Rhodesia Remembered

Early Victoria Falls Postcards

2012-02-11T16:52:00.002+02:00

Nick Baalbergen Writes:-

Two early post cards of the Victoria Falls Regatta on the banks of the Zambezi (Spelt with an 'S' in those days!) and a view of the Victoria Falls Bridge from down in the gorge.

Both these are part of old photographic material I purchased. The surrounding material dates from about 1915 to 1920, so best guess is that the cards are from the same era. They are unfortunately stuck to the album pages, so can't see the reverse.

Victoria Falls Regatta- The Restaurant on the Banks of the Zambesi

Zambesi River Below Victoria Falls.

End

Thanks to Nick for sharing his memories with ORAFs.

Comments are always welcome please send them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com

Queen Mother's VIsit to Rhodesia in 1957

2011-06-25T16:40:00.002+02:00

The Queen Mother being greeted by the Governor
General of Southern Rhodesia, Sir Peveril William-Powlett

End

Photo made available to ORAFs by Glenn Baker. Thanks Glenn.
Sir Peveril William-Powlett served as Governor of Southern from 1954 to 1959

Suggested further reading: http://www.freewebs.com/dudleywall/royalindaba1957.htm
and Sir Peveril William-Powlett served as Governor of Southern from 1954 to 1959

Rhodesian Postcards: Cartoons by LU

2011-01-26T16:32:00.012+02:00

Series of postcards by cartoonist "LU" from Rhodesia.

"I AM in reverse, Alice."

"This should be an interesting shot, George is going to stand perfectly still and stare him out."

"Get away, you're not having us for lunch, you horrible brute."

"Ah, mysterious Africa, the sound of thunder and it's not even the rainy season."

"The cubs and I have missed you, dear."

"Stop clowning around and throw him back, Fred."

Recompiled, by Eddy Norris, from scanned copies of the postcards made available to ORAFs by Dave Bowman. Thanks Dave.

I would appreciate any information on the cartoonist "LU" and can anyone provide a date that these cards became available.

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

Rhodesian Photos: Selukwe Main Street

2011-01-07T08:41:00.003+02:00

Nick Baalbergen Writes:-

I thought the attached photos may be of interest to you.

The original photo is a rather faded black & white shot which was included in an old album I obtained some time ago. The photo annotation in the album simply states 'Selukwe - Main Street'. Many of the photos in the album date from about 1912, so I have added 'circa 1912' as a best guess date.

I digitally restored the photo and experimented with the addition of colour - the second photo.

Thanks to Nick Baalbergen for sharing his memories with ORAFs

Comments and correspondence can be sent to Eddy Norris on orafas11@gmail.com

Rhodesian Photos: Old Salisbury

2010-11-23T14:14:00.005+02:00

Following photos of "Old Salisbury" were made available to ORAFs by Nick Baalbergen,

Nick Writes:-

I have attached original photos from about the same time. Note that the two early photos of Manica Road circa 1910 were taken before the construction of the Standard Bank building, which is conspicuously absent in both images. The early photo looking west from the corner of Manica Road and First Street, shows the site on which the Standard Bank would be built - left behind the horse.

Beit Memorial Public School in Salisbury. Circa 1912

Manica Road Corner First Street Looking West in Salisbury. Circa 1910.
.

Manica Road Looking East in Salisbury. Post Office on Right. Circa 1910.

The Opening Of The Original Museum on Which Girls High Now Stands Today.

The Standard Bank Building (completed in 1911) Circa 1912.

End

Thanks to Nick for sharing his memories with ORAFs.

Comments and correspondence to Eddy Norris on orafs11@gmail.com

Rhodesian Postcards: Old Salisbury

2010-11-22T14:03:00.004+02:00

Glen Baker has made these postcard images of "Old Salisbury" available to ORAFs.

Alfred Beit and Victoria Memorial in Salisbury

Manica Road in Salisbury

Manica Road in Salisbury

Boys High School - Salisbury
(Was this later renamed to Prince Edward?)

End

Thanks to Glen for sharing his memories with ORAFs

Eddy Norris can be contacted on eMail orafs11@gmail.com

Rhodesian Photos: Salisbury 1952

2010-11-16T14:08:00.014+02:00

Nick Baalbergen made these photos, of Salisbury from 1952.

Salisbury Town Hall. 1952.

Salisbury. First Street looking north. 1952.

Salisbury. First Street looking south. 1952.

Salisbury. Haddon & Sly Department Store Stanley Avenue. 1952.

Salisbury. Manica Road looking west. 1952.

Salisbury. Old Meikles Hotel. 1952.

Salisbury. Stanley Avenue looking east. 1952.
(featured before with an almost identical earlier photo)

Salisbury. Stanley Avenue looking west. 1952.

Abercorn Street Bulawayo

2010-10-21T14:59:00.004+02:00

Abercorn Street, Bulawayo, Rhodesia

Photo is believed to be between the 1950's to 1960's
Photo made available by Glen Baker - thanks Glen

Click Here to contact Eddy Norris

Meikles Hotel Salisbury

2010-10-21T14:33:00.005+02:00

Meikles Hotel, Salisbury, Rhodesia

Photo is believed to be between the 1950's to 1960's

Photo made available by Glen Baker - thanks Glen

Click Here to contact Eddy Norris

Joan Evans Painting

2010-08-28T14:50:00.005+02:00

Nick Crofton Writes:-

This Joan Evans painting I've seen many times but do not know what place in Rhodesia it portrays.

If anyone can assist with further information then please mail Eddy Norris on orafs11@gmail.com

Thanks to Nick Crofton for sharing his memories with us all.
Thanks to Paul Mroz for the image hosting.

Stunning Salisbury

2010-07-11T12:15:00.005+02:00

My good friend, Wally Joyce, recently received a number of Rhodesian Postcards form Mrs. Pat Wise, widow of the late John who was in the Safety Equipment Section of the Rhodesian Air Force.

Wally took time out to scan and forward the images to me. I then approached Wally to see if there was any identification on the cards, the information has now been added to the images.

ORAFs would like to record its thanks to Pat and also to Wally.

A personal observation is that I have never seen a photo including both the flame lily and Zimbabwe bird. See image 1.

Sit back, relax and enjoy.
Eddy Norris
December 2009

Christmas lights, Salisbury, First Street and Woolworths on left.

Jameson Avenue

Flamboyant Trees, Blakiston Street, Salisbury

Jacaranda Trees, Montagu Avenue, Salisbury

Jameson Avenue, Salisbury, facing West

Second Street - Cecil Square, Salisbury.

A view towards the Northern Suburbs

Salisbury, Livinstone House from Moffatt Street

John Mussell Wrote on July 11, 2010:-

Browsing the book "A Scantling of Time" by G H Tanser. Thinking of the colourful pictures of the Capital's superb tree-lined avenues you have sent out in recent times, I came across this picture and found the contrast fascinating. Those who designed and brought to life the city were certainly an energetic and far-sighted bunch.

Baines Ave, looking west from Third Street, 1896

Opening of Kariba 6 Floodgates in 1966

2010-06-03T15:00:00.001+02:00

Anne Shaw Writes:-

Thought these photos may be of interest? The ones of Kariba were taken with a still camera of all six gates open in May 1966. They were only opened for 48 hours. They did say at the time that they would never ever fully open all six again due to the volume and force of the water having gauged such a big hole below the wall which had to be repaired later. We as a family were camped at the original Air Force camp site down from the airfield. Peter happened to have gone into Kariba to stock up on essential and found out that all six gates were open. We then all went back to Kariba that afternoon to witness an historical event. It was quite amazing and very beautiful. Standing on the dam wall was quite frightening with the vibrations and the pull of the force of the water going through the gates.

Many thanks to Anne for sharing her memories and photos with us.
-----------------------------------------------------------

The following information was received and as Blogger cannot images under comments I have taken the liberty of add them here:

Danny Hartman Writes:-
Recently you have put out a fair amount of correspondence and pictures about Kariba, and in particular the opening of six gates; and magnificent pictures they are. However, I don't know if you have ever received photographs of what the river looked like with 6 gates open. The photographs I have attached are when the gates were opened for the first time in the mid-sixties.

How this came about: We, the SAS, (Special Air Services) were just completing our deployment at Kariba to return to Salisbury when Dudley Coventry, the CO, was approached by CAPCO (Central Power Corporation) for some assistance and this was to monitor the rise of the river at various positions as far as Kanyemba. As this was to be the first time that all the gates were to be opened and not knowing what effect opening all the gates would have i.e. vibrations etc it was to be done slowly opening 1/2 a gate at a time until all 6 gates were finally opened. I together with my troop were deployed to Nyamumba farm (the old banana farm when the gorge opened up into the valley). I was fortunate enough to have my camera with me and able to take photos before and after the gates were opened. Memory does not serve me too well as to the exact height it rose but it was must have been between 20 and 30 feet.

It would be interesting to know if anyone else has photos showing what effect the opening of the gates had on the river.

Trust this is of interest to you.

Thanks to Danny for sharing his memories with ORAFs.

Stanley Avenue Salisbury

2010-04-27T13:55:00.000+02:00

Both photos are of Stanley Avenue Salisbury, looking East.

The earlier photo was obtained from the archives Salisbury, the annotation reads " Stanley Avenue east. Salisbury late 1930's early 1940's. National Archives Salisbury No 12281". From my limited knowledge of the cars of that era, the latest models shown in the photo appear to be from the early 1930's, the photo is therefore unlikely to have been taken much later than the early 1930's.

The later photo was sent to me a couple of weeks ago, with the annotation "Stanley Avenue east. Salisbury 1952".

Thanks to Nick Baalbergen for sharing these memories with us.

Victoria Falls

2010-04-17T12:49:00.000+02:00

Terry Griffin Writes:-

Herewith a set of twelve taken in (?) of the Falls and published by Rhodesian Railways. Copyright - Federal Information Department.So the inscription on the reverse says.
I cant recall when / where I obtained them but they are still in the original envelope.

Thanks to Terry Griffin for sharing his memories with us.

The Cenotaph in Bulawayo

2010-04-15T20:22:00.000+02:00

Postcard made available by Diarmid Smith

The War Memorial in Bulawayo

2010-04-15T20:19:00.000+02:00

Postcard made available by Diarmid SMith

Car Crossing Moodies Drift

2010-03-22T12:18:00.000+02:00

Nick Baalbergen Writes

Thought the attached photo may be of interest. It is of a span of oxen about to 'assist' a car across the Moodie's Drift crossing on the Sabi River.

This is a photo obtained from the Archives in Salisbury in the 70's.
The annotation reads........."Car crossing Moodies Drift. (National Archives Salisbury No 15836)". No date is given, but the fact that the Drift was still in use, would suggest that it pre-dates the construction of Birchenough Bridge, therefore pre 1933 - the vehicle looks like a 20's model.

Thanks to Nick Baalbergen for sharing his memories with ORAFs.

Rhodesian Postcards: Rock Formation in Matopos

2010-03-13T16:15:00.000+02:00

Text on postcard reads:-
Valentine and Sons, Ltd., Dundee and London
Card is annotated " This is a real photograph.
Printed in GT BRITAIN

Thanks to Diarmid Smith for sharing his memories with ORAFs

Rhodesian Postcards: On The Way To The Matoppos

2010-03-13T13:00:00.000+02:00

Cover of the postcard

Back Cover of the postcard

Printed in Germany
Card marked: Forsyth & Co., Parliament Street, Cape Town

what is of interest is the difference in internal and external postage charges as can be seen on the card.

Thanks to Diarmid Smith for sharing his memories with us.

Rhodesian Postcards: Memorial to Natives who fell in the Great War.

2010-02-16T12:33:00.000+02:00

Post card is annotated
Umtali Publicity Association
"Memorial to Natives who fell in the Great War".
Umtali

On the reverse if the card the following text appears: C.T. Ltd

This memorial was referred to as Cross Kopje

There were no indication of production date, however it does seem to be fairly old from the clarity of the picture.
Maybe some readers could shed some light on that postcard and when they think the production date is?

If you can help then please Mail ORAFs with the information.

Click Here to read about Umtali Boys taking two motor cycles up to the top of this kopje,

Thank you to Diarmid Smith for sharing his memories with ORAFs.

Cigarette Prices

2010-02-12T20:38:00.000+02:00

Rhodesia Importers & Distributors (Pvt) Ltd.

Cigarette Prices With Effective from 21 July, 1969

Thanks to Stretch Merrington for sharing his memories with ORAFs.

Rhodesian Postcards: Thomas Baines Collection

2010-02-03T14:39:00.000+02:00

Details at Bottom of Picture:
London Published October 4th 1865 by Day & Som (Limited) Lithographers, Gate
Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC

THE FALLS FROM THE WESTERN END OF THE CHASM

Details on Back of Postcard:
The Victoria Falls, Zambezi River
THE FALLS FROM THE WESTERN END OF THE CHASM
Painted by Thomas Baines
From the series of 11 oils originally published in book form by Day & Sons,
London in 1865. National Archives of Rhodesia.

Details at Bottom of Picture:
London Published October 4th 1865 by Day & Som (Limited) Lithographers, Gate
Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC

HERD OF BUFFALOES DRIVEN TO THE EDGE OF THE CHASM

Details on Back of Postcard:
The Victoria Falls, Zambezi River
HERD OF BUFFALOES DRIVEN TO THE EDGE OF THE CHASM
Painted by Thomas Baines
From the series of 11 oils originally published in book form by Day & Sons,
London in 1865. National Archives of Rhodesia.

Details at Bottom of Picture:
London Published October 4th 1865 by Day & Son (Limited) Lithographers, Gate
Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC

ZANJUEELAH, THE BOATMAN OF THE RAPIDS

Details on Back of Postcard:
The Victoria Falls, Zambezi River
ZANJUEELAH, THE BOATMAN OF THE RAPIDS
Painted by Thomas Baines
From the series of 11 oils originally published in book form by Day & Sons,
London in 1865. National Archives of Rhodesia.

Details at Bottom of Picture:
London Published October 4th 1865 by Day & Son (Limited) Lithographers, Gate
Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC

THE FALLS BY SUNRISE, WITH THE "SPRAY CLOUD" RISING 1200 FEET

Details on Back of Postcard:
The Victoria Falls, Zambezi River
THE FALLS BY SUNRISE, WITH THE "SPRAY CLOUD" RISING 1200 FEET
Painted by Thomas Baines
From the series of 11 oils originally published in book form by Day & Sons,
London in 1865. National Archives of Rhodesia.

Details at Bottom of Picture:
London Published October 4th 1865 by Day & Son (Limited) Lithographers, Gate Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC

CENTRE ROCK FALL, AND THE EASTERN CATARACT

Details on Back of Postcard:
The Victoria Falls, Zambezi River

CENTRE ROCK FALL, AND THE EASTERN CATARACT

Painted by Thomas Baines

From the series of 11 oils originally published in book form by Day & Sons, London in 1865. National Archives of Rhodesia.

Details at Bottom of Picture:

London Published October 4th 1865 by Day & Son (Limited) Lithographers, Gate
Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC

THE FALLS FROM THE EAST END OF THE CHASM TO GARDEN ISLAND

Details on Back of Postcard:

The Victoria Falls, Zambezi River

THE FALLS FROM THE EAST END OF THE CHASM TO GARDEN ISLAND

Painted by Thomas Baines

From the series of 11 oils originally published in book form by Day & Sons,
London in 1865. National Archives of Rhodesia.

Thanks to Diarmid Smith for sharing his memories with ORAFs.

Rhodesian Postcards: Store at Livingston

2010-01-30T21:14:00.000+02:00

Postcard is dated 1905

Thanks to Diarmid Smith for sharing his memories with ORAFs.

Rhodesian Postcards: Mountain Lodge in Vumba

2010-01-28T11:48:00.000+02:00

This card was posted on 23/2/64 and was sent to a Miss S Wallace, Fairie Place College, Durrenden Rd, Brighton 6, Sussex, England.

There is no postage stamp on the back although it has the date of 23/2/64 on it

Thanks to Diarmid Smith for sharing his memories with ORAFs.

Click Here for more information on the Vumba

Bird-Watchers Click Here

Rhodesian Postcards: Troutbeck Inn

2010-01-28T10:56:00.000+02:00

"Surrounded by pungent pine forests and mountainous vistas, Troutbeck Inn, Inyanga Downs, Rhodesia viewed from across the trout lake."

Complimentary Postcard from Southern Hospitality (Southern being part of the Hotel group)
City Printers was the printing company

Thanks to Diarmid Smith for sharing his memories with ORAFs.

Rhodesian Postcards: Government House Bulawayo

2010-01-28T08:24:00.000+02:00

These 2 old postcards were early prints and had on the back the postage
position marked as "Postage : Inland halfpenny, Overseas One Penny"

Thanks to Diarmid Smith for sharing his memories with ORAFs.

Rhodesian Postcards: Birchenough Bridge

2010-01-27T19:43:00.000+02:00

Details on the back are as follows:

Birchenough Bridge, Southern Rhodesia
Copyright Photograph - E.T. Brown
Box 52, Umtali, S.Rhodesia

Interesting this postcard was printed like a normal photograph and then the details given on the card were then printed onto the back of the photograph to produce the postcard

Click Here for further details on this bridge.

Thanks to Diarmid Smith for sharing his memories with ORAFs.

Rhodesian Postcards: Cream of Tartar Tree at Victoria Falls

2010-01-27T15:15:00.000+02:00

Postcard was never used so no indication of dates.

Details as follows:
This is a real photograph
Published by The Newman Art Publishing Co., Cape Town, Copyright

Also known as the Baobab Tree
"Click Here and see the largest Baobab in the world"

Thanks to Diarmid Smith for sharing his memories with ORAFs

Rhodesian Postcards: Victoria Falls

2010-01-25T20:39:00.000+02:00

Postcard of Victoria Falls, incorporating several photographs of the Victoria Falls in Rhodesia.

No details of this postcard are known.

Thanks to Diarmid Smith for sharing his memories with ORAFs

Rhodesian Postcards: Victoria Falls - The Boiling Pot

2010-01-25T15:25:00.000+02:00

Postcard: Victoria Falls - The Boiling Pot.

This postcard was printed in Cape Town, and had a Cape Town date stamp on
it, addressed to a Mrs Annie Huish near Manchester in England.
Dated August 15 1942 from Cape Town.

Thanks to Diarmid Smith for sharing his memories with ORAFs.

Rhodesian Postcards: View from Hotel Verandah Victoria Falls

2010-01-25T14:55:00.000+02:00

Postcards: View from Hotel Verandah Victoria Falls

Diarmid Writes:-
This postcard was published by the Rhodesia Railways, and was sold to passengers on the rail routes.

Thanks to Diarmid Smith for sharing his memories with ORAFs

Rhodesian Postcards: Scenery on the Zambesi River Above The Victoria Falls

2010-01-25T13:09:00.000+02:00

Postcard of the Scenery on the Zambesi River Above The Victoria Falls

Diarmid Writes:-
This old postcard was an early print and had on the back the postage
Position marked as "Postage : Inland halfpenny, Overseas One Penny".
No date indicated of production date

Thanks to Diarmid Smith for sharing his memories with ORAFs.

Rhodesian Postcards: Pioneers On Matopo Hills

2010-01-25T12:12:00.000+02:00

Postcard of the pioneers on the Matopo Hills, near Bulawayo in Rhodesia.

Not been used so no indication of use date or production date.
Details on Back of the card:
Printed in England
Bulawayo News Agency, Box 194, Bulawayo

Of interest to Diarmid is the broken/spare wagon wheel in bottom left corner of photo?

Thanks to Diarmid Smith for sharing his memories with ORAFs.

Rhodesian postcards: Gatooma Town House

2010-01-25T08:56:00.000+02:00

Post card of the Town House in Gatooma, Rhodesia.

This postcard was part of a range of cards sold through Haddon & Sly in
Salisbury, no date stamp or indication of production date. Only data on the
back says "Copyright reserved, ATELIER, Salisbury"

Click Here for further information on Gatooma

Thanks to Diarmid Smith for sharing his memories with ORAFs.

Rhodesian Postcards: Manica Road (Salisbury)

2010-01-24T15:19:00.000+02:00

Postcard of Manica Road in Salisbury.

Believe this postcard to be dated between the 1950's to early 1960's.

It is annotated as Manica Road. Salisbury. Southern Rhodesia

Thanks to Trisha Norris for sharing her memories with ORAFs

Rhodesian Photos: Pungwe Pontoon

2010-01-23T20:57:00.000+02:00

Trevor Walton Writes:-

Our 1937 Ford V8 and the Bowman family's 1948 Ford 3/4 ton crossing the Pungwe on a pontoon (1949) on our way back from Beira to Umtali

Thanks to Trevor Walton for sharing his photo and memories with ORAFs

Rhodesian Photos: Ventura Aircraft Visits Umtali

2010-01-23T20:08:00.001+02:00

Trevor Walton Writes:-

The airplane (a Ventura I think,) landed at the old aerodrome near the cemetery,my mother and I are standing in front.

Comment by Eddy Norris
The aerodrome near the cemetery was referred to as "Perrems."

Thanks to Trevor Walton for sharing his photo and memories with ORAFs.

Rhodesian Postcards: Umtali

2010-01-23T12:00:00.000+02:00

Postcards of Umtali.

Umtali Civic Centre Complex with the Courtauld Theatre in the background

The following two Postcards are thought to dated in the late 1950's to 1960's and marked as annotated below the card.

Umtali From Christmas Pass. Umtali. Southern Rhodesia

View From Cecil Kop. Umtali. Southern Rhodesia

Thanks to Trisha Norris for sharing her memories with ORAFs.

Rhodesian Postcards: Sinoia Caves

2010-01-21T20:01:00.001+02:00

The "Sleeping Pool" 150' from the earth's surface to the water, the pool is approximately 280' deep

Click Here for further information on these Caves.

Suggested further reading, please visit the link below
http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2011/06/sinoia-caves.html

Postcard made available by Trisha Norris. Thanks Trisha

Rhodesian Postcards: Kariba

2010-01-21T12:50:00.000+02:00

Kariba Dam
Dam Wall with five gates open

Kariba Lake
Zambesi River. A view of the Wall from the Rhodesian side looking down stream

Panoramic view of Kariba

Cliick Here for further details on Kariba Dam

Postcards made available by Trisha Norris. Thanks Trisha
Believe these postcards are circa mid to late 1960's.

Rhodesian Postcards: Maleme Dam

2010-01-19T21:00:00.000+02:00

Postcard of Maleme Dam near Bulawayo in Rhodesia

Postcard made available by Trisha Norris. Thanks Trisha

Rhodesian Postcards: Finger Rock

2010-01-19T20:05:00.001+02:00

Postcard of the Finger Rock which is situated near Zimbabwe Ruins in Rhodesia.
Circa early 1960's.

Postcard made available by Trisha Norris. Thank you Trisha

Rhodesian Postcards: Leopard Rock

2010-01-17T15:58:00.000+02:00

The under mentioned Postcards are believed to be from the period between the early 1950's to early 1960's

In second photograph the British Union Jack Flag is visible which then indicates it from Federal days, November 1952 to December 1963.

Leopard Rock was a Hotel situated in the Vumba Mountains, near Umtali in the Eastern Districts of Rhodesia and lay on the border with Mozambique, previously known as Portuguese East Africa (P.E.A.) and was subjected to terrorist attacks during the Rhodesian war.

Swimming Pool

Postcards made available from Trisha Norris. Thanks Trisha.

Rhodesian Postcards: Hot Springs Resort

2010-01-15T21:52:00.000+02:00

Postcards of the Hot Springs Resort which was situated about 80kms from Umtali (Mutare) in Rhodesia.

Very popular resort for folk from Umtali.

Swimming Pool

Fishing at Hot Springs Resort

Postcards made available by Eddy Norris and are believed to be from the early 1960's.

Rhodesian Postcards: Salisbury

2010-01-14T20:11:00.000+02:00

Wally Joyce recently received a number of Rhodesian Postcards available form Mrs. Pat Wise, widow of the late John who was in the Safety Equipment Section of the Rhodesian Air Force.

ORAFs records its thanks to Wally Joyce and Pat Wise for making these postcards available to ORAFs.

Mashayamombe's Kraal and Fort Martin

2010-01-05T20:09:00.000+02:00

by G. H.TANSER

On the other side of the Umfuli River, sixty miles from Salisbury, lie broken kopjies with massive boulders heaped together or standing singly. Among the rocks are open spaces with trees and patches of bush. Where the rocks meet they form deep caves and recesses. It is a fantastic hide-and-seek area in which a person can be invisible from another one within a few feet.

This area had been occupied towards the end of the nineteenth century by chief Mashayamombe whose people put up their wattle-and-daub huts of twenty-five to a hundred to form villages, each governed by a headman. In the gardens below the kopjes, mealies, kafnr-corn, sweet potatoes, pumpkins and monkey-nuts were grown, while there were rice beds in the vlcis. To strengthen the defences of the stronghold stone walls were built between the rocks so that it became an excellent refuge, and a fortress in case of attack.

Early in 1896 the Matabele Rebellion broke out. In April, Kagubi, who was organising the rising of the Shona people against the Europeans, visited Mashayamombe.

Plans were made for the outbreak; Matabele warriors were to be brought northwards and, as soon as these arrived, the Europeans were to be attacked.

On June 15th, 1896, the first murder of a European was committed at Mashayamombe's kraal when the Native Commissioner of Hartley, David Moony, visited the chief to investigate the murder of an Indian storekeeper. On the same day two prospectors were seized, bound hand and foot, and whether dead or alive, thrown into the Umfuli.

On June 21st the Natal troop under Captain J. F. Taylor, which was returning to Salisbury from Fort Charter, attacked Mashayamombe but was beaten off and retired.

Mashayamombe now went into the attack. His forces surrounded Hartley Hill and prevented any communication with the outside world, until the laager was relieved by a patrol under Captain Hon. C.J. White on July 22nd.

By August 1896, a small force of Mounted Infantry had arrived in Rhodesia. This Imperial unit under Lieutenant Colonel E. A. H. Alderson, had left Cape Town for Beira.

After fighting two battles with the rebels on the road from Umtali the troops reached Salisbury. There was a shortage of food for both men and horses so it was not until October 5th that Alderson with a force of 500 Europeans and 100 African troops marched against Mashayamombe.

A pincer movement was planned. A patrol under Major A. V. Jenner left Fort Charter attacking from the south, driving the rebels from their kraals on to Mashayamombe's. On the night of October 9th Jenner and Alderson made contact by signals and launched a joint attack on the 10th. Sections of the Mounted Infantry, the Salisbury Rifles and the Native Contingent were sent among the kopjes to clear them. The kraals were burned and the enemy disappeared into the caves in which they lay hidden and later emerged elsewhere. Those caves which could be located were blown up but Mashayamombe moved to other strong points on the Umfuli, and though Alderson attacked these, the results were inconclusive and Mashayamombe, having resisted two attacks, settled down again and, when the rains came, planted his gardens.

Alderson was criticised for his effort which left Mashayamombe with the feeling that he could hold out in his kopjes, but Rhodes was desirous that the Imperial troops should be withdrawn and that the newly formed British South Africa Police should take over.

It was decided to establish a fort in Mashayamombe's area. A kopje with precipitous sides opposite to Mashayamombe's and a mile away was selected as a strong point. The kopje named Fort Martin, was occupied by the B.S.A.P. under Captain R.C. Nesbitt on February 20th. Level places on the kopje were used for wattle and daub buildings and for tents; a seven-pounder gun was mounted on the highest point to command Mashayamombe's kraal. A smaller kopje a hundred yards away from the main Fort was occupied by African Police. "Fort Martin", Nesbitt wrote "is very healthy, being splendidly situated, very high... it is impregnable and the best possible place".

References
1. Report on the native disturbances, 1896-97. British South Africa Company.
2. On the South African Frontier. W. H. Brown. Sampson, Low, Marston, 1899.
3. With the Mounted Infantry and the Mashonaland Field Force. E. A. H. Aldcrson. Methuen, 1898.
4. Norton District in the Mashonaland Rebellion, by Col. A. S. I Hickman, M.B.E. in Rhodesiana No. 3, 1958.
5. Pioneer Forts in Rhodesia, by P. S. Garlake in Rhodcsiana, No. 12, September 1965.
6. A Scantling of Time. G. H. Tanser, Stuart Manning, 1965.
7. Revolt in Southern Rhodesia, 1896-97. T. O. Ranger. H

Produced by Rhodesian Breweries Limited for the Rhodesiana.
Printed by Mardon Salisbury

ORAFs records it thanks to Diarmid Smith who made this information available for distribution.
Thanks also to the Rhodesian Breweries, Mardon Printers and the Rhodesiana magazine