Edition No. 83 December 2017 / January 2018

TheCape outpostTHE NEWSLETTER OFTHE B.S.A. POLICE REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONWESTERN CAPE BRANCH

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CONTENTS EDITION 81

December 2017

Page

Editorial 4

Chairman’s Chatter 6

Rob McLean and the Fish River Canoe Marathon 8

Zimbabwe Drums poem 11

Kanyemba Days by Phil Wright 12

Brian Oberholster letter from Australia 16

Rajput letter from Nigel Curling 18

Roll of Honour 20

Can you believe it? 22

Tony Granger Award 24

Return of Medals to John Evans 26

The Teardrop Memorial in New York, tribute to Russians died in 9/11

29

Obituary of Peter Shout Senior 30

French Foreign Legion—a comparison with BSAP 32

Memories of British Election Supervisors, 1980 36

Cover picture: Rob Maclean participated in this year's Fish

River Canoe Marathon on 7th October. See his letter on

pages 8 & 9

N.B. The opinions expressed in the Outpost of the Western Cape

are not necessarily those of the Members of the Association.

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NEWSLETTER OF

THE BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA POLICE REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION

WESTERN CAPE BRANCH 8 Glass Furnace Way, Glencairn, Simon’s Town, 7975

Phone 021 782 0339 hon.sec.westerncape@bsap.org

STANDARD BANK CLAREMONT (025109) A/C 072613580

COMMITTEE

Chairman Jim BLAIN nwjblain@mweb.co.za 082 394 9908

Secretary Neville SPURR nevillespurr404@gmail.com 021 782 0339 Res 082 456 1240

Treasurer Ed IONS bsapwestcape@gmail.com 082 850 6070

Editor

Co-Editor

Tony ROZEMEYER

Angela WALKER

tony.rozemeyer@gmail.com 021 788 7274 Res 084 674 0700 walkangel@mweb.co.za 021 781 0999

Almoner Bob BEDINGHAM bedinghm@saol.com 021 788 1478 Res 083 252 1106

Member Lockie HOWIE dasecurity@telkomsa.net 021 510 1065 Bus 021 557 5830 Res 082 564 5197

Member Mike MAYS maysmunt@live.co.za 082 879 7396

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This December Outpost, more than likely a postbox edition, is regrettably our last effort in keeping the Western Cape maga-zine afloat for a number of reasons: volcanoed by mounting printing costs, postal charges, the downsizing of pages, colour-printing, and other related battles in an effort to keep the wolf from the Timour Hall committee-room door where Outpost's Oliver Twist continually demands more printers-ink for break-fast!

Angela Walker, our co-editor, has experienced a half-year of poor health, yet thankfully slowly making inroads, but under "medical suspension for a period to the Doctor unknown", compounded by my laptop remaining at log-gerheads with me, leaving us with no option but to ring-in the final round. We remain with some pacey options which might be put to use in the future.

However it has been an absolute pleasure to serve our members six platefuls of Outpost dishes over a two-year period, with amazing support from the many friends who kept our journalistic eatery doors open for twenty-four months, with particular reference to Mike Mays, our Cordon-Bleu chef, closely followed by An-drew Stevens, Rob McLean, Dave Low, Pete Shout, Seamus Power, Mike Job and others too numerous to include on this menu.

A huge word of thanks.

Our final Cape Outpost consists of a mouth-watering range of chocolates, with the French Foreign Legion being the more expansive dish to find a place on the BSAP table, although we have kept the article almost light-hearted, steering away from a "documentary lesson", and simply comparing the two forces.

We are also grateful to include a brief extract from a seven-page prelude written by renowned South African Author T.V. Bulpin, introducing readers to a magnificent book entitled Stories from the Rhodesian Police printed in the 1970's. TV. sold a galaxy of wonderful books from his rambling village shop in Atlantic Road, Muizen-berg, now boarded-up by shadows and cobwebs in reverence to a once brilliant writer and photographer of the African continent!

By the time the Outpost reaches your letterbox we hope for good political tidings in the ANC's choice of either Cyril or Granny Zuma; hopefully Cyril will invest in a Citroen, leaving "Granny" the black Zephyr, complete with a roof-rack and red hub-caps!

Our justice system returned to life with Choirboy Pistorius landing a "Bakers-Dozen" in the oven, whilst the "Pavarotti" wife-killer will finally meet his hero “behind blades”.

At last the farm murders have been flushed into the open after twenty three years of secrecy, withholding of vital statistics, bungled police investigations, limited ar-rests, and almost zero conviction ratings, leaving tortured, raped, murdered men, women and children whose cries and screams will forever echo in deserted, haunt-ed farm dwellings spread across this nation.

Keep your coffin for Granny when she dies; a large one costs fourteen years, and, the smaller of the two, eleven years, and, remember, don't try count the bathers

EDITORIAL

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you see at the beach; costs start at a R150 000, but you can save money if you give a woman a bloody good hiding at a nightclub, the cost: R100 000— a saving of R50 000! Buy government bargains while "Black-Mondays" last!

As for Zimbabwe, it is said that Emmerson Mnangagwa got the best Black-Friday Bargain in the world—the whole of Zimbabwe for one bob.

Thank you all for YOUR wonderful support; may the OUTPOST go from strength to strength.

Wishing our readers a happy and relaxing holiday with family and friends. Our son Karl is on a visit from New York and had passed the Teardrop Monument (page 29) but was unaware of its significance, as are most Americans. He says he will pay homage to it when he returns.

Hamba gahle,

6494

Tony

Our Regular Gatherings

The BSAP Regimental Associa-

tion of the Western Cape

gathers on the First Monday of

every month from 17:00

at Timour Hall

Villa, Plumstead.

CONDOLENCES

We are sad to report the passing of two of our members:

Stanley McMillan 5880 on 28 November 2017

Ian Gough Botha (7883/8619) passed away peacefully at his home in Gaansbai (W/Cape) on the evening of Friday 5, January 2018.

Following a private cremation, it is intended that his ashes be scattered somewhere in the southern ocean, this in keeping with his wishes.

Our condolences to their families and many friends.

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CHAIRMAN’S CHRISTMAS CHATTER 2017

Christmas is almost upon us and on behalf of my Com-mittee and myself, I would like to wish all our members, their families and loved ones a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2018.

In looking back over the past year it has, for me, been somewhat disappointing. My Committee has worked ex-

tremely hard to ensure the continuance of the Association by arranging the monthly gatherings at Timour Hall. To our stalwart members who join us on these occasions and who are keeping the Association alive and well, I say a spe-cial “Thank you”

The Annual Dinner and more recently the Christmas Spit Braai both experienced a decline in attendance. The Christmas braai was attended by 52 people and was much enjoyed as usual (photos on back page) Despite the very poor turnout at the Annual Dinner everyone had a very pleasant evening as some members shared interesting stories from their police days

Whilst there are many traditionalists out there, and I confess to being one of them, we will have to seriously consider adopting the approach taken by other Branches of the Association whereby they have changed from an Annual Dinner to an Annual Luncheon to combat dwindling evening attendance. It seems to have worked well elsewhere with improved numbers. Perhaps this is the direc-tion we might have to go. If applied here we might be able to encourage those ex-members, of whom I am aware there are quite a few living in the Western Cape particularly in Cape Town, to come along and join in the spirit of camaraderie at one of our functions.

And to end on a positive note, it is pleasing to record that the “Worldwide net-work” of the Association is still functioning and was demonstrated by the in-volvement of the Australian, UK, Transvaal and Western Cape Branches of the Association in securing the return of his medals to John Evans after 40 years. (see page 26). Well done to all concerned.

I am sorry to note that Tony and Angela are no longer able to continue as Co-Editors of the OUTPOST in its current form , and thank them for their contribution over the last 2 years.

Take care and best wishes to you all

Jim Blain

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PLEASE REMEMBER - SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR:

Internet payment R120; Cash R130; Cheque R150 (Two UNIDENTIFIED DEPOSITS of R120 were received, both on 9th January. No

name, no number. If they are yours, please inform the Treasurer.)

Christmas Braai photos (more on back page).

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About my year of paddling this year - it has been a hectic year paddling-wise but pretty rewarding.

In February, I travelled to KZN for the annual Dusi Canoe Marathon held over 3 days and between the cities of Pietermaritzburg and Durban. This year’s race was raced on the lowest water levels ever recorded for the event - on the last day, we carried our canoes for 20km out of the 32km stretch. But good to be able to compete in it as it is an iconic event, started in 1951 by the late Dr Ian Player of Natal Parks Board fame.

In March, I was back in KZN for the Umkomaas River marathon, where my partner and I won our Masters category. This 80 km canoe race is the only canoe race in the country where the wearing of helmets is compulsory - this gives an idea of the action that one has on it. It is an exhilirating experience to race on this river.

Notwithstanding the fact that the Western Cape is in the grip of a serious drought, the Western Cape Canoe Union managed to hold most of the races scheduled for the 2017 season, even if held on low water and which necessitated changing sections of rivers and plenty of portaging!

Neverthless, the SA K1 (single) river championships were held on the Berg River in June over 2 days and about 65km and I managed to win my Masters category (65 - 69 years).

Suffering from the 'flu, I did not paddle the Berg River Canoe Marathon (over 230km from Paarl to Veldrif) but worked for the organisers as their Ops Manager and enjoyed the work that was needed to be done.

With the K1 (singles season) then behind us, we switched to paddling K2 (doubles) on the Breede River where we were also somewhat hamstrung by low water levels but most of the races there (normally over distances between 30 and 40 kms), were managed, rain falling just at the right time each week for the races to be held on the weekends.

This included the annual 2 day Breede River Canoe Marathon (the 31st time that I have raced it) and in which my partner and I won our Masters category.

Also during the Breede River season, the SA Canoe Marathon Championships were held in Pietermaritzburg in early August, at which I won 2 silver medals, one in the K1 event and one in the K2 event. In both cases, these events, raced over 20km by the Masters categories, went down to the wire, with my being pipped at the post in both, each race ending in flat-out sprints for the line. As a result of these placings, I was selected to represent South Africa in the Masters category of the 2017 World Canoe Marathon Championships, this being my 8th selection to paddle in SA colours.

In early September, the World Canoe Marathon Championships were held and at the same venue in Pietermaritzburg and at which I received the same results as I had at the SA's - 2 x silver medals, again both races going down to the wire. It was an amaz-

From Rob Maclean

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D.A. SECURITY SERVICES

PERSONALLY MANAGED

SECURITY GUARDING

Contact LOCKIE HOWIE (8173)

Cell: 082 564 5197

Tel: (021) 510 1065

E-Mail: dasecurity@telkomsa.net

ing event and further cemented South Africa's place at the top of the World Canoe Marathon ranking as Masters, Juniors, U23's and Open classes all did exceptionally well.

South Africa's Hank McGregor, won the World Canoe Marathon Championship Sen-ior Men's K1 title for the 7th time and with his (Fish Hoek based) partner, Jasper Mocke, won the World K2 title for the 3rd time.

In early October, I travelled to Cradock for the annual Fish River Canoe Marathon (my 21st), which was also the SA K2 river championships for 2017. Here, my partner and I won our Masters category.

With the river canoeing season finished in the Western Cape, I now turn my sights on the surf ski season, the highlight of which is the annual Cape Point Challenge - a 55km surf ski race that starts at Scarborough on the Atlantic coast, goes around Cape Point and ends at Fish Hoek and on 16th Decem-ber - assuming that I reckon I am fit enough to do it, it will be

the 10th time that I will be paddling it.

Looking forward to seeing you at Timour Hall

Rob Maclean

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AND THEN IT IS WINTER - William Walter Acutt (fromBSAP FB site)

You know ... time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married (now 53years) and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams. But, here it is... the back line of my life and it catches me by surprise...How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older peo-ple were years away from me and that I was only on the first hole and the back line was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like. But, here it is...my friends are retired and getting grey...they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me...but, I see the great change.... Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant...but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd become. And so...now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know, that though I’m on the back line, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it's over on this earth...it's over. A new adventure will begin! Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done...things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime. So, if you're not on the back line yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether you’re on the back line or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life....so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...and hope that they appreci-ate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!

ANNUAL GENERAL MEET-ING OF THE HE BRITISH

SOUTH AFRICA POLICE REGIMENTAL ASSO-

CIATION WESTERN CAPE BRANCH

Will be held on Monday Feb-ruary 5th.

Please support your Associ-

ation.

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Zimbabwe Drums Alf Hutchison, Rhodesian and South African Poet

The drums are calling you old man, and grow louder by the day. They are calling you to judgment, it’s now your time to pay For the wrongs you've done Zimbabwe, the trust which you betrayed. So hear those drums a pounding, hear well, and be afraid! The drums are calling you old man, and grow louder by the day. For the cries of those you murdered, simply will not pass away, In a land we called Rhodesia, t’was truly ‘God’s own land’, You trashed it with your gluttony and evil thieving hand. The drums are calling you old man, and grow louder by the day, You starved your kinfolk of their food; the meek, your favoured prey, With all your years of tyranny and lavish trips abroad, Their proud heritage you squandered, through patronage and fraud. The drums are calling you old man; and grow louder by the day, For your fellow brothers in Africa, are now ashamed to say. That Cholera, poverty and starvation, are the heritage you’ve left. Your end won’t come from cowardly Africa, but from civil unrest The drums are calling you old man, and grow louder by the day, The drums have sound their verdict; listen well to what they say, For they foretell of your demise, and they have much to tell. So hear the drums, old man, and listen to them well. The drums are calling you old man, and grow louder by the day, Your ‘war vets’ have abandoned you, to flee another way. Now listen to those drums old man their message is not vague, They are pounding out across the world “We’ll see you in the Hague!!” The drums are calling you old man, your country is in revolt, You cannot blame the Western world; it is your entire fault. Vultures circle overhead, they have come to feast on you, Sangomas have thrown the bones…now drink their witches brew. The drums are calling you old man, and grow louder by the day. Now in your dying pain wracked days, what have you now to say, For all your sinful wickedness, your heinous acts and theft. I ask you old, pathetic, man…what legacy have you left?

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Kanyemba Days - by Phil Wright 8527

– (((popular article repeated).

Kanyemba, 1972. Hot as hell – but for this young 21 year old, paradise on earth! Situated right on the Zambezi in the Sapi/Chiwore controlled hunting areas, far away from Police brass – 800 yards to the north across the mighty Zambezi were the alcoholic Zamboons who ‘pissed’ it up from morning to night 24/7 (and often fell into the river doing it). Down stream about 3 clicks – the Porks with their lekker Cer-veja and manayana attitudes. Mean party animals, brothel commandos and awe-some jungle fighters of note!

Kanyemba was a small station – a Section Officer as M/i/c, two P/O’s, 10 African Police and 3 Police Reserve trackers who came from the Valley. They had been recruited for their local knowledge and tracking ability. The station was situated right on the banks of the Zambezi and just behind it an Army camp which was usually occupied by rotating army units assisting us with border patrols.

1 memorable occasion we shall call – Diplomatic Relations!

With the arrival of the SAP in the area (they had their own camp nearby), diplomatic relations with our Zambian brothers reached an all time low rapidly. The Zambian Police and its Immigration service based at Feira just opposite Kanyemba had two motor launches with which they used to patrol the river. The river, in the dry season, tended to meander along deep channels which had to be followed if one used out-board motors, which their boats had. The Zambians enjoyed their boating and dur-ing the happy times before the SAP arrived we would greet each other with a friend-ly finger or a black power salute and, with decorum, wish each other well on our journeys as was the style of that era. However, when the SAP arrived they brought with them that wonderful style and finesse for which they were world renowned – they would line the banks of the Zambezi and drop their drawers, and extend the warmest compliments of the day to the blushing crew of a passing Zambian boat. (It was always of note that there would be an SAP machine gunner with his weapon lurking nearby lest the Zambians take offence to the winking going on the bank!). After one of these memorable events, the Zambian Police boat has passed us, crewed by a large policeman in black overalls, wearing huge sergeants stripes of the type issued to Shell Service Station petrol jockeys.

They had reciprocated our greetings in their usual style, telling us what they thought our mothers did in their spare time. A half hour later after they had passed by it was our turn to leave on a river patrol, upstream towards Chirundu, in the same direction that they had gone. Our boat, because we were nifty members of the BSAP – was powered by a Hamilton jet unit – this meant that when on the plane, our boat only needed 9 inches of draft to clear sand banks etc.

Because of previous incidents, wherein there had been a few frank exchanges of views between us and the Zambian Police/Army along the river – we would some-times mount an MAG LMG on the back of our boat, as we did on this occasion. We sped off along the river enjoying the morning sun and the game that was always plentiful along the river. After some 5 miles, we rounded a sharp bend in the river known as ‘The Gates’ which was opposite Kavalamanje. There, right in front of us

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and some 200 yards away, was the Zambian Police boat some 10 metres from the Rhodesian bank and stationary in the water with engines idling. The ‘Sarjent’ ap-peared to be considering taking a pot-shot at some Kudu on the Rhodesian bank, and initially, probably because of the noise of their idling engines, they did not hear or see us coming.

We were flying and the distance narrowed rapidly. Suddenly the ‘Sarjent’ saw us and was seen to give his driver a resounding smack on the back of his bald head, obviously telling him to ‘vuka’ because ….”the ‘mabunu’s’ – they are coming!” The driver slammed the throttles open and their boat catapulted forward, leaping up onto the plane and swinging hard right, heading for Zambian waters. Simultaneously the ‘Sarjent’ gave us a black power salute and mouthed some sort of presumably polite advice to us.

Poetry!! As he finished his advices to us, his boat hit a sandbank just under the wa-ter and rocketed out of the river. The ‘Sarjent’, one hand on the windscreen, flew over it, over the bow of the boat and on the way past attempted to take a healthy bite out of the stainless steel guardrail around the front of the boat. The boat and the ‘Sarjent’ crashed back into the water. The boat lay on its side, sans propellers, which had both severed their shear pins and debussed into the Zambezi. The ‘Sarjent’ lay flat on his back in about 3 inches of water in complete amazement, ob-viously wondering what had happened. The driver of the boat fell out into about 6 inches of water. By this stage, our MAG was trained on them in the river as we cir-cled in our nifty BSAP jet boat capable of 9 inches of draft. Still on his back in the river, the ‘Sarject’ lay there and considered his position. Being an astute man of immense intuition, he realizing that diplomacy of the highest order was now called for. Slowly he got to his feet, the Zambezi not quite covering his boots. He wiped the blood and snot away from his re-engineered nose with the back of his sleeve. Sud-denly, he braced up to attention, snapped up a spiving salute which a guardsman would have been proud, and in a loud tenor uttered, ‘GOOD MORNING SAH – AND HOW ARE YOU TODAY? A man of vision who saw things from all points of view - obviously.

He continued, salute in place, to follow our boat around in a full circle. Eventually we throttled back to an idle and with that the ‘Sarjent’ made an announcement. ”SAH – MY ENGINS – THEY ARE BLOKEN – MY RADIO, SHE IS BLOKEN. PLEASE TO HELP US”.

Being totally benevolent of nature and wishing to promote and raise the quality of existing diplomatic relations, we assisted them to drag their boat back to deeper water and took them in tow to Feira. Once off Feira, their Immigration boat came out and took over the tow.

10 days later, their Police boat was back in the water and passed us by – the SAP offering their usual warm greetings and the Zambians replying in kind. Diplomatic relations had been normalised!

Thanks to Andrew Stevens 6226 for forwarding this article WILL CORNELL 6388

WRITES FROM YORBA LINDA, CALIFORNIA

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IAN SMITH AND THE HISTORY OF ROWING IN RHODESIA – Anne Shaw asks for help.

Anne Shaw, whose late husband Peter Cooke was involved with Bill Sykes and Beryl

Salt in production of “Pride of Eagles", has been researching the history of rowing in

Rhodesia and Zimbabwe for many years. She is busy writing a book on the sub-

ject covering the period 1905 to 2015, and has asked for help in connection with this

photograph. It shows the Rhodes University rowing team of 1938. The Cox is un-

named, and facing him is Ian Smith in his first year at Rhodes, as Stroke. Next are

two Oarsmen, .......Contat and ........Cetrell. Bow is Leo Miles.

Anne would like to know if anyone can provide the name of the Cox, and first names

of Contat and Cetrell. Was Contat the Bob Contat of Sandawana Emeralds fame. She

would appreciate any information about them.

Anne would also like any historical information of rowing in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe,

good photographs, personal recollections, humorous stories, and memories.

She is now living in Australia. If you are able to help in any way, please write to her

at johnandanne47@gmail.com

After WW 2, Ian Smith returned to Rhodes University to continue with his studies,

and again took part in rowing and other sporting activities.

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Hi All

We arrived in Australia four years ago today and became citizens in June. On the home front Gary married Erin Conway, a Brizzie girl of Irish decent, on Saturday and they are now in Hawaii on honeymoon. Miriam is still enjoying her job look-ing after disabled children on their school bus. I keep myself busy in the garden and the highlight of my week is taking the wheelie bin out on a Thursday.

I am now a member of the Ipswich Men's Shed a volunteer organization that has a large workshop/ garden etc. We make things (I have just made the wishing well for Gary.s wedding), fix things (furniture etc), have "barbies" for the commu-nity (to make money). We also have a sailing section (I will be going for the first time next Tuesday), a library and arts section. We have about 130 members and the annual fee is $35.

There is a postal ballot on the go at present to say yes or no to same sex marriag-es and it looks like the yes vote will win.

The "footie" season comes to an end next week (thank goodness) when the finals of both the rugby league and the Australian rules formats will be decided. Both have large followings and crowds of some 100 000 can be expected at the finals of both.

How anyone can get enjoy-ment out of seeing grown men dressed in vests and short pants, punching and bouncing the ball, causing physical injury to each other and then kicking the ball aimlessly in the air with the object of getting it between two poles is beyond me - they call this Australian rules rugby. To play this game it is

important that you have a criminal record, be full of tattoos and piercings or be on bail for domestic violence.

We have received this newsletter from Brian

OBERHOLSTER re his Aussie adventures.

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ADVERTISING IN THE OUTPOST Advertising in the Western Cape Outpost is invited from

Interested members at the following costs :- Full page R200.00; Half Page R150.00; Quarter Page R100.00

We endeavour to put out three editions per year. Any persons interested in advertising in this Magazine are kindly

requested to contact the editor. Advertisement payments are to be paid via EFT into the Associa-tion account and notification sent to the Hon. Treasurer by the 31st January each year.

I was sorry of hear about GM closing down in Port Elizabeth. The same thing is happening here with GM, Ford and Toyota all closing their manufacturing opera-tions by year end. The fall out of this move will have a lasting effect on PE and I cannot see them surviving.

On the medical / maintenance front I have had shingles (not for the feint hearted), a positive test for bowel cancer and a subsequent colonoscopy that was negative, two moles removed that were not cancerous and laser treatment to my prostate not sort out my water works (one night in a private hospital). Oh yes, and four fill-ings to my teeth and two pairs of spectacles. All the costs were covered by Medi-care and I did not have to pay a cent. I hate to imagine what Discovery Health would have charged for all of this.

We have lived thru the hottest summer and winter on record and now look for-ward to the same this year - maybe I will win the lotto so I can come back and have a Castle in a cold and wet Cape Town.

Keep well and regards to all.

Brian

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Dear Tony,

What a small world knowing that you had ‘Rajput’ as your pass-out horse. I was in Squad 7/57 and was given Rajput in the latter half of training and finally as my Pass Out horse. Unfortunately when I first got him I made the mistake of giving him a sugar lump if he had been a ‘good boy.’ Needless to say this came back to bite me as when we were nearing the day of pass out and practising on the paddock. We were all lined up waiting for Asst Comm Harries to carry out an inspection. Rajput decided that he was tired of standing and walked out of line, turned around, walked back into line but with his backside to the front. No matter how hard I tried he just refused to budge. I think that he was miffed because I did not have any sugar lumps with me. Needless to say I came under a great deal of flack and abusive language from Langham.

Anyway Rajput finally decided to get into line, the right way, just before Harries arrived. I also think that due to the fact that I missed quite a bit of equitation as I was constantly being drawn away to do shooting practice as a mem-ber of the Police Shooting Team, and I think Rajput got fed up being left in the stable when all the others went out. Who knows !!!

I will certainly get hold of the Outpost branch in the UK, but would love to be kept in the South African chain.

Thank you for your good wishes, and I just hope that everything sorts itself out here and that it does not turn into another Zimbabwe (RHODESIA forever)

“RAJPUT”

Take care., Warmest regards

Nigel Curling (5726)

From Nigel Curling 5726

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The 2018 Flame Lily wall Calendar is on sale, this edition being of historical

interest with 12 carefully restored photographs going back to 1890. This annu-

al project raises welfare funds for those Rhodesians who are in need. R75.

Copies can be ordered from Angela Walker or Tony Rozemeyer (see details on

page 3).

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Roll of Honour Pringle , Kevin Peter 'Kev', Aged 66 (8226/8867 - Section Officer; served two tours between April 1969 - June 1980 - Member of the United Kingdom Branch), passed away on 3 January 2018 - Wokingham, United Kingdom. McEvoy , James 'Jimmy', Aged 88 (4762 - Chief Inspector; served between July 1951 - July 1971 - Member of the United Kingdom Branch), passed away on 20 December 2017 - Stoke Mandeville, United Kingdom. Atkinson , Alexander "Alex', Aged 92 (5408C - Police Reserve - Section Leader; served between 1955 - 1979 - Member of the Western Cape Branch), passed away on 20 December 2017 - Cape Town, South Africa. Munson , Peter, Aged 84 (4708 - Sergeant; served between April 1951 - September 1962 - Member of the United Kingdom Branch), passed away on 10 December 2017 - Canterbury, United Kingdom. Horton , Michael Georg Alan 'Mike', Aged 61 (9296/Cadet836 - Patrol Officer; served between December 1974 - March 1979 - Member of the United Kingdom Branch), passed away on 10 December 2017 - Northampton, United Kingdom. Peters , Ronald Stanley 'Ron', Aged 84 (4709 - Senior Assistant Commissioner; served between April 1951 - October 1981 - Member of the United Kingdom Branch), passed away on 5 November 2017 - Devon, United Kingdom. Wigley , Darell Anthony Lawrence, Aged 75 (7333 - Patrol Officer; served between April 1965 - April 1968 - Member of the United Kingdom Branch), passed away on 4 November 2017 - Denbigh, Wales, United Kingdom. Lucas , David Brian, Aged 72 (6996 - Patrol Officer; served between August 1963 - September 1967 - Member of the Western Cape Branch), passed away on 4 Novem-ber 2017 - Cape Town, South Africa. McCrea , Robert Alexander, Aged 67 (8142 - Section Officer; served between De-cember 1968 - May 1979 - Member of the Natal Branch), passed away on 1 Novem-ber 2017 - Johannesburg, South Africa. Patching , Roger John, Aged 81 (5240 - Chief Inspector; served between April 1954 - March 1981 - Member of the United Kingdom Branch), passed away on 29 October 2017 - Stafford, United Kingdom. Allan , David Tennent, Aged 90 (4368 - Sergeant; served between January 1949 - July 1963 - Member of the United Kingdom Branch), passed away on 26 October 2017 - Dunfermline; Fife, United Kingdom. Jack , Hew Duncan, (7882 - Patrol Officer; served between January 1968 - January 1971), passed away on 13 October 2017 - Harare, Zimbabwe.

21

Crisp , John, Aged 90 (8543 - Police Reservist; served between March 1959 - August 1960 - Member of the New Zealand Branch), passed away on 12 October 2017 - Auckland, New Zealand. Lay , Brian Chris, aged 84 (4819 - Chief Superintendent; served between December 1951 - December 1976 - Member of the United Kingdom Branch), passed away on 8 October 2017 - Chelmsford, United Kingdom.

Neale , Harold William 'Bill', aged 88 (4481 - Section Officer; served between October 1949 - May 1970 - Member of the United Kingdom Branch), passed away on 30 Sep-tember 2017 - Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom.

Wishart , Robert Irvine 'Bob', aged 75 (6316 - Detective Chief Inspector; served be-tween February 1961 - June 1980 - Member of the Transvaal Branch), passed away on 25 September 2017 - Johannesburg, South Africa.

Frith , Frank Colin, aged 55 (111048 - Patrol Officer; served between December 1979 - December 1981), passed away on 25 September 2017 - Nelspruit, South Africa.

Thomas , Barry Gordon (4384 - Chief Inspector; served between February 1949 - January 1972 - Member of the Natal Branch), passed away on 24 September 2017 - Durban, South Africa. Latham , Walter Oldnal 'Wally' (6636/7560 - Patrol Officer; served two tours between March 1962 - August 1976 - Member of the Natal Branch), passed away on 8 Sep-tember 2017 - Eshowe, South Africa. Robinson , Peter John 'PJ', aged 93 (4059 - Senior Assistant Commissioner; served between June 1946 - May 1975 - Member of the Mashonaland Branch and Honorary Life Vice President of the Regimental Association), passed away on 7 July 2017 - Harare, Zimbabwe. Wilkinson , Christy 'Chris', (6393 - Detective Chief Inspector; served between March 1961 - December 1980 - Member of the Natal Branch), passed away on 5 September 2017 - Sydney, Australia. Van Dyke , Kenneth Edwin, aged 76 (5928 - Constable; served between November 1958 - March 1964 - Member of the United Kingdom Branch), passed away on 28 August 2017 - London, Ontario, Canada. Engelbrecht , Michael Ferdinand Johan, aged 59 (9677 - Section Officer; served be-tween July 1976 - October 1980), passed away on 25 August 2017 - Harare, Zimba-bwe. Taylor , Brian Harry, aged 83 (5507 - Inspector; served between June 1956 - January 1983), passed away on 15 August 2017 - Portsmouth United Kingdom.

Our thoughts go out to family and friends and we join former colleagues in extend-ing condolences and deepest sympathies.

22

I don't want to burden members with details of Rhodes Cottage in Muizen-

berg, where I take my turn as a curator—but when you read this amazing arti-

cle, only then may you appreciate what a very small world this really is!

Bobbie and Lionel Hayes from the United Kingdom, presently holidaying in

Rosebank (Cape), visited the Cottage on Thursday 28 December, 2017.

Bobbie was born in Rhodesia and Lionel in Nyasaland. They were both edu-

cated in Rhodesia before moving to Malawi and then in later years to U.K.

Whilst chatting, the name Mickelsfield entered the conversation, and they dis-

covered that Rob, a family member, is in fact also a curator at the Cottage: a

Regional Magistrate in the old Rhodesia. Bobbie left a charming note for

Rob, now living in Fish Hoek, which will be conveyed to him on his return from

holiday.

In the conversation emerged three family members who served in the BSAP:

Henry William Ashwin (Reg. No. 432). He attested on 18.12.1902 and com-

pleted thirty years as a Farrier, going on pension on 28.4.1932. He was mar-

ried to Ada. Their son George William Ashwin (Reg. No. 2925) served in the

BSAP as a printer, and left as a Chief Inspector. Colonial Police Long Ser-

vice Medal GN 529/45

Archibald Louis Dayton, Lionel’s maternal grandfather (806) attested

11.7.1906 and left on 26.6.1910, leaving to join the 4th South African Light

Horse in World War 1. He died in Tanzania, aged 31, in 1916.

I presented Bobbie with a 2018

Flame Lily calendar depicting

black and white photographs

from yesteryear, not knowing

what was to come until I received

a phone-call as I was about to

leave the Cottage: June's calen-

dar depicted Rhodesian troops

boarding a "Rhodesia Railways"

coach (Bulawayo), departing for

action in the First World War.

Two beautifully attired Ladies

stand in foreground; the one on the left is Bobbie’s GRANDMOTHER, Ada!

July's calendar, one page later : a photograph of the 1956 Rhodesian Rugby

Touring Team, carried another huge surprise: "Left, Front Row" is Hugh

CAN YOU BELLIEVE IT?!

23

(H.S.) Rowley, the husband of Bobbie's Cousin, Lynette! Both have sad-

ly passed on.

This is one day I will always remember; a family united by virtue of circum-

stances, almost stranger than fiction, and I can honestly say this is one of

the most unusual, but deeply gratifying moments I have ever experienced;

a family drawn together after more than a century on a visit to Rhodes Cot-

tage in the closing days of 2017!

Flame Lilies everywhere I go! … Bless them all.

Tony.

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On Tuesday evening, the 28th of November 2017, at an Old Rhodian awards din-ner at the Balalaika Hotel to honour old Rhodians who had made a significant con-tribution to society, TONY GRANGER was recognized.

A quote from the program, " Tony has led from the front, as the former President of the Institute of Financial Planning (IFP) in South Africa and holder of dual CFP status in the UK and South Africa. He is also a past president of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) in the UK (Shropshire and Mid Wales) and Chartered Fi-nancial Planner.

Previously a legal advisor to Old Mutual and Head of Corporate Executive Ser-vices, he brought accounting and financial planning innovation to the United King-dom through the introduction of Corporate Benefit Audits; innovation in pensions and annuities and other areas.

Tony has interacted with the Rhodes University Business School and has been involved in projects to alleviate poverty in Africa.

He is a visiting professor at the London Metropolitan Guildhall University Business and Law School in London and FRSA (Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, Commerce).

In 2012, he became a Freeman of the City of London, an honour bestowed by the city to "persons of distinction and persons who have, in the opinion of the council, rendered eminent services to the local area”.

Tony has played rugby for over 50 years, representing the UK and Australian teams in the Golden Oldies - last playing in the World Games in Cardiff 2016 be-fore retiring.

Tony Granger is a superb role model, an individual who personifies the finest qual-ities of a Rhodes graduate and truly deserving of the Distinguished Old Rhodian Award."

Hi Rob.

Once again many thanks for the interesting information relating to Tony Granger. I first met Tony as a SAPS Reservist at Newlands sometime in the early eighties.

The readers will love this story:

We were both posted to the old Cape-Coloured grandstand behind the southern posts where we enjoyed well-placed seats on the upper gallery. At some stage during the Western Province rugby match a "gamat" full of tots ended up in front of the bottom row of seats on the eastern corner of the stand where he unashamedly relieved himself!

The stadium down-pipe emptied itself onto the spectators platform below, and you well knowing the Newlands "culture", can image the language of

From Rob MacLean : Tony Granger Award

25

those below who were able to identify the difference between rainwater and a golden shower!

Tony, very wisely, took my arm, and advised me to rather let the gentleman complete his body-function before tackling him; extremely good advice under the circumstances; a lesson I never forgot!

You are welcome to relay this to Tony; I wonder if he remembers the incident?!

Editor

Rob McLean 8244 and

Tony Granger 9086 at

Timour Hall recently

Tony Granger was born in Worcester, Western Cape, South Africa in 1951. In the late 1950's, his family moved to Rhodesia, the birthplace of his father, Denis Granger. He attended Highlands Junior School in Salisbury, then moved to Marlborough Junior, before completing his schooling at Sinoia High School, a farming boarding school, some 70 miles north of Salisbury.

A graduate of economics and law at Rhodes University, he was admitted to the Bar in Cape Town in 1980 and then became Legal Advisor to the Old Mutual in Cape Town, rising into management as head of corporate executive services for that company.

Between university stints, he joined the British South Africa Police (BSAP) in 1973 in Rhodesia and served both as a district policeman in Mashonaland and Manicaland before transferring to the CID and then Special Branch, mainly on anti-terrorist opera-tions during the 1970's.

He is the author of many books, including "How to Finance your Retirement (Random House/Century), 'Wealth Strategies for your Business (Random House/Century), 'EIS and VCT Investors Guide (30 Day Publishing), "Independent Financial Advice and Fee-Based Financial Planning' and the 'Retirement Planning Workstation' (30 Day Pub-lishing) which includes booklets on 'Annuities', Pensions', Estate Planning and others.

He was married to Joy for over 30 years, until she died in 2008, and has two sons, James and Chris.

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Four medals travelled from Cape Town and around the world before ending up at Timour Hall Villa last week. Their owner, John Evans, 82, served as an assistant commissioner in the British South Africa Police (BSAP) for 27 years. In 2002, wanting the medals to pass from generation to generation, he gave them to his son, Robert, who was emigrating to Perth, Aus-tralia. “My granddad fought at Gallipoli, and there is a strong associ-ation with this war in Australia, so I wanted this to continue with my grandchildren,” said Robert Evans.

And that was that, until recently when friend and fellow BSAP veteran Dave Blacker knocked on his door. Instead of the usual “how are you?” the forthright friend asked Mr Evans if he was hard-up and needing financial help. Mr Blacker was one of many BSAP veterans who saw an internet post that Mr Evans’s medals were on sale on a British auction site.

“The BSAP is as alive today as it was 40 years ago. Through the worldwide network, we could not believe John would sell his medals unless he was hard-up,” said Mr Blacker at the hand-over in the pub at Timour Hall Villa in Plumstead.

The story begins when Mr Evans was 17 and came to South Africa. “I turned 18 on the boat and shared a table with three women who thought I was too young for them,” laughed Mr Evans, reminiscing with Mr Blacker. The two veterans were met at Cape Town harbour by a mule cart and taken to the Athlone Hotel – which still stands to-day. Three days later Mr Evans and Mr Blacker were on a very slow train to Salisbury, Rhodesia, now Harare, Zimbabwe. That was 1953. Mr Evans served in the BSAP all over Rhodesia in the criminal-investigation department until retirement as assistant commissioner in 1980. “With uneducated children and lots of broken furniture,” he laughed.

Jim Blain, chairman of the British South Africa Police Regimental As-sociation Western Cape, said the origins of the force dated back to

Return of medals to original owner

a story of collaboration

27

1889 when Queen Victoria granted a royal charter to Cecil John Rhodes’s British South Africa Company to “open up” Mashonaland in what was then known as British South Africa. “Recruiting began in Kimberley in the Cape Colony for a police force to accompany and protect the pioneer column which was to occupy the new territory,” said Mr Blain.

He added that it was unusual for a police force to be established be-fore the country. “The force held to the customs and traditions of a light-cavalry regiment. With military ranks and discipline reflecting the military ethos, with emphasis on smartness and drill. “It had to establish the rule of law while also defending the borders of the country. With no standing army, the BSAP remained Southern Rho-desia’s first line of defence and held the honour of occupying the right of line,” said Mr Blain. He said the BSAP was regarded by many as one of the greatest police forces of the British Empire and Commonwealth: a regiment of policemen and women, both black and white, brought to the fore in civilian and military roles until it ceased to exist after August 1980, when it became known as the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

Back to the medals, which turned up at international coin, banknote, medal and jewellery auction house Dix Noonan Webb, in London. Its director of client liaison, Christopher Mellor-Hill, was instrumental in getting Mr Evans’s medals withdrawn from the auction. He ex-plained that most medals were unnamed except for those British and South African ones which traditionally had the recipient’s name and rank number engraved on them. “This makes it a great way to col-lect and enjoy history and it’s also why these medals were identifia-ble as belonging to John Evans,” said Mr Mellor-Hill.

Thanks to the internet, they get many calls from people discovering medals of relatives sold in the past and wishing to reunite them. They also identify stolen medals, often leading to happy returns. “But sadly we have as many cases where medals have been alleg-edly stolen when, in fact, they were actually sold and this is only ex-posed when they surface through the internet,” said Mr Mellor-Hill. Mr Evans’s daughter, Bronwen Wetton, was contacted, and she dis-covered the medals had been stolen two years ago from her broth-er’s home in Australia. “He never told my dad because he knew he’d be upset,” said Ms Wetton. Having sent pictures of her dad wearing the medals and documents confirming ownership, Mr Mellor-Hill re-

28

moved the medals from auction. However, there was one final prob-lem. “Where did they belong – in Australia with the vendor or with the re-cipient in South Africa?” said Mr Mellor-Hill. The medals are not very valuable but have great sentimental value for Mr Evans and his family. Through the worldwide network, BSAP members had a “whip-round” and collected £250 (R4 605) to match the bid an Australian collector had made before the medals had been pulled from the auction. With serendipity playing a part, Mr Mellor-Hill was coming to South Africa on a medallic tour and he brought the medals with him. And after a journey from Cape Town to Perth and London, the med-als are back in the hands of their owner, 40 years later.

29

The following is of interest about the Russian built monument and gift to the USA in New York of 9/11 and most people don’t know it existed. It is astonishing that this gesture was not widely celebrated by the world in 2006 and given the press coverage that it deserves. I even ‘checked whether it has appeared on the the Snopes blog. It does and they say it’s true.

France gave the Statue of Liberty to the USA and it is REVERED. But Russia has also given a marvellous monument to the USA for the most admirable of reasons, yet it is IGNORED.

Notice how there was next to ZERO media coverage of this? In fact the monument was a gift – an expression of grief – from the people of Russia to the US and officially named 'To the struggle against world terrorism'. Vladimir Putin was there when construction began and Bill Clinton attended the dedication ceremony in 2006.

Since then, it has been forgotten. I did some research and found that its designer, Zurab Tsereteli – one of Russia's leading sculptors – went to Ground Zero after the attack. He was told boats and ferries had shuttled survivors across to New Jersey, where many of the victims had lived.

(A full colour photo is displayed on back cover. )

About 50 million people visit New York every year and more than eight million live there but no one seems to have heard of The Tear-

drop...which is odd because it is a 100 ft tall, 175-ton memorial to those who died on the city's blackest day. Learning of its existence by chance, I tried to discover more from locals at Ground Zero, where the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre stood until September 11, 2001, and was met with blank expressions. The one person who did know was an official guide, but he said “'I bet 99 per cent of New Yorkers haven't a clue where it is.”

Our search began at the World Trade Centre station, where a train took us to Exchange Place in New Jersey. From then on, instructions were vague – we had to catch a light-railway tram

for eight stops along the Jersey shoreline to 34th Street in Bayonne and ask round. Eventually someone walked by and kindly offered to call a local taxi firm on his

mobile. He'd never heard of The Teardrop, but luckily the taxi driver had. He drove us two miles across a wasteland which was once an army base until we came to an isolated quay. And there, high on a mound, stood the monument – a massive bronze-clad block with a great gash down the middle into which is suspended a 40ft, four-ton shiny nickel teardrop.

'Nobody ever comes here,' said the taxi driver. Indeed, we were the only visitors.

In the far distance were the skyscrapers of Manhattan. Around the base of The Teardrop were the names of all those who died on 9/11 – including 26 Russians.

26 RUSSIAN TEARDROPS

from H. Aston via Andrew Stevens

30

OBITUARY - PETER WILLIAM SHOUT (SNR)(10.11.1927 - 5.6.2017)

Peter William Shout was born on Castle Farm, Yorkshire, the youngest of five children. His

mother died a month later of septicaemia and he was largely brought up by his older sisters

in between periods with foster parents. In due course his father moved off the farm and the

family relocated to Hayden Bridge where Peter attended school at Hexham. In 1944, having

completed his schooling, he joined the British Army at West Wickham but was too young to

be posted to a regular unit. In due course he joined the Army Corps 56 Training Regiment at

Barnard Castle. There he was trained as a driver on a variety of armoured vehicles, including

tanks. The Daimler Armoured Car was very popular at the time, as were 1/2 tracks and

White Scout Cars.

He was subsequently posted to the 4th Hussars for a period of time before being transferred

to HQ 1st Armoured Division in Trieste, Italy. With the war having ended he spent much of

his time on border patrols to deter Yugoslavia from invading parts of Italy, an ambition they

harboured at the time. In 1947 the 1st Army Division moved, en masse, from Italy to Pales-

tine where he was posted to a new regiment, 4-7th Royal Dragoon Guards Camp 22 at Kafa

Yorna. Subsequent to the Armistice on 22 April, 1946, the Armoured Corps personnel were

transported back to England, abandoning all their vehicles and equipment on the roadside

south of Haifa. Peter recalled that the parked vehicles extended for more than 25 miles!

The military staff boarded the Franconia and, with over 400 men sleeping on the mess deck,

sailed back to Liverpool.

Upon his return to England Peter went straight to Rhodesia House and enlisted in the British

South Africa Police. With the recruitment process completed, he duly sailed for South Africa

and travelled from there to Rhodesia. When he reached Salisbury he discovered that a num-

ber of his colleagues in Squad 6/48 had served in Palestine, albeit with the police.

Having completed his depot training he was posted to Gwelo Town and then saw subse-

quent service at Que Que, Umvuma, Enkeldoorn, CID Bulawayo and CID Fort Victoria. Like

many of his contemporaries, Peter always like a "good party" and could relate numerous

funny stories of escapades and misdeeds whilst serving as a single man in District.

In 1953, during his time at CID Bulawayo, there was a dedicated Scenes of Crime function

which was to evolve in future years under Ron Blackman. Whilst stationed at Umvuma he

met his first wife, Agnes Hogan, and the couple had two sons, both of whom later served in

the Force - Peter William (8655) and Allan Leonard (9035).

During his service in CID Peter was an extremely active and enthusiastic representative at

Police Federation meetings, carrying the "other ranks" grievances forward which much flair

and energy. As a result, he earned a reputation for being outspoken. Gillie Potter recalls

with amusement an occasion when Peter incited his peers to go out on strike! As a new

31

probationer, Gillie admits to having been shocked at the suggestion as it was so unprece-

dented. Needless to say, there was no appetite for such extreme measures and his pleas

fell on deaf ears.

In 1963 Peter took early retirement as a Detective Inspector and relocated to South Africa

where he joined the South African Police for a period of time but always remarked that,

"whilst they had some incredible results, he couldn't keep up with the drinking culture!".

Taking his leave of the SAP he joined Rex Trueform in Cape Town as Loss Control Manager

with Security responsibilities.

During his time at Rex Trueform he moved from the Loss Control environment into main

stream management and duly joined Irvin and Johnson Trawling Division where he became

General Manager. He retired in the early 90's and enjoyed a lengthy and, for the most part,

healthy and happy retirement in Cape Town.

Peter's two big passions in life were fishing and motor racing and he was intimately involved

with the racing deeds and experiences of his close friend, Dave Riley (5635). Together, they

participated in the first Rand Daily Mail 9-hour Endurance Race at Kyalami in 1961. Peter

was the Team/Pit Manager to the two drivers, Dave Riley and Eric Glasby. Their achieve-

ments are well documented in the BSAP publication by Peter Huson and Barry Woan,

"Motoring Memories Of The British South Africa Police".

Peter is survived by his sons, Peter, Allan and David, as well as step children, Maureen, Brian

and Phillip Stockton. Below “2 Petes in a Pod” Peter Senior and Peter Junior

32

T.V. Bulpin, celebrated South African Author wrote many inspiring books on the "Dark Continent", including an amazing seven-page PRELUDE introducing a book entitled "OUTPOST - Stories of the Rhodesian Police".

Readers who have not experienced the privilege of reading this outstanding work consisting of many interesting contributions by your BSAP colleagues, most of whom are long buried under cherry-trees in a shady church cemeteries scattered across bonny England, whilst others lie quietly in the wastes of Zimbabwe, hopefully hidden from an Africa committed to lunacy - carefully digest the following complimentary par-agraph submitted by Mr. Bulpin; perhaps this is just the tonic the doctor has ordered:

"For many the gateway opening to this trail of adventure was the French Foreign Le-gion. For others this gateway was the Colonial services of such great one-time em-pires as those of the British and French, in the days when only the elite could hope for a place in such administrations as that of Sudan. For others the gateway was the renowned Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the British South Africa Police of Rhodesia, two of the most famous police forces the world has ever known, both offer-ing unparalleled vistas of action, travel and excitement in vast spaces, where man could wander at will through rugged mountains and giant forests blanketed with snow in the prodigious back-blocks of Canada; drenched with sunshine in the game-haunted park-lands of Rhodesia” …and much, much more!

Sadly no further reference is made to the French Foreign Legion in this prelude, but then, in fairness, the BSAP was the topic under review; and in this edition of our Western Cape Outpost, we will introduce you, our Reader, to another world, a very far cry from Depot, Fort Tuli, Inyati and Gutu. This then is the world of the French Foreign Legion:

Researching the Legion’s history and traditions via the internet was a relatively sim-ple route to follow, and I found few similarities to the BSAP evident in their training and overall approach.

THE FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION and THE B.S.A.P

– A COMPARISON

33

The French Foreign Legion is a military service branch of the French Army established in 1831, unique because it was created for foreign recruits willing to serve in the French Armed Forces. Commanded by French officers, (it is also open to French citizens). The Foreign Legion is today known as a unit whose training fo-cuses not only on traditional military skills but also on its strong esprit de corps as its men come from different countries with different cultures. This is a way to strengthen them enough to work as a team. Although it is part of the French military, it is the only unit of the military that does not swear allegiance to France, but to the Foreign Legion itself. Consequently, training is often described as not only physically chal-lenging, but also very stressful psychologically.

Their role is one of soldiering in distant shores which France colonized, or countries where her citizens played a long-lost role under the banner of a flag outlawed by forgotten coups and snatched independence; sold down the river by "fat-bellies with their crown jewels firmly embedded in their backsides"!

The French Foreign Legion somehow missed the boat steered by Congo Mercenar-ies, preferring deserts thousands of miles to the north of black Africa; places of death and extreme hardship in sands where Arab extremists first raised their ugly heads in battles where the death of their enemies was a huge relief compared to capture; no wonder Telly Savalas fled "Beau Geste" on the first plane back to the States to escape the nightmares of the Legions basic-training, despite him being the "Squad Instructor" who marched his "blindfolded" men to the very lip of a crater the height of Table Mountain to "test their mettle"! Imagine if the "HALT" call came on the right foot!

The Legion’s period of four months basic training certainly matches that of the B.S.A. Police where the Salisbury Depot is possibly a little more "training-friendly" than that offered by the French Foreign Legion near Castelnaudary, a country town in Southern France; better known as "The Farm" where Rhodesian Police "Batmen" remain an unknown entity! Our stint in a 'Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden’ environment was certainly more cheerful then having to learn basic French in the short period of a few months, including a huge, mixed-bag of regimental melodies "sung on the march"!

Shoot me if you wish, but our "Kum a Kye", moving as it may be, cannot hold a can-dle to the Legion’s "Le Boudin"; a haunting, mystical desert "hymn"reaching deep enough to tug at one's heartstrings: you may not understand the words, you don't need to, they speak for themselves! The other difference, and very noticeable it is, is the almost casual 88 steps per minute march of the Legion, much slower than the 120 steps per minute of all other French military units. Arms barely reach hip height, coupled with a nonchalant leg- action you otherwise only witness in a small Afrikaner dorp when the local "windgat" swaggers from his house to work at the second-hand car-lot! ("We buy Cars")!

34

Yet, with respect, a "pic" would think twice before parading his wire-driven coupe across the Legion’s path as a number of those bearded combatants are attired in a leather "apron" with a twitching axe resting on their right shoulder, whilst the carbine-carriers appear equally as mean, but, what captivates you, is the steady drumbeat of a marching band, but, most importantly, every man, Officer or Legionnaire, is singing on the march; singing with gusto, singing with pride, and singing in praise of fallen comrades.

A good example of Le Boudin can be seen on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwM3oYi5ltQ

At the Bastille Day military parade the Legion contingent brings up the rear in a march-past of thousands through the streets of Paris where throngs of spectators patiently wait for one Regiment, and one Regiment only, forever earning an enthusi-astic response to those Legionnaires entitled to wear the iconic white kepi that is synonymous with the Foreign Legion in a special ceremony on partial completion of their training before embarking on a five-year stint as opposed to our three in the B.S.A.P.

If you wind your age back in time to thirty nine and a half years, or younger, you may qualify for a training stint at "The Farm" with the proviso you carry no pro-Nazi, racist-art or "stupid" tattoos on your face, (otherwise you are more than welcome) and, as a closing training finale, you can march 75 miles with the kitchen-sink and Ron Trangmar on your back within a three day period, and, God willing, you have a good singing voice and can still swing an axe, then you can opt for a sixty month stint in one another Force to be reckoned with!

----------------------------------

This article is also a tribute to a Product of Muizenberg School, a Springbok Surfer, a great Adventurer and a South African (Muizenberg) Police Reservist friend, Tony Barrett, whose friendship dates back to the early 1980's.

Rob Maclean recently advised me of Tony's passing, but really surprised me with the news that Tony did his five year stint in the French Foreign Legion, and, possibly like most Legionnaires, when he disappeared off the face of the deep-south!

This came as a complete surprise to me, yet certainly not a shock; he, I'm sure, was a Legionnaire supreme who l now will always associate with “le Boudin”

RIP Tony Barrett.

Editor

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35

A German tourist jumped into the freezing water and saved my precious little dog.

Upon getting back on the pier, he checked out my puppy and told me, "Ze dog is ok.

He vill be fine." Due to his selfless heroic act, I asked, "Are you a vet?" He replied, "Vet? I'm fuken soaked!"

36

Thanks to Nick Baalbergen of INTAF for this submission,.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (INTAF) was tasked with conducting the 1980 Elec-tions which saw the end of white rule in Rhodesia. This was carried out in close liai-son with the British South Africa Police, and Nick Baalbergen (INTAF) who was sta-tioned at the DC's Office in Wedza at the time has kindly allowed us to use some of his photographs. Space unfortunately does not permit use of them all.

British "Bobbies" and officials were sent to oversee the election, and with true Rho-desian courtesy and hospitality were made welcome in the rural areas, as elsewhere, despite the nature of their errand.

Two of Nick's photographs were taken at the farewell party for the British, held in the Wedza administrative centre Club after the election.

Maintenance of the Sierra Alpha relay station (established during the war) on top of Mount Wedza was essential in the election period, and INTAF continued performing its resupply duties. Access was difficult, and ADC Martin van der Walt's Land Rover slid off the road on one occasion.

In this photo taken on 13.1.1980, BSAP Wedza have arrived to the rescue in their Puma

British election supervisors arrived at Wedza in their Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopter on 27.2.1980.

Note the M40 105 mm recoil-less rifle to the left. Photo taken at BSAP grounds, Wedza.

Memories of 1980 Elections

37

British Bobbies' farewell. 2 March 1980: Mike Kettle (Member IC BSAP Wedza) wearing the British Bobbies helmet, Pete Wessels (BSAP Wedza SB) and Mike Kettle's wife looking on left, Steve Grinham-back to the [camera right, Pete van der Walt (Intaf AO)-extreme right. Wedza Vil-lage Club.

Sergeant Roger Haines (IC Wedza Bobbies contingent) receives a BSAP Cap

and plaque from Mike Kettle (Member IC BSAP Wedza).

Mike Bartlett, left; Dave Taylor (INTAF cadet); Pete Wessels (BSAP Wedza SB)

and Steve Grinham, right. Wedza Village Club. 2 March 1980.

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A book containing 70 stories (386 pages) of the life and times of a former Member of the BSAP.

The book is written in three parts. The first covering his service in rural Victoria Province. Pre UDI. Re-vealing many amusing episodes of the opening of the new Police station at Chiredzi.

The second covers a three-years hiatus when he travelled the world, with experiences akin to James Michener’s “The Drifters”, living a life with an “anything goes” ethos, crossing six continents, working in the desert of Australia and the jungles of

New Guinea as well as living in Europe during the free love and drug cul-ture of the swinging sixties. The last section covers his work as an intelli-gence operative (Acorn Rep) in the Rhodesian war. He investigated and brought to trial the terrorist who fired the first angry shot, who was hanged. In 30 stories he recalls with a pinch of humour being blown up, mortared, shot at by SF, working with captured and turned terrorists. Saving a woman trampled by an elephant, capturing an armed terrorist and other extraordi-nary experiences. The book is laced with maps, photographs, poetry and proverbs. BSAP personnel he worked with are identified by Name, Rank and Number. Refusing to serve the terrorists, he immigrated to Australia in 1980.

Available at US $15 on Amazon.com

39

THE BSA POLICE REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION The Association web page http://www.bsap.org is well worth a visit

Contact details of Association Branches worldwide appear hereunder:

AUSTRALIA

Perth Howard Martin hma18841@bigpond.net.au

Queensland Mike Edden michaeledden@hotmail.com

NEW ZEALAND Michael G. Harvey heathermikeharvey@gmail..com

SOUTH AFRICA

Border Bruce Beukman sunshine101@telkomsa.net

Eastern Cape Nobby Clarke ropac@telkomsa.net

Natal Des Howse deshowse@afrihost.co.za

Natal Midlands Alan Bennett thomasalan.bennett@yahoo.com

Transvaal Gavin Soal gavinsoal@mweb.co.za

UK Barry Henson hon.sec.unitedkingdom@bsap.org

USA Will Cornell bsapusa@aol.com

ZIMBABWE

Central Peter Bellingham peterjbellingham@gmail.com

Webmaster Andrew Field andrew.field@bsap.org

Mashonaland Red O’Connell roc@zol.co.zw

Matabeleland Denise Hurry karden@mweb.co.zw

Manicaland Station Closed.

40

Outpost No. 81 April 2017

Seen at the

Christmas braai: Howie/ Bedingham,/Watson/Bullmore; table.

Peter Logue;

Neville & Janet

Spurr;

Ions/Miller table

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