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| |
| Full Name | Greg Hall |
| Date | 29 October 2008 |
| Email | GHall@parker.com |
| Comments |
My name is Greg Hall and I am a militaria collector (and amateur historian) with an interest
in the Rhodesian Army during the war (with an emphasis on the RLI and SAS).
I have recently acquired 2 uniform groupings to members of the RLI that I am wanting to research further.
I have been greatly assisted thus far by members of your association and Craig Fourie. They have enabled
me to narrow down my search to 2 individuals.
The first is Lt A Gerrish (formerly T/C Sgt Gerrish) - the uniform that I have is from his time at the Depot Rhodesia Regiment.
The second uniform is named to Cornell. The only Cornell that we have found is P Cornell who served in Support Commando.
If anyone has any information that they are willing to share (op tales, para course dates (both were para trained)etc.), or photos that can be copied, relating to these two gentlemen then I would be very grateful. Or indeed if either are still with us and are willing to communicate. Any expense incurred will naturally be covered.
Best regards,
Greg Hall
GHall@parker.com
direct dial +44 (0)1903 737314
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| Full Name |
Dave Hughes |
| Date |
22 October 2008 |
| Email |
tprdavehughes@yahoo.com |
| Comments |
3 cheers to the RLI Association for the successful re-dedication of the "Troopie" Sep/28/2008. Your
memorial is much deserved and admired by those who know of the Regiments proud service. Cheers and
always remembering, Dave Hughes (Fmr Tpr 730006)
|
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| Full Name |
Gerry |
| Date |
03 September 2008 |
| Email |
james273@btinternet.com |
| Comments |
Howsit all,
I hadn’t intended to say anymore about this
scene, but there was one message I thought
should be put out. It is from Clive Larrett, ex
RLI and Selousie, now a serving Chaplain in the
Brit Army. Clive was my instructor back in ’75,
and is now Chaplain to the UK Association. I am
proud to call him a friend. The message was a
private email in response to my ‘open letter’,
but Clive had kindly agreed that it can be
published.
Cheers, Gerry.
james273@btinternet.com
Hello Jerry
I just want to let you know that I appreciate,
very much, your balanced and positive outlook on
this matter. It's clear that you, like me and
most of the ouens are not interested in the
politics behind this nonsense. Having been
involved with the committee and witnessed, first
hand, Martyn (and Maggie) Hudson's hard work and
sacrificial devotion to this association and the
September event, I am convinced that everything
is very much above board and nothing on the day
will deny or diminish the integrity of
everything we stood and fought for.
Whilst it is important, in the greater scheme of
things, for me, the plaque should be a
non-issue. In my view it does not compromise us
at all. I have family still living in Zimbabwe
and there are many black soldiers from the RAR,
the Selous Scouts and other units who did not
have the privilege of living in other countries
after the war. They are still suffering under
Mugabe. Call the country any name you like - I
am a Rhodesian, born and bred and it will always
be my home. So, do I want peace and
reconciliation for the people of my homeland?
Absolutely! Anyway, as a professional soldier
(and not a mercenary) that's what I always
fought for. The peace and even the
reconciliation, I am praying for, as it is
expressed on the plaque, is the very peace we
fought for but were denied in 1980. Why, then,
would I want to now be a part of denying that
peace in my land now? It's that simple for me.
Gerry, I believe the vast majority of the ouens
will feel the same way. I want a home for our
Regimental Colours and the Troopie. I don't want
them to rot and decay in some backroom or
storehouse. They need to be somewhere
significant. Hatfield House and the Cecil
family's deep historical connections to Rhodesia
make it the ideal place to display this lasting
memorial to the men and women of the RLI,
especially those who died.
|
| |
| Full Name |
Gerry van Tonder |
| Date |
18 August 2008 |
| Email |
g.van-tonder@sky.com |
| Comments |
I have a personal request – photographs of Danie van Tonder
My three brothers all served at various times with the RLI. For
two of them, I have been able to gather photo’s of them when
they were in the Battalion, but for my second eldest brother,
Danie, I do not have any.
Danie was an NCO with 2 Commando from 1969 to 1974 and at one
time had a huge collection of formal group photos and “casual”
ones relating to border patrol days in the Valley. Danie was
tragically killed in a hit-and-run in Mutare in 1999, a month
before my family and I emigrated to the UK. I have lost contact
with his widow in Zim, but I believe she destroyed all his RLI
memorabilia.
My humble request is quite simply an appeal for your kind
assistance to ask, via respective newsletters, to see if anyone
may remember Danie (not to be confused with Attie who was an NCO
and MT rep with 1 Cdo, serving from 1967 to 1978) and who may
have, in their possession, any photo’s which include him.
I would be really grateful if you could assist
Cheers
Gerry
Gerry van Tonder [g.van-tonder@sky.com] |
| |
| Full Name |
Derek Sager |
| Date |
4 August 2008 |
| Comments |
Following are a couple of rather funny(maybe you
had to be there?) memories that may be of
interest to some from the earlier days (1Trg
Unit)
1. At the time of 1 Trg Unit we were, of course,
still under the Federal Govt. Some of us were
considered to be trained soldiers when trouble
broke out in the Congo. Moise Tshombe had taken
over the Katanga Province and had broken away
from the Congo. The UN deployed troops to the
Congo to try to stabilise the situation. There
was some concern that fighting may spill over
into Northern Rhodesia so the Federal Govt
placed us on standby whislt they debated sending
us to the border of NRh and Katanga. Normal govt
"hurry up and wait" then commenced. We were all
kitted up and ready to move at a moments notice
when the "powers that be" made some sort of
decision.
This "go, no go" situation carried on for some
days.
Also at this time Private Cheetah had joined the
unit and was being handled by a private soldier.
During the day Cheetah was tethered outside the
HQ block and at night resided and roamed free in
the magazine enclosure. (Not much need for
guards really!)
One evening we suddenly got the "GO" order
again. The trucks immediately assembled behind
the HQ block ready to move us to the airport
where a couple of Daks were ready to transport
us to Lusaka.
This order was confirmed as genuine and we had
to lift off asap.
Weapons were distributed as were rations. We
then moved swiftly to the magazine to draw ammo.
Minor problem. Cheetah's handler was on a night
on the town.
Our fearless RSM, drill sgts etc felt that it
was unhealthy to enter the magazine without the
handler present. People were then despatched to
find the handler with no success.
Aircraft on the landing strip ready to go,
trucks at the ready to move us fearless fighting
men to the front, govt and Army HQ getting more
and more erratic as time went by and nothing
happened!!
At about six the next morning in sauntered the
handler to be met with much abuse, red faces and
screaming WO's etc.
In short shrift Cheetah was contained and the
magazines opened, ammo distributed and we were
on our way to the first operation that the unit
was to take part in.
2. Once we returned from the Congo op we were
immediately prepared to move the unit to the new
barracks at Cranborne.
Vehicles were packed with all the units
equipment. The plan was that each vehicle would
have a driver and move to Cranborne whilst the
troops would all be moved by rail to Salisbury
and then bused to the barracks.
The night before we pulled out of Brady a very
pleasant evening was had by all in the various
messes.
At sparrow the next morning we formed up ready
to move to Salisbury. The convoy was under the
command of an officer (no names or pack drill).
A lot of the vehicles were being driven by
members of the staff corps/EME.
We left Brady in one - yes one - long convey and
headed for Salisbury. First thing of interest
that occured was that our intrepid leader made
sure that we stuck rigidly to speed restrictions
and that we had the required (and timed) rest
breaks. On one of these rest stops (taken
exactly on time) our commander stopped the
convoy and ordered all to dismount. We did. At
this time the convoy stretched for quite some
distance and we had totally straddled a bridge.
When advised of this the officer decided that
this was not a problem and that was where we
stayed for the next thirty minutes much to the
annoyance of the general driving population.
It was during this journey that one of the
drivers from RhEME, all of whom where dressed in
their neck to foot one piece overalls, rapidly
exited his vehicle as he was having a rather bad
time gastrically.
He leapt to the ground, dropped his overalls and
managed to very quickly relieve his symptoms.
He whipped his overalls back on, with relief
showing on his face. A moment later that relief
changed to absolute disbelief and despair as he
felt the warmth of a rather liquid, mushy
substance flow down his neck and onto his back!
In his rush he had inadvertantly managed to
retain everything in the top of his overalls
instead of depositing it all on the ground.
This he then had to live with, not only for the
rest of the journey, but was always reminded of
the event when in the mess or anywhere else
where maximum embarresment could be assured!!
|
| |
| Full Name |
Rich Byrne |
| Date |
11 March 2008 |
| Email |
rich@ontrackactivewear.com |
| Comments |
Request for pictures
I would like to publish a special notice inquiring
if anyone might have any pictures of my Uncle Trooper
Joseph Patrick Byrne, (Killed in Action) in their
possession. I would gladly reimburse anyone for
reproduction costs and postage.
Thanks |
| |
| Full Name |
Susan Marsh |
| Date |
30 March 2008 |
| Email |
smarsh@telkomsa.net |
| Comments |
Looking for DAVID & PETER MARSH I have been
trying for many years to track down my long lost
cousins who were once serving members in the RLI.
Their names are David and Peter Marsh, sons of Harry
and Fran Marsh of Bulawayo. Harry was the brother
to my father Edgar Robert James Marsh. If you know
where they are please send e-mail to
smarsh@telkomsa.net
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| |
| Full Name |
Hugh Bomford |
| Date |
02 April 2008 |
| Email |
info@30degreessouth.co.za |
| Comments |
Trooper Simon John Clark was killed in action
serving with 3 Cdo in August 1978 – Anyone with
information on Simon – please forward to Hugh Bomford
– e-mail:
hbomford@clear.net.nz
|
| |
| Full Name |
Hugh Bomford |
| Date |
02 April 2008 |
| Email |
info@30degreessouth.co.za |
| Comments |
Paul Courtney – If anyone has information on
Paul’s family’s whereabouts, please contact Hugh
Bomford of the Rhodesian Services Assn in NZ. –
e-mail
hbomford@clear.net.nz
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| |
| Full Name |
Margarett Benson |
| Date |
Sunday, February 2 |
| Email |
mbenson007@nc.rr.com |
| Comments |
Mr. Buttenshaw, I ran across your website on
the RLI last year and I congratulate you on your
very effective site. I came across it via some links
to other Rhodesian military sites. I have had an
interest in the Rhodesian military and the Bush
War period beginning with the war years themselves.
I was a bit young then, but since have progressed
through a career in the United States Army (Infantry,
Special Forces and Medical Corps) spanning currently
28 years. The bulk of my career has been in Special
Operations and Army Special Forces and as such I
have an abiding interest in counter-insurgency and
counter-guerrilla operations. I have read everything
I could get a copy of on the Rhodesian military
and the Bush War – the most recent being The Saints
(of which I wrote a book review for “Special Warfare”
– the official journal of the US Army Special Warfare
Center and School) and I just finished Charlie Warren’s
book Stick Leader: RLI . I congratulate you on you
efforts to build an abiding tribute to such a fine
combat unit as the 1st Battalion, RLI. My rather
odd question, as an amateur historian and collector,
is: is there a forum or electronic “bulletin board”
where I may post a message on the RLI site to the
veteran members? I am in the process of collecting
Rhodesian militaria and I am interested in field
kit, webbing and like items. I have been collecting
Rhodesian military uniforms since the early 1980’s,
and I am interested in perhaps querying the RLI
veterans, who would like their old kit to have a
“respectable home” of a fellow soldier-collector
if they are willing to sell any of the items they
may be holding onto. I’ve corresponded with Chris
Cocks who suggested some other militaria and collector
sources – but Rhodesian kit is difficult to find.
I thought that may be going closer to the troopies
themselves, there might be those so inclined to
sell some old kit to a fellow soldier. This may
seem to forward a suggestion or something you’re
not interested in – if you’re not interested or
can’t help – just say so, I won’t be offended.
Thank you for your service and the great web-site.
Please know I have nothing but the deepest respect for the RLI and the valor
of so fine a force.
Best Regards,
Peter J. Benson, MD,
FACEP Lieutenant Colonel (Promotable),
Medical Corps Command Surgeon US Army Special Forces
Command (Airborne) |
| |
| Full Name |
Alistair Stewart |
| Date |
24/02/2008 |
| Email |
winniemandela@aol.com |
| Comments |
I joined the RLI in February 1961. Army number
2388, No 2 Platoon B Company. Company Commander
was Major Essex Clark, 2 I/C was Captain Parker
with Platoon Commanders Barret-Hamilton and Jimmy
Smith Belton.The RSM was Ron Reid Daly.The CSM was
"Crash" Hannaway, who I flew out with from Gatwick
to New Sarum, then to KG V1 Barracks Salisbury and
finally train to Bulawayo. Those I remenber were
the Lloyd-Evans twins, good rugby players, Rodney
Ackerman who told me his younger brother (Hylton)would
play for the Sprigboks at cricket, and Johny Press
from Joburg,Steve Jones, Scott Donaldson and a medic
called Mike Strauss, and of course the Selous Scouts
who also appered to nothing but spend time polishing
the Ferrets.
The only excitement at the weekends was being called
out to assist the BSAP as the locals got excited
in the Beer Halls. We did of course get sent up
to Northern Rhodesia Border during the Katanga crisis
when we suffered our first casultie when an acidental
discharge while cleaning the Bren Gun killed De
Hass?. From there I went on the SAS selection course
in the Matopas under the watchful eyes of Captain
Peters later of Katanga fame and Sergeant Bob "Throat"
Bouch.
From there it was to New Sarum for para training
in January 1962, Ndola to the new barracks and in
September to the School of Infantry on an OCTU.
John Aust was on the preceeding course. Amongst
those I remember were Colonel Noble, and Captain(s)
Lever and Redfearn, and most of all RSM Tarr, who
was possible the finest RSM I encountered in my
later service in US Marines and the British Army.Does
anyone remember Alistair Boyd Sutherland who was
later Commissioned?. I see from the history that
names I mention also are shown as being in A Company,
I still have my pay book from Brady Barracks in
1961 which shows B Company and a platoon photograph
with Serjeants Jacket and Loreans together with
the CSM "Crash Hannaway".
Happy days now that my rheumatic bones protest too
much. Whatever happened to the regimental Cheetahs
and the Field Guns outside the Regimental HQ?.
|
|
| Full Name |
Jeremy Hall |
| Date |
22/02/2008 |
| Email |
info@30degreessouth.co.za |
| Comments |
New Book - I'm No Hero
At my last company sales conference (January 2008
in Mexico) we had a guest speaker - a Capt. Charlie
Plumb - in his 80's who was a fighter pilot in Vietnam
and shot down and in Hanoi Hilton prison for 6 years
and survived. Phenomenal story.
If you want to buy the book (I'm No Hero) you can
order it on:- www.charlieplumb.com It is a fantastic
read about survival and how cruel the bloody Vietcong
were - and how these guys survived in 8 ft. x 8
ft. cells by putting their minds away onto another
plane over and above extreme torture and deprivation
- makes our little war look stupid!.
This is a book that would sell very well in my opinion
on your RLI web. Charlie still flies and has given
over 4,000 speeches/presentations to date. He is
an absolute inspiration - a humble man - a Christian
- and he just blows people away.
If you endorse this request for his book on your
web - I will let Charlie know - the guy is wealthy
- he is not in it for the money - what he charges
for his speeches is expected - just passing on the
knowledge. So out of hardship he capitalized without
planning it to be so.
He and I have been in touch as I told him about
RLI and he signed my book from him.
Jeremy. Hall
JeremyHall@garlandind.com
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| |
| Full Name |
Alf herbst |
| Date |
29/01/2008 |
| Email |
alfh01@ananzi.co.za |
| Comments |
Greetings. My number was 724615 when I joined
the RLI in 1979. I was in 12 troop 3 Cdo. I left
the RLI at the end 1971 to go to the Engineers.
I live in Pretoria South Africa I would like to
make contact with the guys from the same era. My
cell number in the RSA is 0829723591 or via this
means. Cheers and may GOD bless all former Rhodesian
Soldiers. Alf. |
| |
| Full Names |
Michael Wilton |
|
| Email |
timberwolf02@ntlworld.com |
| Date |
21/01/2008 |
| Comments |
I tried my hand at a little Rho Poetry a while
back ..... not spectacular, but I thought I'd share
it with people that it might mean as much to as
me. Rhodesia was never a country, Rhodesia can never
die The beautiful land on which She was built, could
never bind or tie While the ones who loved Her still
have our hearts and souls Rhodesia the brave, the
memory, never will She grow old. The loved ones
and the friends we lost, the brave, the bold, the
free Have added to Her spirit true, and as we die
shall we Rhodesia, She will never leave, Rhodesia,
always there Our faithful strong Rhodesia, She is
beyond compare She has always been a part of us,
and we a part of Her We cannot be torn asunder by
politician or by terr They can drag us, drive us,
pull us down, but one thing holds so true, I'm Rhodesian
and won't stay down for long, and nor my friends
will you Place your foot upon the ground, wherever
you may stand Rhodesia is beneath your feet, in
your heart and in your hands Our time will come
again my friends, it will not pass us by And while
one Rhodesian remembers Her, Rhodesia cannot die |
| Full Names |
Michael Wilton |
| Email |
timberwolf02@ntlworld.com |
| Date |
21/01/2008 |
| Comments |
Hi guys, got a bit of a favour to ask. '77 -
'81 I was an army brat in Llewellyn Barracks, and
I'm trying to track down a friend and his brother
from back then. The brother's name is Craig Turner,
joined the RLI in '78 - '79 (not sure which unit)
.... If anyone knows where he and his brother Tony
are it would be most appreciated if you could either
contact me with info, or if you're already in contact,
tell them I'm looking for them and pass on my e-mail
addy. Reading the prior posts I was a little upset
to hear that the only Llewellyn RSM (in my opinion)
had passed on ... RSM Kirrane, amazing bloke that
he was |
| |
| Full Name |
J van Schijndel |
| Email |
kassavassa@yahoo.com |
| Date |
01/01/2008 |
| Comments |
I would be grateful if someone would give me
the proper email adres of Mr Rex Harding who apparantly
served in the RLI (1st commando) and is now in the
UK. I used to stay on a farm in Nothern Rhodesia
near Broken Hill and according to the local farming
community (Tompson, Hunt) Mr Harding used to own
that farm in "the old days". It seems he left his
farm and opened a butchery in South Rhodesia.
Many thanks,
Mr J. van Schijndel
The Netherlands
kassavassa@yahoo.com
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| Full Name |
Isabella Isabella |
| Date |
28/12/2007 |
| Comments |
I used to work as a barmaid in Le Coq D'Or--Sahara
Bar-- c. 1975-1977 ish. I had long hair. I'd love
to hear from anyone who remembers me. I wonder what
happened to Chris Jones of RLI--he was an Australian--about
19 ish in 1977 |
|
|
| Full Name |
ERICH |
| Date |
26/12/2007 |
| Comments |
Hello and happy Christmas all ! My name is Erich
and i m french, i was in french paratroops, and
after in the Croatian Army during the war in Croatia
and Bosna 1991 to 1995. During the war in Croatia
one of my best friends was Ronnie PERVERSOV, canadian
nationality, he was in Canadian Army, and after
he was in Rhodesian Army perhaps he was in Support
Commando 1978-80 as a "Genie du Combat" in the call
sign 83A. After he was in the French Foreign Legion
during 10 years. After Légion he was in Burma, and
after that he joint the Croatian Army in 1991 to
1995. He was killed in Hercegovine in 1995. He was
a very nice man and very very good figther brave
and courageous. I have contacted because some of
you may have known him. Your website it s very nice,
and you are welcome in our Croatian Veteran Forum
:
http://croatie.aceboard.fr/index.php?login=260974
Best regards Erich |
| |
| Full Name |
Tim Bax |
| Date |
24/12/2007 |
| Comments |
GUNFIRE
Christmas morning 1969; I was a trooper in 14 Troop,
3 Commando, 1RLI.
07hrs00 found me joining a handful of fellow homeless
soldiers in the quadrangle of the commando lines.
We had been instructed to ‘fall in’ with our canteens.
We must have presented a motley site, nervously
standing to attention in our green PT shorts and
vests.
Before us, Captain Ronald Francis Reid-Daly, O.C
Base Group, stood rigidly in full camouflage uniform
next to a steaming tea earn. His features softened
and he wished us a Merry Christmas. Assisted by
Corporal May, the commando medic, he poured into
each of our canteens a ration of hot tea laced with
scotch whiskey. It was my first introduction to
the RLI tradition of Officers serving other ranks
who remained in barracks on Christmas morning ‘GUNFIRE’!
Later, upon being commissioned, the importance of
upholding Regimental traditions was instilled in
me by Jeremy Treadwell Strong, my course officer.
Each and every year thereafter, without exception,
I have commenced Christmas morning with a cup of
‘GUNFIRE’. On this Christmas morning I shall do
the same.
I wish each and every one of you, and your families,
a joyous and festive Christmas; and for olde time’s
sake, I invite you to join me in a steaming mug
of ‘GUNFIRE’ this Christmas morn, and a toast to
the olde Regiment, and the olde soldiers already
departed.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Tim Bax |
| |
| Full Name |
Dawn Losper nee Doughty |
| Date |
18/12/2007 |
| Comments |
I would like to wish all ex 1Cdo guys a very
Happy Christmas and all the best for 2008. Also
does anyone know what happened to the flag that
I made for the Cdo? Dawn Losper nee Doughty |
| |
| Full Name |
Willem Pietens |
| Date |
17/12/2007 |
| Comments |
To all the Saints of the RLI. I want to wish
you and your beloved ones a merry Chrismas and a
very happy new year. Please keep the memories alive.
keep well exe Saint 1961
Willem Pietens |
| |
| Full Name |
Phil Kaye |
| Date |
12/12/2007 |
| Comments |
This has been a successful year for the association
from the relaunch through to the highly successful
launch of "The Saints" in London. I would like to
express my appreciation to all those who, on the
members behalf, have put in so much personal effort
to return the unit to where it needs to be. I personally
have enjoyed the opportunity to meet up with the
ouens at the functions again, the passing time does
not erode the personal pride I feel at having served
with this fine unit and the men who served in it.
To all the members of the committiees well done
and best wishes for the year ahead and to all ex
unit members and their families best wishes for
Xmas and 2008. Regards Phil ex 3Cdo 12 Trp |
| |
| Full Name |
Wesley Little |
| Date |
07 December 2007 |
| Comments |
Hi all. I'm the brother of Brad Little, KIA
on 5 January 1979. Would really enjoy hearing from
anyone who knew Brad and who would be willing to
share some memories or photos.
wes@eject.co.za |
|
|
