newsletter No 9
  (PDF Document) Updated: 13 April 2013
• UK Scottish Gathering Newsletter No 8
  (PDF Document) Updated: 16 June 2012
• UK Scottish Gathering Newsletter No 7
  (PDF Document) Updated: 16 June 2012
• UK Scottish Gathering Newsletter No 6
  (PDF Document - 80kb) Updated: 29 April 2012

The Almoner

The Almoner of the UK Branch is a member of the Branch Executive Committee who has the responsibility to be aware of and arrange assistance for any branch member, or their spouse, widow and family, in case of need, distress or hardship. To this end he endeavours to:

• maintain regular contact with members and widow(er)s;
• react promptly to information received concerning the welfare of members;
• liaise with the Trustees of the BSAP Trust about cases and, where appropriate, submit applications for financial grants; and
• attend or arrange for an Association representative at funerals – this includes the provision of the Force Cap & Flag if requested.

Financial hardship is initially dealt with via the State benefit system before referring applications to the Trustees. The UK Branch currently has over 60 Almoner Assistants to ensure that all areas are catered for and available to assist our members. All information concerning the health, welfare or financial situation of members is always treated as confidential.

The current Almoner is Peter Biddulph who says that members or their relatives can contact him at anytime should they wish to pass on any information about themselves or a relative - or just for support at the end of the phone. This also includes those resident overseas who contact the Almoner with similar information. He may be contact on telephone (Home) +44 1622 812297 or Mobile +44 7986 565 079 or

The BSAP Trust

The BSAP Trust** was founded in 1987 in terms of a Deed of Trust executed by Mike Leach, Fred Mason and Tim Weimer. It is a UK registered charity, 297183. The object of the Trust is to:

“Provide assistance and support to members of the United Kingdom Branch of the BSAP Regimental Association and their dependants who are distressed by sickness or poverty”.

The Trustees are subject to the supervision of the Charity Commissioners and must therefore abide strictly by the provisions of the Deed of Trust and the rules governing UK based charities.

It is supported solely by donations and as a registered charity the Trust qualifies to claim Gift Aid relief for donations made by UK tax payers. Many members make regular donations and a number have made bequests to the Trust in their wills.

The Patron of the Trust is General the Lord Walker of Aldringham, perhaps better known as Micheal Walker son of Col. Walker, BSAP.

Assistance is normally provided in the form of a grant although assistance in debt reduction has been given in a number of cases. Before making a grant the Trustees are required to satisfy themselves that the applicant is in receipt of all social benefits to which the applicant may be entitled and therefore have to ask applicants to make a full financial disclosure when applying for assistance. All applications are treated in the strictest confidence.

Any member who wishes to apply for assistance or who feels another member would benefit from a grant should initially contact the almoner who will make the neccessary enquiries.

The Trustees make an Annual report to the AGM of the UK Branch and the audited accounts are also circulated. The latest report may be seen here.

** The BSAP Trust, having as its objectives 'to provide assistance and support to members of the United Kingdom Branch of the British South Africa Police Regimental Association and their dependants who are distressed by sickness or poverty' is restricted, by law, to servicing only the needs of members of the United Kingdom Branch.

Regional News

Irish Gathering 2012
The 11th Annual Irish Gathering took place at the usual venue near Clonmel, County Tipperary. Many thanks to Sandy Stokes for again opening his house, gardens and facilities for the function. For a full report please go to John Berry's Report.
Updated: 22 September 2012

South West Gathering May 2012
A very happy and loyal gathering of 47 members and guests attended the Cromwell Arms, Bovey Tracey, Devon on the 19 May 2012 for our quarterly gathering.. Read Dave Kennedy's Report.
Updated: 18 June 2012

North West Region Christmas Lunch 2011
In about 1948 a man called Hatton opened a model and toy shop in Smithdown Road, Liverpool. He was not a thrusting business man it was his hobby and he would talk for hours to his customers, when he died the the business was taken over by his son and his daughter. They started advertising widely and the business bloomed. Unfortunately, the son who was a keen sportsman, had a heart attack and died leaving his sister in charge of the business. Now probably the largest retailer of model trains etc in the UK now advertises in 62 magazines and sells all over the UK and abroad, you can still go to what is now a much larger shop, you will not see many customers but you will see a large staff handling telephone orders at their computers. Woman Power!

A similar situation arose at the Myerscough Pub which was the venue for the North West UK members since 1999, two young men ran the pub but decided to leave and it was taken over by a lady who had another pub not far away with an excellent reputation, so refurbishment and more tables and now you cannot get in without a booking and as soon as you finish your meal they want the table for the next customer, obviously time for us to move on. We moved down the road a few miles to the Bay Horse which seemed very good but then the licensee was reported to have done a runner so we had to find somewhere else.

My chief scout, (6314) Val Marsden came up with the Feildens Arms in the same area, I got in touch and they sent me their Christmas Menu which I circulated to all our members, took their orders and we were back in business. This pub is even nearer to Vals home and I think she might be planning to get us there if anything goes wrong again!

18 Members sat down to Christmas Lunch specially served for us in the Conservatory which we had to ourselves so plenty of room to move around and chat, they came in and took our orders for drinks and we enjoyed a very nice meal (at a very keen price) very well served and everyone got what they had asked for.

Having finished our meal the Chef came out for a chat ad informed us that his sister was a WPC in the BSAP in the early 70s so hopefully she will be joining us at our next meeting, small world, it is woman power you see!

It has been a policy of mine since I took over the North West Region that all those who cannot make it for whatever reason are sent a Christmas Card signed by everyone who attends the lunch, usually there are about 14 cards that had to be signed by 18 people on this occasion which sometimes causes some little confusion. However, judging by the feedback it is well worth doing and much appreciated by those who cannot make the lunch.

Those Attending
4933 Rod Wilson and daughter Andrea, 203679 Paula Woolley, 7207 Arnold Woolley, 8199 Bugs and Tessa Moran, Dave Doyle, Guest, 8307 Flash Firth, Janette McMeekin and Jonice Wilson Smith, 4039 Ted and Muriel Chapman, 7084 Frank and Margaret Dearden, (6314) Val Marsden and guest Nora. (7022) Dorothy Walker and her Mum both just back from a tour of the Far East! Unfortunately a few apologies owing to other commitments and sickness, Lance Combrinck and Elizabeth, Ken and Dot Stanford Smith, Alan Whitehurst. Stu and Margaret Findlay, Mike Parr. Barbara Mercer.

Dates for 2012 are as follows, Sunday March 11th. Sunday June 10th. Sunday September 9th. Sunday December 9th all at 12 noon at Feildens Arms Mellor Brook, Blackburn BB2 7PR Tel. 01254 814655

Only one person, Dorothy Walker, remembered to bring a Camera and I will get the photos from her for the next edition of The Outpost.

Rod Wilson 4933
21 January 2012

United Kingdom Branch: Online Shop

Online Shop: Planning is underway to introduce an online shop intended for sale of books and memorabilia. Initially this will service just members of the United Kingdom branch or persons living in the United Kingdom, and hopefully online shops will be set up for those other branches which actively sell memorabilia to their members.

BSA Police First Sergeant.