Rogues Gallery Terry Wall (Radio/Radar) PETER PETTER-BOWYER\'S FUNERAL Paul Dubois kindly made a few photographs available to ORAFs, these have been uploaded to PB\'s funeral notice on OurStory. I have also included messages that were routed via ORAFs to the family. They can be viewed by visiting the link below. An appeal to anyone who attended the funeral and has a Service Sheet - please consider scanning it and sending to orafs11@gmail.com - I would like to add it to the ORAFs records. Special thanks to Paul. Visit. http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=1114372&comments=1 BIRTHDAY GREETINGS My sincere thanks to all those that took time out to send me messages, the SMS\'s (text message), cards and phone call. I was overwhelmed. Thank you. TENNIS TEAM PHOTOGRAPH - DISTRIBUTED APRIL 10 2013 Ian McCullough (RhAF) Writes:- My guess is they are the Solomon twins – if memory serves. Miles Cartwright via Malcolm Baillie (RhAF) Writes:- The names you were looking for are Brian and Alan Solomon, twin younger brothers of Frank Solomon. Bill Sykes (RhAF) Writes:- The unknowns are the Solomon (sp) brothers, both Rhodesian tennis players. Sammy Symes will tell you their names Danny Hartman (RhArmy) Writes:- Back row extreme right I think is Frank Solomon who went on to play for Rhodesia. I was at school with him and don’t recall him having a brother!! Trevor Smith (RhAF) Writes:- The two unknowns in the Tennis Team photo are the Solomon brothers – Alan and Brian but I can’t remember which is which. Their elder brother Frank was at the same time seeded No1 tennis player in Rhodesia and these two were rated about 3 and 4. Great to have them drafted to Air Force for National Service – if I remember rightly that was a team that was put together to play Thornhill in the 60’s – with those two one might say the New Sarum team was loaded. I remember many great games with them whilst serving at FAF2 – we would go to the school in Kariba with “Legs” Linnell (another TF and fine 1st League player). On one occasion we four were invited to play at Kariba Breezes – on arrival we found our game had been advertised as an exhibition by Rhodesia’s top players. My tennis was never in their class but they managed to keep feeding the ball to me on my best side to make me look good in front of the large crowd of Kariba folk and visitors. Was a fine day and the free beer after was special. Ted Barnard (RhAF) Writes:- The two in the back row are twins. They were TF’s in the Security Section, sorry but cannot remember their names, for some unknown reason, I think it could have been Solomon. Miles Orbell (RhAF) Writes:- Diggers, John Digby I chatted to him last year when I was in the UK, but unfortunately didn’t have time to go and see him, he was involved with us in MK Airlines for a long time, and I saw him fairly often, he also did a lot of our Ground School in 31 PTC, when we were still Cadets. Terry Bennett (RhAF) Writes:- I think the “unknowns” are the Solomon boys – maybe twins. However it is just a guess. Sammy Symes (RhAF) Writes:- Two guys in the back row are the Salomon twins. Alan and Brian. They had an elder brother who played Davis Cup for Rhodesia. Brian and Alan were doing National Service. I recall John Pinner played with one of the twins, I played with the other, in an exhibition set (Alan and Brian gave the exhibition) John and I just made up the four, to open the new All-weather courts at New Sarum. The photograph was taken at Sarum . Incidentally, I ruptured an Achilles Tendon a month or so ago, playing tennis in the snow. Will be in plaster for next 3 months, On My 80th last year I played squash at 8 am, tennis at 3 pm, and table tennis in the evening, it was just something I wanted to do! No chance of repeating last year next month! Perhaps at 81 time to hang up my racquet\'s)!! Doctor said he had never treated anyone of 80 with a ruptured Achilles Tendon, normally happens to those between 30 and 50! By the same token he had never heard of anyone of 80 playing tennis either! Only fools and horses! Alan Harris (RhAF) Writes:- The two unknowns in the back row look like the Salomon brothers; Alan and Brian. Brian was on 54 TF Intake, I think. Ox Heron (RhAF) Writes:- The two youngsters were the Solomon’s T.F Refer. http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=1115578&comments=1 KEN SALTER NEWS Ken (RhAF) Writes:- I have just received my latest RAFA magazine and found among the book reviews one relating to \" Devotion to a calling\" by Grp Capt Harley Boxall and Joe Bamford. I quote \" The book is based on Harley Boxall\'s memoirs written in 1948\"It also states that Harley reverted to Sqn Ldr at the end of the war and joined the Rhodesian Air Force as a Flt Lt. The book costs 19.99 through WWW.pen-and-sword.co.uk. I well remember going to lunches with Harley and Jack Wall when I was taking over as SO.Sec.VR PASSING OF JIM FRASER Reply from Saillie Hammond regarding the notification ORAFs distributed recently:- Very interesting story indeed about Jim Fraser. My husband\'s late uncle, Leonard Dally, from Kimberley, serving with the South African Regiment was captured by the Germans after the Battle of Sidi Rezegh. Leonard, with the rest of his regiment, was sent to a POW camp in Italy. He managed to escape to the Vatican and spent the remaining part of the war under the disguise of a \"Father Sharkey\"- Irish Catholic priest! On seeing a German soldier in the streets of Rome and not knowing any Italian or Latin- Leonard would rush into the nearest church crossing himself saying \"eenie-meenie-minee-mo\"- please God make the Germans go\"! He remained safe in the Vatican until the end of the war. There is a picture of \"Father Sharkey\" in a family album-- clerical collar and black habit-- dressed for the part. CANDIDATE FOR ROGUES GALLERY Bruce Harrison, Ted Barnard and Ian McCullough agree the person was Terry Wall of Radio Section Ian thinks he was 11 or 12 LAR but ORAFs reflects him has 103 Entry in 1963. COMBINED SERVICES TENNIS TEAM Colin Castle (RhArmy) Writes:- The missing name is that of Peter Hean. I cant remember if his surname has an e at the end or not! Stan Standish-White (RhArmy) Writes:- Long shot but...could back right gent be Peter Hean, RLI Dick Lockley (RhArmy) Writes:- The unknown in the top right corner is Peter Hean who when the photo was taken would have been a lieutenant in the RLI. This must have been sometime in the early to mid- 70’s I imagine. Hickman, Walls and Rowley have passed on; Colin Castel lives in Ireland now, Peter Hean in Durban and you will know where Roy (I think PE?) and Hoffie live. So good to see the old faces as we remember them! Thanks for your continued news briefs- always received daily with great interest. Pete Simmonds (RhAF) Writes:- I think back right is Pete Hean. Terry Griffin (RhE) Writes:- The “unknown” is Pete Hean – not sure of the date though Refer. http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=1115637&comments=1 FAF DUTIES (PHOTOGRAPH) Bonnie Wainwright (Garrett) (RhAF) Writes:- I’ve forwarded this photo to Dad in the hope he may be able to give you a date and some names. Dad only joined the Rhodesian Air force in early 1969. I known he spent some time early that year in training before going to 5 Sqn, so this must be late 1969 or into the 1970’s. Thanks for adding it was great to see Dad in the photo. Ron Jarman (RhAF) Writes:- Front row centre is Barry Ord (instrument Basher) Wally Wallace (RhAF) Writes:- The gent holding the beer bottle was the late Barry Thompson. (ORAFs agrees with this identification) Bob Hattle (RhAF) Writes:- Back row right looks very much like Jim Light. Refer. http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=1115568&comments=1 22 PTC PHOTOGRAPH John du Plessis (RhAF) Writes:- The one 2 Sqdn guy on the left is definitely Roger Watt, he was my flying instructor in 1979 when I learnt to fly at Charles Prince, won\'t forget him! Refer. http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=213427&comments=1 CECIL HOTEL GWELO Phillip Evans (Writes:- The Cecil hotel was still running in 1983 when I left Gwelo (Gweru). The owners were a couple called Bob and Rose, and they left to take over the Lion & Elephant at Bubye on the Beit bridge - Ft Vic road. the Cecil Hotel was still showing on Google Earth in June 2011. The only thing is that its name has changed to Chitukuko Hotel. It is still listed as one of the hotels to stay at if you are in Gweru. I lived in Gwelo from 1973 - 1984. The other hotels/motels in Gwelo were the Midlands hotel and the Fairmile Motel. Refer/ http://rhodesianadvertisements.blogspot.com/2013/03/cecil-hotel-gwelo.html MISSING PERSONS Veronica Attwell Writes:- Syd Wheeler said to contact you--- I have been asked by someone researching a family tree for any information about Gwelo/Gweru 1930’s. Among the info needed was about –B Company 2nd Battalion (Gwelo) Troop—John Arthur Dryden Dymond who was in Gwelo from 1933/38 & seemed to be involved in a voluntary army reserve doing exercises with the mentioned Co. He also mentions Enzo Mess, perhaps also associated with this. Any help would be appreciated or perhaps you could put me on to someone who might be able to. Thank you very much. Replies direct to Veronica at vatt@mweb.co.za SMILE A WHILE Paddy, the electrician, got sacked from the U...S. prison service for not servicing the electric chair. He said in his professional opinion it was a death trap! \"Rise above the storm and you will find the sunshine .\'\' End of Newsletter Comments are always welcome - send them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com Ref. Rhodesian Air Force, ORAFs

This photograph is believed to be of the Thornhill Tennis Club. Names to the photograph:- Left to Right \"B\' = Back Row - \"F\' = Front Row Graham Cottrell - B2 - B3 - Len Pink - B5 - B6 - B7 - B8 - Terry Eaton - B10 -Ivor Giles -B12 - Eric Mitchell F1 - F2 - F3 - F4 - John Deall - Cynthia Giles - Dr.? - F8 - F9 End Photograph made available to ORAFs by Bill Sykes (RhAF). Thanks Bill. Thanks also to Bruce Harrison for his assistance. If you can assist with any information on this photograph please email Eddy Norris on orafs11@gmail.com Ref. Rhodesian Air Force, ORAFs

Dirk Roode (Equip) Rogues Gallery ORAFS MAILING LIST Eddy Norris (ORAFs) Writes) There are still a number of subscribers operating under the old Google Groups method. I would like to close this method as it is tedious and time consuming but - I need the help of those currently receiving their mail n that manner. The move will be to a mail server listing, but they do not permit anyone to add names to the listing. The list Manager has to forward an invitation to interested parties and they must accept the invitation. This alleviates the old cry \"I never asked to be on your list\" If you receive the invitation then be assured you are one that is due for transfer. This also is applicable to changing email addresses, I need both your old and new address. The operation is easy, when you receive the invitation be aware you are one that I want to move, ensure you are on line, accept the invitation and once you have been advised that you have been listed please advise me as per the instruction in the invitation. Please note the invitation has a time period before it expires. A few days only. One other request please. I receive email from our members and the email address is some think like prettyboy@ISP They do not give any other detail on the email so it is up to me to try and establish who has written. Common folks, please include your first and surname. AFA (GAUTENG) UPDATE Rob Sweeing (Chairman) Writes:- Thanks to everyone that supported last Saturday’s ALL forces Bash. It is really appreciated that they attended. Moneys made on the day all go to a good cause so thanks again to all. I am back off to Angola for two months so will be out of circulation but can still be contacted on this mail address etc. CANDIDATE FOR ROGUES GALLERY Terry Wall (RhAF) Writes:- I can confirm that the Rogues Gallery photo in today\'s newsletter is definitely me! I joined in January 1963 as an apprentice ground radar fitter, 103rd Entry RAF Locking, then was in the Radio Section at both Thornhill and New Sarum, but by the time of this photo (about 1979 or so) I was at Air HQ, programming computers. Now happily retired in Melbourne, Australia. Thanks to Bruce, Ted and Ian for remembering me! BREAKWELL FAMILY NEWS Wendy writes:- We have become grandparents for the 3rd time - a little boy Seth and then twins due in August!! This least one is the 9th great grandchild for Bob and Joan Congratulations to all the Breakwell family ROB MERRETT UPDATE ROB MERRETT - 3ATC/25PTC- HAS PASSED HIS SCAN WITH FLYING COLOURS AND GETTING BETTER BY THE DAY - NO LONGER ON SICK REPORT - THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT. PHOTO - COMBINED SERVICES TENNIS TEAM Sandy MacLean (RhArmy) Writes:- I have been forwarded the above message by two relatives who live in SA and am hastening to advise that I only appeared in that team by default! A ‘real’ tennis player was unable to attend at the last minute and I was ordered to take his place. I did so very reluctantly as I was a total ‘rabbit’ at tennis, squash being preferred by me. I recall that I lost all my games and think that we were soundly beaten by the opposition. The unknown player is Pete Hean, then a major in the RLI. Visit. http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=1115637&comments=1 PETER PETTER-BOWYER\'S FUNERAL Sarah and Rusty Theobald have made available to ORAFs a copy of the service sheet to PB\'s funeral. It can be viewed at http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=1114372&comments=1 PHOTO - THORNHILL TENNIS TEAM Dave Panton (RhAF) Writes:- Thanks for this weeks\' ID memory test for us oldie Ex Thornhill folks ! Back row : Graham Cotterell, N/K (but was a fireman), Frank Langley, Len Pink,Dulcie Hill ? ,Fred Bowyer, N/K, Ox Heim,Terry Eaton,N/K , Ivor Giles,Lena Mitchell, Eric Mitchell, in centre Julie Booth behind John Deall Front row: Terry Weston, Terry\' wife ? , George Salmon, N/K ,John Deall (Station Commander), Cynthia Giles, Geoff Fine, Faith Booth ? , John Pinner Colin Castle (RhArmy) Writes:- Is F1 not Murray Hofmeyr and F5 Keith Corrans? Frank Fynn (RhAF and RhArmy) Writes:- F8 looks like Babs White! Doug Smith (RhAF) Writes:- B12 is Eric Mitchell’s wife F9 is John Pinner Michael Weston Writes:- It would appear that my Dad – Terry Weston loved his tennis and obviously played down at Thornhill as well. F1 – Terry Weston, F4 - ? Deall (John’s wife), F8 – Liz Weston (My Mom). Sorry don’t recognise anyone else but once again could the Dr be Geoff Fine? Terry Bennett (RhAF) Writes:- F1 Terry Weston. Are you sure about Graham Cotteril. My first guess, without reference to your listing is that it was Roy Wellington. Refer. http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=1115933&comments=1 SHUMBA DRINKERS Many thanks to all that responded to the ORAFs appeal. Thankfully Mike Westcott sent the words with referring me to YouTube. My shorthand typing speeds are not up to the blokes in the fast lane. Special thanks to those that routed the request to Mike. SMILE A WHILE On a train from London to Manchester, an Australian was berating the Englishman sitting across from him in the compartment. \"You English are too stuffy. You set yourselves apart too much. You think your stiff upper lip makes you above the rest of us. Look at me... I\'m ME! I have Italian blood, Greek blood, a little Irish blood, and some Aborigine blood.. What do you say to that ?\" The Englishman replied, \"Awfully sporting of your mother, old chap!\" \" They usually have two tellers in my local bank, except when it\'s very busy, when they have one.\'\' End of Newsletter Comments are always welcome - send them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com Ref. Rhodesian Air Force, ORAFs

Names to RRAF Water polo team of 1967 team:- Back row (L to R): “PJ” Olivey, Len Puttick, Brian Streak, Alan Dewsbury. Seated (L to R): Don Lieberman, Vic Cook, Chris Weineman, Barry Roberts Ref. Rhodesian Air Force

Rogues Gallery Derek Davidson (VR) ROGUES GALLERY 8184 Cpl. Davidson D.M, RRAF VR Sarum and 24289 Stick Leader BSAP C Reserve I joined RRAF VR in 1963 and was based at Air Force HQ, Salisbury. My job related to setting up records of all VR members living in Rhodesia ... this followed the break up of Federation. Later I moved to New Sarum where I assisted with admin duties. Eventually became scribe to Squadron Leader H L Maltas VR at all his group meetings, recording minutes, and organising Coin training movies for members of 101 Squadron. Eventually did 7 week call up duties in Operation Hurricane where we were involved in mapping TTL (Tribal Trust Lands) areas, where all records had been destroyed, during the day and ambush detail at night aiding the RAR unit based in the area. In 1976 I transferred to the BSAP \"C\" Reserve and continued with regular call up duties in various Operation areas until 1980 when I resigned. (Thanks Derek, nice to get information on our VR\'s) LOG BOOKS (PJI) Charlie Buchan (RhAF) Writes:- Don\'t know if you can help with this, but can you please put out a request to find out if anyone has my Para school Log Book. It has disappeared some time ago. They are writing a book about the Para School and I can\'t help much without it. A while back some of my personal items surfaced in the UK and they sent them on to me. It was used in the Pride of Eagles book as well. We can only hope. Obviously it will be under Sgt Buchan. Replies to Charlie on denis.underberg@gmail.com OUR SINGING AIRMEN Tony Smith (RhAF) Writes:- Recent news from Peter Shout from Rhodie Music: Had a wonderful email from PETE BADENHORST of ESTABLISHMENT and NEW ESTABLISHMENT fame. Having survived being shot in 2000 in a crime incident at his home in South Africa, he and his wife emigrated to the United Kingdom where he joined old colleague, Moss Hills, in a music shop he had opened – STAGEBEAT. After two years of the inclement British weather, the Badenhorsts were on their way again, this time to sunny Spain where they bought a pub on Majorca. This, as you can imagine, was quite a lively venue with lots of good, old fashioned, bonhomie and live music. It seemed, however, that other establishments (excuse the pun!) took a disliking to the Badenhorsts’ success and their live music licence was revoked, effectively destroying their business. The wheel then turned full circle and Pete returned to Johannesburg where he landed a management position with a well know musical instrument shop. Pete has a hectic gigging schedule, playing every week, during the week and at weekends, and has built up a formidable reputation for himself. When not gigging in pubs he can be found at weddings, clubs or celebratory events. He says with pride that he has “now been playing for 52 years and can’t do without it”. I’m sure many of us know THAT feeling! Pete also provided a comprehensive update on his past band mates, Paul Stromsoe who sadly passed away in 2001, Roger Cowling who is retired in the UK and Steve “Lofty” Hughes who, after moving to Australia and back again and surviving an extremely serious car accident, is residing in Natal. He apparently landed in gig in January 2013 for three months playing aboard a cruise liner plying the East Coast of South Africa (while the rest of us work!). ADVERTISEMENTS FROM THE NORTH May I please call on our friends that grew up in either Northern Rhodesia or Nyasaland to please search through their \"glory boxes\" and see if you have any magazines or newspaper from that era and if possible scan the advertisements and send those scans on to ORAFs. Please include the source and date for the advertisement, if you come across any earth shattering news from those days please also consider ORAFs those bits. Please send to orafs11@gmail.com If you are in a good mood and have old postcards - please also consider scanning them for ORAFs. You would be surprised to learn how popular these subjects are on the Internet. HOW THE INTERNET WORKS From Don Munroe (RhAF) Creative and interesting way to demonstrate what happens when you click on a website. If you\'re curious what goes on after you click... Done from point of view of someone in England... but pretty accurate This is mind boggling! This is done so well, it is definitely worth the minute to watch and see what goes on behind the scenes. Absolutely Amazing. In the Future, I will think Differently when the Net seems Slow. Visit. http://www.wimp.com/internetworks/ JIM LIGHT NEWS Roland Charles (RhAF) Writes:- Just got this off Debbie\'s (Jim\'s daughter) Face book, don’t know if you are aware of it! Prayers for my dad Jim who fell and broke his shoulder last night - He is in hospital where he will have to under go surgery. PHOTOGRAPH - DAKOTA CANTEEN Brian McKelvin (RhAF) Writes:- As a kid I recall my father driving past this Dakota Canteen on a trip to Joburg. I also remember seeing an article a few years ago which reported that this Dak was eventually sold to someone in the USA who got it up and flying again! The article may even have been in one of the books about the Dak? PHOTOGRAPH - THORNHILL TENNIS CLUB TEAM Len Pink (RhAF) Writes:- If memory serves me right. B5 is Zena Fine, wife of Geoff the Doc. B10 is the wife of F3 George Parish, I think she was known as Bubbles. F2 is the wife of B2 from the Fire Section. I was Duty Officer on that day hence the uniform. It was taken well over 50 years ago. Graham Cottrell (RhAF) Writes:- Just received your photo on the tennis team. Staying with my son and daughter in-law in Melbourne at this time. Thought I would try and fill in the names for you. The picture must of been taken in about 1962. B1 Graham Cottrell, B2 Tom Crowe, B3 Frank Langley, B4 Len Pink, B5 Molly Pink, B6 Eddy Flawn, B7Jullie Booth & behind is Fred Boyer, B8 Adolf Heim, B9 Terry Eaton, B10 Ivor Giles, B11 Lena Mitchel, B12 Eric Mitchel. F1 Terry Weston, F2 Lena Weston, F3 George Salmon, F4 Rosemary Deal, F5 Johnny Deal ( CO ) F6 Cynthia Giles, F7 Dr. Geof Fine F8 Zina Fine, F9 John Pinner. The picture came via Jean Fletcher and was passed on to me. Hope this is of some use. I shall be returning to Zimbabwe on the 19th May via Brisbane with my Daughter, then in Joburg for a few days before arriving back in Harare on 26th May. Visit. http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=1115933&comments=1 ADEN GUN - TANGEMERE Peter Gargan (RhAF) Writes:- Can remember one call up when all we did for a week or so was scrape the paint off 30mm shells used for Mirages . Same size etc as Aden shells but would not work in the because of the electric firing in the Aden Gun - no contact because of the paint. Two railway trucks full of the stuff sitting in the siding. Virtually every armourer at Thornhill was called in, even the chiefy\'s were helping. Seem to vaguely remember some of the guys from Sarum were also called in to help. Cant remember but think Bertie May was in charge of the Armoury at that stage. (Sgt on my early TF call ups, looked after all of us TF armourers at Thornhill, funny to go back years later to find he was now [Flt Lt ?] OC Armoury Thornhill ) Be nice if you could ask if anyone can recall the incident or any more details- just remember that 1 Squadron was critically short of ammo at the time. Replies to orafs11@gmail.com PHOTOGRAPH -WHO AM I? The 0fficer in the photograph that ORAFS circulated during the past week has been identified as Paddy Jones a direct entry pilot who was posted to 3 Squadron. SMILE A WHILE Woman buys a new Sim Card. Puts it in her phone and decides to surprise her husband who is seated on the couch in the Living room. She goes to the kitchen, calls her husband with the new number: \"Hello Darling.\" The husband responds in a low tone: \"Let me call you back later Honey, the stupid woman is in the kitchen. \" If you think women are the weaker sex, try pulling the blankets back to your side.\'\' End of Newsletter Comments are always welcome - send them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com End of Newsletter Ref. Rhodesian Air Force, ORAFs.

Names to photopgraph F1 - F2 - F3 - F4 - Bat Maskill (?) - Matt Geering - F7 - Ted Brent - Alan Bradnick M1 - M2 - Ian Harvey - Eric Mitchell - Alec Thompson5 - Keith Corrans - Derek De Kock - Ron Dyer B1 - Jim Proudfoot - B3 - B4 - Mark Smithdorff - Tol Janeke May I please request that a concerted effort to identify these fellows, this photograph can be used to populate our Rogues Gallery. Please if you can, give ORAFs a date and reason for the course. Could M2 be Nobby Carke from Equipment? End Photograph made available by Bill Sykes. Thanks Bill Please mail your information to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com Ref. Rhodesian Air FOrce, ORAfs

George Salmon Rogues Gallery PHOTOGRAPH - THORNHILL TENNIS CLUB TEAM Tol Janeke (RhAF) Writes Your memory-teasers are always good to awaken the brain a bit. Len is correct. George Parish’s wife is Thea, short for Cynthia. She attempted, with limited success, to teach me history in my matric year at Greytown High School in Natal, in 1955. Her husband George was my science master. He was also a mentor and the person who encouraged me to emigrate from South Africa to join the RRAF. Visit. http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=1115933&comments=1 SORRY RHODESIA Following message was received from Russia:- Good day! Posmotel your wonderful photos. http://rhodesianforcesreunions.blogspot.com/ I must say, my country USSR, committed a crime by supporting the terrorists. Sorry Rhodesia. (The various blogs that ORAFs administers are read in many countries. Name and email details withheld by ORAFs Eddy Norris) WRINGING A WET TOWEL IN ORBIT Bet this will be a surprise for most:- http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap130424.html ADEN GUN - TANGEMERE Bruce Harrison (RhAF) Writes:- Congrats to Colin on the excellent display of the Aden ammunition! I trust it is properly attributed to Colin and his craftsmanship.... Some time ago you published an article with pics about Brick Bryson flying the Harrier in the RAF. We also have living in retirement in SA, Commander Andy Auld RN who commanded the Harrier Strike Force during the Falklands conflict. I also had a look at the Transatlantic Air Race and found the following on Wiki: interesting that it was an \"individual entrant\" competition - the number of well-known names is amazing! There is also a log of all the entrants, aircraft and times. \" The race was held between the 4 and 11 May 1969, although named an air race it was actually a race of individuals between the Empire State Building in New York to the Post Office Tower in London. Each of the individuals or \"Runners\" had to use some form of air transport. With a number of different categories a total of 21 prizes could be won. A number of point-to-point world records for aircraft were broken. The shortest overall time between London and New York was by Squadron Leader Tom Lecky-Thompson flying a Royal Air Force Hawker Siddeley Harrier in 6 hours 11 minutes. The shortest time between New York and London was by Lieutenant Commander Peter Goddard a passenger in a Royal Navy McDonnell Douglas Phantom in 5 hours 11 minutes. The first civilian competitor to leave London was Miss Anne Alcock the niece of Sir John Alcock, she was followed by a number of other runners including Stirling Moss, Mary Rand and Sheila Scott, who used her own private aircraft. The Royal Navy entered three \"runners\" each to be flown across the Atlantic in a McDonnell Douglas Phantom. The navy runners used Phantoms which flew from the Floyd Bennet Naval Air Station to Wisley Aerodrome and were refuelled by Handley Page Victor aerial tankers over the Atlantic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisley_Airfield On 11 May 1969 a Royal Navy Phantom of 892 Naval Air Squadron set a new world air speed record between New York and London in 4 hours and 46 minutes. The Vickers Alcock and Brown trophy was awarded to Lieutenant Commander Peter Goddard for his 5 hour 11 minute crossing which was the fastest West to East crossing.\" Replies to orafs11@gmail.com ERROR IN DEATH NOTICE FOR BSAP MEMBER Peter Huson (BSAP) Writes:- A very minor correction to Iain Harper’s notification, but just for the record the surname was Symmons, not Simmonds. The B.S.A.P. Assn death notice below refers “On behalf of Hon. Sec. United Kingdom Branch, Peter Biddulph reports, with regret, the death of 6130 Randolph Castillion (Randy) Symmons on 29 April 2013 in Hitchin, United Kingdom. He was 73 years of age. Randy served in the BSA Police between February 1960 and September 1965. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends, to whom we extend our deepest sympathy.1 May 2013” Mike Reeler (BSAP) and Mike Mays sent in corrections. Writes;- (Hopefully no one was inconvenienced by this error. Apologies to all. Eddy Norris) DC3 Alan C Evans Writes:- As an old DC3 pilot with 42 years in the air, I am very interested in your articles. The Vickers which replaced the old DC3 on the Dakota canteen was the first aircraft TREK airlines had starting its UK service. Later proceeding to Constellations. The Shackleton was I believe sold to an Indian fellow from the North Coast and I understand is still in bits on a property some where near Stanger. I had the privilege of flying all of the DC3 series including a single pilot aircraft but excluded the turbine 3 and the DC3 on floats. THE REMEMBRANCE DRIVEWAY ORAFs recommends a visit to above site Honouring Australia\'s War Heroes with a Living Memorial Located along the Hume and Federal Highways between Sydney and Canberra. Launched in 1954, with the Queen and Prince Philip each planting a Plane tree in Macquarie Place, Sydney, marking the beginning of the Driveway. A living memorial honouring all those who served in the Australian Defence Forces in World War II and subsequent wars or conflicts. Visit http://www.remembrancedriveway.org.au/default.asp Or you can read about the Australian Victoria Cross Winners by visiting the link below. Visit http://www.remembrancedriveway.org.au/vc-citations/default.asp HUNTER AMMUNITION BELT CLIPS David Marais (RhAF) Writes:- I have box of around 30 clips from a Hunter Aden gun and am loathe to throw them out. They are not corroded as they have been well looked after, ex Singapore Air Force. Would they be any use to anyone, or should I dispose of them? Contact David direct on david.p.marais@gmail.com WAR HEROES BURIED NEARLY 100 YEARS ON IN A FOREIGN LAND FOUND The bodies of the WWI soldiers were found in a field four years ago but were finally laid to rest with full military honours today (April 23, 2013) Read the full article by visiting the link below. Visit. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/first-world-war-heroes-buried-1849703 PHOTOGRAPH - DAKOTA ROADHOUSE Tony Munnik (RhAF) Writes:- Regarding the Dakota Roadhouse featured in despatches, I have a recall (I hope) that after many years on top of the roof there, it was taken down, totally refurbished, and returned to flying. I wonder if anyone out there has the details, or otherwise, of this story? As a parting comment, there was a very good book on the Dakota, by the Title of \"The Goony Birds\", again going back a long time.... a good read if you can find one. PHOTOGRAPH - DAKOTA CANTEENS AND EATING HOUSES Bill Teague (SAAF and RCAF Writes:- Wow, a McDonald’s Dakota.....what ever will they think of next Must be a distant Scottish relative of Donald Douglas..... RHODESIAN SOLDIER SEEK ASSISTANCE Andy Mazhawidza Writes:- Was just reading through some of your publications and just thought you would help me out, My uncle is an ex Rhodesian Soldier and he was injured in 1978 during the war, he tried to get compensation from the Zimbabwean Government and it has all failed. Who can best assist him ORAFs requested further information and Andy replies:- He was at 11 Infantry Battalion Bulawayo, based at the Llewellyn Barracks. He alleges that he was then dismissed from the Army on demobilization Grounds instead of Medical grounds. He was Rhodesian Forces. Replies direct to Andy Mazhawidza on amazhawidza@Angloplat.com PHOTOGRAPH - OFFICERS AND WOS COURSE Following names have been submitted:- Keith Kemsley (RhAF) Writes:- F1 Dudly Barlow, F3 Jack Rowe, F4 Graham Smith, F5 Bat Maskill F6 Mac Geeringh F7 Ted Strever (?) B1 Jim Boyd B2 Goofie Proudfoot F4 Dick Obourne (sp? Accountant) Bruce Harrison (RhAF) Writes:- F1 - Doc Holliday - F3 - F4 - Bat Maskill (?) - Mac Gheering - F7 - Ted Brent - Alan Bradnick M1 - Ian Donaldson - Ian Harvey - Eric Mitchell - Alec Thompson5 - Keith Corrans - Derek De Kock - Ron Dyer B1 - Jimmy Boyd, Goofy Proudfoot - B3 - Dick Oborne - Mark Smithdorff - Tol Janeke Frans Meyer (RhAF) Writes:- Back row left to right :- No 6 Bert Fenn WO CED No 8 Alec Thompson OC CED No 13 Sandy Steele? Elect ( Name spelling could be wrong) Dave Panton (RhAF) Writes:- I can only add a couple of names this week :- F3 Jack Rowe & B1 Jimmy Boyd Terry Bennett (RhAF) Writes:- F1 is Dudley Barlow. F3 Sqn Ldr Rowe(?) F4 Gp Capt Smith OCVR(?) Ivan Holshaisen (RhAF) Writes:- F1 Barlow, F2 [a VR? ] F4 I think OC VR, F7 Bill Dawson ? Jean Fletcher (RhAF) Writes:- It\'s Geoff proud foot not Jim proud foot Geoff is no longer with use passed away couple of years ago Johnny Ness (RhAF) Writes:- Back Row nk nk nk Jim Proudfoot Ian Harvey nk Erick Mitchell nk nk Keith Corrans Mark Smithdorp Derek De kock Tol Janeke Ron Dyer Front Row nk (nk Bell?) nk Bat Maskell Matt Geering nk Ted Brent Alan Bradnick. Ian MCullough (RhAF) Writes:- B1-Jimmy Boyd ,B2 -Goofy Proudfoot, B4 accounting Officer? M3 – Ian Harvey, M4 – Eric Mitchell,M6 –Keith Corrans, M7 Derek de Kock, M8 Ron Dyer Dave Thorne (RhAF) Writes:- Back row: Jimmy Boyd, Goofy Proudfoot, U/K, U/K, Mark Smithdorff, Tol Janeke Middle row: U/K, U/K (not Nobby Clarke – this one has pilot’s “wings”), Ian Harvey, Eric Mitchell, U/K (not Alec Thompson), Keith Corrans, Derek De Kock, Ron Dyer Front Row: Dudley Barlow, U/K, Jack Rowe, U/K, Bat Maskell, Mac Geeringh, U/K, Ted Brent, Alan Bradnick. Derek de Kock (RhAF) Writes:- The Group Capt F4 is Group Capt Smith who was OC VR at the time and the course was a promotion course for Sqn Ldr. Gp Cpt Smith was one of the most obliging senior officers in the Air Force who would always come out to PTS to present Wings to the Paratroopers on the DZ after their final jump. It was always at sparrow minus and usually very cold he was always willing to come out at very short notice. A true friend of the Meat Bombs. Yes I am the guy with the Funny Hat. Soft Landings Undisclosed Source This was a photo of the No.2 Officers Course at No.1 GTS in August 1964 List of names is as follows :- Back row – Jimmy Boyd, Geoff Proudfoot, Bert Fenn, Dick Oborne, Mark Smithdorff, Tol Janeke Middle row – Geoff Fenn , Ian Harvey, Eric Mitchell, Alec Thompson, Keith Corrans, Derek DeKock, Ron Dyer Front Row – Dudley Barlow, Bob Reynolds, Jack Rowe, Graham Smith, Bat Maskell, Mac Geeringh, Ted Strever, Ted Brent, Alan Bradnick Hope This helps – sorry I can’t help with name of second person in middle row. Len Pink (RhAF) Writes:- F1 Dudley Barlow (3Sqn) F2 Otto Geriche ? (tech) F4 Gp Capt Graham Smith OC VR B1 Jim Boyd/ B3 W/O I/c Drawing Office B4 Sandy Steele? Tony Smit (RhAF) Writes:- F1 is Dudley Barlow (3 Sqn), but I do not remember F 2, 3 and 4? Terry Leaver (RhArmy) Writes:- Could F7 have been Bill Dawson ? Willy Jervois (RhAF) Writes:- B2 - Geoff Proudfoot - B4 - Sandy Steel - F3 - Jack Rowe Sally Diplock (RhAF) Writes:- I was Nobbie Clarke\'s Secretary when at Thornhill, and M2 is definitely him. Doug Smith (RhAF The Swing) Writes:- B4 is Dick Oborne. Refer. http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=1116253&comments=1 SEEKING CONTACT Joan McLaren-Smith Writes:- I was married to Doug smith and would like to try and find his son Michael from his marriage to Margie Replies direct to Joan at joanmclarensmith@gmail.com GERMAN DORNIER DO 17 BOMBER TO BE RAISED FROM THE SEA. An operation to raise a unique German bomber from the seabed began today. A floating crane was towed into place above the Dornier Do 17 shot down in the Battle of Britain. Tomorrow divers are expected to start building a steel frame around the wreckage. They hope that within three weeks they will be able to lift it on to a barge. The plane – the last of its kind – was found by a diver in 50ft of water off the Kent Coast in 2008. Read the article by visiting he link below. (Thanks to Alan Smith for sharing this information with ORAFs) Visit. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/only-surviving-german-second-world-1867866 CODED MESSAGES ORAFs distributed an account by Rob Birbeck on Des Plunkett of the Great Escape. Visit this link to read another story of this nature. Visit. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/prisoner-wars-coded-messages-hidden-1863983 DES PLUNKETT - GREAT ESCAPE MAPMAKER Nick Baalbergen (Intaf) Writes:- Incredible material! Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/05/flt-lt-des-plunkett-great-escape.html SMILE A WHILE A boy asks his granny, \'Have you seen my pills, they were labelled LSD?\' Granny replies, Bugger the pills, have you seen the dragons in the kitchen?! \"Men have feelings too. For example, we feel hungry. .\'\' End of Newsletter Comments are always welcome - send them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com Ref. Rhodesian Air Force, ORAFs

Martin Bowyer (GDP) Rogues Gallery DEATH NOTICE - MIKE DENNESS (Cricket) Visit http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/cricket/mike-denness-former-england-captain-1842506 for details TERENCE MURPHY (RhAF SHORT TERM) Don Munroe (RhAF) sent in this link:- Visit. http://www.flyingmarines.com/Biographies/1951-1960/Murphy.htm (Note the borrowed photograph of ORAFs and Kevin Milligan) 10 COMMON SAYINGS Doug Smith (RhAF) Writes regarding the listing that ORAFs recently distributed:- They are famous sure but I think the most famous saying and only understood by Zimbos is: See you just now or see you later. These can mean in a few minutes, hours, days weeks or even longer. Other people just cannot work out when we say one of these to a mate he knows the time frame it is in. See you later Eddy Norris (RhAF) Writes;- In South Africa a beauty is when you ask someone how far it is to somewhere. They answer \"about 1 hour (always time it takes to get there) HERO RAF PILOT DROPPED FRENCH LAG ON ARC DE TRIOMPHE UNDER NAZI RULE From Ron Jarman (RhAF) Visit. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2239241/Hero-RAF-pilot-Ken-Gatward-dropped-French-flag-Arc-Triomphe-Nazi-occupied-Paris.html SEEKING CONTACT Joan McLaren-Smith Writes:- I was married to Doug smith and would like to try and find his son Michael from his marriage to Margie Replies direct to Joan at joanmclarensmith@gmail.com AIR RHODESIA\'S B720 - \"A RIDDLE WRAPPED IN A MYSTERY Francis Fynn (RhAF and RhArmy) Writes:- There is one point which we all missed including Chris, when he was in the US training the main reason aircraft were going cheap (probably DC8\'s as well) Was the fact that the mighty 747s were becoming available and even SAA flogged their 707\'s off cheap to buy 747\'s. Also until a few years ago a 720 was being used as a refuelling tanker for the SAAF Cheaters and Mirages, not bad for rubbish!! Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/05/air-rhodesias-b720s-riddle-wrapped-in.html ADVERTISEMENT - STAR WARS Ian Pringle (Praw) Writes:- I bet not too many RhAF people attended that premiere of Star Wars; it was right in the middle of Operation Dingo. In fact, it was on the eve of Zulu 2 - the attack on Tembue - when most No7 Squadron crews were spending the night at Mount Darwin\'s FAF 4, while Rex Taylor was busy hacking out helicopter clearings on the \'Train\' in Mozambique, while ground crews were busy rolling drums at Chiswiti, where 32 Alouettes would land at first light en-route to the Train. Refer. http://rhodesianadvertisements.blogspot.com/2013/05/rhodesian-armoured-car-regiment.html BIRTHDAYS FOR THE MONTH OF MAY List supplied by Nev Mare. 03 May Mike McCormack. 04 May Pete Billett. 05 May May Cameron widow of Joe Cameron & my sister. 12 May Rich Carroll. 14 May Barry Ashley (Barrel) Roberts. 15 May Pete Woolcock. 15 May Rory Conrad Hilton. 15 May Don Segal. 15 May Neville Mare. 17 May Sketch Roberts. Happy Birthday to you all. V-E DAY - May 8 ORAFS writes:- V-E Day stands for Victory in Europe Day, commemorating the unconditional surrender of Germany to Allied forces on May 8, 1945. Adolf Hitler declared that Germany had proved unworthy of him and committed suicide in his Berlin bunker on April 30, 1945. Hitler\'s successor, Admiral Karl Dnitz, started negotiations with the Western powers, hoping to save as many troops and refugees as possible from Soviet reprisals. But the U.S.S.R. refused to recognize the surrender ceremony at U.S. General Dwight Eisenhower\'s headquarters on May 7 (the hostilities set to end at one minute past midnight May 9, 1945 - or 9:01pm Eastern on May 8 in the U.S.). A separate German surrender to the USSR was signed and a separate Soviet V-E Day held, in Berlin on May 8 to end the war once and for all. SMILE A WHILE An Arizona Highway Patrol officer stops a Harley for traveling faster than the posted speed limit, so he asks the biker his name. \'Fred,\' he replies. \'Fred w...hat?\' the officer asks. \'Just Fred,\' the man responds. The officer is in a good mood, thinks he might just give the biker a break, and write him out a warning instead of a ticket. The officer then presses him for the last name. The man tells him that he used to have a last name but lost it. The officer thinks that he has a nut case on his hands but plays along with it. \'Tell me, Fred, how did you lose your last name?\' The biker replies, \"It\'s a long story, so stay with me.\' I was born Fred Johnson. I studied hard and got good grades. When I got older, I realized that I wanted to be a doctor. I went through college, medical school, internship, residency, and finally got my degree, so I was Fred Johnson, MD. \"After a while I got bored being a doctor, so I decided to go back to school. Dentistry was my dream! Got all the way through School, got my degree, so then I was Fred Johnson, MD, DDS. Got bored doing dentistry, so I started fooling around with my assistant and she gave me VD, so now I was Fred Johnson, MD, DDS, with VD. \"Well, the ADA found out about the VD, so they took away my DDS. Then I was Fred Johnson, MD, with VD. Then the AMA found out about the ADA taking away my DDS because of the VD, so they took away my MD leaving me as Fred Johnson with VD. Then the VD took away my Johnson, so now I am Just Fred.\" The officer walked away in tears, laughing. \"How does Moses make his tea? Hebrews it..\'\' End of Newsletter Comments are always welcome - send them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com Ref. Rhodesia

By Roland Charles Got this off the Gwelo Face book page, and thought it might be of interest for all the Thornhill ORAFS especially, as I am sure he brought a lot of our children into the world. About time this chaps received recognition. Jim Redmond - From the British Embassy Dublin Facebook page 9th May 2013 British Ambassador Dominick Chilcott was delighted to present a Bomber Command clasp to Dr Jim Redmond, resident of Leopardstown Park Hospital yesterday evening. Those eligible for the new Bomber Command clasp already hold the 1939 to 1945 Star, to which the clasp will be affixed. It is also understood that there is an additional requirement to have flown at least one operational sortie as aircrew on a Bomber Command operational unit. Talking about the medal, Minister of State for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans Mark Francois said: “All those who served our country in Bomber Command and on the Arctic Convoys deserve nothing but the utmost respect and admiration from us. That’s why I am delighted that these special individuals will in the next few weeks begin to receive the Bomber Command clasp and Arctic Star that they have so long deserved.“I am also pleased to announce that the families of those no longer alive will also be able to apply for these awards in recognition of their loved one’s bravery.” Joan O’Neill (Secretary of the Veterans’ Support Group, Leopardstown Park Hospital), Dr Jim Redmond (recipient of Bomber Command clasp), David Cooney (nephew of Dr Jim), Kitty (another resident of LPH) And Jim with the Ambassador. Jim was 91 on 6th May this year. End Big Happy Birthday to Dr. Jim Thanks to Roland for sharing this information with ORAFs, special thanks to the Gwelo and British Embassy Dublin Face Book operations for the use of their material. Dr. Jim was at Thornhill during my posting there, 1973 - 78. I do not think he served at New Sarum (could be wrong though) ORAFs would like to call on Johnny Ness to please advise Sister Boswell and to Tony Cowell to advise Prof. Dennis Viljoen. Thanks Johnny and Tony. Comments are welcome - please send them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com Ref. Rhodesian Air Force

M. Hill (103 VR Squadron) Rogues Gallery VIC CULPAN AND DENNIS SPENCE 737 CONVERSION Hugh Slatter (Writes:- Really proud of all our pilots who have gone on to make such successes out of careers in flying - well done Dennis and Vic. Since I remember some pretty hairy x-wind landings in the Prov on BFS with you guys, I\'m not sure I\'ll risk it with you again!! Incidentally, the newest 737 ( 737 MAX ) is the program I\'m working for GE/CFM with BOEING - great fun, and it\'s going to be another really good 737. Best wishes Refer. http://rhodesianforcesreunions.blogspot.com/2013/05/vic-culpan-and-dennis-spence-boeing-737.html HUNTER IN RIYADH Vic Wightman (RhAF) Writes:- Geoff Oborne\'s happy snap of a Hunter F6 in Riyadh caught my eye. From my log book I see that I am one up on Geoff, having seen the inside of that aeroplane as well as the outside. My seven year spell with the Saudi Air Force started in Riyadh in 1966 and included in the early months the opportunity to fly the Hunters on an informal basis. It looks like I flew this particular one twice in October out of Riyadh and three times out of Taif in November. The King used to spend some of the hotter months at his summer palace in Taif so I guess we were involved in some sort of flag waving exercise. OP DINGO Bill Sykes (RhAF) Writes:- Ian Pringle’s letter mentioning Chiswiti airfield sparked a few visual memories ... The five or six Dakotas, and the Lynxes, were parked at the beginning of the runway, with 32 helicopters arranged sixteen a side down past the halfway mark. Any Dak taking off was watched with great interest, nay alarm, as its wingtips skimmed over the blades of the Alos. One swing on take-off and at least a dozen aircraft would have been written off. Scary stuff ... I had photos but destroyed them. Refer. http://rhodesianadvertisements.blogspot.com/2013/05/rhodesian-armoured-car-regiment.html FLT LT. DES PLUNKETT - GREAT ESCAPE MAPMAKER Mike McGeorge (Air Rhodesia) Writes:- Just reading about Des Plunkett, perhaps this may interest the older folk. My twin brother John and I met Des Plunkett and his crew at the Coq d,or, Baker Avenue one day in September 1951, he was with Hunting Air Survey and here on a contract to map the Kariba area. Their Dak was parked at Belvedere Airport. As we had an interest in photography from our experiences with the Brit army in Palestine, meeting the photographer, Vic Harding, who could assist us in setting up a dark room at our home, we jumped at Des ,s invite for us to go on a mapping operation over Kariba. Taking off from Belvedere one October day in their Dak, There were some oxygen bottles down the side of the fuselage, which they said we must use if necessary by sucking from a tube attached to the bottle, as we were flying over ten thousand feet AGL. Quite an experience, so started a long friend ship, often meeting for the odd drink etc., Vic sorted out our first dark room where we made our first print, which gave us the same feeling as going solo at the gliding club, which was on Thorn Park on the Mazoe Road. I remember attending a Royal Aero Society meeting where Des spoke about his experiences at Stalag Lift 111, the consequent escape in 1944, where Des made all the escape maps, which you can read about in the book the Great Escape. He was picked up by the Gestapo in Prague, but can\'t remember how he got out of being shot like 50 of his colleagues. Des was very fond of Amirila cigars! I have a vague recollection that his co pilot was someone Campbell? I know he flew the Dove for Air Survey company for quite a time. I have a studio photo of him somewhere amongst my old prints. Very happy days, also flying from Belvedere in the Viking to Ft Jameson in Northern Rhodesia., as I was a tobacco buyer for Bindi Noakes, we were attending the NE sales where tobacco was off quota, consequently prices were very good, strip leaf going for 60 pence per pound! I think we needed an iron lung to get us back to normal on our return from a week in Fort Jimmy!! Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/05/flt-lt-des-plunkett-great-escape.html CARLTON HOTEL MENU Bill Teague (SAAF and RCAF) Writes:- What a wonderful global family you have created with ORAFS. It enlightens every day...... The Carlton Hotel prices for “To-Days Suggestions” menu is an eye popper and a scream. Can you believe it, Grilled sirloin steak for R1.15.... and now 50 years later I had a sandwich at our local airport cafe yesterday which cost C$14, at to-days exchange rate that is R126.....yikes Thanks for the memories.......... Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/04/carlton-hotel-menu-january-1963.html 617 (DAM BUSTING) SQUADRON Mike Hamence (RhAF) Writes:- I was very taken with Bill Teague\'s item about \'The Dams Raid\' and would like to refer you to comments made by Ken Brown in Chapter 13 of \'The Dambusters Raid\' by John Sweetman (Time Warner Books, 2003): \'Conclusion: Reflection, Significance and PostScript\': F/Sgt Ken Brown, pilot of Lancaster ED 918 (AJ-F) added a postscript to the statement, \"The story of the raid is one of sloppy planning, narrow-minded enthusiasm and misdirected courage... A conjuring trick, virtually devoid of military significance...\" Ken Brown publicly declared in 1992 that the raid that \"the raid was not worthwhile and the loss of eight crews unjustified\". On a personal note, Bill Jelley and I did the BofI on the tragic and unnecessary loss of Ian Donaldson and his crew in Canberra R2514 on Jan 12, 1977. Another comment: The term \'Wallis Bouncing Bomb, according to the Germans was incorrect - it was a \'Revolving depth charge\'. A true \'bouncing bomb\' was of course P-B\'s \'Alpha\' weapon. AIR RHODESIA BOEING 720S CONTINUED Reg Mullen (Air Rhodesia) Writes:- Thank you for this wonderful article Mitch, which has brought back wonderful memories of a great period of my life, of a great aircraft and everyone who flew in her. I will treasure this always. I did post a comment at the end - but not sure where it went to? Thank you so much for making all this possible.. Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/05/air-rhodesias-boeing-720s-continued.html AN AMAZING MAN A follow up to the article that Darryl Burlin made available to ORAFs. If you have not done so then please Google the women that are mentioned. These are Hanna Reitsch. She was the first woman astronaut and test pilot The other woman was Irma Grese, read her story and then you describe her, perhaps a monster from hell. Eric Brown (the amazing man) book \"Wings on Sleeve\' will be available from http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wings-My-Sleeve-Worlds-Greatest/dp/0753822091/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1368776773&sr=1-1&keywords=eric+brown MASHONALAND FLYING CLUB - AIRDAY 95 Robb Ellis (The Bearded One) sent in this link:- Visit. http://vimeo.com/8608544 (Good footage) NZ SOLDIERS PERFORM EMOTIONAL HAKA FOR FALLEN COMRADES Sent in by Stretch Merrington (RhAF) More than 200 soldiers from New Zealand paid their respects to their fallen comrades by performing a mass Maori Haka at a repatriation. The emotional video, which has gone viral, shows the men from 2nd and 1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment performing the ancestral war cry for Corporal Luke Tamata, 31, Lance Corporal Jacinda Baker, 26, and Private Richard Harris, 21. The dead comrades were killed by a roadside bomb while serving in Afghanistan. The ceremony at Burnham Military Camp two weeks ago showed the coffins arriving by car to be greeted by the mass of soldiers. The group then break into a huge emotionally-charged haka war dance, similar to ones displayed by the All Blacks rugby team. Major John Gordon, a spokesman for the NZ army, said: “Many soldiers don’t tend to show their emotions but today you saw their collective grief.” Visit. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4510470/NZ-soldiers-perform-emotional-haka-for-fanormallen-comrades.html ORAFs records its thanks to the Sun (Wednesday) May 15, 2013 As Stretch says - This video is very stirring and certainly impressive – I think the dead silence at the end makes it all the more moving. JOCK OF THE BUSHVELD Stretch Merrington (RhAF) Writes:- I have searched You Tube for the Jock of the Bushveld song I want, but can only find the song by Johnny Clegg; Great Heart from the film starring the late Jonathan Rands. This is not the song I am after. The lyrics of the song I wish to obtain are:- “I sing of Jock of the Bushveld, a legend to this day, all the way from Lydenburg to Delagoa Bay”. Can anyone help in any way or offer any suggestion? I have done an internet search and come up Replies to Stretch on stretch.michele@clintmerrington.com MIKE HOMAN Mike has now moved in with family and ORAFs respectfully requests that all please keep Mike in their thoughts and prayers. Pauline (Mike\'s ex) can be reached on 072590492. Pauline and her husband, Peter from RhE, are looking after Mike. Please keep them in your thoughts - they are doing a wonderful job. GROUND LOOP Tony Smit (RhAF) Writes:- HI Guys, From what I remember, Ed Paintin landed at Rushinga to drop off supplies for the SAP. There was a crosswind from the left on Runway 09? Plus the fact that the SAP/Army had some RL trucks parked on the left as well. So!!! When he has a right brake failure, the aircraft started swinging left, and in order to correct it he applied power to the left engine. Eventually, with not much runway left, he had to apply a lot of power to the left engine to groundloop the aircraft or run over the edge of the runway where there was quite a drop. The result was as we see it in the pictures. He was very lucky not to be killed, as, on the Dak if the prop hits the ground with power on, it shears off chopping up the LH pilot area. This can be seen in one of the photos. I don’t know if Ed has seen this on ORAFs yet, but maybe he can give the actual account? Eddy Norris (ORAFs) Writes:- Ed is very welcome, to send ORAFs his account, in actual fact it would be greatly appreciated. Chris Higginson Wrote to Gerry Cleveland (PRAW) as such:- Hi Gerry Thank you for forwarding this to me. What Chris Dams writes is correct and describes very well the forces involved, but a contributing factor is that people tried to fly the Dak according to the \"Book\", and that is where part of the problem lies. I had the privilege of flying the Dak with people like Scotty Fraser who I believe had somewhat over 12000 hours on Daks which included flying the Berlin Air Lift etc etc. as well as up and down Africa. 12000 hours is not equitable to the same time on modern jets where the legs are long, the landing aids and facilities are new and all the runways are hard surfaces!! Dak flying was always a way to separate the men from the boys. But back to landings. After I did the Air Rhodesia Dak course and route checks I flew with Scotty Fraser on my first line flight. It was from SAY FTV BFO FTV SAY. On the approach into FTV we had to use the secondary runway (short) as the longer one was under repair. I set the aircraft up as taught, which if I remember correctly was 80 Knots on the Approach and 65 over the fence (long time ago now). Scotty watched what I was doing and said, \"No, that\'s not the way to fly the Dak. That\'s the way Operations says to do it, but let me show you what you really should do!\" He took control and reduced the speed until there was no speed registering on the ASI. The Dak was sitting comfortably in its \"wake\" like a speedboat \"off the plane\" and we crossed the fence, he closed the \"throttles\" and the aircraft sat on the ground in a three point attitude. The ground run was probably 150 yards (yes yards in those days, not metres) and we were at taxi speed. He had to apply power to get to the \'cross\' runway. Of course after that I had to vary what I did on the Dak depending on who I was flying with. At that speed ground looping is almost impossible. The problem is when landing at the \"recommended\" speed, the main wheels are on the ground, the tail wheels is high and there is stacks of inertia to get rid of, and the way to do that is to apply the brakes which induces all sorts of problems so ably described by Chris Dams. I did my worst take-off ever also at Fort Vic in a Dak. The problem was mixing the flying of the Viscount and the Dak, with much more time on the Viscount. On the Viscount the operational technique was to hold the \"stick\" forward to increase the nosewheel contact and traction, whereas on the Dak you held the \"stick\" back to keep the tailwheel, which was \"locked\" in the central position, on the ground for directional stability, until the rudder had sufficient airflow to maintain direction, then you raised the tail wheel off the ground. I did the unthinkable by pushing the stick forward on the Dak, and raising the tail too early. What followed was spectacular and memorable. We stayed on the runway, but only with the application of brakes. It was a severe lesson for me, and I was trained initially on tail wheel aircraft. Good Dak pilots are a special breed. I had an uncle who flew one into Eastern Poland during the war to pick up some VIPs. He landed in a potato field at night with just the light of four hurricane lamps, after flying through the Alps from Brindisi. He was given the Polish VC for that flight and there is a memorial there to commemorate the flight and every year members of the family go there to commemorate the event. A couple of years ago they even had a Dak fly over the field (not land) as part of the celebration. One of many Dak stories! Refer. http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=328546&comments=1 COMMENTS FOR ORAFs Some user have difficulty in updating their comments direct to the ORAFs blogs, may I suggest that if you are \'clued up\' on this then please rather send your comments to ORAFs and I will update them on your behalf. I would recommend that you use the email addresses that is include against the article. This help me a lot and please remember to put your name and unit, i.e., RhAF, RhArmy or whatever. To clarify. I would add this address for replies regarding this request. Try it and see if it works for you. Send your answers/comments direct to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com SMILE A WHILE The Pastors New Teeth.... A Pastor goes to the dentist for a set of false teeth. The first Sunday after he gets his new teeth, he talks for only eight minutes. The second Sunday, he talks for only ten minutes. The following Sunday, he talks for two hours and 48 minutes. The congregation had to mob him to get him down from the pulpit and they asked him what happened. The Pastor explains the first Sunday his gums hurt so bad he couldn\'t talk for more than eight minutes. The second Sunday his gums hurt too much to talk for more than 10 minutes. But, the third Sunday, he put his wife\'s teeth in by mistake and he couldn\'t shut up. \"I got caught taking a pee in the local swimming pool today. The lifeguard shouted at me so loud, I nearly fell in.\'\' End of Newsletter Comments are always welcome - send them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com Ref. Rhodesian Air Force, ORAFs

Another photograph of a tennis team. ORAFs believes this could be New Sarum, but the year is unknown along with the identities four members. Identities of members in photograph Back - Trevor Smith - Eric Mitchell B3 to B5 are thought to be TF members. Front - Sammy Symes - John Pinner - Unknown (F3) If you can help with any further information - please send them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com Ref. Rhodesia ORAFs

By Derek de Kock (RhAF) Please find attached a photo of RLI paras outside PTS (Parachute Training School) which was sent by my son via Facebook today. Please find attached a photo of RLI paras outside PTS (Parachute Training School) which was sent by my son via Facebook today. Refer to Photograph. Left to Right: Bill Bailey (Canada), Jean Caffin (French Morocco), John Banks (Rhodesia), Charlie Dickens (UK), Koos Basson (Rhodesia), Antony Rogers (UK), Mike Moore (Rhodesia), Barry Gribbin (US), Nigel Wells (UK), I do not know what course or who the PJI responsible for this lot was but it was definitely part of our Foreign Legion. Soft Landings, Derek de Kock Comments are welcome - please send them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com Ref. Rhodesian Air Force, ORAFs

R. Cooper (TF) Rogues Gallery RLI PARATROOPERS Tony Rogers (RhArmy) Writes:- I was forwarded an email today with a link for a photo of RLI paratroopers. I am guessing the image was scanned from a publication, but the photo was taken using my camera. I am Anthony (not Antony) Rogers. All the lads were Support Commando, 1 RLI. I would need to check my diary to be sure, but I think it was April 1979. I might have noted the course number; not sure. I can look next time I am home - In Angola (working) now, and for the next six weeks or so. Ref. http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=1116521&comments=1 TED BRENT AND KEITH CLARKE Steven Benny Writes:- I am hoping you can help with a wee question for my Canberra book research. Do you know, or can you find out, what rank Keith Clarke and Ted Brent of 5 Sqn retired with? I think you are the best man for the job with your connections. I\'m assuming Ted ended as Sqn Ldr but don\'t know for sure - Keith I have no idea. Replies to Steven on seedubproject@yahoo.co.uk MABELREIGN Tina Brittain Writes:- (tinatedbrittain@btinternet.com) I grew up in Mabelreign, S.R., and would love some pictures of the place if they exist. (Our address was 1079th Avenue, Mabelreign!!) I loved the “Mabelreign Pharmacy Advert” advert. Was is this town called now, I wonder? Tina Reply direct to Tina at tinatedbrittain@btinternet.com FLETCHER BRIDGE Rob Picton (INTAF) Writes:- My memory might be playing tricks on me but was there someone asking about a \'Fletcher Bridge\' the other day? I apologise if I\'m incorrect in this - but if it was the case, then this YouTube clip of the opening of the same by Garfield Todd may be helpful. Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l2yNcgtRcA \"AVIATION GROUPS\' Bob Fernandes (PRAW) Writes:- Just to let you know that I am a member of the Ilkley University of Third Age (U3A) which is for old tops like me. And one of the groups that I attend is the \"Aviation Group\". I thought that some of the readers of ORAFS might be interested in having a look at the following agenda which has been put out by our group leader \" Dear All -The next meeting of the group will be on Wednesday June 5 at 11.00 at Bar\' Tat in Ilkley. There will be an illustrated talk by Richard Morris from Huddersfield University. Richard has written booklets on the Dam Busters raid; Frank Whittle, inventor of the jet engine; and a companion to the Cold War Exhibition at the RAF Museum. Please make every effort to attend. Please let me know if you are not able to be there or if you know of anyone else who would like to come. Bar\' Tat does not officially open until 12.00 but is providing a room for the meeting. Please use the door from the Central Car Park and announce your arrival. I will be attending the talk and try to let you have a brief sitrep after the talk. I will see if there are any interesting booklets I could forward on to you as well. (Look forward to the publications and sitrep Bob. Eddy Norris) FISHING ARTICLES Allyson Ogston Writes:- I was browsing the internet and stumbled on your site with old ads from Rhodesia (1977?) I wonder if you could help me, or give me some advice.....am looking for some fishing articles written by Jack Ogston, cartooned by Glenn Irving in the paper (Salisbury) in 1974. Is there anyway for me to see these? Jack was my father, and Glenn is/was a musician (entertainment is my industry, hence the cross over and connection). It\'s so darn odd that apart from me being a musician and agent, my partner and I have just opened a fishing lodge. Never in my wildest dreams did \"fish\" ever feature for me.....but there you go. Wheel of the world? Anyway - I\'m taking a very long shot contacting you, but maybe you can give me some advice, or tell me I\'m barking up a dead tree here......it would be pretty amazing if I could get these articles..... Replies direct to Allyson at jamally@mweb.co.za BWANA WA POLISI Alan Simmonds Writes:- I am reading a book entitled \" The Hunting Blackbeards of Botswana\" edited by Brian Marsh. This is the story of Dennis Blackbeard who lived at Serowe and operated all over Botswana as a professional hunter and later hunting safari operator. He relates this story (or a very similar one) on page 34. Here the writer (Dennis\' records) says that the bushmen had actually recently killed a giraffe and as the pilots wore uniforms they assumed they were police out to arrest them for the killing. After feeding the pilots and going to sleep for the night the bush folk discussed things among themselves and decided it safest to do away with the supposed policemen. If you haven\'t read this book it is one I would recommend. Refer: http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/05/bwana-wa-polisi.html DR. JIM REDMOND Hi Eddy, my name is Tina Cochrane and this article, which came to me via Neill Storey is about my dad. Don\'t know if you would like a little background info but here\'s some anyway. He was born in Dublin and during World War II was a rear gunner with Squadron No.35 in the Royal Air Force. Flying Officer James William Redmond, Number 179011. He moved to the then Northern Rhodesia after the war and at the break up of the federation we moved to Australia for a short spell. We moved to Gweru in 1963 where dad worked as a GP, first on the Railways and then in private practice. He was a Reserve with the RAF and attained the rank of Squadron Leader during his time with them. I have not seen my dad for many years but I do have a few photos of his time in Bomber Command. I do not have his log book or any of the other bits and bobs which he kept although I do remember us looking at them as children. Thanks for your interest and for circulating this article. Valerie Malcolm (RhAF) I remember him as a Railway Dr in Gwelo when we were young. We then moved into his house in Greenwood Park, when he left the Railways. That was in the late 60s. Denise Taylor Writes:- Congratulations to Dr. Jim on receiving his Bomber Command Clasp. As the article says it was long overdue. Thank you Dr Jim for your service during WW 2, and Rhodesia too. I was wondering if perhaps Dr Jim has any memoirs of that time and of his time in Thornhill. As a child back then I can say that the Docs at sick quarters we used to visit were all super and gentle. Paul and I had the double bonus of having Sister Robbie live on the same road as us, and many a cut was cleaned at her house and boy did she have a stash of sweets for after the \"visit\". Not just one lollipop like the dentist used to give out - no our dear nurse knew a handful was just the thing to make you \"feel all better\"! Thanks for the memories. Refer. http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=1116437&comments=1 CIVIL AIR REGISTER Dave Newnham (RhAF) Writes:- I\'m compiling the \"Definitive Civil Aircraft Register of Rhodesia\". I have scanned all the register publications including the Southern Rhodesia Department of Civil Aviation quarterly registers. I\'ve now got to the stage where I need input from the Rhodesian pilots (or their logbooks) to update my records. I have attached an \"advert\" that I would be grateful if you would publish in ORAFs weekly newsletter. VP-YAA Did you FLY in Rhodesia? I am compiling the: Definitive Civil Aircraft Register of Rhodesia I need your help with Registration, Ownership dates and fate of all aircraft prior to Independence. In particular, Private aircraft registration details 1965-1980. Please e-mail: davenewnham@uwclub.net Tel: 01273 471057 Addr: 2 South Place Flats, St John Street, Lewes, E. Sussex, BN7 2QF, UK. FREE e-copy of Register on request. JOCK OF THE BUSHVELD Stretch Merrington (RhAF) Writes:- I would like to express my sincere thanks to all that responded to my request about ‘Jock of the Bushveld’ song – it was fantastic and I was even sent the song. Many thanks indeed to all that offered their help. Oh, just in case people think I am more stupid than normal – if one goes to the John Edmond site and clicks on ‘listen’ ; various snippets of songs come up. I clicked on ‘Wild and Beautiful and Free: Jock of the Bushveld’ and the song that came up was NOT Jock of the Bushveld; hence my not knowing where to find the song. Cheers and thanks once again to all. RHODESIAN NAVY PUTS TO SEA Des McLindon (dmclindon@btinternet.com) I was in the unit between 1962-1967.Lived at Hillside and used to cycle once a week to the unit. People must have thought it strange to see matelots in the streets of a landlocked country. What triggered this was seeing an article from 1952 with cadets on a RN warship, included in the names are H.E Armitage, he was a PO when I was there. I also have a newspaper article showing cadets at the lake, including photos. The Co LT Hignell died only recently in Australia. The training did me some good as I ended up in the MN for 22 years the became a pilot retiring this year. Good days Refer:. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2011/03/rhodesian-navy-puts-to-sea.html AIR RHODESIA BOEING 720S CONTINUED Grannia “Sandy” O’Donnell (Air Rhodesia) writes:- Mitch, Thanks very much for sending me the information about the anniversary of the story of Air Rhodesia Boeing 720s acquisition. I have many fond memories of Air Rhodesia from the 7 years I worked first as a “ground hostess” and then once I turned twenty an “air hostess”. I was in Gordon Hall’s terrific team on the ground and what a great job it was for a teenager who had only been a year out of school. One of the great things I liked about being part of the airline is that we never seemed to lose our sense of humour no matter what happened. One of my favourite stories whilst not about the 720s was when we did a charter flight to Blantyre for the Goshawks Rugby team on a Dakota in Feb 1971. Being the only hostess on board I allowed them to trundle down to the back of the aircraft to collect their beers and snacks and completely forgot about “the trim” when they decided to congregate in the galley. That was until I got a call, from the flight deck, on the intercom from a very concern sounding captain saying “can you get those lock forwards forward now!” Wops! So I said “hey guys can you pick up your beers and walk” which they did in haste when I explained that we were a bit heavy at the rear end. Another good laugh was when a few crews were sitting in the VFA crew room about a year before we got the triplets (as Captain Heap later called them) and we were reading papers/ talking quietly in small groups and then someone said looking up at the unstable looking fan on the ceiling “one of these days that is going to fall on us”. Capt. Tom Tarr did not miss a beat he just added “oh but it will all be different when we get jets”. We just broke into laugher mainly because we all felt that we were never going to “get jets” and there was probably more chance of the fan falling on us. So when the jets did arrive I felt it had been the best kept secret. The first I knew of it was when I was staying overnight with my sister and her husband in Johannesburg and they woke me, far too early in the morning I thought, saying – “you are going to be flying on jets when you get home”. They went on to explain it was “all over the news in South Africa”. What fun it was to have something new! We certainly seemed to all get on so well. Of course the big down side was the viscounts going down – will we ever get over that? Thanks to you and Eddy for bringing back such fond memories. Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/05/air-rhodesias-boeing-720s-continued.html THE WAR GRAVES PHOTOGRAPHIC PROJECT Steve Rogers (War Graves) Writes:- I am pleased to announce that The War Graves Photographic Project is about to receive the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Presidents Commendation from His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent at St. James’ Palace, London on 23 May 2013. This award is in recognition for all the hard work that has been carried out by our volunteers and those of you that have supported us since our inception in 2007. On a personal note, I feel honoured to accept the commendation on behalf of everyone that has helped the project in the past and present. Some of you have trekked to the back of beyond to photograph a single grave whereas others have photographed many hundreds, if not thousands, of headstones and memorials around the world. Some cemeteries, I am aware, have required a bit of ‘diplomacy’ to access and a few favours have been redeemed for which I am grateful. This determination has allowed us to continue to supply photographs to families who have never had the opportunity to visit a loved one’s grave and promote the work of the CWGC via our website. I am often asked when we will be complete but as we move forward to the 100th anniversary of WWI there will always be plenty to do with updating the archive with cemeteries where re-engraving has taken place. This process will allow us to continue to provide the sterling service that has become expected of TWGPP and the excellent reputation we have gained as partners of the CWGC. Sincere thanks to you all for your continued, loyal support. Wonderful news Steve - congratulations. (Some ORAFs members have assisted in this project. Eddy Norris) SMILE A WHILE NASA\'s robot Curiosity landed on Mars. Early pictures show no signs of ESPN, beer, or porn. This makes it very clear that men are not from Mars. \"Velcro - what a rip off!\'\' End of Newsletter Comments are always welcome - send them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com

Ken Sim (Equipment) Rogues Gallery RLI PARATROOPERS I am Jean (\"Jon\") Caffin, 729644, Cpl, Support Commando (1978-1980),one of the ouens on the picture. A few remarks/corrections, if I may: I believe our para course took place in March-April 1979. One of ourinstructors was an Australian fellow. From left to right : Brian (\"Beetle\") Bailey (Canadian), yours truly (French Moroccan - i.e. born and raised in Morocco to French parents), Gary Banks (died as a result of cerebral malaria contracted in late 1979 during a Recce Troop op in the Zambezi valley), \"Charlie\" Dickens (UK), Koos Basson (Rhodesian), Anthony Rogers on) (UK), Mike Moore (Rhodesian) (KIA April 1979), Barry Gribbin (USA), Nigel Wells (UK). This was far away and long ago. TROPHIES OF THE RHODESIAN AIR FORCE Laurence Gerber (RhAF) Writes:- I am writing a book entitled Destinies about Rhodesia. I would like to know what awards were available for pilots and technicians after finishing their basic training. I think there was a Rolls Royce trophy for best recruit? Any help you can give me would be appreciated! Replies direct to Laurence on laurygerber@gmail.com RHODESIAN NAVY James D.N. MacKenzie SAM - Southern Africa Militaria (http://www.samilitaria.com/SAM/) Very interesting, did not know that Rhodesia had Sea Scouts. Amongst other badges, and medals, I collect cap tallies and am interested to find out what was on your tally, \"Sea Scouts\", \"Rhodesian Sea Scouts\", \"H.M.S. Matabele\"? I cannot make it out in the photos. I would also love to get a better scan of the photos so that I can see the tally clearly, if at all possible. You would not have one of these still? Or know where I can find one? Cliff Potter (RhAF Writes:- HI ED. MANY YEARS AGO IN SALISBURY AT THE BACK OF THE DRILL HALL GROUNDS THERE WAS A LARGE WOODEN HUT CONTAINING MANY ITEMS OF NAVAL ITEMS I WONDER WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM YEARS ABOUT 1954. Dave Jackson (RhAF) Writes:- I grew up in Bulawayo and there was a children\'s home for boys called \"St Josephs\" on Cecil Ave in Bulawayo that had a similar program - we called them the \"Fish Pond Sailors\" .. :-) Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2011/03/rhodesian-navy-puts-to-sea.html BOOK - REBEL RHODESIAN With regards to my book release, this has sold quite well here and the UK, but based on some comments from the SA mob they said it was toooo expensive, so I am thinking that I could offer 50 books at a cheap price so as to make it more attractive to those on your side of the Ditch. Could I ask if you could again attach a note to the next Sitrep on this matter The Total price for each copy of Book One would be R322.00 which would include postage I am advised that Book Two which covers the years 1974 through to 2010 is nearly hot to trot, as is also detailed on the attached Press Release. Would ask please if you also have Prop G new email address. Replies/question direct to Graham on pattersongr@optusnet.com.au Prop - please can you contact Graham at the above address. SMILE A WHILE I was talking to a girl in the bar last night. She said, \"If you lost a few pounds, had a shave and got your hair cut, you \'d look all right.\" I said, \"If I did that, I\'d be talking to your friends over there instead of you.\" \"I was always taught to respect my elders. Now I don\'t have anyone to respect.\'\' End of Newsletter Comments are always welcome - send them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com

By Kevin Milligan As a member of the British Legion - Limerick I was invited to attend a parade organised by the Irish Veterans Organisation. The Parade included a Wreath Laying Ceremony and was for all Irishmen who had died in conflicts around the world no matter who they had served with. My thoughts were with all those Irish, or of Irish descent, who had served Rhodesia in the Second World War, Malaya and the Rhodesian conflict. fter the wreath laying and march past all adjourned for mass in the nearby Church where all the Standards were Paraded in front of the altar as the Last Post was played. Very moving. I could not help but also think of Drummer Lee Rigby who had been so savagely killed during the week! Afterwards we all invited to a nearby hotel for well deserved refreshments. Ref. Rhodesian Air Force, ORAFs

G.A Braddick (103 Sqdn VR) Rogues Gallery RLI PARATROOPERS Skippy Mitchell (RhArmy) Writes:- The RLI Para photograph, you say the Instructor was an Aussie – it could only have been PJI Paul Hogan then. He still jumps out of aircraft and returned to Australia +- 1984. Refer. http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=1116521&comments=1 RHODESIA IN THE UK, Jean Fletcher writes regarding the photographs recently distributed by ORAFs info on Rhodesia in UK Rhodesia is a village in Nottinghamshire 20 miles from Sheffield it was named after the chairman of the near by shire oaks colliery G Preston Rhodes in 1920 it has 300 houses one pub two shops school chapel and village hall could not find if Preston Rhodes was related to our C Rhodes UPDATE ON PAM COWELL Pam still remains in I.C.U. and ORAFs is pleased to advise that there has been an improvement in her condition. On behalf of the family, close friends and ORAFs please continue to keep Pam close to your heart and prayers, please remember Tony and their children as well. MONUMENTS OF NATAL Dave Sutcliffe Writes:- I should of thought of putting the links in. A great site to explore the Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal is www.battlefieldsroute.co.za if anyone is interested. SPITFIRE 944 Compliments of Ian Officer:- Published on May 21, 2013 In 2005, an 83 year-old World War II pilot is surprised to see 16mm footage of his 1944 Spitfire crash for the first time. Refer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ie3SrjLlcUY#! FLT. LT. DES PLUNKETT - GREAT ESCAPE MAPMAKER Sarah Bain Writes:- I am one of Desmond\'s many nieces and nephews. I don\'t think any of the family had knowledge of the postcard, though I have seen the photo before. I don\'t recall Desmond ever talking about his time in Stalag Luft III - he spent two years in solitary confinement there, possibly following his recapture. The first 50 escapees that were recaptured were shot on Hitler\'s orders, and it\'s alleged that Desmond was the 51st to be picked up. There is a book called \"The Man who Wouldn\'t Die\" by Roland Pletts and Desmond. He clearly had several narrow escapes. Do you have any more of Desmond\'s items that the family can have or at least see? We\'d certainly be very interested in them. Desmond has two sisters who are still alive and living in the UK. Desmond\'s children are all living in the UK - a son and two daughters. I am living in Johannesburg, so if you have any of Desmond\'s items that you can pass on to the family, please let me know as we would like to have them if you are prepared to part with them Further mail from Sarah:- I saw Rob Birkbeck\'s blog on \'Our Rhodesian Heritage\' regarding Desmond Plunkett. Desmond was my uncle and my two brothers and sister all live in South Africa and we are keen to contact Rob regarding the memorabilia Desmond left with him. As he says he has been clearing out stuff, the family would like to have anything of Desmond\'s that he is prepared to pass on to us. I have responded to Rob\'s blog, but so far haven\'t been able to make contact with him. Do you perhaps know where I can get hold of him? I believe he\'s in Pretoria - I live in Johannesburg. Any help will be most welcome. Thanks Regards Sarah Bain (nee Plunkett) sarah.bain@telkomsa.net (Sarah - the blog is mine, the article was penned by Rob. on your blog comment there was no contact email, this is now rectified and I am sure Rob will reply. I am the one in Pretoria. Eddy Norris) Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/05/flt-lt-des-plunkett-great-escape.html CORONATION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH Sandy Maclean (RhArmy) Writes:- Yesterday )June 2, 2013) was the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth ll’s coronation. I was fortunate enough to be selected as a representative of the Southern Rhodesia Staff Corps in the rank of sergeant. Marching next to me in the front rank were Tommy Minks (Minx)? And Doug Webster, the only SRAF representatives. I think they were still part of the army then as they had the same uniform as us ‘brown jobs’ with the exception of the badge. I became quite friendly with both of them later during my time at New Sarum. I was wondering if either or both of them was/ were surviving now as most, if not all, of the army and BSAP members have emigrated or gone to a ‘better place’! (Sandy - Tommy entered into rest in April 2010. See http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=639158#765202 Doug - Only record I have is that he left the Service in 1954. Eddy Norris) RHODESIAN NAVY Dave Hughes (Umtali) Writes:- I must say the bit on the Sea Cadets brought those dear fellows well and truly back into my mind. So sad that we used to ridicule them as we did. Quite a number of Umtali boys endured the Sea Cadets then went on to the General Naval College in Gordon’s Bay. I know a number of them went on to be very successful in the Merchant navy. I remember meeting up with a chap who was, and had been the Captain, of a massive oil tanker for many years. Last I heard he was a director of the shipping company that owned the tankers and was resident in the South of France !! However, I can’t help but recall the occasion at Cadet Camp at Inkomo. We were all marched to the edge of the dam to see the sea cadets in action. They were proudly showing off a raft that we were told they had built the previous day. They then proceeded to load a “field gun” onto the raft. The gun looked like an old ships canon and mounted of very rickety looking and spindly wagon wheels. Once on board the lads paddled their way across the dam to the jetty on the far side. They unloaded the wheeled weapon and then using ropes they began to haul the weapon up the steep slope away from the dam. After quite some time the good lads lost their footing and as they all tumbled the weapon took off backwards down the hill at a very exciting speed. Just before the jetty it hit a bump and became air born. It flew over the jetty coming down in the middle of the rather flimsy raft. A Barnes Wallis bouncing bomb could not have been more effective ! The canon disappeared very rapidly while bits of plank and old motor tubes floated around on the surface . (I guess that is flotsom as it was floating ?) Of course, the gathered cadets broke down with hilarity and the poor “Sea Sprouts” had a difficult job of ever re-inventing themselves ! Shampies. John Britton (RhAF) Writes:- In reply to Cliff Potter, if it was the Wooden shack at the bottom of the Drill hall, that was TS MASHONA the sea cadets \"ship on land\" I was a member of those guys as you could do Army cadets or Naval at school. Frank Fynn (RhAF and RhArmy) Writes:- I think age is catching up on some! I don\'t think these were Sea Scouts but SEA CADETS, definitely the Salisbury group behind the Drill Hall were Cadets as a couple of the kids lived next door to us in Montague Ave in 1966. I think they were from Ally Willy and they had the choice of RRR cadets or Sea cadets! They wore the outfits as shown. Francis Heron (RhArmy) Writes:- Your article about the Rhodesian Navy brought back some old memories. I personally was not involved, but our Personnel Manager at the Farmers\' Co-op Ltd., where I worked, a Mr. Ray Hignell used to coach a batch of Sea Cadets at Mazoe Dam for many years. They had a \'whaler\' based there, with which they used for training etc. Unfortunately, my friend Ray has passed away, otherwise he would have been delighted to furnish you with more details. It was his best extra-mural activity Tony Viegas (RhAF) Writes:- Dave Jackson is absolutely correct regarding the boys from St Josephs. St Joseph was a reformatory school for boys, and the majority of the HMS Matabele Sea Scouts were in fact boys from St Josephs Reformatory School. I will attempt to send you a better copy of the 2 photos so as to assist James Mackenzie. As far as I recollect there was no identifying badge on the sailors cap. The cap merely had HMS Matabele. Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2011/03/rhodesian-navy-puts-to-sea.html SUNDAY FROLIC A few replies received regarding the listing that ORAFs distributed:- Bill Sykes (RhAF) Writes:- Your amusing and educational Sunday Frolic refers ... There is another expression which most people have interpreted incorrectly through the ages... ‘When a horse walks on snow, the snow collects and compacts itself in the hollow of the hoof. It eventually becomes a ball of snow, with the result that the horse no longer has any traction. The horse’s subsequent tumble, with its hooves in the air, was called a “Balls up”. And you thought ... Mike Hamence (RhAF) Writes:- Re: the item about people taking a bath twice a year, herewith a true personal anecdote, hope you will find space in your next N/L: In August 1984 I went to work for British Aerospace, Hatfield, UK, and lived in digs while my wife Sheila sold up in Harare. The land lady was a kindly soul but rather Victorian when it came to personal hygiene. When I first went to meet her she asked what time would I get up for breakfast? I replied, \"6.30 am.\" She said, \"Why so early, you don\'t start work till 8.\" I said, \"Well, I shall take a shower first.\" Her mouth opened wide. \"What? Every day? After living there for two weeks or so I asked her when she would change my bed linen. \"Only when it smells!\" Sheila moved in with me while we house hunted; it was the middle of winter. One weekend the lady went away; Sheila opened all the windows and \'blitzed\' the place from top to bottom. When the lady came home on the Sunday evening she sniffed and said, \"It don\'t \'alf smell queer in \'ere!\" Vic Wightman (RhAF) Writes:- In my experience these \"amazing things, bet you didn\'t know\" articles which do the rounds are fallacious 99% of the time. For example this recent one courtesy Ian Jack and Don Munroe is easily refutable by Snopes. See here:- http://www.snopes.com/language/phrases/lesson.asp This is not to blame you, of course. After all, it\'s pretty harmless and might indeed be quite fun for some people. Who says I\'m a cynic? (Jeez - I now wonder where they did originate. Eddy Norris) ALEC MANN Charlie Buchan (RhAF_ Writes:- Eddy could you please publish this for me. Maybe we can inject ( to be polite ) some support from Air Force members in Durban or that area Alec Mann has been moved to the frail care unit in the Flame Lily Moth Village in Queensborough nearer Pinetown. He is now alone in a small room which is much better for him. He is receiving good proper care. However where are the support group. My wife and I make a point of trying to get there once a month but it is a fair distance from Underberg. I know as you well do there are Air Force Members who live much nearer\', So I am once again appealing to them to go and show a bit of comradie to an aging member. Easy to find as it is in the village where the SAS memorial is. Come on friends get off your butts and visit and keep his spirits and brain active. ADVERTISEMENT - ARCHIPELAGO (SALISBURY) 1980 Indeed very good memories. THANK YOU. Warm Regards. John Stouyannides- Designer and owner of Archipelago ( which is still going ). Refer. http://rhodesianadvertisements.blogspot.com/2013/06/archipelago-salisbury-1980.html NEW BOOK- STAYING THE COURSE You might recall giving publicity to my book on Country Districts golf titles “The Way We Were” some 18 months ago. I just thought I would send you early warning FYI that in September or October I will be publishing a full scale history of golf in Rhodesia and Zimbabwe right from the beginning 120 years ago. I hope to bring it out in September or October and I will send you full details probably in August. It will run to at least 250 pages under hard cover. A history of golf here has never been attempted before and the massive volume of research makes me understand just why. Actually it cannot be a history because records were often destroyed in the early days and people with recollections are long gone. I am titling it “Staying the Course” with the sub-title. “At long last - the story of golf in Rhodesia and Zimbabwe through 120 years of war and peace.” Trust you are well and the magazine flourishing. John Kelley email treaclemine@zol.co.zw LOCOMOTIVES OF RHODESIA RAILWAYS Mike Hamence (RhAF) Writes:- There was a freight train from Umvuma to Gwelo which would halt at 2.00 am opposite Thornhill; the driver would \'hoot\' to get clearance into Gwelo. This would awaken the Thornhill \'Married Patch\' residents. They called the train \'The Maternity Special\'. Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/06/locomotives-of-rhodesia-railways.html SMILE A WHILE Man/Woman Conversation Woman: Do you drink beer? Man: Yes Woman: How many beers a day? Man: Usually about 3 Woman: How much do you pay per beer? Man: $5.00 which includes a tip Woman: And how long have you been drinking? Man: About 20 years, I suppose Woman: So a beer costs $5 and you have 3 beers a day which puts your spending each month at $450. In one year, it would be approximately $5400 ....correct? Man: Correct Woman: If in 1 year you spend $5400, not accounting for inflation, the past 20 years puts your spending at $108,000, correct? Man: Correct Woman: Do you know that if you didn\'t drink so much beer, that money could have been put in a step-up interest savings account and after accounting for compound interest for the past 20 years, you could have now bought a Ferrari? Man: Do you drink beer? Woman: No Man: Where\'s your Ferrari? \" To me \"drink responsibly\" means don\'t spilI it. .\'\' End of Newsletter Comments are always welcome - send them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com

E.D. Cameron (103 Sqdn VR) Rogues Gallery RHODESIAN NAVY Reg Catterall Writes:- Re: St.Josph\'s House for Boys: Hillside, Bulawayo. I beg to differ re the House being a reformatory. It was a house for boys from broken homes. The Supt. was Eric Curtis and the Matron his wife Ida Curtis. The Sea Cadets were commanded (?) by Lt. George Thomas. The Curtis\' returned to the U.K. where Eric died a few years ago and Ida passed away about 18 months ago. Want any more (I find it difficult to understand why it takes a error to get people to act . Such a shame. Eddy Norris) Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2011/03/rhodesian-navy-puts-to-sea.html ANGEL FLIGHT John Moore (RhArmy) sent in this wonderful tribute. The main reason this video is called Angel Flight is visual. When the plane releases its decoy missiles, as is shown in several of the pictures, it creates an Angel shape in the smoke. But it is much more than just visual. See for yourself. Listen to the words of the pilot and the tower, and make sure you sit quietly and listen to the very end. This is beautiful. God bless Veterans! Click here: \" AngelFlight\" (http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=70Ikj1hZDnw&feature=related0 (Ladies have a hankie handy!) BEAVER SAFARI IN NORTHERN RHODESIA (1961) Dave Whitehead Writes:- Many thanks Chris – no, I am not a subscriber yet but will ask Eddie for details to become one. I hope you don’t mind - Correction for Eddie Norris or rather John Rogers – Mankoya is not on the banks of the Zambezi but way inland. The last port of call before Lusaka is usually Mumbwa. Between Mankoya and Mumbwa is the Kafue. There is now a bridge across the Kafue HOOK but in my day the crossing was by a pontoon. Grannia O\'Donell (Air Rhodesia) Writes:- Wow some names I know there John Rogers – I worked for him in PR when I left Air Rhodesia. Dave Harvey lovely guy great to fly with too. Peter Eggelston – I wonder if he was related to Eric Eggelston who was one of the managers in traffic when I worked there in 1969. Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/06/beaver-safari-in-northern-rhodesia-1961.html AWARDS: LAURENCE PAUL PEARSON Sandy Maclean (RhArmy) Writes:- I found the information in the article above to be very interesting. The Military Medal as far as I am aware, was normally awarded to non-commissioned ranks in the army and I know of no other case of this decoration being awarded to a member of the Air Force. I suppose it was because he was not in the air when he did this courageous deed. Can anyone tell me if this is so? Replies to orafs11@gmail.com MEMORIES OF NUMBER 1 INTERNMENT CAMP HARARE Vic MacKenzie Writes:- I found that post really interesting, mainly because at the end of the war when they released all the Germans and Italians, the Government moved \"poor\" Rhodesians into the internment camps and I happened to be one of those Rhodesians. (My father suddenly died leaving my mother with no support and four young children) The first seven years of my life were spent behind barbed wire fences, although the main gate was always opened. The camp was renamed Beatrice Road Cottages and was a wonderful place for a young child to grow up. We had our own little kindergarten school, a roller skating rink, a laundry and the little houses were brick built and very comfortable. All the roads were tarred. Plus the fact it was a very tight community. The only downside was it did attract a criminal element and as a youngster you could always tell when someone was released from jail because the prison authorities gave them a suit and a bus ticket. There were some larger than life characters who lived there such as Peter Platt who was a motorcycle racer and later a mercenary in the Congo, Billy Crauser and his brothers who were gangsters and the Parson family who ran the Cottages. The government started building African townships next to the Cottages and eventually the white people were moved out and it became part of the Harare township. I remember going back there in the late seventies and it was still the same. Fallbrook southern California. John Andrews (BSAP) My wife\'s late step-father, Egon Groeger, was a Sergeant at the Italian internment camp near Fort Victoria. Egon was Jewish and had escaped from Vienna by the skin of his teeth when the Nazis arrived. Being Austrian he was briefly interned at the outbreak of war before it was realised he was actually an ally. However, he was called up for guard duties at the Fort Victoria camp. We still have his ID card somewhere. He told a story about some of the Italian prisoners breaking out of the camp to spend the weekends with female company in the local kraals. They always returned voluntarily by Monday morning! Apparently at the end of the war many of them applied to stay on in Rhodesia but the government insisted that they be repatriated to Italy and apply from there. I remember that in Bulawayo in the 60s and 70s there were a number of prominent citizens who had gone this route. I hope this snippet will be of interest. THE SPOOK HOUSE Doug Smith (RhAF) Writes:- It is still there. Rhodes did own it. He has passed away. Brian Rhodes was from Karoi area and his nick name was TSOTSE. He was a problem child. He owned the outdoor living centre and many acres in that area. One of our famous rally drivers stayed there, Hanas Kruger. I went there when he lived there. Very narrow doors and very airy. To have spooks there, it would not surprise me. It then became a restaurant after Hanas moved out. I am unsure if it is still running but the house is still there. It reminds me of the big house behind the seven miles hotel out on the Harare south road. It burnt down and not even the locals would go near it. Also meant to be haunted. Ian McKenzie (RhAF) Writes:- I lived across the road from the Spook House in the late seventy in Greengrove. Funny, the house always intrigued me and one day I when across to look around. Surprised to see a swimming pool which was someway away from the house amongst the large granite rocks. Never went near the house, thank goodness. Glad that I went in daylight. If I had known this was the Spook House I would never have ventured here in the first place. David Bruce Writes:- This house sounds like Lorelei which was right next door to the Drive In on the Umtali Road and was owned by NAF Williams. It was rented by members of C.I.D. Salisbury and I was one of its occupants in 1964-5. There were huge boulders alongside the house with a swimming pool under them. It is news to me that it was haunted. Bob Manser (RhAF) Writes:- If Doctor Williams who owned the house says it was haunted and told a large gathering of us History Society members at an organized talk, then I believe Doctor Williams. I think he was not a Medical Doc but agriculture or something technical ? Mind is rusty. It’s reputation as Spook House goes back donkeys years, amazed Dave did not know or even hear the rumours as I was in Salisbury from 1954 and it was always called the Spook House then It was Doc Williams himself who told us of the incident with the BSAP guys and the old mystery car also. Eddy Norris (ORAFs) Writes:- Bob, I think it is brilliant that your article has received so much attention, like I say. our method of recording memories is better than research, we have a wonderful cross section of memories. Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/06/memories-of-number-1-internament-camp.html GERMAN WWII BOMBER RAISED FROM THE CHANNEL Visit http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/german-wwii-bomber-raised-from-english-channel-decades-after-it-was-shot-down/2013/06/10/99e71d8c-d200-11e2-9577-df9f1c3348f5_story.html AIR RHODESIA BOEINGS 720s...CONTINUED At 16 June 2013 09:00 , Roy Rosser said... Thank you for the excellent account of how the Boeings were flown to Rhodesia. It brought back many fond memories of my Dad, “Shorty” Rosser, and his flying buddies, especially “Chum” Keyter, who was also our next door neighbor in Salisbury. I played a very small part in the events. At the time I was a student at Imperial College in London, and my Dad had told me in a very general way what was planned in case I might be of any help. It was the final day of term when, returning to a bed-sit in Earls Court, I found a note informing me that he was in the local pub. Dad and Bob Hill had come to London to get maps to fly the planes to Salisbury. They were pretty tight lipped. I never even found out what type of planes were involved – though I had figured out that the flight training had been in the US. They sent postcards home by first couriering them to a contact in Germany, where they were stamped and posted. Nothing substantive was said on the cards – just “Love you, missing you” type moral boosters - but a letter from Mother mentioned Dad complaining of a terrible snowstorm. Being in London, I realized there hadn’t been any snow in Europe for a while - so the flight school must be in the US. A lesson in how seemingly unimportant trivia can sometimes be very informative. Anyway, after a weekend of theater and meals beyond a student’s budget, on the Monday, I helped Dad and Bob navigate the underground to a bookshop near Heathrow. Posing as pilots with a South West African mining company, they bought maps covering the route from Germany to Windhoek – figuring that once close to Rhodesia, they knew the airways well enough to fly by memory. As I had 3 weeks holiday ahead of me, there was talk of me joining them on the flight back, but dad vetoed it as too dangerous for all. So I said good bye in London and went on a walking tour of the Scottish Highlands with college friends. The first I knew of the success of the operation was seeing a headline in the Glencoe Herald at a youth hostel. Of course, none of the other students believed that my father was involved – but once more details were released, I did get to stop many dinner party conversations with the line “well my father helped steal three Boeing 720s”. I tried several times to persuade Dad to write up a full account of events. He always claimed Chum was going to do it - but as far as I know, he never did put anything together. A pity, because Chum was good at storytelling. He did publish one book \"From Wings to Jackboots\" Barry Keyter, 1995 ISBN 1 85756 144 9. A very readable account of his wartime experiences, including being in a prisoner of war camp. Thanks again for the memories. Roy J Rosser roy.rosser@gmail.com (609) 474-0053 56 Maidenhead Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 Refer. At 16 June 2013 09:00 , Roy Rosser said... Thank you for the excellent account of how the Boeings were flown to Rhodesia. It brought back many fond memories of my Dad,“Shorty” Rosser, and his flying buddies, especially “Chum” Keyter, who was also our next door neighbor in Salisbury. I played a very small part in the events. At the time I was a student at Imperial College in London, and my Dad had told me in a very general way what was planned in case I might be of any help. It was the final day of term when, returning to a bed-sit in Earls Court, I found a note informing me that he was in the local pub. Dad and Bob Hill had come to London to get maps to fly the planes to Salisbury. They were pretty tight lipped. I never even found out what type of planes were involved – though I had figured out that the flight training had been in the US. They sent postcards home by first couriering them to a contact in Germany, where they were stamped and posted. Nothing substantive was said on the cards – just “Love you, missing you” type moral boosters - but a letter from Mother mentioned Dad complaining of a terrible snowstorm. Being in London, I realized there hadn’t been any snow in Europe for a while - so the flight school must be in the US. A lesson in how seemingly unimportant trivia can sometimes be very informative. Anyway, after a weekend of theater and meals beyond a student’s budget, on the Monday, I helped Dad and Bob navigate the underground to a bookshop near Heathrow. Posing as pilots with a South West African mining company, they bought maps covering the route from Germany to Windhoek – figuring that once close to Rhodesia, they knew the airways well enough to fly by memory. As I had 3 weeks holiday ahead of me, there was talk of me joining them on the flight back, but dad vetoed it as too dangerous for all. So I said good bye in London and went on a walking tour of the Scottish Highlands with college friends. The first I knew of the success of the operation was seeing a headline in the Glencoe Herald at a youth hostel. Of course, none of the other students believed that my father was involved – but once more details were released, I did get to stop many dinner party conversations with the line “well my father helped steal three Boeing 720s”. I tried several times to persuade Dad to write up a full account of events. He always claimed Chum was going to do it - but as far as I know, he never did put anything together. A pity, because Chum was good at storytelling. He did publish one book \"From Wings to Jackboots\" Barry Keyter, 1995 ISBN 1 85756 144 9. A very readable account of his wartime experiences, including being in a prisoner of war camp. Thanks again for the memories. Roy J Rosser roy.rosser@gmail.com (609) 474-0053 56 Maidenhead Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 FAMBA ? Mike Hamence (RhAF) Writes:- Just read that item \'Hamba Gahle\'. Many years ago we - ex-Rhaf - met up in a lovely pub on the edge of The Fens near Cambridge. P-B, Bob Garrett, \'Emmo\', Cliff Potter, Vic Wightman, Ladies... P-B & I said \"farewell\"... It was to be the last time. P-B said to me something in Chishona: \"Famba...?\": \"Go carefully\". Could you ask via Orafs what it was he said. (Mike - Famba is walk so I think he told you to take care Gahle is easy, take care.) Comments direct to Mike on michael_hamence@hotmail.com SMILE A WHILE Psychology Class The professor showed a large cage with a male rat in it. The rat was in the middle of the cage. Then, the professor placed a piece of cake on one side and kept a female rat on the other side. The male rat ran towards the cake and ate it. The professor then changed the cake and replaced it with some bread. The male rat towards the bread. This experiment went on with the professor changing the food every time. And, every time, the male rat ran towards the food item and never towards the female rat. Professor said: “This experiment shows that food is the greatest strength and attraction.” Then, one of the students from the back rows said: “Sir, why don\'t you change the female rat? She may be his wife.\" \"Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.\" End of Newsletter Ref. Rhodesia

Alec Bell (Equipment) Rogues Gallery RHODESIAN NAVY Jennifer Upton Writes:- I worked in The Rhodesia Children s Home in Salisbury, where we had babies in the Nursery. We looked after girls and boys; however when the boys attained 11 years of age they were sent to St. Josephs in Salisbury. However not because they were delinquents, the rationale being that the boys needed to be in an environment suitable boys, sports and not in an environment which did not provide that St Josephs - Salisbury was an austere place, and the dormitories were like barracks. Alan Bradnick (RhAF) Writes:- I have read with interest the bits of news about the Sea Cadets in Salisbury. Having read this I thought I would give you some info about the Sea Cadets in Bulawayo. Here it is very strong and is well supported. They call themselves HMS Matabeleland. They have youngsters from every walk of life, and it is commanded by Peter Rollason, a very well known character in Bulawayo. He has written a book, Title: A Man In His Time. I have nor read it as yet, but I will do. These Cadets are used for all sorts of local duties. My daughter put on a play at the Bulawayo Theatre, and they were ushers at the theatre. They are used for a variety of different duties. I have been trying to contact Peter to get some more info about their activities and will update you when I do, if there is an interest in these young boys. My daughter has just told me about one of the youngsters who was made redundant from Ascot clothing, and part of his severance was an industrial sewing machine. He set this machine up in the Cadet\'s HQ and makes all their uniforms as they can\'t get these here. I will be in contact with more info, More information from Alan:- Just an update on the sea cadets in Bulawayo. I at last got into contact with Peter Rollason last night. He tells me that the Sea Cadets in Mashonaland packed in about 20 years ago as there was no one to run it. A lot of their equipment was sent to Bulawayo. The Bulawayo Sea Cadets were formed in 1953. I have been invited to their parade on Saturday morning where Peter will give me a lot more info. Will advise you on Monday. Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2011/03/rhodesian-navy-puts-to-sea.html Frank Fynn (RhAF and RhArmy) Writes:- Hamba Kahle is Zulu! The Shona equivalent is Fambai Zvakanaka. St Josephs was originally for the Fairbridge boys who came out after WW2. Right the later boys were not there through any fault of theirs. Many of them were in the RLI and other branches of the army and served with distinction. They were certainly a tough bunch but good guys too! The Fairbridge boys who came to Rhodesia were sent by their parents and also became great Rhodies! Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2011/03/rhodesian-navy-puts-to-sea.html MILITARY MEDAL James D.N. MacKenzie (SAM - Southern Africa Militaria) Writes The Military Medal was mostly an Army Other Ranks award for bravery, but there were a handful awarded to the RAF, mostly for actions on the ground. I used to own the MM group of medals to Leading Air Mechanic E. Coxshall, who had been a member of the RAF Servicing Commando\'s during WW2 and won his MM in Burma. There was a Sergeant from his unit who won the MM as well. I also know of at least one Military Cross awarded to an RAF Pilot during WW2, Flt Lt R.A. LENTON. His aircraft had been shot down and the Military Cross was awarded for actions on the ground after he had been shot down. Some of his crew received the Military Medal as well. These awards are quite rare. BEAVER SAFARI IN NORTHERN RHODESIA (1961) Dave Stedman Writes:- The stories relating to Beaver Safaris in N Rhodesia remind me of my own early childhood in Nyasaland. I remember the Beavers that serviced the little towns, government compounds and medical facilities. Sometime in the ‘50s, I used to travel occasionally with my dad up the length of (the then) Lake Nyasa. My dad was an engineer with NESCOM (Nyasaland Electricity Supply Commission). Three or four times a year he would travel up the lake to all the little power generating units (diesel?) as well as Zomba, Lilongwe and Port Jackson(?). These were wonderful trips made possible by of the Beavers. Without the Beaver it would have meant days of driving. We stayed at various small hotels along the waters’ edge. Sometimes we’d go between two or three points by landrover …. exciting stuff of a 5-6 year old. The food at these hotels was always fresh fish and whatever had been shot for the pot – I presume legally! We gradually got to know the pilots. On seeing something interesting on the ground, they’d just swoop down to about a thousand feet and examine the object of interest. Once we spotted poachers, called the rangers and circled until the poachers were caught. Imagine doing that today! I also remember, one summers day, making an unscheduled ‘drop’ of something possibly medicine – for a government “road camp”. The rainy season was so bad they couldn’t get in with landrovers everything was mud and all the rivers too high to negotiate. My highlight was always being allowed to sit up front next to the pilot, and the lowlight – the flight from our last stop back into Blantyre. I’d cry my eyes out on disembarking the plane and always promised to return. Thanks for the reminders! Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/06/beaver-safari-in-northern-rhodesia-1961.html Dave - Have you read: http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2012/12/it-really-began-in-early-thirties.html http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2012/12/five-hurt-as-caa-plane-crashes-in-mist.html http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2012/12/de-havilland-beaver.html http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2012/10/where-only-beavers-fly.html Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/06/beaver-safari-in-northern-rhodesia-1961.html BWANA wa POLISI jblaverick has left a new comment on the post \"Bwana wa Polisi\": Botswana Notes and Records Vol 23 has a piece by an American professor who researched this incident. An extract is include below. The aircraft was almost certainly an Airspeed Oxford and the pilots involved were Walter Adamson and Gordon Edwards. Eight Basarwa stood trail and were found not guilty. \"Some of the most detailed testimony came from Temee Rasitora, a 16 year old boy from Nekati who had been with Twai Twai and the others at Kuacaca at the time of the fliers\' disappearance. He stated that he and about a dozen others were part of a hunting party under the leadership of Twai Twai. They were at the water hole at Kuacaca when they saw a plane fly low over their heads, heading towards the east. The next day they hunted in the area to the west, and the day after that they slept at a place where they had killed a giraffe. While out on a hunt the following day, they came across the plane in the open country at Chaiyo. The hunting group followed footprints to the east and eventually came across two Europeans. They took the men to Kuacaca on a donkey and a horse. At the camp near Kuacaca, they gave them giraffe meat, and the two men went to sleep in a shelter belonging to Twai Twai. During the evening, according to Temee, there was discussion over whether or not the fliers should be killed. As he put it, \"They said we should kill them because we had killed a giraffe and they would report us and we should be put in gaol\".9 Later that night, Temee said, two members of the hunting party, Twai Twai Molele and Tammai Kashupatsela, opened fire on the two sleeping pilots. One of the men was dispatched with his airman\'s axe when he did not die from the gunshot. Twai Twai and Kiree Koetobe then carried one of the bodies away from the site toward Cutiko, and the other was carried by Tammai and several women (Haukwe, Autwa, and Anchere). The next morning the people returned, saying that the bodies had been burned in a large fire. That day the group had a \"big dance\". The following day they moved from the site where the airmen had been killed, some people heading toward Cutiko and others to Kombe. One of the reasons given at the trial for Twai Twai killing the fliers was that he reputedly was a \"witch doctor\" who wanted to use the bodies for medicine. Temee testified to the effect that human remains were in the possession of those who returned to camp after carrying the bodies away. None of this material was found at the site, and the only possible substance that might have been human was some fat found in a bottle belonging to Twai Twai. Analysis of this material was inconclusive.\" Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/05/bwana-wa-polisi.html THE SPOOK HOUSE Mike Taylor (UBHS) Writes:- I have been fascinated by the comments about this grand old house. I re-attach the piece I wrote earlier, with a few amendments. Nothing further (of relevance) could be ascertained. How interesting Bob Manser attended a talk on the house all those years ago. I am very interested in the provenance of the house - and that it passed through so many hands and is now a restaurant- and would love to know more. I have somewhere in my scrapbooks a photocopy of a watercolour painted by my mother, Molly Brooks, of Lorelei as we knew it. Hopefully I can lay my hand to it! Thank you again for all the interesting snippets you bring to enrich our lives. Mikes recollection;- I read with interest of what you refer to as the spook house, and would like to add a personal flavour to the story, if I may. The house, Lorelei, as we knew it, (just inside the front door hung a framed translation of the song The Lorelei) belonged to a dear relation of mine - we called her ‘aunt’; she was in fact my father Neville Brooks’ father William Arthur’s sister, Millicent Williams (nee Brooks), so my Great Aunt. She was married to Vernon Williams, and they ran a dairy farm there. Of their three children, only one reached adulthood, as it were. Billy was killed, at about 18 years old, we believe by a milking stool at the hands of an inebriated help in the dairy; Fairy, the baby daughter died of diphtheria, and Bob (NAF) Williams was the third. He and his family, his wife Marize, and children Michael, Prudence and Christopher lived in the house built on the property, named Chirimba. Marize’s sister Claire was married to a man (John Dale) who was one of only two survivors on the oil tanker, the ‘SS Doryssa’ which was torpedoed near Durban. None of the Williams children have married, and all live elsewhere. Lorelei, when we knew it, was an imposing stone - unpainted - and set among rock formations, all with names. Bee Rock, Swimming Pool Rock, (there was a pool in amongst the rocks and one could dive from some at varying heights depending on one’s level of bravery...)and Dairy Rock are just some that spring to mind. Under Bee rock, thus named as it was festooned with enormous dripping hives, was the little family graveyard. Vernon did not like indoor plumbing and there was a long-drop outside, under Lav Rock naturally. When he died Auntie Mill had a loo built upstairs just outside her bedroom, on what was really the roof. It was quite scary to go, literally outside, from the landing to use it. As a family we used to gather every Sunday for afternoon tea, presided over by Auntie Mill, and a proper tea was beautifully served, with bread and butter, sandwiches, cakes, scones and jam - the lot. After tea the children played outside, the men repaired to the Billiards Room, and the women folk sat in the sitting room. We used to play a quaint game called Jumbalo, (which was a complicated version of ‘open gates’) on the huge sweeping sandy driveway. As evening drew in we gathered once more in the sitting room and Auntie Mill would lead us on the piano in songs such as ‘Daisy, Daisy ...’ Hungry children could eat bread and egg-in-a-cup (which had been prepared earlier and left on the old stove). Huge extended family gatherings - Williams, Brooks, Singleton, Cummings, Wilsons, Parkers - took place at Christmas, where an elaborate series of games was a pre-dinner special feature. Divided young with old, we would undertake various tasks as disparate as picking up marbles with chopsticks, cutting tape with nail-scissors, guessing the provenance of ties, naming the famous faces ... before sitting down to a sumptuous Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings. I had an early lesson in graciousness from my aunt. Sitting next to her, I noticed she had put mayonnaise on her Christmas Pudding, instead of cream, and when I called her attention to it, she said it was bad manners to cavil about food and ate it, uncomplainingly, to the last crumb. Bobby drove a beautiful grey Bentley, and Marize a dashing white Jag. Vernon had a car in the garage, but I do not remember seeing it on the road, nor its make. We had many happy times in that gracious old home, and were unaware of its provenance, as children are. I have not heard of its later owners, but knew it housed BSAP members. My immediate family and I left Zimbabwe in 1981, and have often talked of Lorelei and its happy associations. Our extended family live scattered across the globe, and of those venerable old spirits of my father’s generation and the one of which Auntie Millie was a typical example - sadly they are no more. So, I have no one to ask if my recollections are correct, but I think they are pretty accurate. Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/06/memories-of-number-1-internament-camp.html BEAVERS IN NORTHERN RHODESIA - PETER KNOBLE (peter@imagenconsulting.net) Peter Sheppard Writes I saw this article and reviewed it with keen interest. I currently do a lot of work in the remote parts of the SADC region and especially Zambia. 3 years ago whilst doing my PPL course at Nelspruit, I had the wonderful opportunity of being taught the ground school part by Peter Knoble. Peter plied me with many experiences about his CAA days and Beaver flights into these remote places such as Mongu, Kalabo, Lukulu, Senanga, Shesheke. Now, when I fly there, Peters stories really bring new meaning to these places along with the Northern province and Malawi airstrips. I have only been flying for the past 3 years and operate from Harare. I fly a new composite structure Glasair Sportsman from the USA, kitted out with a full glass cockpit - I often think of Peters stories of Navigation with ADF’s and some NDB’s in these far flung places and how GPS systems have made our lives so much easier. It was a great loss when Peter died and I am not sure if the adventures of the CAA beavers have been logged? I have attached a photo of the glasair as we flying over Lake Kariba Best regards and keep up the great work.. Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/06/beaver-safari-in-northern-rhodesia-1961.html IAN DOIG AND DAVE JOHNSON IN BOURNEMOUTH Dave Panton (RhAF) Writes:- Saw the pic of Ian Doig and Dave Johnson in\" my town\" wish I had known I would love to have been able to meet and entertain them ! Please pass on my best regards to Ian . Grannia o\'Donnell (Air Rhodesia) Writes:- Can you ask Ian Doig if he went to Nettleton school? There was a boy in my class with that name a hundred years ago (in the 60’s). I don’t know what happened to him after the age of 12 (as I went off to the convent school in Salisbury) so it would be interesting to know if it’s the same guy. Nettleton was a air force school in Braeside. Refer. http://rhodesianforcesreunions.blogspot.com/2013/06/ian-doig-and-dave-johnson-in.html?showComment=1371739887635#c4414322484981614830 CRAIG BONE WILDLIFE ART WANTED if anyone has any Craig Bone wildlife art for sale to contact me Alan Ferguson alanf@global.co.za Insert by Eddy Norris Craigs autobiography \"Cut To The Bone\" is available, in Kindle format, at WWW. Amazon.com Cut to the Bone is the autobiography of world renowned wildlife artist Craig Bone. Craig Bone was born in 1955 and raised in Salisbury, Rhodesia. He attended St. George’s College and went on to serve in the Rhodesian Light Infantry. He was wounded in combat and subsequently took to painting full time. Following the political turmoil in Zimbabwe, he left for the USA where he now resides. This is his first book. FAMBA ? Graham Andrews Writes:- For Mike Hamence. P-B probably said to him \"Famba (or fambai) zvakanaka\" which means \"go well\" ....literal translation as you have pointed out is \"walk well\". The alternative is \"Sara zvakanaka\" ....\"stay Bruce Harrison (RhAF) Writes:- The Shona phrase Mike is looking for is \"Famba Zvakanaka\" which means \"Go well\" HOW ACCURATE IS SNOPES.COM For a while now I have wondered about the accuracy of Snopes. Well I did a search and came up with these links. (Interesting read) http://www.metroedit.com/2009/05/how-accurate-is-snopescom/ http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/internet/a/snopes_exposed.htm CROOK\'S CORNER John Hill (6070 BSAP) Writes:- I was at Crooks Corner in October last year – the river was so dry that the crocs that were left were black from being sunburnt! I will dig out the photographs I took and send them on. Did not see any sign of the building in Lewis’ photo – it must have been washed away by one of the many floods in the intervening years. There is a very good pub [she been?] on the south bank of the Limpopo at Mapai River near where our lads and the SAND boys got taken out in 1979! Friends going there next week – will ask for update photos as that will have been taken out by the floods earlier this year! On the Most side at Mapai Rail there are numerous pubs and restaurants. Will send some photos of the area if you like. (All photos are greatly appreciated. Eddy Norris) Nick Baalbergen (Intaf) Writes:- I have just read your piece on \'Crook\'s Corner\' in Eddy\'s \'Our Rhodesian Heritage\' blog. Some interesting photos! I still have a hardcover copy of T V Bullpen\'s book \'The Ivory Trail\', which I bought for the princely sum of R8,25 many years ago. Chapter 2 of the book is titled \'Crook\'s Corner\' and goes into some detail about this convenient wedge of land. Your personal recollections and photos brings an additional perspective to the story. (Photos were made available by Lewis Walter (DC) Eddy Norris) Joe Holmes Writes:- Thanks for sharing the Crooks Corner story with us all – having read the Ivory Trail I was familiar with the tale about Bekesy Barnard so it was of great interest to see the photos of the actual building. One of his sons runs a highly respected safari company in Botswana known as Penuche Safaris, the web link to which I have appended below for interest sake for anyone who would like to delve a little deeper into the story. On the website is more interesting anecdotal information about this remarkable man and his son’s own story which is interesting in itself. Visit. www.pendukasafaris.co.za/mylifeinthebush.htm Louis Hartley Writes:- As v young man in the mid 60\'s a group of us were invited on a really wild bush trip, under the control of the National Parks director, (a bush legend in his own right) Bruce Austen. Bruce was then the National Parks Regional warden for the southern region. Bruce was out there overseeing the building of new National parks camp facilities within the newly designated Gonad Re Zhou game park. I recall being present, listening to stories around a camp fire in the Hippo Pools- known as the Chipinga pools area (on the lower Lundy- Saba river confluence). Besides a large number of crocs and Hippos, there were also Tiger fish in this lower section of the river ! You may well know this is a superb natural bush-v wild area, under the yellow sand stone Clarendon cliffs. One the elderly National Parks Shangani Game tracker scouts present at the campfire told us about his time as a youth / his exploits out hunting with the legendary Bekesy - SC Barnard ! He also showed us his permanent scars, from being tossed by angry wounded Buffalo that circled around and ambushed him. V fortunately for him...... he landed in a Acacia thorn tree and survived ! Never mind those long needle like thorns, when an angry Buffalo is waiting..... below ! The book the Ivory Trail by TV Bullpen is well worth the time to read, excellent bush and wild life reminiscences ! Denise Taylor Writes:- Just read that article by Lewis. Funny hey. Anyway I was amazed at how much the \"crooks corner\" house resembled the farm house ? My favourite was the \"Lindy\" and secondly what appeared to be chicken wire around the bar counter ! Yet all those bottles on the shelf. Dichotomy I guess even there !!! Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/06/crooks-corner.html SMILE A WHILE Why do women live a Better, Longer & Peaceful Life, as compared to men? A very INTELLIGENT student replied: \"Because Women don\'t have a wife! \"I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted paychecks.\'\' End of Newsletter Comments are always welcome - send them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com Ref. Rhodesian Air Force, ORAFS

Rob Tasker entered into rest in Francistown (Botswana) as a result of an aircraft accident. What follows is an extract from the www.news24.com site. SA pilots die as \'Batman\' plane crashes News24 Realised - 2013-07-03 Source: http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/SA-pilots-die-as-Batman-plane-crashes-20130703 Johannesburg - Two South African pilots died when their plane - which featured in the latest Batman movie - crashed in Francistown in Botswana. Beeld reported on Tuesday that Rob Tasker, 75, and Lindy Brooks, 56, from Batair Cargo left Lanseria Airport in Johannesburg for Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Saturday. They had planned to land in Francistown to refuel but thick mist on the ground caused them to miss the landing strip on their first pass. They told the control tower they would make a second pass because they could see the landing strip, but never did. The wreckage was found two hours later about 10km from the airport. The cause of the crash is not known, and the Civil Aviation Authority is investigating. The cargo on board the plane was not damaged. According to Beeld, the aircraft - an Embraer Bandeirante - featured in the Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises, which came out last year. Tasker and Brooks flew to the UK for their part in the movie. Ironically, the plane \"crashed\" in the movie, using computer-generated special effects. Tasker’s son, Bobby, a firefighting pilot in KwaZulu-Natal, has left for Botswana to identify the bodies.

Neville Galloway (Elect 1963) Rogues Gallery APPRECIATION Eddy Norris (ORAFs) Writes:- Thank you to all these that sent me get well messages last week. I was admitted to the ICU Unit of the Unitas hospital (Centurion) on Sunday morning and released Tuesday afternoon. A follow up visit to cardiologist advising me that was a lucky fellow to have a ICD and that fired. He said without it, he doubted if you would have received ORAFs today and I would be at work in Big Hangar above.. I must advise that the service in the hospital was of a high order and contrary to what one reads about our South African Medical System. WRITERS ON-LINE SUPPORT GROUP Trish Jackson Writes:- I started an online support group for Rhodesian and Zimbabwean authors. We help market one another\'s books and just help each other in general with writing and the Internet. I wondered if you could put a little article in your newsletters to tell authors about us and my email address: trish@trishjackson.com Also, my friend Greer Noble has started a Facebook page for authors from anywhere in Africa to showcase their books. It\'s called Authors Africa and here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsAfrica?fref=ts RhAF ORDNANCE Andr du Plessis (RhAF) Writes:- would someone be able to help me with a bit of research that I\'m doing for an art project? Reference the bombs and rockets that we used on our aircraft, which ones did we manufacture ourselves, and which ones did we import? The ones that we did import, I presume we sourced from South Africa, am I correct? Does anyone have any detail on our weapons, e.g. physical dimensions, colour, etc.? Replies direct to Andr on dupart1@live.com \\ WHENIWASAWHENWE Sever subscribers to ORAFs have recommend this blog http://wheniwasawhenwe.wordpress.com/ WW2 RHODESIAN ROLL OF HONOUR FOR ARMY AND NAVY ORAFs Writes:- Can anyone give ORAFs a listing of Rhodesians lost in WW2. even a scanned copy will do. Information to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com MOVING - ANNE AND JOHN SHAW Anne (RhAF) Writes:- Please note that this contact address is shutting down today and we\'ll be off line for +/- 5/6 weeks. I\'ll make contact as soon as we are up and running again which will be on a new address. Please can I ask you to put a note in your next news letter advising people of this change, many thanks. We have sold the farm and everything finally has happened rather fast. We have removals arriving tomorrow and we still have a lot to get done before they come. We\'ll be \'gypsies for a few weeks before we can get settled - we\'ll need the break I can tell you! AVIATION IN CENTRAL AFRICA Your blogs are always interesting. My mother was a seventeen or eighteen year old, Jeannie Carruthers Smith, later Lacey, and was in that photograph of the Vimy. She had a copy of the photo in an album which I believe one of my brothers inherited. I can remember seeing it often when I was young. Her father was the youngest member of the B.S.A.P. who accompanied the Pioneer Column into Rhodesia in 1890. Times have changed. Sincerely Colleen Bowker (widow of Neville Bowker from Umtali, Rhodesia.) Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/07/aviation-in-central-africa.html THE SPOOK HOUSE John Mussell (RhAF) Writes:- I was interested to see mentioned in the piece, The Spook House, the name of Neville Brooks. There was a person of that name in the SRAAF. Here is an extract from Dave Barbour\'s story in Our Rhodesian Heritage. \"I was introduced to Battle formation by Lt Neville Brooks (an Auxiliary Officer designated to be one of the Flight Commanders of the soon to be formed No.1 Squadron SRAAF)\" I take it that they were one and the same person. Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/06/memories-of-number-1-internament-camp.html RHODESIAN ARMY PUTS TO SEA Alan Bradnick (RhAF) Writes in a email to James:- I spent a very interesting couple of hours attending the cadets parade on Saturday morning. They were in full winter dress, and the caps they wore were the standard Sailor\'s cap, with the name of their ship on the band. I said in my original email to Eddy that they were HMS MATEBELELAND. This was incorrect, known as TS MATEBELE. TS stands for Training Ship. This branch of the cadets were first established in 1953, and their commanding officer is LT. COMDR Peter Rollason. He is 84 years of age, and there is no chance that this branch will disperse if anything was to happen to him as he has trained 2 officers to take over from him. These boys and girls come from all different walks of life, and can only join when they are 15.5 years or older, and can stay indefinitely. I was most impressed with there discipline, and their turnout. Visit. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2011/03/rhodesian-navy-puts-to-sea.html RhAF SPITFIRE AIRCRAFT DISPOSAL Gomo Hill (6017 BSAP) Writes:- Does anyone know what happened to the RhodAF Spitfires? I think there were approx 20 Mk 22. They were listed on one of the Wikipedia entries. Nothing pressing just idle curiosity. Replies direct Gomo on frombyrne@porkypete.net NEW BOOK - STRIP ROADS AND SPORTS CARS Comment from Jennifer Upton regarding this book:- I bought Rod Wells\'s \'Strip Roads and Sports\' with almost indecent haste, a treat in store for when the weather gets worse...being an English Summer.. I am fairly certain it will. When a \'book\' turns up like Rod\'s, all sorts of memories are reawakened, like the family legend of my grandmother Amy Banning and her travels in Southern and Northern Rhodesia. My grand-mama owned a wee Citroen, when going visiting or travelling she would put into the boot the necessities, as she saw it. A primus stove, camping table and chairs, her hamper containing her tea leaves, biscuits, gin and tonic, matches, table cloth and cutlery. Additionally a tea service. which was silver, (I still have the tray and milk jug), her china teacups etc. She also packed along a pair of .45 revolvers, (just in case of an unpleasant encounter ), and a .303! Both my grandparents were excellent shots, as was my mother, much to my fathers\' annoyance, because she was by far the better shot. My grandmother\'s brothers fought in the Anglo Boer War, as did my grandfathers\'\'.. on opposite sides .. somehow the Siege of Ladysmith, featured very much in the combined families history. Family myth also indicates that the wedding reception was rather a strained affair, until the beer/alcohol loosened inhibitions . Brian Goodwin (Crack One of RhAF) Writes:- Just to let you know that although not really a motorsport enthusiast, I thought the above book might be of interest so I downloaded it to my Kindle on Friday. I was in deep trouble with wifely as I could not put it down until I finished it on Sunday. A great read which brought back so many memories of that wonderful country that is no more. Thoroughly recommended . June Frost (RhAF) Writes: Just thought you might like to know - my father Frank Maritz, built many of those strip roads in Rhodesia in the 1930,s - I can remember as a very small child living in tents, my older brothers went to boarding school and my younger brother and I top and tailed in a single bed in our parents\' tent and as the road progressed we moved camp along with it. I remember once, we made camp beside a river, and we children used to play in the river sand -always with a servant watching us because of roaming crocs - anyway they had some heavy storms higher upstream from us and the river came down in flood one night and two servants came into the tent and lifted our bed and crossed the river, now waist deep, to the higher bank on the other side.. - The flood took everything -EVERYTHING. My mother went into Messina the next day wearing only her nighttime and coat to purchase food and clothing for the family. Michael and I had to stay in bed for three days because we had no clothes to wear...those were the good old days.......:( Further information from Amazon can be obtained from the link below. Visit. http://www.amazon.com/Strip-Roads-Sports-Cars-ebook/dp/B00D4V3GV2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372167762&sr=1-1&keywords=STRIP+ROADS+AND+SPORTS+CARS ALF FROST UPDATE Alf has Alzheimer\'s disease and dementia and - it is sad because he was always so articulate, now he has a hard time talking and gets very frustrated when trying to tell me something, and just cannot find the words = he is also very unsteady on his feet, uses a cane, and sometimes a walker - which he hates - insists he bought it for his mother, but she died long before we came to the States ....he will be 88 this coming November. We are living in Washington State with our firstborn daughter - it is called the Evergreen State, and rightly so, it is so beautiful up here and SO green - we live on 1/3 acre and have two large pastures backing on to our back porch, Highland cattle sometimes come add graze there - apparently they are very wild, only raised for beef but we enjoy watching them. (Alf was Equipment but spent years running Air movements. Eddy Norris) LUSAKA TO MONGU IN THREE DAYS Chris Dams (RhAF) Writes:- I got hold of John Rogers and he is not the Roger in the article. He also said he did not remember anyone of that name from his past. He used to fly to Mongu using a Beaver which was a regular part of the CAA service. That was not his total experience by a long chalk. He was on Viscounts on the overseas duties for example. David Whitehead Writes:- I hope someone will ask about the Kalahari sand in Mongu. According to a forester I know it was over 100 feet thick. He dug down to look at the roots of a mutably or mukushi tree. What was the climate like when all that sand was blown north in days of yore ? The Zambezi cut its way through it of course. Maybe it was the monster sand dunes which blocked the river & made the it flow over the Falls instead of into the huge prehistoric Botswana lake and salt flats. Refer. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/06/lusaka-to-mongu-in-three-days.html OBITUARY - HERBERT EDWARD COCKERILL Flt Lt Herbert Edward, born 21-05-24, died 28-06-13. Formerly of 44 Rhodesia Squadron, 5 Group Bomber Command. It is with great sadness we say goodbye to our dad, granddad, great-granddad, friend and mentor, Flt Lt H. E. (Edward) Cockerill. He flew his last mission on Friday the 28th June 2013, when he lost his final battle with cancer. This struggle, like all the others, was bravely fought with the indomitable spirit he showed last Christmas by flying out to Africa at the age of 88 to spend it with his far flung family. He will be sadly missed by many and fondly remembered by all. Until we meet again. All our love, Dorothy, Jean, Diane, Bob, Ian, Ona, Adam, Julie and their families. A celebration of his life will be held at Blacon Crematorium, Chester, CH1 5BB on Wednesday, 10th July 2013, at 11.20am. By request no flowers please, donations instead to the RAF Benevolent Fund at rafbf.org Published in The Times on July 5, 2013 (Thanks to Alastair Honeybun (RhAF) for the news.) SMILE A WHILE An older gentleman was on the operating table awaiting surgery and he insisted that his son, a renowned surgeon, perform the operation. As he was about to get the anesthesia, he asked to speak to his son. \"Yes, Dad, what is it?\" \"Don\'t be nervous, son; do your best, and just remember, if it doesn\'t go well, if something happens to me, your mother is going to come and live with you and your wife.. \"If a leper gives you the finger, do you have to give it back?\" \'\' End of Newsletter Comments are always welcome - send them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com Ref. Rhodesia, ORAFs