Northern Rhodesians Worldwide

Message Board

Sally Wynn Happy Birthday Gregory Crawford Welcome and no, you didn't sound like a sentimental fool, you sounded like a real person. And you can come back in one of two ways - either to the Reunion next year in September (further down on this page is some of the info) or you can come back on a private visit. If you come on a private visit, make sure you contact me. Alix Key Alright, I got your hint. The problem is that when I travel to other places I am able to set time aside to do the photos that people ask for, but it is very different when I am in Lusaka, there are always things that have to be done and I never set any time aside for photos. But I promise you I haven't forgotten (and Brian Geyser, I haven't forgotten yours either). I'll try to set a day aside for Lusaka photos before the end of this month. Amanda McIntosh I have just bought a copy of 'Dark Star Safari' (yes, our bookshops aren't that backward) and have had a quick look through it, but from what I can see he didn't travel to Zambia, but instead took the route through Malawi (and Karonga - Bob Smith are you reading this?) and Mozambique into Zimbabwe. But it still looks like interesting reading. Hartley Heaton Is this the picture you have in your mind of my father? Don't think he's changed very much, right down to (if you look very carefully) the pipe stuck into his left sock. Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) — Click here to contact me Lusaka, Zambia Thursday, October 31, 2002 at 12:37:08 (UTC)

Broken Hillians, Photograph of BH Rugby Team circa 70/71 (not too clear I'm afraid). Back row includes Chris Warn, John Barnard, Peter Durrheim, Gil Wilson, Paul Ward. Front row includes Joe ?, Glyn Evans, Frank Tweedle, John Cartwright. The others I can't remember. Regards, Gil Gilbert Wilson Loughborough, United Kingdom Craig, I wish to send a short story (attached) with some photo's for the GNR message board please! To fill you in briefly, 5 ex-Ndola Primary school students of 1960-64 decided to do a re-union trip back to Zambia, specially Ndola, to relive our past. The 5 were, Geoff Paynter (main organiser), Gregg Sheen, Russell Sheen, Ray Norton and Chris Sysum. In summary, it was one of the most fantastic weeks I have ever spent (and millions in local currency too) in my life!! Thanking you kindly, Kindest regards, Ray Norton. Zam-beer "some of 64" tour Hi all, Once upon a time in the good old days of N.R., in the early 60's, in the town of N'DOLAAAA, there lived a happy, close-knit gang of, "deadly accurate, katty-wielding, bicycle-riding, cowboy-dressed, holster-thieving, war-crying", young Ndola Primary School hoodlums. Due to "circ-umstances" (true Zambian pronounciation) beyond our control (parents, high school age, and a new Sheriff moved in) this notorious gang was to be separated, starting in 1964 with further dismantling into 65, 66 and 1967, leaving many of this gang separated and living thousands of miles apart, for the better part of their lives. As was the case in all great gangs of those days, good leadership was essential, and so too was this gang adequately enriched. Over the years the leadership core managed to keep in touch with most and on the odd occassions, get-togethers were organised, usually in the form of weddings, birthdays and business trips, which always resulted in good old rip-roaring camaraderie. Notwithstanding the ever so vital, "have you ever heard about, or where is so and so", was always bandied about amongst the gathering?? AAaah for the Internet!!!! What a GREAT "re-union instrument" it has become. Needless to say the leadership of this notorious gang decided to try and get as many as possible to meet again in their 50th year and to have their photograph taken on the front steps of the Ndola Primary School Hall. So it came to be, that Gregg Sheen FsST.nLoLp* (London), Russ Sheen ALp* (London), Geoff Paynter MbaNgL* (Jo'burg), Chris Sysum RTfgA* (Southampton) and Ray Norton StRfs* (Perth), all came together in Lusaka on the evening of the 14th September 2002. Unfortunately Chris had to leave us the next day and move on to SA as his Mom was gravely ill. He could not continue the intended trip with the rest of the gang to N'DOLAAAAA! The rest of the trip was an awesome experience of 50 year olds going back in time and re-living some of the most fantastic memories of a great childhood, in a great era, in the great place of the Copperbelt, with the most fantastic people. Things done and places seen and visited in the 6 days; Within 2 days, 3 of us had purchased katty's off the local entrepreneurs (mine is still in quarantine at Perth Airport) Went to the practise range (not kitchen windows via the sanitary-lanes either) Could not find any ammo in town (marbles) Went back to all our old houses, photo'd, and even went inside the Sheens. Went to the Golf Club, 3 times (once for golf) Went to the Boating Club (not for boating - you can't) Went to the top of the Savoy Hotel (not to throw water bombs and clods) Went to the Forex Bureau (4 times, each time with a wheel barrow) Went to Kitwe (finally put paid to the last member of the opposition gang) Went to the station (they would not let us put pennies [with hole in] on the tracks or jump on the carriages and ride to Bwana Mukubwa and back??) Went to Ndola Sunken Lake (by car this time, with permission and did not swim) Went to Cheesmans (nothing there anymore but the dam) Went to Bull'n Bush (nothing there also, but a huge dam now) Went to Monkey Fountain -"Ruins"(by car again, with permission, nothing there, did not swim) Went to Ndola airport (still the same old hanger buildings and a few extensions, couldn't climb the tree though) Went to Ndola Primary school (same old buildings, now adult education centre) Went to Llewellin High School (now Kansenshi Secondary, same old buildings, no cuts this time) Went to Town Council Offices (forced to have a chat with Town clerk for taking photo's without permission. Tch! Tch! Went to Municipal Swimming pool (something at last being repaired, yahooo,,, Mr.Le Barbie's voice could be heard in our memories, once again threatening us over the loudspeaker ????? Couldn't do any suicides or other as there was no water in, or girls to BOMB!!) Also drove around town and saw no more Broadway Cinema, Bobs Ice-cream, Waddells Bakery, Golden Ray Cafe, George Browns (now Shoprite), Thoms Stores and many, many other old hang-outs. Did see the old Fire Station, Cricket Club, Wanderers Club, Hospital, Hong Kong Restaurant (greeeaaat meeeaal?!) Sorrento's, lots of Jacaranda's in bloom, blue-skops, chameleons, plenty of termites, Mosi and Rhino Beer (Yum, Yum) and lots of very, very friendly but not so happy Zambians. Famous quotes. Twilight - "When e-the sun is bisy handing ova to the moon". No credit - " Mr crediet died yestaday, Mr cesh, his son, was born today". *Qualifications. FsST.nLoLp - (Failed standard Six Twice, now Leader of London peasants) ALp - (Another London peasant) MbaNgl - (Makulu bwana and New gang leader) RTfgA - (Rootin Tootin fastest gun Alive) StRfs - (Smooth talkin Rocket fuel specialist) Million Kwatcha question? What has 38 tears(sic) of Independence done for all the average Zambians?? My sad answer. I think the Sheriff's stole all the LOOT!! In Conclusion. Well done to Geoff, our genius of a guide, who filled us in on all (well almost) that has happened over the last 38years, especially in Zambia. For putting together a most memorable week, even the 7 four-track, 90 minute tape decks of music, for the car, with most TV theme tunes, famous songs such as Ag pleez daddy, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Shadows etc. all 1965 and prior. Well done it was EXCELLENT, you bald headed old coot, how did you expect me to recognise you at the airport after 38years???? Ha Ha Haaaaaaa!!! To Russ, thanks for the CD's you burnt for each of us, I play it in my car on all my travels, terrific music and great memories. Gregg, you haven't lost your Jerry Lewis turn and arch shuffle, nor your great catchy chuckle/laugh, in fact you have not changed much at all, just got MUCH older,,, Hah aha aha!! Chris, I have not heard any news from you yet, but it was great to see you again? (thankfully Geoff pointed you out for me!!!) HEE HEE AAARGH!! You didn't have to bring your bloody prefect badge either?? Hope all is well and goes well for you, really sorry you could not stay with us, but next time for sure!! KEEP WELL ALL AND STAY IN TOUCH. WHATS DA MATTER WIT YOU BOOBO,,,,,?? OH! OH! - HEYA CUMS DA RANGER YOGI!!!! G'Day from WA, Always your old gang member "Adam Cartwright" in disguise as,,,,,, RAY NORTON To all those others, you missed out big time maaaan!!! Maybe we can get together for a full class reunion in 2004. Heylo, Top = Our 2nd house 3 Auckland Ave. Middle = Gregg with his "wire-harlies" outside Kitwe Bott = Russ driving "e - 4x4 Benz" at Fasenge?? (turn off to Luansha) Top = Ray, Gregg, Geoff, Chris, Russ (with babalaas) at Lusaka Guest Fortress Midd = Gregg, Geoff, Chris, Ray,,,, greetings at Lusaka International car-park Bott = Our 1st (fest) house in Broadway (looks soo goooood) Top = Our 3rd (therd) house, 7 Auckland Ave. Midd = The back of 3 Auckland Ave, with a pool installed after our time,,, yuk! Bott = Also 7 Auckland Ave. Top = Gregg, Russ, Geoff, Prefect badge with Chris. Midd = Makulu Bwana Geoff, Mfasi Lynda, pikininis Mark and Lauren Bott = On the steps of Ndola Primary School Hall with A.N.Other (as always) plus Ray, Geoff, Russ and Gregg. Here are the long awaited,,,,,,,, "a picture tells a story!". Some beauts I reckon, hey boys??!!?? How,,, Medala and too UGLY, but sor heppy!!! Ray. Ray Norton Perth, Western Australia Arthur; I recently joined the GNR Web Page. Perhaps some of the attached photos are of general interest. I was the resident Hollerith Engineer at the mine in Mufulira 1960 - 63.. The first picture is the main street as you enter the town centre. Barclays Bank on the left. Standard Bank on the right. The second is our first home. The third is a page from the mine's magazine, 'Horizon" dated Oct 1960. It shows the "computer" I was responsible for, it was as powerful as today's pocket calculator. I'm the guy kneeling at the card reader/punch. Dennis Pigrum Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Arthur don't know if this picture is of any use, it's quite a dark picture to start with but here goes. St John's Convent (circa 1955-57?) Vivienne Buitendag (Eldridge) hope you can fill in the spaces. I know you were on holiday at time but you told me you can remember everyone you went to school with. Front row - right to left Lesley Raulston, ?, Olga Croad, me, Lindsay Watkins, Brenda ? in front of Lindsay, ?, ?, Corinne Noziac don't know the rest. Back row - Right to left - Mildred Clifton - can't remember any of the rest. Ann Moss Motherwell, Scotland Gil Wilson - welcome to the GNR - don't worry about the "soft focus" - all of Charlie Cartmill's photos I received in the past have also been doctored to take out the creases. Dennis Pigrum - welcome and also thank you also for the brilliant photos - there are some excellent 1960 pics of the main street in Muf buried in the recent Archived Message Boards. I hope very soon to be able to move these and many of the other photos so they are easily seen. That "computer" wasn't beige by any chance was it? Ann - thanks for the pic - school photos are amongst my favourite to get for the GNR. Greg Crawford - Welcome to the GNR - stand by because there are quite a few more photos in the Rhokana Reviews of your family. Good to see you spotted Lindsay and yourself in the party pic. Heather - magic photos! Where exactly was that sunset photo taken? Manchester's boating lake? Everyone else - hopefully within the next 48 hours or so I will start to reply to the remaining unanswered e-mail you have sent me regarding various matters. Thank you all for your patience. Arthur Arthur Steevens — Click here to contact me Stockport, United Kingdom Sunday, October 27, 2002 at 11:03:45 (UTC)

Northerners I was going to give you a break from photos for a while, but since today is an important day in this country's history, I thought I would post these for you. All taken in the Kafue National Park: Baobab Tree Some wildlife Some lbj's The Kafue Hook Bridge The Kafue River And this one specially for Arthur Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) — Click here to contact me Lusaka, Zambia Thursday, October 24, 2002 at 00:00:32 (UTC)

Dawie A preview of Lake Tanganyika Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) — Click here to contact me Lusaka, Zambia Tuesday, October 22, 2002 at 13:27:54 (UTC)

Northerners I think this is the last lot of photos from the waterfalls trip although I still have to check through them all and see if there are any that I have missed. In the queue after these is the Kafue National Park, perhaps a couple taken a few weeks ago in the Lower Zambezi, possibly some on the Zambezi below Kariba and then finally Tanganyika. Lupupa Falls These falls a much like Kalambo Falls, tall and narrow. Very few people know about these falls and the road is not a road at all; it's not even a bush track. Unfortunately we didn't have much time there as we were running very late and still had the Mporokoso Kasama road ahead of us (this is probably the worst road in Zambia). Thus we didn't climb down to the bottom - that will have to wait for the next trip. I have also included the photograph of our guide. We stopped at the last village before the falls and he rushed off to his house to change his hat before we could set off. von Lettow-vorbeck Monument This is the place where World War I officially came to an end at 7.30 am on Thursday 14 November 1918, a few days after the signing of the Armistice. von Lettow-vorbeck was the only undefeated German General in the War and he surrendered to Hector Croad who was the District Commissioner in Kasama at the time. von Lettow-vorbeck and his troops crossed into North Eastern Rhodesia near Fife and made their way south to Kasama, not following the telegraph lines, but via footpaths to the east of the line. When they reached Kasama, the armistice had already been signed, but word only got to the British troops about 24 hours later. However, during these 24 hours, the German troops were moving very quickly southwards and only stopped when they reached the Chambeshi River, where the last few shots of the War were fired. Hector Croad was a surveyor by profession and spent a lot of time in the bush, accurately mapping North Eastern Rhodesia. The Africans, with their ironic sense of humour and always giving a name of opposite meaning, called him 'Chandanseka' which means 'he who walks with a smile'. It was expected that von Lettow-vorbeck would make straight for Abercorn after entering NE Rhodesia, but he flummoxed the British by making for Kasama. Croad evacuated all the women and children to Mpika and on 10th November, Croad, together with a Sergeant Rumsey (of Mbesuma Ranch) returned to Kasama where they blocked the road with felled trees. Following that, they climbed one of the hills overlooking Kasama after which Croad said 'I can now tell the government that the Germans have entered Kasama', and they returned to the Chambeshi. At the Chambeshi, a handful of Europeans (nine in total) prepared to make a stand. They set up two Maxim guns but no one knew how they worked. One of them, Charlie Simpson, buried £ 10,000 in his goat pen as he believed that the trampling of the goats would hide any traces of digging and that the Germans would probably be more interested in the goats than the money. The money was government money or money taken from the stores and shops in Kasama. The story goes that Croad received a telegraph in the early hours of the morning of 12 November stating that the Armistice had been signed on the 11th but he was to carry on until he got further instructions from General Van Deventer who was trying to catch up with von Lettow-vorbeck from the north. However, everyone in Broken Hill got so drunk when they heard about the Armistice that it was not until midday on the 13th that Croad got the telegraph from van Deventer telling him to get in touch with von Lettow-vorbeck and inform him of the Armistice. By this time, the German advance guard had reached the Chambeshi and opened fire with machine guns on the rubber factory. The telegram that was handed to von Lettow-vorbeck from General van Deventer read as follows: 'Please send the following to General von Lettow-vorbeck under a white flag - The English Prime Minister sent notice that on 11th November an Armistice was signed and that the fighting on all fronts should cease on 11th November at 11 o'clock. I order my troops to end hostilities as from now and I expect you to do the same. General van Deventer'. There are two plaques on the monument. The one in English reads 'On this spot at 7.30 am on Thursday 14th November 1918, General von Lettow-vorbeck, commanding the German forces in East Africa, heard from Mr Hector Croad, then District Commissioner Kasama of the signing of the Armistice by the German government, which provided for the unconditional evacuation of all German forces from East Africa. The plaque in Bemba reads 'Ilibwe ili liatulanga kuti epo banashishye Germani lintu baingile chalo pankondo ya 1914-18. Twapela umuchinshi kuli boonse abashipa abalwile munkondo iyi' - 'This stone has shown us where Germany was rested after they started the war of 1914-18. We give respect to all the strong who fought this war' Chambeshi River In 1979, the Chambeshi River was again the scene of a war. This time the Rhodesian War and it involved Kevin Shone's brothers, Butch and Mike. A contingent of Rhodesian Selous Scouts were dropped into Zambia with the intention of destroying the Chambeshi Bridge. Butch and Mike Shone, together with Butch's nine year old (I think) stepson, Neil, were travelling to Kasama in two trucks. Butch crossed the bridge but after a while realised that Mike was not behind him, so turned back to see what had happened. Mike had been stopped by the Rhodesians as they needed his truck to make it to their pick up point. So they bundled Butch and Neil into the truck as well, blew up the bridge and proceeded to the pick up point, where they waited for a few days until they were picked up by helicopters. Butch, Mike and Neil were kept in a safe house in Salisbury for six weeks after which they returned to Lusaka via Johannesburg. On arrival in Lusaka, they were immediately taken to 'the Red Brick Building' but finally released. This was because after weeks of interrogation the Zambian authorities realised that Neil could not have kept telling the same untrue story over and over again. The road bridge was rebuilt slightly upriver, but the remains of the original bridge can still be seen just in front of the rail bridge Kasama Some of the old buildings in Kasama