CID gang at Nkana-Kitwe 1962

From Great North Road

NRP Don Bruce - CID Group at Kitwe/Nkana 1962.

Can't recall the girls names, but among the white chaps are Doug Reid, Gordon Twiss (who later worked at Nkana mine security) and Bill Barr, with myself in the centre front row. Taffy Nelmes is behind the lady on my right. Most served many years in various centres along the line of rail and should be known to northerners.

December '62 was a difficult period on the Copperbelt with acts of serious political violence to contend with. It curious to note that all my native troops reported wearing jackets; they cherished a group photograph and I dare say copies are proudly displayed even today in remote Zambian compounds!

NRP Don Bruce – Sir Roy Welensky visits Luanshya 1957.

Sir Roy Welensky, Prime Minister during the Federation of the Rhodesias and Nyasaland, visits an Asian store in Luanshya township 1957; Rick Cooper and myself are in attendance from NRP. Sir Roy was a popular figure around the Copperbelt and remained in office until midnight on 31st December, 1963, when the Federation was dissolved.

The Lord Mayor of Luanshya is present wearing his chain of office. I'm sure that some Northerner from the Roan will recall his name?

The photograph may bring back memories of a more halcyon era for many Northerners, and particularly Copperbelters.

NRP Don Bruce – Harold Macmillan visits Nkana/Kitwe 1963.

Early 1963, British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan (Viscount Macmillan of Ovenden) during a visit to the Nkana mine Kitwe, addressed a civic reception and alluded to his govenment's policy of "wind of change" direction in colonial administration effecting central and east Africa. This being in line with labour's John Stonehouse and Barbara Castle's political thrust of independence for all African colonies.

I hovered in the background fearing security may be compromised by this announcement, which as anticipated, was much to the chagrin of our expatriate community. Macmillan resigned in October that year.

The end of a certain lifestyle was inexorably nigh.

Contributed by: Don Bruce.

January 19, 2002

Ed's note: Last photo is definitely Harold Macmillan, in disguise.

Since Harold Wilson didn't get in until October '64, Macmillan was unaware of the "Winds of Change" about to blow him away, Profumo was already busily bonking away.