Umtali Folk, this has been shared with you as there is an Umtali Chancellor article that may be of interest to you.
Old Rhodesian Air Force Sods
Newsletter 14 August, 2017
Thoughts.
Many thanks to everyone who sent in messages to me - I was very touched by the kindness shown. As I explained there is just a lot on my plate at the moment but I wondered after reading all the messages if you would like for me to still continue the daily reminders at least? I can prepare these ahead of time as they are a lot less involved than the NL. I can still do a NL but maybe just once monthly that way freeing me a little my end?
I would also be checking dads mail daily so would of course still prepare any death notifications for both ORAFs and Umtali. Also naturally if anything urgent is pressing I would do a notification.
Please let me know your thoughts and we can take ORAFs from there. Thank you for helping me find a way for this to work for all of us.
The Ourstory site will remain there for viewing so that won't change either as I forgot to mention that in the last email.
Sad Passings.
John Britton has informed ORAFs of the sad passing of Colin Bedford on the 19th July, 2017 in Harare, Zimbabwe. Colin attested with 7 LAR in Instruments and served on 1 Squadron.
Johnny Ness also advised of the sad passing of Brian Warren in Messina, South Africa on the 08th August, 2017. Brian attested with 21 LAR as an Engine Fitter who served with 7 Sqd. Brian was a senior NCO prior to leaving the Rhodesian Air Force.
Ant Went also advised of the passing of Gerard (Hammy) Hamilton on the 12th July, 2017 at Strickland Lodge in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Hammy Was an 'Old boy' of 4RR attaining the rank of Captain.
Hammy leaves behind his wife Dawn and two daughters and 3 step-sons.
ORAFs extends our very deepest sympathies to all the families at the loss of their loved ones. Many thanks to JB, Johnny and Ant for advising us.
Any messages of condolence may be forwarded on behalf of the family to
ora...@gmail.com
Percival Provost in Rhodesian Service.
ORAFs received the following request for information;
My name is David Lawrence, a retired pilot.
I am presently working on a study of the Provost aircraft with a view to perhaps producing a small book, and I would like to obtain some information on the aircraft in Rhodesian Air Force service. I have found a small amount of detail on the various websites, but I cannot find out the "complete story". I was wondering if you could put me in touch with someone who might be able to help me.
What I am particularly looking for are details on the "four-gun" fit to the aircraft, with information on how many aircraft were so fitted, and their serial numbers. Also some photographs of these aircraft. Other details I am trying to find is the serial number of the Provost that was burnt out at Thornhill on 23 July 1969, as a result of an accident off-loading a hung-up Frantan weapon. I would also like to find out whether the first four Provosts obtained in 1954, which were unarmed trainers (T.51), were ever converted to the armed T.52 version. Likewise with the 11 (at least!) aircraft obtained in the early 1970s.
The Ndola Lottery 1956.
Maria van Nieuwenhuizen sends us two tickets from the Ndola Lottery back in 1956. Maria writes that she recently found them hidden behind a mirror that belonged she thought to her grandfather.
1956 Ndola Lottery Ticket. Photo courtesy Maria van Nieuwenhuizen.
1956 Ndola Lottery Ticket. Photo courtesy Maria van Nieuwenhuizen.
Thanks Maria, funny how one sometimes tucks things away in a place "no one else will think of but me!" and forgets about them! I wonder if your grandfather spent time looking for them and I wonder now if anyone knows what the winning numbers were - hopefully not one of your tickets!!!
Chancellor Junior School Musical Play of 1953.
Steve Clarke forwards a golden oldie with the following up;
In 1953, Chancellor Junior School staged a ‘musical’ on the theme of a King [Hugh Stacey] and Queen [Dawn Gray – sigh!] and their relationship with the peasants. Somewhere in the depths of my filing, I have the full cast photo, but the only one I can find is the one of the village children [maypole dance, etc.] and Simple Simon [starring the great Steve Clarke, aged 12]. I have nurtured this pic in the hope that I would find its mate, but in vain. I attach it in the hope that some folk out there are still able to be stirred by the memory. Apart from wrecking the maypole in a spasm of slapstick, I had to imitate a canary, and spend hours in [remedial teacher] Mrs Shepherd’s back porch listening to hers.If given enough time, I might get most of the names: But….. the passage of time is my trouble at this stage… I hope that I have not made too many errors in the slim pickings below…
Heigh Ho! Those were the days!!
1953 Chancellor Junior School Musical. Photograph courtesy Stephen Clarke.
Mervyn Park; ? ; Ian Smart; ? ; ? - Henry ; ? Tommy Hopkins; ? ; ?
Middle row: cannot remember any, except that one of the Greek twins is still alive and living in Mutare [her sister married CostaFront row: ?Mark Ridley; ? ; [the great] Steve Clarke; Merle Park; ? Frankie Payne.
Thanks Stephen, I loved the girls dresses back then. I think that Frankie Payne might be related to ORAFs reader Emily Messina nee Payne?
New Book Release September 2017 - 'Pilot, Prisoner, Patriot' by Hugh Slatter.
ORAFs has great pleasure in advising of a new book that will be available in September written by Hugh Slatter. Huge writes that this will be an autobiography which will include a lot of Air Force Life. All profits from this book will go to select Veteran's Charities.
Congratulations Hugh, I know many of our readers will look forward to reading your book.
ORAFs has included the link to the publishing house that Hugh will be using and in that link you will find a short blurb.
Kindly note that there is as yet no purchasing options but I think that could be due in part to the book only being released next month. I have asked Hugh to advise us when this option will be available from the publishing house and I will advise our readers as such.
266 Rhodesia Squadron 1944.
ORAFs has been asked for further information as listed in the email below. If anyone can advise where I might find the names of all the Squadron members of 1944 of 266 Rhodesia Squadron that would be most appreciated as well as any further information regards specific information about the individuals listed on Laurent's email.
Email reads in part;
My name is Laurent Viton , I'm doing extensive research on allied airmen downed in my area in Normandy during WW2 .
I'm currently studying several 266 Sq losses and I'll be very grateful to you if you could help . I'm looking for documentation / pictures of the following pilots , eventually I'm seeking their relatives :
- F/O Charles Baillie , POW 9 May 1944 ( we will investigate the crash-site later this year near Dieppe , I'm in touch with his daughter at Harare ) .
- Sgt Andrew McMurdon , POW 9 May 1944 .
- P/O Johannes Meyer , KIA 19 July 1944 .
- F/Sgt John Harrold , KIA 19 July 1944 .
- F/Sgt Ronald McElroy , KIA 19 July 1944 .
On your website there was this nice picture of 266 pilots , could it be possible to have names of all airmen shown ? That would be far appreciated .Laurent Viton - Normandy
This was the photograph referred to - Courtesy Mitch Sterling.
Patrons Day Parade and Service in Memory of Operation Uric and Puma 164.
C
heryl Grover reminds that
The RLI will be hosting their annual Patrons Day Parade and Service in memory of Operation Uric and Puma 164.
The Parade will take place at Dickie Fritz Complex on Saturday 2nd September 2017 at 10h00 for 10h30.
The RLI have requested that the Air Force members also march in this parade and therefore we respectfully request all Air Force members to please make every effort to attend.
If you have a jacket with the Air Force badge on, please wear that, alternatively please wear a dark jacket, dark trousers and the Rhodesian Air Force tie. Medals are to be
worn as well.
Let’s support this parade as a way to honour the Air Force guys that lost their lives during service to our great nation.
Immediately after the parade, the bar will be open for refreshments (at Moth prices) and the braais will be lit should you wish to bring your own meat.
Again please support this event and lets prove that the Air Force guys do actually care!!!!
We look forward to seeing you there!!!
Each year the Voortrekker Monument Running Club in Pretoria, South Africa dedicate their race to someone/thing military. In 2010 the race was dedicated to the Puma 164 incident and this year it was held in honour of Lance Corporal Wijnand 'Victor' Hamman of 2SAI (South African Infantry) who died on 12 April 1917. This was part of the Battle of Arras where nearly an entire battalion of South Africans were killed at Fampoux (part of the battle) during the German Artillery bombardment.
Paul Norris competed in the marathon and said it was tough race with the added challenge due to the cold but a wonderful camaraderie and spirit during the race. Paul said they had a minute of silence and the last post.
Moment of Silence at the Vasbyt Marathon 15 July, 2017. Paul Norris is in the orange Tshirt, blue cap No. 360 in the middle. Photo courtesy Paul Norris.
The Vasbyt medal. Photo courtesy Paul Norris.
Well done Paul - many ways to pay respect and remember those who paid the ultimate price.
An African Legend of the Zambesi Valley by Rex Taylor.
Once upon a time a remote village in the
hostile Zambesi Valley slowly awakened to a sun-filled dawn. The villagers
stretched and wandered lazily from their mats and blankets. They had little to
do and all day to do it in, as it always was in their part of Mother Earth. The
elders shuffled to their allocated places in rays of the morning sun. The
Matriarch Superior grumbled quietly as she brushed and smoothed the dust in
front of her. She’d seen many days just like this, where she and the children
did all the chores while the men just sat in the sun and gossiped! The rains had been good and her grain bin was
full, her brew of beer was powerful, and there was no urgent work until the
summer rain clouds gathered, as it always came about!
Meanwhile, in the so-called “Progressive
World”, the “Helicopter” had become the popular sphere of aviation, and so, as
history has it, a bevy of loyal, intrepid, fearless, naïve, and unsuspecting members
of the Air Force were called upon to tame these new fangled dragons. And, so, as surely as it is hereby written, an
Esteemed Officer of the Third Rebellion was charged with monitoring two gifted
and talented Pilot Initiates, Ian Harvey and David Becks, with a supporting
staff of experts, on a precision low level navigational sortie across the
Zambesi Valley.
Having
conquered the Lower Zambesi, the team made a planned landfall at Kariba, a
resort on the shores of that mighty Inland Sea. In accordance with the rigours
of their flight, they were obliged to spend the sunset hours with Army and
Police colleagues and to suffer and share their hardships and privation. They
did so, diligently, enthusiastically, and later into the night than certain
senior officers would hear about!
Henceforth the events relating to the birth
of this legend are as recorded by the Esteemed Officer of The Rebellion,
“Before sunup, our brave and fearless team
set course in the semi-darkness on a sortie to map reference points given to
the pilot only after lift-off! (There was no such thing as the Global
Positioning System in those pioneering days!) If my memory serves me correctly,
Ian flew and navigated to the first map Reference, and Dave Becks became the
working pilot for the second leg across the thinly populated Tribal Trust Lands
of the wild Zambesi Valley. The exercise was going well.
On this leg, however, the indiscretion of
the previous evening’s military liaison with certain Army “Brown Jobs”
manifested itself within my colon! A medical emergency was developing rapidly,
forcing our duty pilot, David, to execute a rapid landing to allow this “Officer
of the Third Rebellion” to execute an emergency evacuation!”
Helicopter pilots did not wear the bulky
G-suits and survival gear of the jet jockeys, but, nevertheless, the
fire-resistant one-piece flying suit had to be unzipped and removed completely
before impeding items of underwear could be removed so that delicate medical
procedures could be carried out with decorum! It was unnecessary to remove
one’s round and bulky helmet, sun visor and oxygen face mask.
Although critically compromised, The Esteemed
Officer of the Third Rebellion sprinted under the rotors to the first hollow
place that offered a modicum of privacy, and, turning to face the chopper, he disrobed
with dignified military etiquette and was immediately saved from more serious
complications!
Meanwhile, that untouched rural family
group from the untouched Zambesi Valley, peacefully contemplated the day’s inactivity.
The approaching noise of the chopper had been lost in the tree tops, but the
hasty landing of that clattering monster sent the chickens scurrying, and gave
The Matriarch Superior something to shout about!
The little brown children scampered into
the security of the huts; the men stood up and peered towards the source of an
unusual noise. The Matriarch dropped her broom, called the kids to her side,
and screamed at the men that “Something” was raiding her crops! News travels
fast in the Valley, and within minutes, the lads and damsels of the village
emerged from their hiding places;
Matriarch Superior grabbed her broom, and, waving it above her head, she
led her gathered clan to where “Something” was stealing her mealies! The noise,
the foul smell, and the whirling debris met this warring column and their attack
was temporarily delayed. Before them was an object, as big as a rogue elephant,
shaking, and making of much wind and whistling noises! Within the structure of
this monster’s body, there were strange creatures, with large shiny heads, and
black strips where an elephant’s eyes should be! Wide-eyed children gaped and
whimpered from behind the women’s skirts, and The Matriarch ducked to avoid a
flying mealie-stalk!
Slowly, from the earth between them and
this growling beast, a weird and terrifying figure with a large shiny head rose
gracefully from the ground! Slowly, this
head-thing bent low; in its place, at the upper end of the
creature’s pink stalks, a chubby rounded item, resembling that of a marauding
baboon, stared at the line of villagers! What had appeared as a head, now
twisted to show a darkened stripe, seemingly glaring at the halted line! . . . Led
by the Matriarch and her broom, the terrified assembly, turned and headed for
the hills like galloping swastikas!”
The Esteemed Officer of the Third Rebellion
continues: “Calmly, but with commendable dignity, I lifted the crumpled flying
suit from my ankles, and, taking little notice of the shrill screaming behind
me, I ducked my head under the rotors, to
take my seat in the mirth-shaking audience that had seen a legend in the
making! There before them, they had born witness to the drama of how their
revered Flight Lieutenant, naked but for a mask and helmet, but armed with a
bright and shiny buttock, routed a full infantry division of rioting troops!”
The
legend relates the better story of how these very rural residents of the
untouched Zambesi Bush, were blessed by a visitation of great noise and much
wind, which had materialized only meters away from the chicken coop, and, as it
is recounted in their scriptures, scooped up an awesome and gruesome figure
from the bowels of the earth right before their eyes!
WING COMMANDER. (Now Long Rtd.) REX TAYLOR JUNE 2017
Many thanks Rex. I really enjoyed reading this - Thanks for thinking of ORAFs.
727700 Sgt. Mckelvie, J. Silver Cross of Rhodesia Recipient.
An extremely rare Silver Cross of Rhodesia group of three awarded to Colour-Sergeant J. ‘Jock ‘McKelvie, Support Commando, 1st Rhodesian Light Infantry, late Royal Marine Commandos;
General Service 1962, 3 clasps, Borneo, Malay Peninsula, Northern Ireland (RM. 22353 J. McKelvie, Mne., R.M.); Rhodesia General Service (727700 Sgt. McKelvie, J.), this last an official replacement stamped ‘(R.)’, generally good very fine (3) £2500-3000
The Silver Cross of Rhodesia was awarded on just 30 occasions, four of the recipients being members of the Rhodesian Light Infantry. The official citation for McKelvie’s award, signed by Lieutenant-General J.S.V. Hickman, Commander of the Army, in July 1976, states:
‘Sergeant McKelvie was involved in 14 contacts during the period May 1976 to February 1977. In all these contacts he displayed considerable initiative, leadership and gallantry and, together with his men, accounted for over 60 terrorists.
The following contacts are particularly noteworthy: On 9 November 1976, Sergeant McKelvie and seven men were dropped by helicopter into an area in which a large group of terrorists were based. The helicopter was subsequently grounded.
Despite the lack of air support, Sergeant McKelvie and his men killed 18 terrorists in the space of three hours. Sergeant McKelvie's conduct during this contact was exemplary. The success of this contact, which was enhanced by the killing of a further five terrorists and the capture of one, was due principally to Sergeant McKelvie’s personal example, gallantry and coolness in the face of determined opposition.
On the 24 November 1976, Sergeant McKelvie and seven men were dropped by helicopter into an area containing a group of terrorists. Once again, through determination, aggression and first class leadership, Sergeant McKelvie and his men, who were later joined by additional men, killed 13 and captured two wounded terrorists.
Throughout these and other contacts Sergeant McKelvie has inspired confidence and aggressive spirit in his men. His gallantry, example and disregard for his personal safety have been of the highest order and his professional dedication and determination have been an inspiration to all who serve with him.
While in a contact in December 1976, he was severely wounded in the thigh and leg causing him to be hospitalised for two months.’ John ‘Jock ‘McKelvie was born in Glasgow in July 1946 and joined the Royal Marines in July 1963. During his 12 years with the Marines he served with 40, 41 and 42 Commando R.M., and was present in operations in Borneo, the Malay Peninsula and Northern Ireland - his official certificate of service confirms.
Having been promoted Sergeant in January 1974, he took premature voluntary release in June of the following year, and, with much experience of Commando and anti-terrorist operations under his belt, was a natural candidate for the Rhodesian Army, in which he served with distinction, winning the Silver Cross of Rhodesia. Accompanying research suggests that McKelvie left Rhodesia at short notice, as a result of which he never received his Rhodesia General Service Medal. However, as confirmed by an accompanying letter, and with Lieutenant-General John Hickman’s blessing, a replacement was obtained ‘through the official manufacturer’ and mounted for display with his original Silver Cross and General Service 1962 awards in 2001.
Sold with the recipient’s original Royal Marines certificate of service, together with congratulatory letters from President Wrathall, Lieutenant-General J. S. V. Hickman, and officers of the 1st Rhodesian Light Infantry, for the award of his Silver Cross; an eye-witness account of the action fought on 9 November 1976, written by one of the helicopter pilots; three official group photographs, and several other associated photographs, letters and confirmation of provenance. 
Sgt. Jock McKelvie's Medals.
Many thanks to Jennifer Upton for sharing this article with ORAFs. What another hero. Does anyone may have a photo of Jock?
Larry Ridler writes;
Paul and Larry 1971…. RRAF Wankie – Paul found this old pic. 2 Brothers on same Call up but hey, they needed us to win the war…
Larry and Paul Ridler at RRAF Wankie 1971. Photo courtesy Larry Ridler.
Must have been a parents worse nightmare - both sons away at war. Thanks Larry this is this first Ive seen RRAF Wankie inside photos -
Thanks Andy, I think for many many years the Old DC3 will be fondly known as the Grand Old Lady of the Sky - such a distinctive sound and sight to many.
Once again sincere thanks for all who write and contribute - it brings great joy to many readers who read your articles and fond photos. Again, please let me know your thoughts on a monthly NL, and daily reminders?
Thank you for your understanding and guidance like I said I would like to really make this work out for us all.
No monetary gain is either sought or intended in the making of this NL - for sharing purposes only. ORAFs thanks all authors, producers and owners of any materials used in the content of this NL.
Reminders -
AFA (Gauteng) Monthly Prayer Meeting
Place of the week - Hot Springs Holiday Resort established around a hot mineral spring 87 km south of Umtali on the road to Birchenough Bridge. The resort also caters for invalids wishin to take advantage of the medicinal qualities of the waters.
Source; Encyclopaedia Rhodesia 1973
Sent in memory of Eddy Norris
by Paul Norris & denise Taylor
RSA & Canada
