Friday 28 January 2011

Southen Rhodesians Honoured In 1947

SOUTHERN RHODESIANS
whose services were recognised in THE KING'S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST, JUNE 1947, and in connection with THE ROYAL VISIT TO RHODESIA, APRIL 1947.

APRIL 1947
HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to make the following appointments to the Royal Victorian Order. The dates upon which His Majesty carried out the investiture are shown in brackets after each name:—

To be a Knight Commander (K.C.V.O.).
His Excellency Sir John Noble Kennedy, K.B.E., C.B., M.C., Governor of the Colony (14th April, 1947).

To be Commanders (C.V.O.).
Colonel the Honourable Sir Ernest Lucas Guest, K.B.E., Chairman of the Royal Visit Advisory Committee (13th April, 1947).

Colonel John Ellis Ross, Commissioner of British South Africa Police (14th April, 1947).

Lt.-Colonel Laurence Holbech, D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C., Comptroller to the Governor (14th April, 1947).

Mr. William James Kinlay Skillicom, General Manager, Rhodesia Railways (retired) (14th April, 1947).

To be Members (4th Class) (M.V.O.).
Major Geoffrey Douglas Cox, D.F.C. (S.R.P.S.C.), Secretary of the Royal Visit Advisory Committee (13th April, 1947).

Mr. Bernard John Middleton Foggin, Secretary to the Governor (9th April, 1947).

To be Members (5th Class) (M.V.O.).
Flt. Lt. Alec Herbert Gray Hampshire (S.R.A.F.), Member of the Governor's Personal Staff (14th April, 1947).

Capt. Denvs Archibald Rowan-Hamilton (The Black Watch), Aide-de-Camp to the Governor (14th April, 1947).

Capt. Basil Maurice de Quehen, British South Africa Police (14th April, 1947).

His Majesty was graciously pleased to confer the Medal of the Order in Silver (R.V.M.) upon the following. The dates upon which His Majesty conferred the medals are shown in brackets after each name:—

Sub-Inspector Leslie Graham Gaylard, British South Africa Police (14th April, 1947).

Mr. John Robert Murray, butler at Government House(14th April, 1947).

Mr. Arthur Freeling Hubbard, caretaker at Government House, Bulawayo (15th April, 1947).

Mr. Joseph Nevitt, chauffeur to the Governor (14th April, 1947).

Mr. John Arres, butler at Government House (9th April. 1947).

JUNE 1947
HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to declare that the Honourable Sir Godfrey Huggins, C.H., K.C.M.G., M.P., shall be sworn of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council

ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (CIVIL DIVISION)
Commanders of the Order.
Mr. Donald McIntyre, M.P., Mayor of Bulawayo.

Mr. Noel St. Quintin, Mayor of Salisbury.

Officers of the Order.
Mr. Herbert Edward Kinloch. for public service.

Mr. Edward Walter Lionel Noaks, M.P., Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

Lieut.-Colonel Arthur Thomas Harpham, M.I.E.E., Postmaster-General.

Mr. William Thomas Smith, Secretary, Department of Justice.

Mr. Cecil Isadore Jacobs, for social services.

Members of the Order.
Miss Dorothy Lucy Deacon, Staff Matron, Public Health Department.

Sister (Mrs.) Lilian Elizabeth Connolly, for public and social services.

Mr. Stewart Fitz Finnis, Assistant Native Commissioner.

Mrs. Marjorie McNab Veats, for social services.

Miss Jessie Dorothy Morgan, lately of the Education Department.

Mr. Percy Richard Burt Hinde, Under Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Lands.

Mr. William Laurence Smith, lately Private Secretary to the Prime Minister.

Mr. Harold William Groom, Assistant Postmaster, Bulawayo.

Captain Ernest William Ritchens, British South Africa Police.

Captain Charles William Duncombe, Britsh South Africa Police.

COLONIAL POLICE MEDAL

For Meritorious Service.
Chief Inspector Sydney George Killborn, B.S.A. Police.

Chief Inspector Herbert Colin de la Taste, B.S.A. Police.

Inspector Ernest James Lennox, B.S.A. Police.

Native First Detective Sergeant Shabo, B.S.A. Police.

End of Awards List

Recompiled by Eddy Norris from the magazine "The Rhodesian Graphic" dated November 1, 1947 which was made available to ORAFs by Dave Bowman. Thanks Dave.

Thanks to:-
My son, Paul Norris, for the ISP sponsorship.
Paul Mroz for the image hosting sponsorship.
Robb Ellis for his assistance.

Should you wish to contact Eddy Norris please mail me on orafs11@gmail.com

Thursday 27 January 2011

Le Coqd'Or Night Club

Some may think it odd that a advertisement for a Salisbury Nigh Club be found on this "Our Rhodesia Heritage" blog.

The answer is very simple, many of the Rhodesian Security Forces spent many hours on the R&R (Rest and Recuperation) leave at establishments like this. Many became men as a result of visiting a night club, altercations of sort or other and of course those stolen hours with a lady friend.

Photo 1

Another night club that comes to mind is the Le Bom.

Thanks to Diarmid Smith for sharing this advert with ORAFs,

Thanks to:-
My son, Paul Norris, for the ISP sponsorship.
Paul Mroz for the image hosting sponsorship.
Robb Ellis for his assistance.

Should you wish to contact Eddy Norris please mail me on orafs11@gmail.com

Labels: ,

Monday 24 January 2011

First Women Parachutist of Rhodesia

Stew Robinson sent ORAFs a photo from a newspaper cutting, of his Mother and him celebrating the first parachute jump by his Mother, who was one the first three lady parachutist in Rhodesia and ORAFs would like to share this information and memories with you all. Please note to reduce the file size I have recompiled the text from the relevant newspapers.

Photo 1
This Mum Will Jump Ahead in Service
Sometime soon, 20 month old Stewart Robinson's grandparents are going to be asked to baby sit while his mother keeps a date.

But they won't mind for the date to not a frivolous social engagement, but one which might lead to attractive 22 - year - old Sybil Robinson saving someone's life one day.

For years Rhodesian born and bred Sybil, now working as a Salisbury office clerk, has had a secret ambition — to parachute jump. Now she has the chance to realise it.

She is one of the first women members to join the Salisbury branch of the Central African Parachuting Association.

"I think a parachute rescue service is essential in a country like ours," she said. "Apart from jumping as a hobby, I hope I shall qualify for a rescue team, I know It will mean a lot of practice and training, and swotting up first aid, but I am looking forward to it.

And she isn't the only one of the Robinson family to feel this way. Her husband Army Sergeant "Robbie" Robinson, a well-known Salisbury motor-cyclist, is also joining the club.

Photo 2
WOMAN PARACHUTIST SHOWN AFTER LANDING.
Hitchan - Caption
Triumphant after her first parachute drop, 23-year-old Salisbury mother, Sybil Robinson, Is shown Immediately after her Jump over Mount Hampden airfield yesterday. Together with two other Salisbury girls, Maureen Boardman (18) and Barbara Norman (19), Mrs. Robinson made history for Central Africa in the first parachute drop by women.

Photo 3
PARACHUTING MUM ANSWERS HER CRITICS
Evening Standard Reporter

MRS. SYBIL ROBINSON, 23-year-old member of the Central African Parachuting Club, has been criticised for taking part in a dangerous sport.

She said today: "Some people have told me that I shouldn't take part in parachuting when I have a two-year-old son. I reply that parachuting is no more dangerous than crossing First Street at the height of the traffic rush."

"I think it is -unfair of people to pick on sport and overlook dangers elsewhere."

Mrs., Robinson became one of the first three women to jump by parachute in the Federation when she made a 2,000-feet descent in Salisbury on Sunday.

Her son, Stewart, and her husband, Sgt. "Robbie" Robinson, who is in the Regular Army, watched her jump.

HUSBAND, TOO

Sgt. Robinson docs not object to his wife's sport. He can't — he is a member of the Parachuting Club himself.

Stewart seems to love everything to do with aircraft and parachutes.

Mrs. Robinson said she first thought of parachuting when she heard Sgt Jock Hutton, of the Rhodesian and Nyasaland Army Service Corps, discussing the Parachuting Club. She and her husband decided to join.

" EXCITING "

Of her first jump she said: "It was one of the most exciting things I have ever done. It all happened so quickly that I didn't have time to get frightened.

Perhaps I'll be a little scared next time I do it."

She added: "The free-fall, before the ripcord is pulled, is wonderful."

Now all she is waiting for is her second jump, this woman who is not afraid of- flying, not afraid of parachuting — and not even afraid of mice.

End of Article

Comment by ORAFs
ORAFs was fortunate enough to make contact with Sybil Robinson (now Nelson) and she afforded additional information:-

The date of the News Paper, The Rhodesia Herald was Monday the 15th June 1959.
So the jump would have been on Sunday the 14th June 1959.

By the way we were trained by Jock Hutton and boy it was over the top. Jumping off the backs of moving trucks etc. and yes it is true it was the best and most exciting day ever in my life then and since.

The second jump was at an Air display in Gwelo. Again very exciting. All of us girls were spoilt rotten.

I then fell preggie with Linda and it all came to an end for me.

I believe Barbara Norman broke her leg soon after that. Never saw Maureen Boardman or Barbara again.

Our little Club house was at Mount Hampden.

We jumped from a Cessna

On two occasions I visited the Para club. Once on the road between Epworth and Ruwa and the second time at a club house near the Old Gatooma road. I was disappointed to see that there were no references to the original members who started it all at Mount Hampden.

The Parachute was an Irvin and in turn Bill Shepard who owned M & S Motorcycle Shop in Pioneer St. gave me his much loved book called “The Caterpillar Club.” Stories of people who’s lives had been saved by the Irvin Parachute. I stand to be corrected as they might not have all been Irvins.

End of Article

A photo of the First SAS Jump Course can viewed on
http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=165693#98975

ORAFs compiled and article on The Caterpillar Club which features Air Marshall A.O.G. Wilson. It and be viewed on
http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=338168#400903

A photograph of the Founding Members of the Parachute Training School can be viewed at:-
http://ourstory.com/thread.html?t=199811#148918

Recompiled, by Eddy Norris, from scanned copies of newspaper cutting made available to ORAFs by Stew Robinson

The recompilation was done for no or intended financial gain but rather as a ORAFs initiative to record the memories of Rhodesia.

Special thanks to Sybil Robinson (now Nelson) for supplying further information and to her son Stew for the initial contact.

Thanks to:-
My son, Paul Norris, for the ISP sponsorship.
Paul Mroz for the image hosting sponsorship.
Robb Ellis for his assistance.

Should you wish to contact Eddy Norris please mail me on orafs11@gmail.com

Labels: ,

Sunday 9 January 2011

Rhodesia's Dams

Booklet on Rhodesia's Dams.

Cover

Photobucket

FOREWORD
Although Rhodesia's mean rainfall is above world average, its distribution is so irregular and variable during the rainy season (October to April) that uncontrolled river flow alone would not ensure a constant supply of water for domestic, industrial and irrigation purposes. Dams are essential for permanent water supplies and are built to store water and to provide a balanced supply for all seasons and conditions.

Rhodesia is well endowed with suitable sites having favourable storage basins and with ample supplies of construction materials available.

Matopos, the first of our large dams, was built in 1901, and from that date construction has kept pace with the demand generated by economic growth.

Kariba, the country's largest and most spectacular dam, was completed in I960, and harnesses the waters of the Zambezi River to generate power hydro-electrically. The Zambezi River marks the northern boundary of Rhodesia and represents a vast potential of water but its distance from the main centres of development make it uneconomic for further exploitation at the present time.

Up to the commencement of 1973, Rhodesia had 62 dams exceeding 15 metres in height and more than 7 000 smaller dams built mostly within the last 25 years. Advance planning has been made for further installations to ensure adequate supplies for the future. Rhodesia is proud of its dam construction achievements, some of which are illustrated in this publication, and gratefully acknowledges the assistance received from engineers of many countries who have made their contributions, both directly and through the International Commission on Large Dams, to the country's progress in engineering

Chairman, Rhodesian National Committee,
INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON LARGE DAMS

Cover Front Inner

MAZOE DAM (1919)
Constructed to provide irrigation water to "The Chartered Company." Raised and strengthened by the "Coyne" process of post stressing in 1961.
Owner: Anglo American Corporation.
Original Engineering: Douglas Fox and partners.
Raising by The Cementation Co., (Rhod) Pvt. Ltd and Coyne et Bellier.
Pt 2-1

UMSHANDIGE DAM (1938)
Owner: Rhodesia Government.
Engineering: Ministry of Water Development.
Pt 3-1

NCEMA DAM (1943)
Owner: City of Bulawayo.
Engineering: Watermeyer, Legge, Presold and Uhlmann (formerly Kanthack and Partners), and City Engineer, Bulawayo.
Pt 4-1

NCEMA DAM (1943)
Owner: City of Bulawayo.
Engineering: Watermeyer, Legge, Presold and Ulilmann (formerly Kanthack and Partners), and City Engineer, Bulawayo.
Pt 5-1

NGESI DAM (1945)
Owner: Rhodesia Government.
Engineering: Ministry of Water Development.
Pt 6-1

HUNYANI POORT DAM (1952)
For the water supply of Salisbury City and for irrigation.
Owner: Rhodesia Government.
Engineering: Ministry of Water Development.
Pt 7-1

HUNYANI POOR! DAM (1952)
Side channel spillway in operation.
Pt 8-1

SEBAKWE DAM (1957)
For Water supply of Que Que and for irrigation.
Owner: Rhodesia Government.
Engineering: Ministry of Water Development.
Pt 9-1

SEBAKWE DAM (1957)
For water supply of Que Que and for irrigation.
Owner: Rhodesia Government.
Engineering: Ministry of Water Development.
Pt 10-2

UMZINGWANE DAM (1958)
Owner: City of Bulawayo.
Engineering: Watermeyer, Legge, Presold and
Uhlmann (formerly Kanthaek and Partners).
Spillway Guide Walls.
Pt 11-2

GWENORA DAM (1958)
For water supply to City of Gwelo.
Owner: Rhodesia Government.
Engineering: Ministry of Water Development.
Pt 12-2

KARIBA (1959)
Owner: Central African Power Corporation.
Engineering: Gibb, Coyne and Sogei (Kariba) Pvt. Ltd.
Pt 13-2

KARIBA (1959)
Owner: Central African Power Corporation.
Engineering: Gibb, Coyne and Sogei (Kariba) Pvt. Ltd.
Pt 14-2

KYLE (I960)
For irrigation of the Lowveld Sugar Estates.
Owner: Sabi Limpopo Authority.
Engineering: Coyne et Bellier and Ministry of Water Development.
Pt 15-2

KYLE (1960)
For irrigation of the Lowveld Sugar Estates.
Owner: Sabi Limpopo Authority.
Engineering: Coyne et Bellier and Ministry of Water Development.
Pt 16-2

POOLE DAM (1961)
Owner: Rhodesia Government.
Engineering: Ministry of Water Development.
Pt 17-2

ESQUILINGWE WEIR
Raised three times.
Final raising (1961)
Owner: Sabi Limpopo Authority.
Engineering: Ministry of Water Development.
Pt 18-2

BANGALA (1963)
For Irrigation of Lowveld Sugar Estates.
Cylindrical Arch Length/Height ratio = 8,0.
Owner: The Sabi IJmpopo Authority.
Engineering: Coyne et Bellier and Ministry of Water Development.
Pt 19-2
BANGALA (1963)
For Irrigation of Lowveld Sugar Estates.
Cylindrical Arch Length/Height ratio = 8,0.
Owner: The Sabi Limpopo Authority.
Engineering: Coyne et Bellier and Ministry of Water Development.

To view a photo of the Rhodesian Air Force aircraft over this dam please visit the link below:-
http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=329132#384131

Pt 20-2

BANGALA (1963)

Flood 18 months after start of construction.
Pt 21-2

ODZANI DAM (1966)
For water supply to City of Umtali.
Owner: Rhodesia Government.
Engineering: Ministry of Water Development.
Pt 22-2

TULI MAKWE (1966)
For Irrigation.
Owner: Rhodesia Government.
Engineering: Ministry of Water Development.
Pt 23-2

TULI MAKWE (1966)
Under construction
Pt 24-3

MANJIRENJI DAM (1967)
For irrigation of Lowveld Estates.
Owner: Sabi Limpopo Authority.
Engineering: Ministry of Water Development.
Pt 25-3

MANJIRENJI DAM (1967)
Tunnel outlets under construction.
Pt 26-3

MANJIRENJI DAM (1966)
Spillway under construction.
Pt 27-3

MANJIRENJI DAM
Spillway Float-operated automatic gates.
Pt 28-3

SILALABUHWA DAM (1967)
Owner: Rhodesia Government.
Engineering: Ministry of Water Development.
Pt 29-3

INYANKUNI DAM (1972)
Outlet Tower.
Owner: Bulawayo City Council.
Engineering: Waterineyer, Legge, Presold and Uhlmann (formerly Kenthack and Parners).
Pt 30-3

LESAPI DAM (1972)
Owner: Rhodesia Government.
Engineering: Ministry of Water Development.
Pt 31-3

LESAPI DAM (1972)
Spillway radial gates
Pt 32-3

CLAW DAM (1973)
Designed for raising at a later stage.
For water supply to town of Gatooma.
Owner: Rhodesia Government.
Engineering: Ministry of Water Development.
Pt 33-2

UPPER NCEMA DAM (1973)
Under construction.
Owner: Bulawayo City Council.
Engineering: Watermeyer, Legge, Presold and Uhlmann (formerly Kanthack and Parners).
Pt 34-3

Pt 35-3

Sadly the working documents were not of a great calibre and as such the drawings that follow are not great, My apologies for this.

Pt 36-4

Pt 37-4

Pt 38-4


Pt 39-4

Pt 40-4

Pt 41-4

Pt 42=4

Pt 43-4

Pt 44-4

Pt 45-4

Pt 46-4

Pt 47-4

Pt 48-4


Prepared for the XI Congress of the International Commission on Large Dams to be held in Madrid, from 11-15 June,

1973.

Prepared for the Ministry of Water Development by the Ministry of Information, Immigration and Tourism,
P.O. Box 8232, Causeway, Salisbury, Rhodesia, and printed by the Government Printer.
APRIL, 1973.

TRIANGLE CANAL SYPHON

Cover Bck Inner

BACK COVER!
MANJIRENJI CANAL
Cover Back

End of Booklet

Recompiled, by Eddy Norris, from scanned copies of the booklet made available by Diarmid Smith. Thanks Diarmid

The recompilation was done for no or intended financial gain but rather as a ORAFs initiative to record the memories of Rhodesia.

Thanks to:-
My son, Paul Norris, for the ISP sponsorship.
Paul Mroz for the image hosting sponsorship.
Robb Ellis for his assistance.

Should you wish to contact Eddy Norris please mail me on orafs11@gmail.com