April
2010 News
 Andrew
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 Death:
Gerald Charles Vaughan Spanton FR 13355
John Pirrett announces, with regret, the death of Gerald Spanton
on 25 April 2010 at Henneman, South Africa, following a period
of ill health. He was a long standing member of the Police
Reserve and had been the Field Reserve Group Leader in the
Gwelo area, where he operated his businesses, for many years.
Gerald was awarded the Medal for Meritorious Service in April
1980. He was a member of the Western Cape, and later Transvaal,
Branch of the Regimental Association. Our thoughts and condolences
go out to his wife, Annabelle, family and friends, to whom
we extend our deepest sympathy.
30 April 2010
 Death:
Timothy James Collins DFM PMM 4307
It is with regret that we learned of the death of Timothy
James ‘Jimmy’ Collins who died on 26 April 2010 at Pietermaritzburg,
South Africa. Jimmy served in the force between July 1948
and September 1978. Prior to joining the force he had seen
active service in the Royal Air Force, No. 75 (New Zealand)
Bomber Squadron, during the Second World War. He was awarded
the Distinguished Flying Medal. His initial postings in the
force were to Bulawayo. He was commissioned in 1966 and transferred
to the Salisbury South District. Jimmy also served at PGHQ
as Staff Officer (Police Reserve) and in May 1976, then with
the rank of Assistant Commissioner, took command of the BSA
Police Support Unit, where he remained until his retirement.
He was awarded the PMM in November 1975. Jimmy was a keen
sportsman, playing cricket and soccer, the latter for which
he was a first grade referee. He was a member of the Natal
Midlands Branch of the Regimental Association. Our thoughts
and condolences go out to his wife, Joan, family and friends,
to whom we extend our deepest sympathy.
26 April 2010
 Fearful
Odds: David Tippets
David Tippets (5650) offers an interesting biography of his
'time' in the BSA Police, drawn from his private papers accumulated
during his service as a Rhodesian policeman. Much of this
account covers his own chronicle of events during the conflict
which enveloped the nation. Tippetts offers a unique account
of those halcyon days as a district policeman, before nationalist
agitation set in. He served in an administrative role at both
Sikombela and Gonakudzingwa where dissident nationalists were
interned. His eventual appointment as a Border Control officer
drew him into the ensuing conflict. Starting with the first
phase of the ‘struggle’, Tippetts provides many accounts of
his experiences through to the last days of the war, when
Western politicians connived with the South Africans to plot
Rhodesia’s eventual downfall. He also describes the British
duplicity of the ceasefire period, the inevitable outcome
of the struggle, and the sacrifice of a nation to terrorism.
A modest, but memorable, account and a must read for any former
member presently reflecting on his or her own service.
The book has been produced in low volumes by Messrs ZipPrint
(Lawrie Mabin - 8151) and may be obtainable through .
18 April 2010
 Death:
Philip Percy Palmer MSM 70066P
Des Howse, Hon. Sec. Natal Branch announces, with regret,
the recent death of a former Police Reserve Air Wing Pilot,
Phil Palmer. He died on 10 March in Kloof, South Africa as
a result of a fall. Phil had served with the call sign Copper
1 and had been part of the PGHQ Flight. He was the commander
of the Air Wing between 1975 and 1980. Phil was awarded the
Meretorious Service Medal in November 1975 and he was also
the recipient of the PRLSM in the same year. Phil was the
Deputy Director of the Civil Aviation Authority in his civilian
life. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Phil's wife,
Dot, family and friends, to whom we extend our deepest sympathy.
10 April 2010
 Rhodesia
Calls Article on BSA Police
Many of you will remember the 'glossy' publication 'Rhodesia
Calls'. There is a PDF reproduction of an article on the BSA
Police, dated May-June 1965, which may bring back a few
recollections for your reading pleasure.
5 April 2010
Andrew Field (8646)
Web Master
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The BSA Police Senior Officer.
Images by Dick Hamley
author of
'The Regiment'
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