Ian LewisLewis, Ian David, aged 84 (5543, Chief Inspector; served between September 1956 and September 1976; last stationed as Member in Charge Chipinga, Manicaland) passed away 5 July 2021, Glencoe, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
10 July 2021
From Outpost January 1977:
Another retirement on the last day of September (1976) was that of Chief Inspector Ian lewis (55431,the former Member-in-Charge at Chipinga. From Maidstone, Kent, Ian went to Hampton Grammar School in England and then completed his education here at Churchill. He spent two years as a farm assistant before attesting in the Force on 23 September 1956. After his Depot training he set out on a career as a district policeman, starting in Umtali. In the next 20 years lan served in -most parts of the country, steering clear only of Mashonaland and Midlands Provinces. Although very modest, lan made quite a name for himself when he was stationed at Chibi in the mid-60s. Apart from earning a Commissioner’s Commendation for rescuing a man from the flooded Tokwe River, lan was later made an honorary kraalhead by Chief Chibi. Ian’s own “Chibi Tales” in the April 1966 Outpost revealed his interest in the district. His last seven years in the Force have been spent where he started – in Manicaland. On the sporting scene lan humbly admits to having tried most activities with no great success. Much more successful is his hobby of collecting badges and militaria. Ian and his family are staying in Chipinga to take up farming and we wish lan, Julie and their three children all success in the years ahead.
There is an obituary by Pat Rundgren on the Talana Museum Facebook Page:
AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN.
5543 CHIEF INSPECTOR IAN LEWIS,
BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA POLICE.
Ian Lewis was born in Maidstone, Kent, on 27 February 1937. He was educated at Hampton Grammar School. The family subsequently immigrated to Southern Rhodesia, arriving in Salisbury on 12 September 1952. After completing his education at Churchill School, Salisbury, he worked for two years as a tobacco farm assistant in Banket before being called up for National Service in 1956.
He liked military life, and consequently joined the BSA Police on 29 September 1956, completing his Depot Recruit Course in March 1957. His first posting was Umtali Urban, followed by Chipinga (September 1957 – 1958) and Umtali Rural (August 1959 – 1961). He married Julie in September 1957. The couple had two daughters and a son. Posted to Goromonzi in 1961, where his claim to fame was being a member of the Police Contingent on the occasion of the Queen Mother’s official opening of the Kariba Dam, as well as the parade to mark the granting of the Freedom of the City of Salisbury to the BSA Police.
In 1962 he was posted to Bembezi, where his passed his promotion to Sergeant. In 1964 he was posted to Chilimanzi as Member In Charge. For those readers of a different era who perhaps do not understand what exactly a Member in Charge did, he was responsible for the policing of an entire district of sometimes hundreds of thousands of people. Police forces are often vilified as “oppressors of the people”, but not so the BSA Police, which had a record second to none for justice and fair play. Chibi followed (1965), after which he was posted to Tomlinson Depot in 1967 as an Instructor.
In 1969 he was promoted Inspector and was made Member in Charge, Umtali Rural. By 1972 he was back at Chipinga with the rank of Chief Inspector.
The eastern border area of Rhodesia with Mozambique was considered to be one of the “hottest” in the Rhodesian war. He retired on 30 September 1976 after 20 years service, to go farming. He was subsequently commissioned as a Lieutenant in 4RR, and later promoted to Captain. As regards his sporting activities, he said that he had tried most things but without much success.
On leaving Rhodesia in December 1985 he joined the Bophutatswana Government before finally retiring to Glencoe, near Dundee KZN. He kept himself busy with his life-long hobby of fishing, and was an enthusiastic volunteer researcher at Talana Museum until his eyesight finally gave out. He was also a familiar figure at all of our Remembrance Day Parades and was a member of the Dundee MOTHs.
He was awarded the RGSM and Police Long Service Medal (16 August 1974). He also earned a Commissioner’s Commendation for rescuing an African from the flooded Tokwe River. He was later made an honorary Kraalhead (Ruswinga) by Chief Chibi and submitted his “Chibi Tales” which was published in the April 1966 “Outpost”. Ian Lewis succumbed to his lifelong addiction to cigarettes and died of emphysema on 05 July 2021.
Cheers mate, on your last march to that OK Bazaars in the sky stiffed full of Lion Laager, Tanganda Tea, Mazoe Orange and Colcom Pork Sausages.
The rest of our generation will be following soon to keep you company.
We have missed you dedication at the museum – for 7 years Ian unfailingly turned up twice a week to do research and extract information from the Dundee Couriers. As with so many of our museum volunteers , they start off by not wanting to be involved with the public but as their knowledge and confidence grows so does their involvement. Ian was an enthusiastic badge collector and Pat would always know where to find him and the long chats over medals, badges, the days of service in Rhodesia would keep them on the go for hours. Ian readily participated in Talana Live as parade master for the march through town. He was a stickler for the correct order and etiquette and thus was a superb parade master for the MOTH annual Sunday Remembrance Service and wreath laying.
We have and will continue to miss you Ian.
Doreen Tennett, formerly Cooper
Posted at 00:05h, 19 October“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. ” Psalms 126:15
Andrew Field
Posted at 12:04h, 17 JulyDeepest sympathy and sincere condolences to all the family and friends from the President and Delegates of the BSAP Constitutional College.
Michael Mays
Posted at 16:08h, 12 JulyDeepest condolences and our sympathy to all family and friends from all members of the Eastern Cape Association of the BSAP RA.
RIP Ian.
Hennie Pretorius
Posted at 15:42h, 12 Julywell remember from our time togetherin Chipinga. A roloe modelof noted. RIP bwana
Dave Young
Posted at 16:51h, 10 JulyWell remembered in our time in Chipinga. RIP Ian
José Vieira
Posted at 14:56h, 10 JulyRest in peace Ian. Condolences to the family and friends.
Peter Good
Posted at 13:16h, 10 JulyAlways sad to here of the passing of a Member. Deepest Sympathy and Sincere Condolences go to Family and Friends. May He Rest In Peace.