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When placing an order as the result of this advert in the Natal Outpost please

advise the publishers accordingly.

BSAP Regimental Association: - Natal Branch Committee Members 2009/2010

Chairman - Nobby Clark 031 762 1807(h/f) 083 463 7672(c)

hnc@telkomsa.net

Secretary - Des Howse 031 716 8912(h) PO Box 3019 0865086042 (f) Assagay 3624 083 440 6740(c)

dlh@ledom.co.za

Treasurer - Malcolm Wiltshire 031 563 9679(h) 073 615 7815(c)

Malcolmw@telkomsa.net Welfare - Val Oldham 031 465 7273(h) bluemarble@polka.co.za Members - Ken Wood 031 767 2875(h) 084 737 4062(c)

kywood@polka.co.za Denis Wyatt 031 266 6871(h) 073 979 0567(c) DWyatt@hub.co.za

Editor - Trevor Dutton 031 764 3853(h/f) 6 Magenta Gardens 082 896 1911(c) 19 Park Lane imakulu@gmail.com KLOOF 3610

COVER PHOTO : Police dog LEON checks up on domestic

arrangements - photo by David Paynter, Argus Africa News Service

Banking Details

Account BSAP Regimental Association Bank First National Bank, Hillcrest

Account No. 50800026772 Branch Code 220826 Ref: Include your name & type of payment e.g. subs/dinner/donation/sponsor etc.

Please try to avoid making a cash deposit

CONTENTS

ITEM PAGE

Editor’s Notes 5

Chairman’s Comment 7

AC Kachemu 10

BSAP World Nominal Roll 11

Durban North Nominal Roll 12

The Outpost - Vol 1; No. 1 13

BSAP Mature Member’s Club 17

Leon - The Story of a Dog 20

Ukraine – The Story of a Horse 21

Obituaries 25

Photographic Round Up 28/29

2074 Joseph Gordon “Jock” Simpson 30

Twenty Years Ago 34

Comrades 36

Reunion of Squad 11/58 37

Something of a Mystery 39

Letters to the Editor 41

Photographic Echoes of the Past 47

Station Notes 48

The Girls of Natal and A Motley Crew 50

Spot the Differences 51

Domestic Notes 52

Calendar of Events for 2010 53

Association Branch Secretaries 54

A Special Message from the Editor 55

Round & About Back cover

5.

EDITOR’S NOTES

My first note is the sad news that Nobby Clark is intending to stand down as

Chairman at our next AGM in May. Initial reactions must be – why? He is

doing such a good job. But after 7 years on the Natal Branch committee of

which 5 were in the Chair, Nobby has decided time for a change and I, for

one, cannot argue with him.

Before allowing him to take his discharge I would like to write a few words

about this very likeable character. In my mind and during all the years I have

known him (we first „bumped‟ into each other during the 1960‟s in the era of

Special Branch located in Railway Avenue, Salisbury) he has apply fitted the

description of being „straight up and down‟ – you get what you see. Nothing

pretentious and very rarely offering a hidden agenda. Easy going perhaps to a

fault but when required he can be an iron fist in a kid glove. Not only loved by

his family but admired and respected by his friends and all who had dealings

with him. One of the few people I have met who can literally get on with

anybody.

As a Chairman he gave the Natal Committee strong and clear leadership and

beneath a quiet and dignified manner seemed to get the best out of each

member.

He will be sorely missed but I doubt very much that he will wander far. I‟m

sure he will continue to actively support this Association.

A word about Sponsorship. For those of you who have indicated they intend

to support the cost of publishing our Outpost but haven‟t as yet done so, our

Associations‟ bank details appear on page 3 of this edition.

Please ensure you clearly indicate on deposit slip “Outpost sponsorship”.

The suggested tariff is R15 per page (quite cheap when compared to our UK

colleagues who require the equivalent of R80 per page). Your total payment

should be in multiples of R15 and if you have any special preference for

publishing (ie. all in one edition or spread over future editions) then just let me

know. Also if you would like a special comment to be included (eg. “In

memory of……….”).

6.

Remember also – having sponsored once does not preclude you from

sponsoring again!

If you have any comments to make on this subject they will be very welcome.

On the subject of seeking a volunteer to design a Police Crossword (see October

2009 edition) – to quote a famous comment once made by Archbishop de Sousa

of the English Cathedral in Salisbury – “the silence is deafening”.

I was amazed how few readers, especially our local Natalians, failed to deduce

that the „Motley Crew‟ featured on page 56 of our last issue were the younger

version of the current Natal Branch Committee. So to make it easier I have re-

issued an update of that particular item on page 50 of this edition

My choice of „editorial from the past‟ comes from the pen of Outpost Editor HG

Baldwin printed in the June edition of 1954 –

“During the years when mechanization was being introduced to the Force, the

usefulness or otherwise of the horse in its relationship to police work was a

source of perpetual controversy. Today it is accepted as part of the police

system of patrolling in conjunction with mechanisation, and performs useful

work in the native reserves and on township commonage patrols. Thus have

the critics of our traditional mount been partly confounded; and the horse still

plays an important part in the training of men.

The reduction of horse mileage performed on patrol, arising out of the

restrictions on its use, brought under review the desirability of giving all

recruits a lengthy course in equitation. It was argued that the majority of

recruits, once they left Depot, would rarely, if ever, ride again and

modifications were made to the training syllabus, a year or two ago. Some

squads were trained in equitation and some were not.

It has now been officially decided to re-introduce equitation into the syllabus of

training for every recruit, regardless of the branch of the Force in which he

may serve.

7.

The decision to do so was made after much inquiry, during the course of which

it was found that equitation was of real benefit in the training of all recruits,

especially in respect of such factors as self-assurance and character building.

There is no doubt that the riding school does have a psychological, if not

physical, effect on a man. Unless he is accustomed to riding from a very early

age – and few these days can claim this privilege – there is always the unknown

element that has to be overcome by the recruit when he first enters the riding

school.

Equitation itself is not a difficult subject; its growing popularity overseas and in

this country proves this, but it is the standard that must be attained under

discipline that strengthens the spirit of self confidence.”

In the same editorial HG Baldwin included the following snippet – “Another

item of interest in recruit training is the recent decision to withhold the

allocation of Force Numbers, upon which seniority is based, until the passing-

out examinations have been held. On attestation a recruit is now allocated a

number prefixed with the letter “R”, which he uses only whilst on recruits‟

course . In future a man‟s seniority in the Force will not be based on the initial

letter of his surname but on his general ability and success at the

examinations.”

A final note – when intending to send an e-mail to any member of the Natal

Committee please check the relevant details which usually appear on page 2 of

the Outpost, as addresses sometimes change.

Trevor Dutton (td.)

A member of Parliament to Disraeli:

"Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease."

"That depends, sir," said Disraeli, "on whether I embrace your policies or

your mistress."

This page sponsored by 5666 David Wright

8.

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENT

2010! The year of expectations as the spectators of many nations

pour into our country for the World Cup Soccer tournament. Soccer

– the world‟s most popular sport! Who will win? What will the

impressions be of South Africa as a country and our ability to host

such an event? As a soccer enthusiast I pray all goes well. What can

we look forward to after the soccer tournament?

Since the last Natal Outpost, the splendid 82nd edition featuring the

ladies of the BSAP, Christmas has come and gone and we hope it was

a joyful occasion for all in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. May

it always be a public holiday on the South African calendar! By the

time this edition of the Outpost is published we will be well into

2010 and on behalf of all on our committee we wish our members and

families a wonderful year.

2009 was an eventful year. Again we witnessed the wonderful

support of members for others when the situation so demanded.

Two incidents come immediately to mind, both at the Inchanga

Village, where firstly, the home of the daughter of a member was

burnt down when a gas heater caught alight and secondly, the home

of our Smudge and Shirley Smith was broken into and goods stolen.

Fortunately, no one was hurt. The police follow-up investigation into

the housebreaking was such that we who served in the BSAP would

want to cry. It served to remind me of what we had going for us in

terms of policing efficiency, the Courts and indeed the civil service.

The Association social functions continued throughout the year at

the Stations, such as Margate, Durban South, Hillcrest and

Inchanga.

9.

The Midlands Branch put on a number of wonderful social get-

togethers. The annual LUNCHES for the Natal and Midlands Branch

were very good indeed. Many thanks to all who make these

gatherings such a pleasure!

In recent years, we have held our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in

May. It is at this meeting that members are appraised of the

standing of the Association and the election of a committee. Sadly,

there are those who were in the BSAP and want nothing to do with

the Association.

Whatever, their concerns may be, we will continue to do what we can

to bring them back to being part of the Association. The term AGM

tends to frighten some members, but we have been fortunate in

having a reasonable turnout each year and committee members that

have continued to serve. The sports club that I am a member of had

a rather novel way of electing their committee. Members received an

email asking if they were prepared to be on the committee and if so,

stand as chairman/chairperson. A further question asked was, who

one would like to see on the committee and why?

By the time the AGM came about the committee was „elected‟ and

the meeting held simply to formalize that aspect of the agenda –

then a very good social evening. Perhaps our Secretary Des will be in

touch with you by email for your committee input along the lines

described above.

I have served more than my “three in the BSAP”, so I will be

standing down from the committee. In so doing, many, many thanks

to Malcolm, Des, Trevor, Ken, Denis and Val - a truly wonderful

committee. I believe that Associations such as ours will continue to

flourish if our

10.

communication links with members are regularly maintained.

Excellent editions of the Natal Outpost have served not only to keep

members informed, but have attracted outsiders to join. Emails links

and social functions serve greatly in maintaining contact and advising

us of friends who have passed away, and the behind the scene

administration of our finances, communication with members on

welfare type matters are on going

Having worked for another company for 19 years after the BSAP,

one senses that very few organizations or companies have what we

have in terms of ongoing support and friendship and I know this will

continue to the end. Nobby Clark

11.

BSAP WORLD NOMINAL ROLL

In the January 2009 issue of the Natal Outpost I declared my interest to try and

produce a reasoned estimate of how many of us were left worldwide, asking the

question “When the time comes to turn out the lights how long will it be before

someone somewhere has to perform the task?” The answer to that question is

of course impossible to gauge, plus the fact there will not be just one person left

to do it – each of fifteen branches of the Association will have the

responsibility and not all at the same time (unless of course there is a nuclear

world war and then no one will be really bothered anyway).

So, back to my mission. From my investigation so far, with valuable input

from Andrew Field, my educated (not very impressive – out of 5 GCE „O‟

levels, one was “Art” and another, “Woodwork”) guess is our total number of

former members of the Regiment is around 2,500, which includes Police

Reserve.

This also incorporates a high percentage of colleagues who just do not want to

be counted, so the number of qualified „lights turner-outers‟ is probably in the

region of 1,700.

However, there is an important further consideration to be taken into account. It

would seem that not all of our Branches of the Association include on their

Nominal Roll separate details of spouses of paid-up members who are

eligible in their own right to become members. Whilst they are de facto

members due to their (husbands) membership they may not be included in the

branch head count.

So, starting with Natal, any member spouses out there that we don’t yet

know about please identify yourself. We know of John and Chris Lees;

Dave and Maddie Lynn; and Pete and Gill Colepeper. Only very recently

discovered WFR Marie Bowker, wife of Gerry Bowker (Durban South

station).

We have in the past published brief details of members and known „non‟

members in different parts of the world – in the hope that you the reader may be

able to offer corrections or updates. So far we have identified, in Natal, the

Stations of Durban South; Hillcrest and Westville. Further afield we listed

Mashonaland and Queensland, Australia.

12.

In this issue we offer Durban North – although we can identify some 30

members and potential members, we have yet to stimulate sufficient interest to

form a „working‟ station.

DURBAN NORTH STATION

5855 Albyn Terence REGULARS

4072 Allen Paddy

8464 Bailey Alan

6422 Baker Lionel

9109 Bennison Gavin

8677 Cloete Pieter

5472 Dalziel Doug

7830 Francis Robert

7950 Hardy Richard

6187 Haswell John

5428 Hogg Ian

111075 Hogg Ian

7106 Hughes Trevor

5958 Isemonger Richard

7635 Kennedy Noel

6253 Laing Iain

5520 Lathe John

5572 McCallum John

7387 Mitchell John

8842 Stewart James

5280 Tomlinson Peter

6742 Walker Graham

8215 Webb Malcolm

8392 Wilkin William

6393 Wilkinson Chris

5268 Wiltshire Malcolm 26

WOMEN POLICE

168 Bullock Jill

158 Manning Patricia 2

POLICE RESERVE

26332 Lotze Manfred

22033 Shattock Peter 2

TOTAL 30

13.

THE FIRST OUTPOST – Vol. 1 : No. 1 – July 1923

5087 Robin Johnson 2065 Cyril Johnson

JJJohnson

Thanks to Cyril Hall- Johnson, who had the

foresight to keep his copy of the First Edition of

the BSAP Outpost magazine and the wisdom of

his son, Robin, to preserve this rare inheritance,

we are now able to share it with you. In this and

future editions of the Natal Outpost it will be re-

produced in full, starting with all the adverts -

14.

This page sponsored by Maries Workshop (6785 Roger & Marie Brownlow)

15.

This page sponsored by 3708 Bill Crabtree – “in memory of my mates in Squad 4/38.”

16.

This page sponsored by Maries Workshop (6785 Roger & Marie Brownlow)

17.

BSAP MATURE MEMBER’S CLUB

It will be recalled that membership of this august body is restricted to

former members of the Force and/or their wives over the age of 90

years.

The current ex officio President, by virtue of his outstanding seniority

in age , is 3005 John Franklyn Bellamy, who turned 102 years old on

12th

January this year! Heartiest congratulations to our only known

Centurion.

We are slowly managing to identify other members around the world

and record hereunder, in order of date of birth, brief details of the 13

stalwarts so far. These details will be updated as and when the

information is made available to us, including „new‟ 90 year old

members when they come of age.

"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend....

If you have one." - George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill. "Cannot

possibly attend first night, will attend second... If there is one." - Winston

Churchill, in response.

3005 John Franklyn Bellamy Born 12 Jan

1908. Joined the Force 30 Mar 1928 and retired

as a Sub Inspector 15 May 1949. He is an

Honorary Life Member of the UK Branch and

resides in a Devon retirement home.

No recent

photo yet

available.

3004 Arthur Neal Alston Born 27 Dec

1909. Joined the BSAP on 30 Mar 1928

and left 2 Apr 1930. After service in the

BSAP returned to the UK and worked for

many years with the BBC, having changed

his name to “Neil Arden.”

18.

The exchange between Churchill & Lady Astor: She said, "If you were my

husband I'd give you poison," And he said, "If you were my wife, I'd drink

it."

3385 Lionel Ludvig Lumholst-Smith Born

20 Mar 1912. Joined 17 May 1934 and retired

on pension on 5 Aug 1956 as a Detective

Chief Inspector. Resides in Cockermouth,

Lake District, England

No photo

available.

3667 Cyril Bernard Turner Born 12 May 1913.

Joined BSAP 8 Apr 1937 and transferred to

Permanent Staff Corps on 17 April 1939. During

his 2 years service was stationed in the Mazoe

Valley. Now resides at Dawlish in Devon

P/R. 4891 Sid L. Cooper MSM Born 1 Jan

1914. Attested BSAP P/R 3 Jan 1955 and

attained rank of Inspector on 11 Jul 1973.

Transferred to Field Reserve 27 Nov 1978 and

served until 3 Mar 1983 when he returned to the

UK. Now resides in Salisbury (Wiltshire).

3693 Charles Anthony “Bill” Schollum Born 20 Jan

1914, Bill travelled to the then Southern Rhodesia in 1938

(at own expense) to join the BSAP on 03/02/38. He retired

as a D/Superintendent on 28/02/63. He had been

a fingerprint expert as well as a good investigator and a

great shottist for the BSAP.

3531 James Desmond Dooge “Jim” Cave. Born 8 May

1914, joined the Force 23 Jan 1936 and left as a Trooper, on

Medical Grounds, on 31 Dec 1939. Then served almost 30

years with Anglo American Corp in Northern Rhodesia. Now

living in a retirement home in New Malden, Surry

19.

She also doesn‟t act her age, maybe only 70 going on 96. No stick, no glasses and full of

life. “

No early

photo yet

available.

P/R 16707 Milton McGarrick Born 6 June 1914 in

Johannesburg. He survived the war on the Western Front

whilst serving in the artillery with the 8th

Army. In

BSAP Radio Ops he was promoted to Res Section

Officer in the Salisbury Recce Unit

hHe

3605 Thomas Stewart “Paddy” Anderson

KPM;CPM Born 25 Aug 1914. Joined BSAP 27

Sep 1936 and left as a Trooper on 7 Aug 1938 to

join the NRP. Then followed an intensive army

and Colonial Police career, culminating as County

Commandant in the Ulster Constabulary. Now

living in Ramsey, Isle of Man

Eileen Wordsworth, widow of 3525 Jack

Wordsworth born in 1914 now resides in

Somerset West. 7651 Dick Latilia writes - “I

had the honour of having lunch on 30

September (2009) with Eileen. She is now 95

and as bright as a button.

P/R Leonard Charles Howe was born in

Surrey on 27 Aug 1916. During service in the

British Army was awarded the Military Cross.

He joined the Police Reserve on the 27th

January 1954 and served as the C.O. of the

Police Reserve Reconnaissance Unit until his

discharge on the 7th April 1965. He

commanded a unit of five Marman-Harrington

Armored cars, which were used to reconnoitre

the townships during periods of unrest.

until his discharge on the 7th

April 1965. He commanded a unit of five Marman-

Harrington Armored cars, which were used to reconnoitre the townships during

periods of unrest. He is currently a member of the Matabeleland Branch.

20.

THE STORY OF A POLICE DOG

Police Dog Leon features on our cover and we hope to get a story from his

handler, 6467 „Butch‟ von Horsten, for a future Natal Outpost.

3708 William “Bill” Crabtree Born 12 Feb

1917 joined the Force on 14 Apr 1938, serving

for 32 years before retiring as Deputy

Commissioner on 31 May 1970. He now resides

in Howick, Natal Midlands, where he enjoys

excellent health – but he is, after all, currently

only the second youngest member of the Club!

3893 John Brampton “Robbie” Robertson Born 22 Aug

1918 at Koffiefontein in the Free State, South Africa.

Joining the BSAP on 20 April 1940 he retired on 28 April

1960 in the rank of Sub Inspector. Although now confined

to a wheelchair Robbie is an „active‟ member and supporter

of the Matabeleland Branch.

21.

UKRAINE – THE STORY OF A HORSE.

The cover photo of the Natal Outpost Jan 2009 iss

With valuable input from Dave, who now resides with his family near

Adelaide in Australia, and Smudge, we are able to put this together –

Smudge Smith writes – “Ukraine was purchased for £20 in the

Windhoek area of then South West Africa, as a member of Remount

Squad of 1957. Other members of the squad were Union; Utah;

Uruguay; Unique; Urchin: Universe; Unicorn and Uganda.

The remount rider of Ukraine was 5557 Franz Forrester who was the son of a well known farming family in Manicaland. Ukraine cost me my place in the Rhodesian Water Polo team when he split my right index finger when helping Forrester in placing his bridle on his head. However, after training and being posted to District he was returned to Depot to take his place in the training of recruits and was a regular on Mounted Escorts and Police Displays. He was the Charger of the Officer in Charge of Mounted Escorts. A true servant to the Regiment who certainly paid for his hay.

The cover photo of our January 2009

edition featured a police horse, his rider

and a rather cute third character. The

horse was quickly identified (naturally) by

Smudge Smith and also quick off the mark

was Graham de Wit who recognized his

squad mate, 6165 Dave Hulett as the

„rider‟. The „third character‟ remains

anonymous but could now be a Member of

Parliament!

The horse of course was RH 600 Ukraine.

22.

I was instructor of the Remount Training Course. Can't remember the complete staff but the horses were completely raw and had never been handled.”

From Dave we learn “ In November 1960, after a six month training course in

Salisbury I was posted to Mrewa where horses were still in use.I was allocated

RH Ukraine to use as my Patrol horse and to care for during my posting.

Within a few weeks instructions came from DHQ that Constable Hulett and R/H

Ukraine were to prepare for four days of photography and filming to illustrate

the BSAP and it's district operations, which would be used in a widespread

promotion and recruitment campaign.

A professional photographer arrived and the pictures taken during those four

days became posters which were displayed for months and months afterwards

at all border posts, in most government buildings and elsewhere. Ukraine and I

were everywhere!

23.

We also appeared in South African and English newspapers. Letters from

abroad came to my parents. "isn‟t this David?" they asked.

Mum and Dad thought it was wonderful and were touchingly proud, while I

bore the brunt of the ribbing and criticism from those who thought themselves

'better models'.

To add to the resentment of some, a picture taken of me hunkering down

alongside Ukraine and talking to a shy little piccanin in a kraal 'somewhere out

there', appeared on the cover of The Outpost, to be lodged for ever in the

archives of the BSAP. If they still exist ?

Shortly after this experience I was ordered out 'on horse patrol' into adjacent

tribal lands. We left early one morning. Mounted on Ukraine I was

accompanied by two African Constables, A/C Muzidzwa and A/C Taylor, riding

bicycles. We had a scotchcart and two donkeys to carry all supplies and

equipment and to move us from camp to camp each day.

My first bush patrol!. How exciting that was! A fulfillment of the 'dream of

adventure' that had brought me to Rhodesia, and the BSAP, in the first place. It

was the lure of a life 'in the bush' that had attracted me, not the glamour of the

uniform!

Ukraine , like all horses, wasn‟t keen to leave home and behaved rather

spiritedly as we moved away. However he settled down and the first day went

smoothly. We made camp that afternoon about fifteen kms out. Very early the

next morning the groom reported, in distress, that Ukraine had broken his

tether and escaped during the night!! He'd left for home! I was alarmed at all

the possible consequences. Ukraine lost, Ukraine injured, but almost worst of

all Ukraine reaching his stable back in Mrewa and me having to answer to the

Boss! A martinet, who had taken a dislike to me when I was chosen to do the

promotion series already described.

With swift action and some good luck we caught up with the horse before he

had got all the way home. He had run into the V of two converging fence lines

and we found him , grazing quietly and even a little surprised to see us arriving!

The rest of that patrol, and other outings we had together, went without hitch.

Some months later I was moved to Mtoko and Ukraine stayed behind in Mrewa.

24.

The years went by. I left the BSAP and moved to South Africa. I was married to

Ann Whaley, daughter of Senator Sam Whaley, who owned three farms in the

Mrewa District and in 1982 we learned from Ann‟s brother, John, that he taken

over responsibility for the care of the ageing Ukraine on Exeter Farm, one of

the three just mentioned.

In 1983 during one of our visits from Australia to Ann‟s family still in

Zimbabwe this photo of our son Mark, then 18 years old, was a repeat of one of

my photos with Ukraine some 22 years earlier -

This page sponsored by Maries Workshop (6785 Roger & Marie Brownlow)

I learnt that after his stint at Mrewa he

had been transferred into the Selous

Scouts, during Rhodesia's bush war, and

had served bravely, with remarkable

strength, under fire on many occasions.

Luckily he was never wounded and lived

to enjoy a comfortable and well cared

for retirement at Exeter until his death

in 1984, probably some 30 years old”.

Dave Hulett today

25.

OBITUARIES

It has been our practice since the beginning of 2009 to include a photograph of our

departed colleagues where they were members of or resided either in Natal or Natal

Midlands . In this edition we sadly seem to have an abundance of photographs – out of

a total of nineteen departures seven were from the Natal branch.

8017 Hendrik Carsten Coetzee died in Cape Town on 26 Sep 2009, due to

cancer. He served from 14 Jun 1968 to 13 Jun 1971, leaving as a Patrol Officer.

He was not a member of the Association. His wife, Annie, would appreciate

being contacted by any of Hennie‟s former colleagues (annie-coetzee@telkomsa.net)

4983 David John Michael Sankey died on 15 Oct 2009 in a nursing home in

Yorkshire as the result of a heart attack. He served from Oct 1952 to Mar 1973

when he retired in the rank of Inspector. Dave was a member of the UK

branch.

6203 Roderick Eric “Fats” Shirley died in Swaziland on 29 Oct 2009,

apparently due to cardiac arrest. He served from Aug 1960 to Sep 1972, leaving

as a Section Officer.

WP223/552 Susanne Dorothy Law (Groenewald) died from cancer on 30 Oct

2009 in Cape Town. She was the wife of 7805 Andy Groenewald. Susanne‟s

first stint in the force was from May 1973 for 5 years, then again from 1978 to

Jan 1981

when she resigned following marriage.

90849 (NSPO) John McIntyre Hammond (son of the late 3960 Jack

Hammond) died at his home in Harare on 2 Nov 2009. No further details.

F/R 20321M Keith Leask “Pops” Rayne passed away on 2 Nov 2009 in

Gauteng as the result of a heart attack. He was a „proud‟ member of the

Transvaal Branch. Squadron Leader Rayne joined the RRAF from the RN

Fleet Air Arm in 1976 and served in No 7 & 8 squadrons.

4206 Michael Peter Avery passed away in Durban on 27 Sep

2009. He served from Sep 1947 to May 1969, retiring as a

Staff Chief Inspector. His daughter was WPO 302 Nicola

Avery (now Cannon). Mike was not a member of the Natal

Branch.

26.

4822 James “Jim” Wilson Beale died at Lafitte, France, on 5 Nov 2009. He

served from Dec 1951 to Dec 1954, leaving in the rank of Constable. He was a

member of the UK Branch

4749 John Lawton H

27.

7266 John Kenneth Gibson died in Durban on 4

Nov 2009 as the result of post operative

complications. He served from Feb 1965 to Apr

1981, retiring as a Detective Inspector. He was a

member of the Natal Branch.

4749 John Lawton Hardie passed away in

Durban on 13 Nov 2009, after a long illness.

He served from 30 Jun 1951 to 1 Jan 1974,

retiring as a Chief Supt. John was a

member and staunch supporter of the Natal

Branch

5520 John Christopher “Chris” Lathe

died at Westbrook, Natal on 30 Nov 2009 following a battle

with leukaemia. Chris served from 5 Aug 1956 until

retirement on 4 Aug 1975 as a Chief Inspector. He was a

member of the Natal Branch

5850 Robert Arthur Vincent passed away in Durban

on 2 Dec 2009 following a long fight with cancer. He

joined the Force on 7 Jul 1958 and served until 4 May

1980, retiring as a Superintendent. Bob was not

currently a member of the Natal Branch.

3657 Alan Roger Godwin died in a Johannesburg

hospital on 7 Dec 2009. He joined 8 Apr 1937 and

retired as a Senior Asst. Commissioner on 27 Jun

1968. He was a member of the Natal Branch.

27.

Alan, due to his 96 years of age, was to feature as a Member of the BSAP

Mature Members Club (see page 17 ) so we publish hereunder the details of his

proposed but sadly posthumous membership –

110856 Keith Williams died in Johannesburg on 9 Dec 2009 following a

severe heart attack. He attested 7 Mar 1979, taking his discharge by purchase

on 24 Oct 1980. His brother is 10231 Brian Williams and cousin 111184 Bruce

Phillips.

P/R Anthony Brown died in a hospital in Devon on 29 Dec 2009 (age 90

years.) He was an active Police Reservist, attesting on 7 Oct 1954. He became

an Inspector and Trainer in Salisbury PATU, specialising in map reading, until

1980. He was a Dunkirk veteran and was head of their Association in the UK.

3976 David John “Taffy” Morgan passed away in Harare on 6 Jan 2010 due

to kidney failure. He served from April 1946 to Aug 1979, retiring as an Asst.

Commissioner.

6147 Antony Finn “Tony” Anderson died in Cape Town on 17 Jan 2010. He

had apparently been receiving treatment in hospital but died after his discharge.

Tony served from 16 Mar 1960 to 4 Jun 1980 when he retired as a

Superintendent.

He was not a member of the Association.

WPO 501 Lindsey White died in the UK on 22 Jan 2010 following a long

struggle with cancer. She served from Jan 1979 to Sep 1980

Born in Bristol, England on 27 June 1913, he attended Bristol Grammar School. Before commencing his journey from England to Southern Rhodesia he was interviewed and accepted as a recruit in the BSAP. Earlier he had been a trooper in the North Somerset Yeomanry, based in Bristol. He sailed to Cape Town, on the Warwick Castle, at his own expense and then took a train from Cape Town to Salisbury.

8581 James “Jim” van Dyk passed away at Port Shepstone on

23 Jan 2010, after a long hard battle with cancer. Jim served

two stints in the BSAP – from 1971 to 1974 and then, as 10354,

from Jan 1978 to 30 Apr 1980 – on both occasions as a Patrol

Officer. He was not a member of the Association.

28.

PHOTOGRAPHIC ROUND UP.

Hillcrest Station arranged another successful “bring & braai‟ at Augusta

Country Club on Sunday 22 November 2009 with some 30 members and wives

attending –

BACK ROW : Stretch Hughes : Trevor Dutton : Chris Driver : Peter Cutting

THIRD ROW : Fred Mason : Vic Sutherland : Pat Gatland : Robin Johnson : Derek Kerr

SECOND ROW : Rene Sutherland : Elsa Gatland : Megan Kerr : Yvonne Wood

FRONT ROW : Lindsay Mason : Nora Thomas

29.

BACK ROW : Peter Cutting : Linda Wilson : Trevor Wilson : Alan Cunningham : Dave Lynn

THIRD ROW : Ken Wood : Des Howse : Barry Thomas : Maddie Lynn (partially hidden)

SECOND ROW : Val Austin : Pat Johnson : Denis Wyatt : Clive Shelley (visiting from UK) : Marian

Wyatt

30.

2074 JOSEPH GORDON ‘ JOCK’ SIMPSON. DCM.

Jock Simpson was evidently one of the more memorable characters of the

BSAP in those early years and the following feature is thanks to research by

5976 Nigel Seaward with input from Jock‟s daughter, Beverley Thompson and

Alan Stock, former editor of The Outpost. The photograph of the Sgt‟s Mess in

1933, supplied by Robin Johnson, (October 2009 issue) gave the initial impetus

for our interest in this article.

Joseph Gordon ‘Jock’ SIMPSON was born on 28 March 1892 near Penrith in

Cumberland’s Lake District, north England. He joined the British Army at the

outbreak of World War I and saw lengthy service on the Western Front as a

machine gunner with the 11th Hussars (The Cherrypickers). (Regimental number

134546). He was wounded at the commencement of the German offensive and

was hospitalised at Tunbridge Wells. There he received the following letter

from the adjutant of the 11th Hussars:

“I am pleased to say that you have been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal

for valuable services during recent operations. The commanding officer has asked me to

send you his best congratulations and to say that he hopes to see you soon back with the

regiment.”

After the end of World War 1, Jock emigrated from England to Southern

Rhodesia to join the BSAP, attesting on 11th June 1919. Always a keen

sportsman he represented the Corps at cricket and soccer for many years in

Salisbury

31.

.

Obviously due to his training in the Hussars Jock became a natural choice as an

Equitation Instructor. His mount for many years was RH Cromwell and together

they won the Open Jumping competition many times at the Agricultural Shows.

Jock Simpson’s duties as Provost in Depot gave him an outlet for another of his

enthusiastic interests . The Salisbury police cricket field on which he laid the

first turf wicket in Southern Rhodesia, as well as the golf course, were some of

the results of his untiring efforts on behalf of police sport.

32.

His list of medals and awards :- Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM);

1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-1920; Victory Medal 1914-1918;

War Medal 1939-45; Long Service & Good Conduct Medal (Military)

(Southern Rhodesia)

Jock Simpson retired from the BSAP “On medical grounds” in 1942. He and his

wife moved to Rusape where their only child, Beverley, was born. Jock became

Secretary to the Town Management Board and as Vice President of the

Inyazura Turf Club as well as a member of the Makoni Country Club he was a

well known and popular figure in the district.

Unfortunately he could only enjoy some 8 years of retirement before passing

away suddenly in Rusape on 25 March 1950. Although Beverley had had very

little time to get to know her father she can recall “……He was a hellova hero by

all accounts. He left me with a super childhood memory of an idyllic farm life

with him & mother being matriarch & patriarch of this commune of an African

heaven, Rusape I learnt to swim by being chucked into a reservoir on Capell's

farm during a riotous party at Inyazura. I remember it well... I also found my

Dad collapsed after a humungous gastric bleed. which resulted in his death……. „

Beverely married 5559 Pioneer Sergeant George Richard „Dick‟ Thompson on

5th

January 1963. Dick retired as a Chief Inspector in 1981 and they and their

two children, Karen & Chris now live in Newcastle, Northumberland.

This page sponsored by Maries Workshop (6785 Roger & Marie Brownlow)

33.

TWENTY YEARS AGO.

On Friday 3 November 1989 an event took place in London which marked an

important anniversary in the history of the BSAP Association.

The UK Branch of the Association arranged a Centenary Dinner at The

Connaught Room, the Guest of Honour being Her Majesty The Queen Mother,

former Honorary Commissioner of the Force.

Four hundred and twenty guests (members and their wives) came from around

the world, including a contingent from South Africa. A block booking on

Sabena Airways was arranged by Eric Robb and the airline showed their

appreciation by arranging a pre-flight sundowner at Jan Smuts Airport before

departure.

John and Carla Dolby were part of that group and John had the foresight to

capture the event on both camera and video. The montage of photographs on

the following two pages is prepared from his material and we are grateful that

he kept it for so long.

At the dinner the Queen Mother attended pre-dinner drinks and apparently

stayed quite a lot longer than had been planned by the Palace. John, the “happy

snapper” took her photo several times despite the protests of a member of her

entourage. John evidently spoke in a language the protester understood – basic

Cockney.

You will note each photograph is numbered. On page 38 is recorded those

names I recognize but I shall appreciate response from readers to fill in the

gaps please? The question has been raised – does anyone have material (

pics. and/or reports of the other Centenary dinners/events around the

world?………(td.)

A bemused waiter at the sundowner is probably wondering

“what a funny lot!” John commented that once the party

boarded the aircraft the serious drinking started – one

hostess the next morning was overheard to remark that this

had been the first international flight she had experienced

where the bar stocks had been “drunk dry.”

34.

35.

36.

Recognized so far - 3. Dave Blacker; 4. Derek Bennison; 7. Peter Coolbear;

9. Tony Robinson; 12. Mike Williams; 16. Eric Robb; 17.Dickie Dyer;

18.Mike Lindley; 19.John Dolby: 22. Derek Kerr; 23. Don Hollingworth; 24.

Chris Thorne; 25. Hank Hankinson; 26. Peter Grant; 30.Dusty Miller; 31.

Mike „Kudu‟ Taylor

COMRADES

Another former member of the BSAP has reached the finishing line

–

5312 Mike Lindley (now residing in the UK)

But they tell me that you are not a true road runner until you have completed both the up

and the down run - my first run was up to Pietermaritzburg and the following year it was

again 'up' to celebrate the city's 150th anniversay so it took a bit longer to get both

directions. It is always a personal choice but I preferred the 'up' to the 'down' as Fields Hill

played havoc with the legs and feet. It is also nice that you meet the same people running

in your 'time zone' every year.”

“Basically I started Comrades on nine separate occasions

but 'bailed out' of three of then so my tally is only 6 (as

against 11 for the Two Oceans) My best time ever was a

down run ending in Durban in about 9hrs 25 minutes. I

only started road running late in life and completed my

first marathon at the age of 49. Over the next 16 years I

completed over 100 Marathons and Ultra-Marathons

including the Washie - 160 kms from Port Alfred to East

London, I must have had a screw loose to do that and I

followed it the following week with a 56km run in the

mountains of the Drakensburg at Rhodes - my Doctor then

booked me off work for a week! I always enjoyed

Comrades for the support we daft runners received from

the public who seemed to make a day out of it - its not too

good running through Hillcrest and smelling bacon or steak

being cooked!

37.

RE UNION OF SQUAD 11/58.

Fred Mason, ably assisted by his wife Lindsay, arranged a combined 50 year

reunion of Squad 11/58 and the 1959 BSAP Mounted Display Team at their

home in Hillcrest, Natal, on Saturday 19 September 2009.

There were 10 principal players who were able to attend but before we

introduce them to you a little background information is necessary.

The said 1959 Display Team was comprised of „volunteers‟ (that should cause a

bit of a laugh) from three recruit squads – 11/58 plus 1 &2/59. They were

From Squad 11/58 : Roy Gardener; Barry Dawson; Tony Davey; Fred Mason;

Mike Maine; Alan Cunningham; Rob Swift; Dirk Moore-Gordon; Clive Ellis;

Johnnie Botha and Ken van Dyk.

From Squad 1/59 : Quin Lamb; Mike Nathan; Tony Udal and John Foulis

From Squad 2/59 : Dick Isemonger; Athol Allenby and Paul Kruger

Going back now to our 10 stalwarts, apart from Smudge Smith (who else?),

there were „seven horsemen‟ (that term rings a bell ) and two who preferred

„walking‟ to „riding‟ – Roger Capper and Vic Sutherland, both members of

Squad 11/58.

So here they come -

Lindsay cannot believe that’s what her husband used to look like!

38.

Tony Udal Dirk Moore-Gordon Roy Gardener

Roger Capper Smudge Smith Vic Sutherland

Alan Cunningham Dick Isemonger Tony Davey

39.

Two of the visitors to Hillcrest came from afar – Dirk Moore-Gordon all the

way from Harare, but to “cap” it all (excuse the pun) – Roger Capper came from

even farther away – the USA. And he was only in South Africa for 2 days!

Roger was scheduled to travel to Austria and when he learned shortly before his

departure that this reunion was planned he changed his itinerary to fly via

Durban – an additional 12000 kilometres and a further 25 hours flying time.

This is an example of supreme effort to support his proud memories of the force

and perhaps a challenge to those members who often have to think twice about

travelling a relatively short distance to support a local function.

SOMETHING OF A MYSTERY.

40.

Although at first glance you are probably going to say to yourself “Oh no – not

another bleeding horse!!”, whilst we would like to know the identity of the steed

this time we are more interested in the handler.

Clearly the occasion is a „State‟ funeral, hence the reversed boots in the stirrups,

but the man holding the horse needs to be identified. The author of this piece is

yet again Nigel Seaward, to whom we are grateful –

“……this photograph was amongst the effects of my father-in-law 2496

Herbert Horace Haslam, who served as a Trooper from 1922 to 1927. But the

handler depicted in the photo is definitely not Bert Haslam.”

No one so far has been able to suggest who the man was. Nigel further says

“ when considering reasons why Bert would keep the (un-marked) photo,

because of the dates, 1922 – 1927, the handler could have been Jock Simpson,

as he and Bert were known to be mates and both lived at some stage in

Rusape.”

But then Cliff Rogers, an expert on medals, throws a curved ball and points out

this handler is sporting the Military Medal (MM) and only nine serving

members of the BSAP were ever awarded this decoration.

So – can anyone suggest who our mystery man was from the following

possibles?

462 Robert Alexander McGee 1903 – 1929

959 Charles Mark William Craxton 1908 – 1936

2063 Percy Charles Hawdon 1919 - 1946

2117 David Harold Greengrass 1919 – 1922

2139 Douglas William Sutton 1919 – 1940

2183 George Frederick Barger 1920 – 1939

2191 George William Grain 1920 – 1945

2233 Frank William Start 1920 – 1930

2253 Frank Musgrave Hursh 1920 - 1928

41.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Our first letter is not actually addressed to the Editor, but the Chairman -

42.

5576 Gerry Phillips writes “…………I am mentioned in dispatches, namely

Domestic Notes for March 1963, nearly 47Years on and still happily together. I

see our Hon Sec, was mentioned as well, plus Don Gilmour and Pete Huson,

with whom I served in Bulawayo.

43.

As someone said once you start thinking, the grey matter goes into overdrive,

which leads onto other links. One is the BSAP Motor Car Club; I still have the

car club badge, duly mounted on a wooden plaque.

I belonged to the Bulawayo branch, Pete Huson was another member and a stiff

competitor. I teamed up with 5393 Bernard (Ken) West, who transferred to

town from District, he was a wizard with pen, stop watch etc and I drove. We

won the first Rally, The Bolder Run, 28th May 1961, I still have the miniature

cup, then joined by Best Rally Driver and Best All Driver of the Year 1961. Ken

West missed one Rally which in turn lost us the Navigators Cup and would have

been, as they call it, a Grand Slam.

Your previous correspondents remarks on the Motor Car club brought all of

this back, it was good fun and the badge, cups and Domestic notes brought all

of it back ,

Of course the entry into domestic life put a damper on the Rally Driving.”

From 6170 Graham de Wit (referring to the October 2009 edition of Natal

Outpost)

“……………The front page is littered with a bevy of beauty and I am not

surprised that many of them received proposals of marriage before they served

three years. Males also had to apply for permission to marry if they wanted to

do so within three years service. One notable omission was that of Jacqui

Short. What has happened to her?

Regards Graham”

I cannot answer your question re Jacqui, Graham, but I think your

suggestion that our Girls of Natal “littered’ the front cover of the Outpost

might get some strong reaction! ........(td.)

44.

And from 5118 Ian Hayes -

“Your October 2009 edition eventually caught up with me having been sent to

25 Arcturus Road (Harare) which I left five years ago!

I was particularly interested in Don Rowlands letter about the 1955 Display

team on the north side of the Zambezi. In my album of that display season there

are 24 photos taken on that ride but, as he says, not one of "The Smoke That

Thunders". We were there as a part of the Centenary Celebration to mark

Livingstone‟s discovery of the falls. Don may also remember Bill Coetzer,

Andy Pauw and one other "borrowing" a wooden cut out statue of Livingstone

from outside a hotel in Livingstone and smuggling it onto the train under a

horse blanket and back to depot. " Oh Bring Back my Statue to me." were the

headlines the following week in a local newspaper which aroused Ginger

Lardant's suspicions so the statue was hastily hidden under the Troop Store

where it was demolished by white ants!

I also enjoyed Tony Crossleys article and can add a little to it which he omitted.

Fearful for Tony‟s health his mates on Traffic presented him with a large

chegub of what they alleged was penicillin on the pretext that there was no

telling what foul disease he might pick up in Tokyo!

Salaams to all and hope to be in your area around Easter 2010 assuming I

survive Xmas and New Year in Nigeria.”

WP 71 Louise Ford wrote us a letter after our July 2009 edition but somehow

it got overlooked in our huge fan mail (sorry Louise) –

On page 33 of the latest Outpost (Bill Crabtree's profile), there is a photograph

on which the first person in the back row is one SGT. HAWDON. I believe this

is my late step grandfather PERCY HAWDON, who also served in Eritrea

during the war - perhaps Bill will remember him. He came back with a German

Luger (which was given to me when he died), and a German tin hat with a

bullet hole slap in the middle of the front. Perhaps both souvenirs came from

the same unfortunate German soldier.

45.

He married my widowed paternal grandmother in Melsetter where he was

stationed at the time. They had two daughters. My father and his elder brother

were just toddlers when their mother remarried.

Grandfather Percy and his wife Susan finished up in Bindura, from where he

retired as an Inspector. He bought a farm at Concession, where they lived until

their respective deaths. I don't know dates because I was just a child when they

went farming. He was given a military funeral in about 1963/64 after I had

already joined the force. I arranged with the O.C. Salisbury at the time (or was

he O.C. Mash Prov?), Mr. Van Sittert for the military funeral, which he

attended with a few other senior officers who had known my grandfather. I also

attended in uniform.”

WFR 202562 Marie Bowker writes –

“My signals career started with my husband (6088 Gerry Bowker) being

Member in charge Eiffel Flats in 1965, I was taught the phonetic alphabet and

how to type from the radio!

One day Gerry was away, probably in Gatooma for a meeting. I was manning

the radio( my early morning stint) when a different call sign came through. I

was perplexed......WHO ARE YOU - WHERE ARE YOU? The answer

was.......... flying above you.... it was Peter Piggot from No 7 Squadron,

Rhodesian Air Force, in a helicopter!! Checking out Police Stations! He landed

on the lawned area near the office....... I took off my earphones and proceeded

down the path to our house to prepare tea and sandwiches for our visitor! What

a wonderful life. I have so many amazing memories!”

And from another lady policeman, WPO 96 Val Oldham -

(referring to the October edition) “……. I really enjoyed reading about the

other WPOs and I think you had a stroke of genius when you had that idea. (I

feel bad that I didn't mention my kids and grandkids like the others did.)

I read with interest (amongst other things!) the article written about Humphrey

Gibbs. I'll tell you why. My father worked for Humphrey Gibbs on Redbank, the

farm he had in Nyamandlovu for about 2 years, I think. This was about 1946-

48 when I was about 4. He was working as a trainee manager under the farm

manager, Bill Crosby, who my parents became life-long friends with. Although,

my mother and I lived in Plumtree, I remember going to stay at Redbank and

having

46.

meals in the big house. I will never forget the delectable flavour of the gravy

served with the roasts and have always, to this day, tried to match it. Have

never succeeded however. My mother tells me that Sir Humphrey had six sons

and had always wanted a daughter so when I went there he treated me like a

princess (I don't remember any of this) and because my mother was fresh out

from England and a very well brought up lady, and because she and I were

living alone in Plumtree under difficult circumstances totally foreign to a

delicate English rose (the heat and sand and snakes and spiders and outside

sanitation AND outside kitchen - she shot a chongololo once thinking it was a

snake!) he took us both under his wing and allowed us to come and stay at

Redbank for a month or so at a time. This was a HUGE relief to my mother

apart from being able to see more of her husband.

My mother told me a little story about a young policeman stationed in Plumtree

(also between 1945 and 1948-ish) by the name of Jim Downham. Apparently,

whenever he went out on patrol on his horse or rode by the pondokkie that we

called a house, he stopped by for tea and a chat. Well, one day, he rode in from

being on patrol in the bush and dismounted, came in to the house forgetting to

tether his horse which decided that enough was enough, it wanted its stable and

to get that bloody saddle off, and wandered off home to the police camp.

Apparently, Jim got a rocket from his member in charge, Eric Sobey, for his

troubles!”

6135 Gerard Robinson writes :

“ I was interested to read Dick Isemonger's article via the Idler in the Mercury

the other day when he mentioned Smudge Smith having hailed from Pmb. He

actually attended the old Pmb Technical High School which was situated in

Church Street in those days. It later became Linpark High School, and moved

into one of the suburbs.

There were in fact a fair number of ex members who were educated in Pmb.

The late Sid Bristow, the late Ian Waters, Jack Parker, the late John Tyrrell,

Garth Hatton, John Lees, Peter Colepeper, Rob Parker and myself all attended

Maritzburg College. Garth "Butch" von Horsten attended St. Charles. There

are probably some more names that I cannot immediately recall which may be

of interest. The previous head of the Rhodesian Army Gen. Putterill also

attended

47.

College, as did Tony Udal who was in 1Squad 1959. He now resides in

Mtubatuba in Zululand where he and his wife run a successful B/B.

I would also like to contact former members of 2/Squad of 1960 to arrange a

50th get together in March 2010. The members with whom I am in contact are

Pete Van Rensburg, Ant Crossley, Dick Judson, Brian Kilborn.and Alec Fraser.

The missing ones are Roger McCartney, Rob McGowan, Andy Shepherd, Andy

Anderson, Alex du Plessis & John Wright (Messrs Glanfield, Peck and

Bramford are unfortunately deceased)”.

PHOTOGRAPHIC ECHOES OF THE PAST.

Whilst we are in the „identifying‟ mode – any ideas who this bunch might be

(CID Bulawayo circa 1959 – John “Bomber” Davidson‟s rendition of his

famous “Here comes the Muffin Man” )

48.

STATION NOTES.

MARGATE :

"money does not buy happiness but it can buy hamburgers and that's

happiness"

BSAP Support Unit :

The research into the compiling of a nominal roll of all those who

served in the BSAP Support Unit, the subsequent overwhelming

support received from ex members all over the World and the

interesting stories and photographs collected so far clearly

indicates the need for the History of The Black Boots to be

officially recorded and as a consequence this will happen. At present

we have over 630 names on the roll and are in contact with about

230 ex members. The co-operation from the various Police

Associations and other ex Rhodesian and Zimbabwean web sites has

been tremendous as they continue to spread the word on our

project.

We will keep interested parties advised of developments.

Christmas 2009

Just prior to Christmas a few of us "South Coasters" decided to

celebrate the festive season with a luncheon at Schooners

Restaurant at Umtentweni. The gathering was attended by Gerry

and Colleen Powell,Bob and Kim Packer,Butch and Hilary Von

Horsten,Andy and May Messina,Kevin Woods with partner

Connie,Barry Woan and Dave Callow. A great festive luncheon was

had by all.

49.

Police Reserve interest.

The Support Unit project led me to locate an elderly ex Police

Reserve member, Herbie Du Plessis, who is now living in Port

Elizabeth. Herbie did his Police Reserve stints with the Support Unit

as a Driver

He and his colleagues played a very important but dangerous role in

driving escort and deployment vehicles in the operational area with

many of them coming under fire in ambush situations and

experiencing landmine explosions first hand as a result of the

considerable time spent driving in dangerous areas.

Herbie who was a member of the Lions Club in Salisbury and worked

hard behind the scene raising funds so as to purchase Field

Ambulances for the Support Unit.

On speaking to Herbie I discovered that he was living alone and

because of his age 81 was finding it difficult to make new friends.

I immediately contacted Nobby Clarke from Our Association in Port

Elizabeth who in no time has visited Herbie personally, will sign him

up for the Association, involve him in social activities and most

importantly has made a very lonely man a very happy ex Support Unit

veteran ! Now that's what the BSA Police Association is all about!!

(d).....Dave Callow and I visited ex 202387K Woman Field Reservist

Valarie Gibbons who, at the age of 83, has fond memories of her

time in the Police Reserve at the Mashaba Police Station (call sign

705) where she served from 1972 to 1978 mainly as a radio

operator. She told us that most of the woman Reservists came from

the Mine although there were a few farmers wives also involved. She

always thought that the Regular Policeman posted to Mashaba and

the Reserve and Regular Patu sticks deployed in the area were all

"Men's men" and that our fight was right. Valarie is an active

member of the

Margate Station and for the past twenty years has contributed

articles for our local newspaper. Barry Woan

50.

THE GIRLS OF NATAL

Following our feature in last issue we have located two more WPs in Natal –

WPO 180 Mariette van Heerden (now Meakum) living in Kloof and WPO 565

Shireen Otto residing in Durban. Perhaps more about them in next edition of

this Outpost.

A MOTLEY CREW

Also in our last issue (page 56) we published a group of photos taken

yesteryear. They were the younger version of the current Natal Branch

Committee and to clear up any confusion they are repeated hereunder.

Denis Wyatt Val Oldham Trevor Dutton Nobby Clarke

Malcolm Wiltshire Des Howse Ken Wood

51.

SPOT THE DIFFERENCES.

To me only the Rolls Royce looks the same…..(td.)

52.

DOMESTIC NOTES.

53.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR 2010.

Date. Station. Event.

Sat 13 March Margate “Bring & Braai” at Ramsgate Bowling Club.

R10 charge towards cost of fuel.

Sun 23 May Hillcrest “Bring & Braai” at Augusta Club.

Fri 4 June Natal Branch Annual General Meeting at German

Shamwari Club

Sun 25 July Hillcrest “Bring & Braai” at Inchanga Village.

Fri 24 Sep Natal Branch Annual Lunch at German Shamwari Club

(Public Holiday)

Sun 21 November Hillcrest “Bring & Braai” at Augusta Club

A tiger shark is sighted off the coast of Natal.

This page sponsored by Maries Workshop (6785 Roger & Marie Brownlow)

54.

ASSOCIATION BRANCH SECRETARIES

AUSTRALIA John Seward olivos@primus.com.au

QUEENSLAND Mike Edden michanjero@hotmail.com

BORDER Bruce Beukman sunshine101@telkomsa.net

CANADA Will Cornell bsap[usa@aol.com

EASTERN CAPE Nobby Clark ropac@telkomsa.net

NATAL Des Howse dlh@ledom.co.za

NATAL MIDLANDS Alan Bennett Flik.Bennett@vodamail.co.za

TRANSVAAL Dick Glanville dickg@telkomsa.net

WESTERN CAPE Neville Spurr nevillespurr@gmail.com

NEW ZEALAND Greg McManus mcmanus@icon.co.nz

NORTH AMERICA Will Cornel bsapusa@aol.com

CENTRAL Peter Bellingham pbellingham@mango.zw

MASHONALAND Red O’Connell roc@zol.co.zw MATABELELAND Denise Hurry karden@yoafrica.com UNITED KINGDOM Barry Henson bsapuk@aol.com

An Australian man is seeking to join the Police force. The Sergeant doing the interview

says: "Your qualifications all look good, but there is an attitude suitability test that you

must take before you can be accepted."Then, sliding a pistol across the desk, he

says:"Take this pistol and go out and shoot six illegal immigrants, six drug dealers, six

Muslim extremists, and a rabbit. "

"Why the rabbit?" "Great attitude," says the Sergeant. "When can you start

This page sponsored by Maries Workshop (6785 Roger & Marie Brownlow)

55.

I am aware that a number of our members have expressed

the view they think me to be a ‘nag’ when performing my

editorial functions. There were probably a few times last

year when I MAY have disturbed you, troubled you, pestered

you, irritated you, bugged you, or got on your nerves with all

the repeated requests I sometimes make for data and

suitable material for our Outpost. So today I just wanted to

tell you.........

Tough Sh*t, Cupcakes!

There are NO changes planned!

56.

Round & About

Natal Midlands branch held their annual Christmas lunch at the Hilton Hotel on

Sunday, 8 November 2009 with an excellent attendance of some 90 guests. The

guest speaker, Rob Bristow, gave a most amusing and historically filled

performance -

"When I were a lad, me mother would

send me down to t'corner shop wi' a

shilling, and I'd come back wi' five

pounds o' potatoes, two loaves o' bread,

three pints o' milk, a pound o' cheese, a

packet o' tea, an' 'alf a dozen eggs.

Ya can't do that now..... . . . . . .

Too many bloody security cameras."

Chris Driver

Nobby & Natascha Clark

Rob Bristow

Smudge & Shirley Smith

Steve & Marion Stevens All Crabtrees (except David Low) - Amanda; Cheryl ;

David Low; Bill; and Mike.