OLD UMTALI PHOTO - 2
Herewith some further information regarding the above photograph which was recently distributed. Eddy Norris Ken and Rose Webster Write:-
As a child I spent very many happy days playing at Government House – my Mum was very friendly with Lady Kennedy and having seen Sir John Kennedy many times I would say that the photo is of him – and possibly his PA whose name I do not know.
John Redfern (FLF) Writes:-
The person unveiling the plaque is definitely Maj Gen Sir John Kennedy. I had the pleasure and honour to be a guest in his home in the UK Lake District in 1958. He wrote “The Business of War”; I have a signed copy.
Rob Burrett (Bulawayo) Writes:-
The picture circulated is indeed Sir JN Kennedy. Here is another while Governor.
I cannot be sure as I have not been there but think it may have been for the rededication of the Old Umtali Cemetery on Premier Estate. Possibly others can confirm or share pictures of the grave yard there.
Kennedy was very interested in archaeology and early history. He was involved in getting the graves at Fort Tuli tied up and remarked so this would make sense — that they died in BSACo time would account for the flag used. Just would like to know where they got the flag by that time.
Sent in by Terry Leaver (RhArmy)
An ex-Rhodesian friend has forwarded this sequel to your photo of yesterday
The unveiling of the plaque at The Old Umtali Cemetery on 17 August 1950 by the Governor of Southern Rhodesia, Sir John Noble Kennedy, on the occasion of the Southern Rhodesian jubilee celebration in Umtali. The 'Pioneer Cemetery' today, at the following link : http://webs.wofford.edu/davisgr/PioneerCemetary/index.htm An interesting closing comment on the web site : He is looking for employment and would like to know how to use canals to bring
river water to irrigate these fields the way the white farmers did just a few years ago.
Nick Baalbergen (Intaf) Sent this in:-
This response from a former colleague might be of interest
These pictures reflect a very sad account of what has happened in the Zimbabwe of today. My grandfather (born in Poole, Dorset in 1877) and an Uncle are buried in the Pioneer cemetery in Harare. I dare say that this cemetery will go the same way as the Umtali one.
Sir John & Lady Kennedy were regular visitors when I was at Whitestone Prep school, Bulawayo. They would always find an excuse to come to the school whether it was sports day or something else !! Your blog - http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/three-in-one-garden-memorial.html - is mentioned in the latter web site : The blog Our Rhodesian Heritage in an entry of 31st March 2012 tells us:
"About a mile and a half on the Umtali side of the road to Penhalonga a small road branches off to the east, and at the junction there is a sign which reads 'Pioneer Nurses Memorial'. A short climb up this road brings one out to a delightfully situated and well-kept garden facing west. There are terraced flower beds, a fine fig tree, and flowering shrub" Your correspondent might be interested in the attached web site, which has the photo I have included here: http://webs.wofford.edu/davisgr/PioneerCemetary/index.htm 
A further web site that may be of interest is the following : http://www.blennerhassettfamilytree.com/Rose-Blennerhassett.php
Christine Cleat Writes:-
Sir John Noble Kennedy was Governor of Southern Rhodesia in 1947. The only governor the wording on the Plaque seems to fit. There was a Sir John Chancellor, 1923, but he had no military rank.
Peter Huson (BSAP) Writes
Would you please be so kind as to send out a thank you to all the people who replied to my query and identified the Governor and the event in the photograph?
Many thanks
End ORAFs records its thank to all those that replied with all this information. Amazing - what history lay behind the photograph, I would suggest that you please consider visiting the website indicated above. Sad but it is a reality check. Eddy Norris
Irene - RSA
ora...@gmail.com
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