Post Runners
Running an effective post and messenger service was vital in administering such a large and diverse territory. Post runners delivered the mail to many parts of the country and by 1908 nearly 150 were employed by the North Western Rhodesia postal authority. Getting nearly 60 to pose for a photo pre 1907 was remarkable! The runners' uniform consisted of a long khaki smock with short sleeves, leather belt and striking red fez. The runner was expected to cover about twenty miles a day and carry up to forty pounds of mail etc. One of the longer routes was Kalomo to Lealui - 310 miles to be covered in fifteen days. Not so challenging and far quicker was using the railway to transport the mail. Broken Hill and Livingstone grew in importance as mail was routed to these rail centres.
Origins of Postal Communications in Central Africa Part I, The Northern Route by P. White
When Cecil Rhodes' pioneer column entered Mashonaland in July of 1890 the great tracts of country beyond the Zambezi were unknown to any but a few Europeans, some of whom had written astonishing and awesome accounts of what they had seen there. In the north-east the absence of an obvious political focus amongst the native peoples and the apparent absence of profitable mineral deposits resulted in reduced activity there by the British South Africa Company and, for some time being, delegation of political control to the recently formed Administration in the British Central Africa Protectorate, later Nyasaland. In the west however the comparative prosperity afforded by the fertile Zambezi valley had given rise to the powerful and extensive Barotse Empire.
One of the great arteries of tropical Africa, the Zambezi sweeps across a huge arc of territory in Barotseland for over a thousand miles, inhabited by a loose confederation of tribes owing allegiance in 1889 to the Barotse Chief Lewanika, at Lealui. Very little contact had been made with Europeans before 1886 when the king finally allowed a small band of missionaries of the Protestant Societe des Missions Evangélique to establish itself within his dominions, under the leader-ship of Francois Coillard and his Scottish wife. The uneasy presence of this devoted group during the emergence of the kingdom from a series of violent and savage revolutions was of paramount importance to the relationship of Lewanika and the Company's representatives.
Coillard was appalled by the social effects of slavery and the ruthless struggle for political supremacy. He saw in European penetration, and more especially in the establishment of British protection, the means finally to end tribal wars and to proliferate the Christian faith, already a powerful factor for stability in Basutoland and Bechuanaland. Until the arrival of an accredited British Resident in 1897 he became, in effect, an agent of Imperial influence.
The Evangelical Mission communicated with the outside world via the few elephant hunters, traders and scroungers who made their way up from the south 26 at infrequent intervals. Without doubt the rare arrival of letters would have meant the end of work for that day and perhaps the next. M. Coillard wrote, "Shortly after the death of Madame Coillard I received, after nine or ten months without news, two voluminous mails . . ." Needless to say these early mails were quite unofficial, at least from Gubulawayo in Matabeleland where postal facilities existed after 1888; they are of special interest in that many of Coillard's letters to British officials have been preserved.
In January 1889 he wrote to Sir Sidney Shippard, Administrator of Bechuanaland: "Many a Zambesian has found his way to the diamond fields at Kimberley and come back deeply impressed with the prestige of the British Government. The tale of what they have seen and heard, and of its dealings with the native races, naturally leads their chiefs and their countrymen to yearn for the protection of Her Majesty the Queen's Government. "A second request which I have to lay before Your Excellency from the King Lewanika is concerning a threatening invasion of the Matabele.
The Matabele have some months ago made a raid against the Matoka and the Mashukulumbwe, and they have boastfully declared that their next war path would be this year, 1889, to invade Barotseland. "Such rumours in a country so recently agitated with civil wars are calculated greatly to disturb the peace of the land and cause much mischief. "The King Lewanika has heard that Lobengula, King of the Matabele, is under Her Majesty's Government. He therefore respectfully asked whether such a raid could be made without the sanction of the Queen's Government.
He trusts you may give these grave matters your serious consideration, and do your utmost to prevent the Matabele invading his country, and spreading terror and desolation among the tribes north of the Zambezi." A preliminary result of these overtures was the arrival at Lealui, after a five month journey from Kimberley, of three Company representatives led by Mr. Frank Lochner, who negotiated the Lochner Concession, dated 27th June, 1890. However, during the following eight years the Company was too preoccu-pied with the occupation of Mashonaland and the Matabele rising successfully to fulfil the terms of this agreement. Also the rinderpest epidemic of 1896 prevented the use of ox wagons for two years.
Eventually, at the Company's request, the Foreign Office appointed to the position of Resident, Major R. T. Coryndon, of the British South African Police. Coryndon reached Lealui in October of 1897 and began to organise an administrative service. Amongst his small escort was Sgt. Major Joseph Dobson who became the first Postmaster of Rhodesia's north west. In 1897 the towns of Livingstone and the Victoria Falls did not exist. The route to Barotseland known as 'the old hunter's road' lay across arid and desolate territory from Francistown in Bechuanaland, to the Kazungula Drift where ox wagons could ford the Zambezi in the dry season. Bechuanaland post offices were controlled at that time by the Cape Colony Postal Administration which maintained a group of Bamangwato runners at Francistown.
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Postal service in 1890 – 1892; the post-stations from Fort Tuli to Salisbury
The Postal History of Northern Rhodesia
By Edward B. Proud
North Eastern Rhodesia
Between 1891 and 1895 Northern Zambezia (N.E. Rhodesia) was administered on behalf of the company by Her Majesty ’s Commissioner to Nyasaland, for which Nyasaland received a substantial annual grant H.H. Johnston spent virtually all this, and also ran a substantial overdraft with the Company's Bank on developing Nyasaland as he felt that a proper administration had to be set up and roads built etc. before it was possible to develop N E Rhodesia This however did not meet with the company's approval.
During this lime three divisions were set up each with a small staff, the stations (or boma) being at Fife, Abercom and Rhodesia.
The fourth Division of Luapula with its station at Johnston Falls ( Old' Fort Rosebery) only existed on paper and was not occupied until circa 1900.
The Administrative Divisions of North Eastern Rhodesia according to Johnston s report of 1894, Luapula with Fort Rosebery at this time only existed on paper Rhodesia, in Mweru Division, the original station was al Chiengi, opened in 1891 but abandoned the next year and a new station opened at Kalungwisi being called Rhodesia or Fort Rhodesia A court official was appointed at Fife in 1891 altliough a government station was not opened until 1893 (or after). Abcrcom was established in 1893.
On 24 November 1894 a new agreement was signed between the British South Africa Company and the Foreign Office Control of the Chartered sphere north of the Zambezi was withdrawn from Johnston s control and the Chartered sphere was to be transferred to the Company not later than 30 June 1895. The Company 's first Deputy Administrator, Major P.W. Forbes. armed al Zomba on 23 June 1895.
In 1898 R.E. Codrington took over as Deputy Administrator for N.E. Rhodesia from Forbes who had resigned through ill health. In October 1898 he selected a site at Kapatamoyo’s kraal, which became known as Fort Jameson (The initial capital being at Fort Young). The new post became the capital of the territory. In 1899 R.E. Codrington the Company ’$ deputy administrator North Eastern Rhodesia was able to transfer his office from Blantyrc to Fort Jameson.
On 22 September 1905 Kafue and Zumbo Districts were transferred from North East Rhodesia to North Western Rhodesia and Barotseland.
At the same time the Company began an effective occupation of North Eastern Rhodesia. Due to the influence of the French White Fathers Mission, the Bemba submitted. The Ngoni however and the Lunda only did so after military expeditions were sent against them.
North Western Rhodesia
In 1895 North Eastern Rhodesia and North Western Rhodesia were separated and a British Resident appointed for North Western Rhodesia and Barotseland.
In 1890 F.E. Lochner. with the help of F. Coillard had persuaded Lcwanika King of the Barotse to sign a treaty, so that by the next year tlie lands north of the Zambezi were formally declared to be under tlw Chartered Company Control remained fairly nominal as the company had to deal with the Matabele War in 1893 and the revolt of 1896.
In 1897 R T Coryndon was sent with a small staff to Barotseland.
Between 1904 and 1909 the railway was built from Livingstone to the Congo opening up a considerable area to economic development in North Western Rhodesia, often called the railway belt or the line.
Northern Rhodesia
]n 1911 the two administrative areas. North Western Rhodesia and North Eastern Rhodesia were merged and called NonItem Rhodesia, the capital being at Livingstone.
At the outbreak of Hie first World War on 4 August 1914. German forces in German East Africa were commanded by Lt. Col. Von Lettow-Vorbeck (later General). The Northern Rhodesian border between Abercorn and Fife was guarded by the Northern Rhodesian Police (N.R.P.) and die Northern Rhodesian Rifles (N.R.R.).
In July 1915 the German forces attacked Saisi. a fortified post east of Abercom. Two extra British South African Police (B S A P.) Companies were then reennted and together with the 1st Rhodesian Regiment (1 R.R.) and then the Southern Rhodesia \blunteers A Company entrained from Broken Hill and trekked to Abercom arriving in October 1915. "B" Company consisting mainly of S.R.V. travelled via Beira, to Fife and also arrived in October 1915.
By early 1916 the force guarding the Northern borders of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland comprised: I Kings African Rifles (I.K.A.R.). 1 South African Rifles (l.S.A.R ). 5 N.R.P. Compa nies (A-F.) and 2 B S.A P Companies (A & B) Brigadier General E.E. Northcy was appointed Commander of the Combined Forces and arrived in February 1916.
A mixed force under Brigadier General Northcy invaded German territory, supplied by thousands of native carriers, many forcibly recruited. Casualties amongst these were very high due to disease and. in October 1918. the influenza epidemic. The Germans under General von Lettow Vorbcck conducted a brilliant campaign retreating through Portuguese East Africa and then entering Northern Rhodesia and capturing Kasama just before surrendering after hearing that the armistice had been signed in Europe (Sec "History of the East Africa Army Postal Services” for further details).
In 1924 Northern Rhodesia became a Protectorate under the Imperial Government The Company retained extensive freehold property and mineral rights The latter became valuable very quickly, as tlrc Copper belt centred on Ndola. started to be developed the next year. It became one of the worlds major suppliers of copper. The 1929 slump naturally affected production but recovered and expanded steadily from 1935. The same year saw the capital transferred from Livingstone to Lusaka.
Districts were redesignated provinces in 1929 and sub distnets were than called districts. At this time boundaries were altered to include all the people of a single tribe where possible.
On 1 January 1935 the nine provinces were reduced to five as follows:*
- Barotsc Province remained Barotse Province.
- East Luangwa Province became Eastern Province.
- Awernba. Mwcni-Luapula and Tanganyika Provinces became Northern Province
- Luangwa and Kasempa Province became Central Province.
- Batoka and Kafue Provinces became Southern Province.
In 1937 Western Province was created aid Kaondc Lunda Province from 1941 until 1946.
The second World War saw an expansion of the copper production w hich continued after the war.
Moves had occasionally been made to federate the two Rhodesia's. In 1949 a conference was held at Victoria Falls which drew up a plan for the federation of Nyasaland and Northern & Southern Rhodesia. Federation was approved by die Northern Rhodesian Legislative Council in April 1953 It came into effect on 23 October 1953. Most Africans opposed it, but their opposition was not organised enough to be effective. The next few years saw the rise of African nationalism and more vocal opposition under K. Kaunda to the Federation which led to its breakup in 1963.
Following a general election in December 1963 Kenneth Kaunda became the first pnmc minister with tire first all African cabinet on 23 January 1964. Some major disturbances followed due to the Lumpa. a religious sect led by Alice Lenshina.
There had been tension for many months in Chinsali district, where the Lumpa sect had its headquarters at Sione (Zion) village. The origins of this tension had much to do with attempts by local officials of U.N.I.P. to force sect members to join a political party and register as voters.
A serious situation developed, when the Lumpa followers began to build stockaded villages from w hich they harassed surrounding areas. Platoons of the Mobile Unit were drafted to Chinsali. troops followed in July after a white police officer was speared to death when he tned to enter a stockaded village.
Two army battalions were occupied in pursuing 5.000 ‘ hardcore' members of the sect, whose feelings had by this time mounted to one of desperate fanaticism. On 30 July, the security forces surrounded Sionc and after being attacked fought their way into the church: 74 people died and many wounded As a reprisal, the Lumpa followers attacked Lundazi township, over-running it. capturing the police station and killing 150 persons before fleeing at daw n. Scnga tribesmen wiped out the Lumpa village of Paishuko: there were 46 victims Although Alice Lenshina herself surrendered on 11 August, and placed in indefinite detention, elements of the sect continued to hide in the Luangwa valley until the end of 1964. In all. the Lenshina troubles cost al least 700 lives.
Independence came on 24 October 1964 when Northern Rhodesia was renamed Zambia.
Military Forces
In the 189O's some sepoys from tl»c Indian contingent in B.C.A. were stationed at various Bomas in the North. In the period when North Western Rhodesia and North Eastern Rhodesia were under the control of the British South Africa Company, there were no military forces in the accepted meaning of the term. The Company was precluded from raising troops and only armed police were permitted under the terms of the Royal charter.
In the future Northern Rhodesia, tire Barotsc Native Police was formed in North Western Rhodesia in 191X1 and the North Eastern Constabulary in 1 904. Initially they were supported from British Central Africa (Nyasaland Protectorate) by' the Central African Regiment until this was amalgamated with East Africa units to form the Kings African Rifles in 1902.
The two Police units were amalgamated into lire Northern Rhodesia Police when the Provinces were joined as Northern Rhodesia in 1912. Together with the North Rhodesia Rifles, a temporary unit formed in 1914, the Police took part in both the invasion of German South West Africa and German East Africa in the First World War. Battle Honours for both actions were awarded and were subsequently worn on the Regimental Colours of the North Rhodesia Regiment.
In 1924 when Northern Rhodesia was handed over to the British Crown, the Northern Rhodesia Police continued as only quasi-military unit until the Northern Rhodesia Regiment was formed from the military branch of the Police in 1933. Even so. the Regiment was officered by its own permanent staff of Officers until 1937.
When the Second World War broke out in 1939. the Regiment was expanded to eight battalions. Each battalion was in charge of its own Commanding Officer and was attached to various branches of East Africa Command. The battalions fought in Italian East Africa. Somaliland, including the defence of British Somaliland in 1940: Madagascar, the Middle East and Burma.
The Northern Rhodesia Regiment was reduced back to its pre-war strength in 1945-46. units served in Malaya during the anti-terrorist campaign in tlx: 1950 s. Il was part of the defence force of tire Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland from 1953 to 1963 when it returned to its own country's control and formed the nucleus of the Zambian Army on Independence.
The Postal History of Northern Rhodesia
By Edward B. Proud
African postal services risked their lives delivering letters in the 1800s.
As with other adjoining area an irregular postal service of sorts was set up by missionaries in the lakes area in conjunction with the African Lakes Corporation.
The postal system was initially controlled from Nyasaland who received a subsidy from the British South African Company and used and used British South African Company stamps overprinted B.C.A. (British Central Africa).
The first postal service was set up in 1893 with the opening of an office at Fife followed by the appointment of H. Marshall as postmaster at Abercorn
From 1914 until 1917 the number of “runners” had to be brought up to fifty-four on the Mpika-Kasama section. The “runner” service continued until 1927, when the first motor mail lorry arrived. From 1928 until 1935 all mails were carried by motor lorries from Broken Hill, via Mpika, to Abercorn along the Great North Road.
Occasionally the road would be rendered impassable: a herd of elephants have passed tearing trees and bushes and at other times clouds of locusts would descend, swarming making the road slippery and dangerous.
Below are the mail routes in January 1919:
Route 1: Cape Town-Bulawayo-Livingstone-Broken Hill-Elisabethville
Route 2: Broken Hill- Livingstone-Johannesburg
Route 3: Broken Hill-Livingstone-Bulawayo-Salisbury
Route 4: Livingstone-Victoria Falls
Route 5: Livingstone-Feira
Route 6: Livingstone-Sesheke-Mongu League
Route 7: Kalomo-Namwala
Route 8: Livingstone-Lusaka-Mumbwa-Kasempa-Mwinilunga-Kalene Kill-Solwezi
Route 9: Livingstone-Broken Hill-Mkushi-Petauke-Fort Jameson
Route 10: Livingstone-Broken Hill-Mkushi-Serenje-Mpika-Kasama-Abercorn
Route 11: Mpika-Chinsali-Fife
Route 12: Livingstone-Fort Rosebery-Kawambwa-Chiengi
Route 13: Fort Jameson-Serenje-Mpika
Route 14: Fort Jameson-Lundazi
Route 15: Fort Rosebery-Luwingu-Mporokoso
Route 16: Kasama-Fife
Route 17: Kasama-Luwingu
Route 18: Kasama-Chinsali
Route 19: Abercorn-Mporokoso-Kawambwa
Route 20: Fort Jameson-Luia P.E.A.
Route 21: Fort Jameson-Zomba Nyasaland
STAMP USAGE
The British South African Company seems to have treated the territory north of the Zambezi as a postal poor relation, evidently sending odds and ends of past issues to be used up! The stamps have been recorded used in North Eastern and North Western Rhodesia.
POST OFFICES AND POST MARKS
LUSAKA General Post Office G.P.O. (Lusaka upto 1923)
Upgraded to a department post office on 1 April 1914. The capital was transferred from Livingstone in 1935. But the G.P.O. until after 1953. Blue to greenish blue ink was used between March and July 1920.
ABERCORN, originally Zombe, renamed after Duke of Abercorn. President of the BSAC, it was possibly to avoid confusion with Zomba. The first settlement was founded in 1893 as headquaters of the Tanganyika district. Abercorn and Tanganyika were wrongly listed initially as two separate offices. The first postmaster was the District officer of Tanganyika, H.G.Marshall. It was under British Cntral African administration until 1 July 1895. By 1900 it was the headquaters of Abercorn Division, Tanganyika District. By 1905 it was a M.O.O. and upgraded to Head Post Office on 1 June 1933.
BROKEN HILL (Or. because of the similarityof mineral deposits discovered in 1903, it was named after Broken Hill in Australia. The railway reached Broken Hill in 1906, Headquaters of the Central Province. Population in 1959 was 6,000 Europeans and 40,000 Africans. It replaced Mwomboshi. Originally under N.W.Rhodesia. It opened as a money order office.
Post Offices FORT ROSEBERY to KABOMPO
http://postmarks.co.za/PH%20Northern%20Rhodesia%20Fort%20Roseberry%20to%20Kabompo.htm
http://worldpostmarks.net/HTML%20Countries/Northern%20Rhodesia.htm
Northern Rhodesia, 1929 - 1964 Postage Due Collection
http://www.rhodesianstamps.net/The_Rhodesian_Philatelist/02_Northern_Rhodesia_Postage_dues.htm
The Rhodesias, Stamps, Postmarks and Postal History
Postmarks & Covers: The Rhodesia section of this website includes an extensive range of Material from early to modern, we are specialists in this area and offer rare and Unusual items.
TRAVELLING POST OFFICES
Prince of Wales Tour
The Prince arrived at Cape Town on H.M.S. Repulse on 30 April 1925 He then toured Southern Africa in the Royal Train proceeded by a pilot train which kept 30 minutes ahead.
The South African Post Office supplied a travelling post office which was taken overby the Southern Rhodesian Post Office and then the Northern Rhodesian Post Office when it crossed the respective frontiers.
Prince Georges Tour
The South African Post Office supplied a travelling post office which was taken over by the Southern Rhodesian and then the Northern Rhodesian Post Office when it crossed the respective frontiCarnarvon Caste, 19 January 1934, travelling through Southern Africa on the Royal Train.
The South African Post Office supplied a travelling Post Office, when the train reached the Victoria Falls, the Deputy Postmaster General N. Rhodesia took over the office.
N. Rhodesia
Victoria Falls to Belgium Congo Border.
South African War Train
This visited N. Rhodesia between 26 May 1941 and I June 1941 but apparently was only operated by the South African Post Office.
Mobile Post Office No.1
This was specially constructed by the Public Works Department on a Ford three-ton chassis and was staffed by one African postal clerk and an African Driver. It was opened to the public from 8a.m. to noon. 2p.m. to 4p.m. on Saturdays front 8a.m. to noon only.
This served the rural areas around Fort Jameson. The route and time schedule in 1963 was as follow:-
Monday-Depart Fort Jameson 09.00 hrs .,Mpezeni (09.45-11.30,16 miles). Maguya (12.05-14.15, I8 miles) ret. Fort Jameson (arrive 15.00. 19 miles)
Tuesday:- Fort Jameson 09.00. Mteniguleni (09.45-12.30 17 miles) ret. Fort Jameson (arrive 13.15)
Wednesday:-Fort Jameson 09.00hrs..Chiparamba(10.00-11 30 17 miles). Kalichero (12 10.-14.00, 8 miles), Jumbe (16 .00 40 miles)
Thursday:- Jumbe 09.00 to 12.00 hrs. Fort Jameson (14.30 56 miles)
Friday: Fort Jameson 09.00hrs., Mshawa (09.45-11.00.18 miles). Mgubudu (11.30-13.00,8 miles), Tamanda (13 30-14 30, 5 miles). Fort Jameson (arrive 16.00., 28 miles)
Saturday - At the station 08.00-11 45 hrs.
Mobile Post Office No. 2
The itinerary was -
Monday to Friday
08.05 hours Depart Lusaka P.O. for Chinika. 08 20-09 20 at Chinaka African Suburb. 09 30-11 00 At Materu African Suburb 11.05-12.00
At Industrial Sites (Bristol or Manchester Streets) 12.05-12 15 At Emmasdale (Shops on Great North Road). 14 05 Depart Lusaka P.O. for Chilenje African Suburb. 14.20-15 10 At Chilenje African Suburb 15 15-15 45 At Kabwata African Suburb. 15.50-16 15 Second Class leading At tea (Market St) 16.20 return to Lusaka P.O.
Sntuidays, Sundays and Bank Holiday no Service.
ARMY POST OFFICES
Shortly after the outbreak of the war in August 1914 a B.S. A.P. Mobile Column was formed, which proceeded to Shesheke on 21 September 1914, where they sent a officer to demand the surrender of Schuckmannsburg. the German post in the Caprivi Strip, the northern frontier of S W. Africa. As it was only held by 1 officer. 1 N.C'.O. and 28 native police, the officer von Frakenburg naturally decided to surrender without a light the next day 22 September. The mail from this force was sent to tbe civil office of Livingstone.
Two military post offices were raised to serve the Rhodesian forces defending the frontier with German East Africa and Later in the occupation of that territory.
ZAMBIA (NORTHERN RHODESIA)
Zambia banknotes
Zambia paper money catalogue and Zambian currency history
http://www.atsnotes.com/catalog/banknotes/rhodesia-nyasaland.html
Kwacha Ngwee - Into the Zambian morning
(Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia - Fergus Macpherson)
This realisation of a new dispensation was what was meant, in essence, by the slogan ‘KWACHA NGWEE’. Indeed the word "Kwacha' had, as we have noted, been the watchword of the nationalist movements of both Central African Protectorates, a word meaning either ‘The dawn is about to break’ or ‘The dawn has come’, according to the inflection of the voice. "Ngwee' is one of a group of expletives of intensification in which African languages are so rich. It is the root of a verb, kungweruka in the dialects of eastern Zambia and Malawi, which means ‘to be light’, as, for example, the lightening after clouds have gone or the white light of a new day. Shouting "Kwacha' had been a criminal offence in both territories in the various ‘emergencies’ which preceded the dis mantling of the Federation. After formally attaining independence, both new nations would use the word kwacha for their main denomi nation of currency and Zambia would use ngwee for one hundredth of a kwacha.
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Letters from Gervas
The letters are trascribed using dictation software, so there WILL be mistakes. Please report any that you may spot - Click on the "CONTACT US" tab on the left.
Gervas Charles Robert Clay (GCRC, usually referred to as simply "G.") went out to Northern Rhodesia, aged 23, as a Cadet in His Majesty's Overseas Civil Service (H.M.O.C.S.). He had come down from New College, Oxford, from which during the previous summer vacation he and some friends had toured Europe. That had been his first trip overseas; this was his second, so he saw everything with "new eyes". His father had served in South Africa during the Boer War.
Gervas had been born and brought up in Burton-on-Trent, where his father had
been a Director of Bass's Brewery, from which he had retired in 1925, and they
had moved to Weston House, Albury in Surrey, which they rented, and then in 1937 they bought Abbotswood, in Hurtmore, near Godalming, Surrey.
Gervas's father was Gerard (Arden) Clay (GAC); his mother was (Ella) Violet Clay
nee Thornewill (EVC), and both had grown up in Burton-on-Trent, where both
families had been established for over two hundred years. Gerard had been the
first of his family to go abroad, and Gervas the first to make his career
abroad.
Gerard and Violet had married in 1906, and spent part of their honeymoon in
Paris. Violet's sister Katty, also known as "Ardie", married Bertram Sargeaunt
("Uncle Berkie"), quondam Government Secretary to the Isle of Man, and later Secretry of the United Services Institution.
Upon graduating from Oxford in 1929, Gervas was recruited by H.M.O.C.S. (His Majesty's Overseas Civil Service), the Colonial Office of His Majesty King George V, and, after doing a year's post-graduate course in Jusrisprudence at Oxford, Gervas, then 23, sailed out to Africa, and then travelled by train to Northern Rhodesia, where he served for three years. Then he flew home on leave, after which he sailed back to Africa for another three year tour, after which he sailed back home on leave again - but this trip was different! On board ship, he met a young girl. They fell in love, became engaged, married, and sailed back to Africa the day after the wedding.
During his first six years, his first two tours of duty, Gervas wrote a letter home to his parents amost every week, and those are presented on this WebSite. After their marriage, his wife took over, writing (again almost every week) a letter copied to both her parents and to his; these will be found by clicking .
Letters From Gervas | Home (spanglefish.com)
Letters From Betty | Home (spanglefish.com)
Letters From Africa
by David Salmon
Ian Mackinson (N. Rhodesia/Zambia 1952- 1971; District Officer, Barotseiand 1952- 1959)
We are accustomed to the memoirs of our time, 50 or more years ago in the Colonial Service, written essentially for the interest (and education) of younger generations. David Salmon has chosen the opposite approach, to resurrect letters to his parents, the older generation, written during his first year as a cadet DO in Barotseland (a Protectorate within the Protectorate of Northern Rhodesia) in 1959/60. As a young bachelor he was posted to Kalabo with a Boma of five or six Europeans and a District population of 80-90,000.
He wrote his first letter home just four days after his arrival in Kalabo. They continued on a regular basis, sometimes every three or four days, but mostly at weekly or fortnightly intervals throughout his first year. They reflect his thoughts, observations, relationships, work and pastime activities and all the peaks and troughs of remote out-station life. He still clings passionately to home-based Interests particularly the performance of Stoke City football team and its individual players.
Of course, writing about wide-ranging events within days, even hours, of their happening enables much detail to be embedded. This provides a rich tapestry, an atmospheric aura, which Mr Salmon develops well. He was fortunate in this task in two respects.
Firstly, his District Commissioner was Murray Armor, ex-Kenya Administration and ex-1956 Hungarian revolution freedom-fighter, who was full to overflowing of mental and physical energy and who set parameters of attitude, leadership and Inspiration which I suspect will have left their mark on Mr Salmon. Secondly, Kalabo District has a pattern of life very largely conditioned by the annual flooding of the Zambezi River. This translated Into the planning, construction and maintenance of a vast system of drainage canals. For a young cadet this was a primary and exciting focus of his work bringing him immediately into close contact with the Barotse people and their chiefs.
Back at the Boma he describes in detail the tasks of every young DO - brick making, building staff houses, planting trees, general office work, and the never ending queue of people with problems. He introduced education classes in English and Arithmetic for Boma staff which quickly attracted men (no women!) from nearby villages. His routine was enlivened by involvement in a visit by the Monckton Commission (enquiring into the future of the Central African Federation) and the visit of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, in 1960.
Mr Salmon’s letters reflect a detailed. Intimate, intellectual and compassionate approach to the human and environmental milieu about him in a way which we ‘oldies’, with our memories of 40 or 50 years ago, could not, I think, quite accomplish.
Theo Van Den Berg joined the Postal Services in 1927, aged 17 years and worked for them until his death in 1964 in Lusaka. (son Anton Van Den Berg