Rhodesia’s Viscounts Down Memorial Day, more Photos.

I’ve already posted a blog on the Monument and the story behind the day.. I just thought I’d add a few photos of those that attended. I’m sorry I don’t know all the names but maybe you recognise some of your old friends… enjoy…

As you all know (or don’t) Keith Nell was the back bone to this monument and assisted by a team organised the building and the day… to him and his team go all the thanks, and for copies of Keith’s book “Viscount Down” you can now order it in soft cover… here is a link.. it tells the whole story of the horrifying incidents..

             Keith Nell and a fellow SAS, flag raiser..                                         The Master of Ceremonies….

                  C/Sgt Johan Bezhuidenhout                                                                       Mike Westcott

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                    The crowd spread amid the trees… what a good turn out… 450 of us there…

The Service was led by Lt. Col. The Rev. Bill Dodgen, who three days prior to the Service suffered a mild stoke, he could hardly talk before Sunday, yet like all good Ex- Rhodesians, soldiered on to take the dais.

We Know Bill is suffering badly, and living off an almost indigent income, (anyone knowing of some help let us know) but his brave stand on Sunday, was worthy of high praise and thanks…

The un veiling of the Hunyani side of the memorial…..  Joy Kerr

The un veiling of the Umniati side of the Monument… Ian Du Plessis

         The consecration of the Monument….                                          and the laying of wreaths……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The front rows taken up by family and special friends of the deceased… how they remember them….

                  Some gathered for photos after to add to their albums, and to send to friends far away…

    Ronnie (you all know her) and Alf (the poet)                            and two badges I’m sure you’ll recognise..

Trumpeter Hornbill.

The Trumpeter Hornbill (Bycanistes bucinator) is a medium-sized hornbill, with length between 58 and 65 cm (23 and 26 in), characterized by a large grey casque on the bill, smaller in females. The eyes are brown or red, with pink surrounding skin. Body mass is reported between 0.45 and 1 kg (0.99 and 2.2 lb.).

The Trumpeter Hornbill is a gregarious bird, usually living in groups of 2 to 5 individuals, although sometimes as many as 50. This hornbill is a locally common resident of the tropical evergreen forests of Burundi, Mozambique, Botswana, Congo, Kenya, the Caprivi strip of Namibia and eastern South Africa, where it feeds on fruits and large insects. Like other hornbills, the females incubate 4 to 5 white eggs, while sealed in the nest compartment.

I capture these Photos in Southbroom on the Natal South Coast of South Africa…..