MILITARY UNIFORMS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE OVERSEAS 1938 (8) - NORTHERN RHODESIA

In our tour of the Empire in 1938, it's time to cross the Zambezi and push on to Northern Rhodesia:

The reverse of this card (No.46 of 50) states:

"The Northern Rhodesia Regiment was formerly the Military Wing of the Northern Rhodesia Police. This Military Wing was subsequently divorced from the Police and constituted a separate military regiment under its present title. Two battalions were raised in the Great War and played a distinguished part in the operations in S-W Africa in 1914 and in East Africa, 1914 - 1918. Its badge is a golden-crested crane and its motto "Diversi genere fide pares." Recruited from Africans of Northern Rhodesia, the Regiment, of which we show a Regimental Sergeant-Major, is officered by British officers. Government House, Lusaka, may be seen in the background."

In October 1964, Northern Rhodesia gained its independence from Great Britain and became modern day Zambia. Government House still stands in Lusaka, however - now the home and offices of the President of the Republic and re-labelled the "State House":

The State House, Lusaka. Gone is the RSM of the Northern Rhodesian Regiment - instead
we have the President's parked Mercedes.

Notes:

(1). 28mm suggestions - a useful basis for a Northern Rhodesian Regiment conversion would be the Kings African Rifles produced by Under Fire Miniatures:

(2). there is an interesting YouTube video HERE showing the State Opening of the Rhodesian Parliament. Unfortunately the video has no sound and is undated, but it looks like it dates back to the very early 1960s, and the ill fated "Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland" (1953 - 1963). A Governor-General inspects a very smart parade of infantry - almost certainly the Northern Rhodesian Regiment - and, equally happily, there is more film of the Southern Rhodesian Mounted Escort (Lancers) as per the previous post!

(3). A useful book, illustrating the 1938 Colours of the Regiment, and a 1930s bandsman:

MILITARY UNIFORMS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE OVERSEAS 1938 (7) - BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA POLICE

Time to go back to the John Player & Sons cigarette cards from 1938, titled "Military Uniforms of the British Empire Overseas". We left off nearly a year ago in Southern Rhodesia, looking at the Rhodesia Regiment, but it turns out that there are more Rhodesian units of equal interest:

The British South Africa Police, 1938.

The reverse of this cigarette card (No. 6 of 50) states:

"The police force of the Colony of Southern Rhodesia was originally recruited to accompany the Pioneers in the Occupation of Mashonaland in 1890, and later saw service int the Matabele War of 1893, the Matabele and Mashona Rebellions of 1896 and the Boer War. The Force was then known as the B.S.A. Company's Police, after the Charter Company which was responsible for government of the territory. The B.S.A. Police saw service in German East Africa (1915 - 1918) and was also responsible for the capture of Schuckmansberg in German South West Africa in 1914. We show a Trooper (Full Dress) in front of the Regimental Institute, B.S.A.P. Depot, Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia."

A 1950s photograph of B.S.A.P. Depot, Salisbury. This is the roadside frontage,
whereas the cigarette card depicts the view from the grassed parade area to the rear.

Undoubtedly, the best discovery about the British South Africa Police was their Ceremonial Mounted Escort - a small unit of lancers!

BSAP Lancers pass the statue of Rhodes in central Salisbury

BSAP Lancers in colour. Compare tunic colour to the cigarette card above

BSAP Lancers in close up.

BSAP Lancers on parade for the Royal Visit of 1960

The BSAP Mounted Escort parading on the grassed parade area to the rear of the BSAP Depot.

This is the view of the Depot depicted in the cigarette card above.

Mention of the British South Africa Police would not be complete without reference to their Askaris:

The reverse of this cigarette card (No.7 of 50) states:

"The British South Africa Police : Native Askari. The Native Police of Southern Rhodesia are recruited from the Matabele and Mashona tribes of the Colony, and from the adjoining territories of Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia. Although forty years ago their ancestors were uncivilized, the present-day recruits reach a high standard of discipline and efficiency. They work in co-operation with European member of all branches of the Force (Town, District and C.I.D.) and, in addition, a special platoon of Askari perform guard duties at Government House. The Headquarters and Training School are at Salisbury. During the Great War, numbers of them saw service in German East Africa. The background shows the Municipal Offices at Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia."

BSA Police Askari drawn up for inspection. This may be the interior of the
"Municipal Offices at Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia" - it is not possible to tell.

Notes:

(1). "the Royal Visit of 1960" was a visit by the newly widowed Queen Mother. This wonderful YOU TUBE VIDEO (Movietone) records the QM's arrival in Salisbury, an inspection of a guard party of the Rhodesian Regiment, and (best of all), those Lancers escorting the QM's Rolls-Royce. Not quite our period - but undoubtedly Very British. Here is a nice map showing her subsequent travels:

The Queen Mother's travels across the then "Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland".
This Federation existed only between 1953 and 1963 - see the detailed WIKI page HERE

(2). There might be some doubts about the "green-ness" of the BSAP tunic in the 1938 cigarette card above, particularly in comparison to the colour of the Lancers' tunics. However, this illustration (from a dedicated book about BSAP uniforms) seems to confirm that, if not quite such a dark green, the tunic was at least greenish-khaki:

(3). The statue of Rhodes being passed by the Lancers (third illustration) no longer exists. Shortly after "Rhodesia" became "Zimbabwe" in 1980, the statues of Rhodes in Salisbury (renamed "Harare") and Bulawayo were pulled down and destroyed:

Illustration from Vol 13 of the "Journal of Hate Studies", published by the 
Institute of Hate Studies, Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington.
(P.S. We're really not kidding).

MILITARY UNIFORMS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE OVERSEAS 1938 (6) - THE RHODESIA REGIMENT

Moving north from Cape Town and crossing the Limpopo River (but obviously staying within the boundaries of the British Empire of 1938), we trek to Southern Rhodesia:

A Sergeant of the Rhodesia Regiment 1938

The reverse of this cigarette card (No.5 of 50) states:

"The Southern Rhodesia Defence Force originated with the early Pioneers and in 1892 developed into a volunteer force which served in the Matabele war and Rhodesia Rebellion. In 1899, it became the Southern Rhodesia Volunteers, with units in the principal centres and Rifle Companies in outlying districts. Volunteers therefrom served in the Boer War and Great War. In 1926 the Defence Act was promulgated, instituting compulsory peacetime training, and the Rhodesia Regiment - of two Battalions - was formed from members of the Southern Rhodesian Volunteers and other citizens in the larger towns. We show a Sergeant of the Rhodesia Regiment in Drill Order, standing in front of the Drill Hall at Salisbury, S. Rhodesia."

Notes:

(1). as to 28mm suggestions, the temptation is (of course) to start with an 8th Army figure in shorts as a base, either living with its "long socks" or converting them to match the Rhodesians' long leather gaiters. However, this would still leave you looking around for a Wolesley helmet, and both the webbing and shirt/jacket would be quite wrong. Probably the best "donor figure" would be from the Gripping Beast WW1 line, "BRIT 11 - British Section in Shorts":

Gripping Beast WW1 British in shorts - varieties of separate
heads are available, of which the Wolesley is one option.

Gripping Beast separate head options (British).

(2). The Drill Hall was built in 1902, and is a particularly fine example of its type. More background information (from 1956) HERE, and interesting contemporary accounts of the Duke of Connaught's visit in 1910 HERE:

The Drill Hall (now in Harare, Zimbabwe) still exists, but unfortunately we have been unable to trace a modern photograph of it, nor establish its present use. The equally impressive Drill Hall in Bulawayo is in use as a Police Administrative Building, and it may therefore be that same is true of the old Salisbury building. Leave a comment to this post if you can do better! Whatever may have happened to their Drill Hall, however, the Rhodesia Regiment has certainly marched away into history:

The Rhodesia Regiment marching away from the Drill Hall, late 1930s.
It may be that this is a contingent going to war in 1939, or an earlier
departure to Herefordshire in 1938...
(David Heppenstal collection, via Pinterest)

MILITARY UNIFORMS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE OVERSEAS, 1938 (5) - CAPE TOWN HIGHLANDERS

Another John Player cigarette card from 1938, on this occasion demonstrating the strong ties between the "Old Country" and Commonwealth:

The fearsome RSM of the Cape Town Highlanders

The reverse of the cigarette card (No.1 of 50) states:

"Under the Defence Acts of the Union of South Africa, every citizen between seventeen and sixty years of age is liable for military service in any part of South Africa, whether within or outside the boundaries of the Union. There is also a liability to compulsory service for all citizens between the ages of twenty-one and twenty-five. The Permanent Force is recruited on a voluntary basis, service being for a period of three years; re-engagement for periods of up to two years is permitted up to the age of forty-five for privates and 50 for non-commissioned officers. We show a Regimental Sergeant Major of the Cape Town Highlanders; the Town Hall, Capetown, appears in the background."

Notes:

(1). As to 28mm figure suggestions, Footsore Miniatures have some Scottish Highlanders (in glengarry cap) within their Early WW1 British range which would form a good basis for a 28mm Cape Town Highlander; alternatively Steve Barber Miniatures has produced WW1 London Scottish in glengarries that would do equally well.

(2). The Town Hall, Capetown, still stands:

 (3). The Wiki history of the Regiment can be found HERE. Some readers may enjoy the latest news of the Regiment (and evidence of continuing Scottish stubborness) at a time of great political change: "In August 2019, it was announced that 52 South African Army Reserve Units would have their names changed to reflect the diverse military history of South Africa. The Cape Town Highlanders was due to be known as the Gonnema Regiment....[in June 2022] it was confirmed that the unit had not officially changed its name and remains known as the Cape Town Highlanders."

Add Edit:

The badge of the Cape Town Highlanders, from a contemporary cigarette card produced in South Africa:

MILITARY UNIFORMS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE OVERSEAS, 1938 (4) - HYDERABAD STATE FORCES

After this post on the Bikaner State Forces, another John Player cigarette card celebrating Britain's Indian Empire:

Hyderabad State Forces

The reverse of the cigarette card (No.32 of 50) states:

"His Exalted Highness the Nizam of Hyderabad is the Ruler of the premier Indian state, which has a population of over fourteen million, and covers 83,000 square miles in Southern India. He maintains three regiments of Lancers organised as a Cavalry Brigade and, in addition, three Infantry battalions, a Horse Artillery Battery and a Transport Section. His forces number nearly five thousand in all. A regiment of Hyderabad Lancers served with the Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade on the Suez Canal and in Palestine during the Great War. The officer shown in Full Dress in our picture is the commander of the Cavalry Brigade; the Char Minar, Hyderabad, appears in the background."

Notes:

(1). a useful historical summary of the "Hyderabad Contingent" can be found HERE

(2). notwithstanding the scarlet of their Brigadier, the Hyderabad Lancers appear to have been uniformed in blue:

Hyderabad Contingent Cavalry

Officer, Hyderabad Lancers, 1917

while the Hyderabad PBI appear to have been uniformed in traditional scarlet:

Hyderabad Contingent Infantry, 1903

(3). for suitable 28mm figures, a "hidden in plain sight" gem of a manufacturer - Tradition of London. One of the oldest retailers of toy soldiers in varying scales, Tradition carry the venerable Charles Stadden 30mm line, including a small range of  "Indian Army c.1897". Although these 30mm figures remain imposing next to even todays 28mm figures (think of the size of Bob Murch's Pulp Figures and add a couple of mm), there is nothing quite like them elsewhere:

Charles Stadden 30mm Indian Infantry at attention. The range
also has a Bugler, Sergeant and Officer at attention. A simple
"paint job conversion" will produce Hyderabad Contingent Infantry.

Charles Stadden 30mm "Indian Trooper turning in saddle".
The range has a variety of other poses, including "parade positions".
Here painted as Skinners Horse, a liberal application of blue will
produce a Hyderabad Contingent Cavalry Trooper.

(4). although the Nizam and his Hyderabad Contingent sadly had no place in post 1947 India, the "Char Minar" still stands in modern day Hyderbad:

The Char Minar. This modern day view is pretty much the same shot as the background
 of the 1938 cigarette card. More INFO HERE

(5). For information as to Hyderabad's forcible annexation by India following independence and partition, see HERE. Bob Cordery of the "Wargaming Miscellany" blog has been doing some interesting work on this action, known as "Operation Polo" - see HERE.

A map of Hyderabad, showing its central size and importance to India.
Arrows show "Operation Polo" of 1948.
 From Bob Cordery's Wargaming Miscellany Blog.

MILITARY UNIFORMS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE OVERSEAS, 1938 (3) - AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE

Another cigarette card from the series issued by John Player in 1938:

Australian Light Horse

The reverse of the cigarette card (No.8 of 50) states:

"Members of all the Australian Light Horse Regiments served in the South African War and sixteen Regiments carry battle honours for the Great War. The members of the Light Horse Regiments, which are mostly drawn from country areas, are volunteers who provide their own mounts. The Regiments are numbered to correspond as far as possible with those of the Australian Imperial Force, but they also retain the old titles, "Royal New South Wales Lancers", "Victorian Mounted Rifles", etc. by which they were known before the Commonwealth took over control of defence matters from the separate states in 1901. We show a trooper of the Australian Light Horse; the City Hall, Brisbane, appears in the background."

Notes: 

(1). The 1938 ALH uniform appears unchanged from the 1914-1918 uniform, and there are a couple of 28mm WW1 ranges that provide suitable figures. Tim's Miniature Wargaming Blog has some nicely painted figures from Brigade Games, while the OverOpenSights blog has some splendid painted versions from Blaze Away miniatures (now marketed through Lancashire Games - including mounted and dismounted, and a Hotchkiss LMG), plus a lot more helpful information on the ALH.

(2). YouTube is awash with videos of the Australian Light Horse. Amongst others, here they are in 1939; and their fathers ("The Lighthorsemen") at Beersheba in 1917 (well worth a watch!)

(3). The City Hall, Brisbane, still stands - but now dwarfed by modern steel and glass development:

The City Hall, Brisbane, today.

MILITARY UNIFORMS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE OVERSEAS, 1938 (2) - BIKANER STATE FORCES

In 1938, India was still the "jewel in the Crown" of the British Empire, a place of (usually) playboy Maharajahs and their (always) colourful "State Forces", as exemplified by this contemporary cigarette card:

Indian State Forces - Bikanir (or Bikaner)

The reverse of the cigarette card (No.29 of 50) states:

"The Bikanir State Forces number about 1,800, consisting of one battery of Artillery, two motor machine gun sections, two squadrons of Lancers, an Infantry Battalion, and the Ganga Risala, a Captain of which is shown in our picture in Full Dress. This famous Camel Corps rendered good service in the early days of the Great War in the fighting east of the Suez Canal. Bikanir is one of the largest of the Rajputana States, but much of it is desert, and its population numbers less than one million. The Maharajah of Bikanir holds the honorary rank of General in the British Army and is an extra aide de camp to the King. The Old Palace and Fort, Bikanir, are shown in the background."

Notes:

(1). More details on the Bikaner Camel Corps (the 'Ganga Risala") can be found HERE. 

(2). Biographical details of the splendid Ganga Singh, Maharajah of Bikaner, can be found HERE. Definitely not a playboy Maharajah...

(3). No details can be found on the other elements of the Bikaner State Forces of 1938 (whether the exciting sounding "motor machine gun sections" or the "two squadrons of Lancers") but this toy soldier source suggests that Bikaner artillerymen were uniformed in blue, and that the artillery battery was camel-drawn;

(4). As to suitable 28mm figures, Mark Hargreaves of the "OverOpenSights" blog has already "been there and done that" (back in December 2014!) producing some splendid Bikaner Camel Corps figures from "Perry Sudan Camel Corps figure(s) with a Woodbine head" for camel mounted troops and "a Woodbine WW1 Indian Army figure" for dismounted equivalents, in both cases "with greenstuff additions to the head dress". Woodbine is now marketed by Gripping Beast :

Mark Hargreave's wonderfully produced and painted Bikaner Camel Corps.
Full information and many more photos at the OverOpenSights blog - well worth a visit!

(5). The "Old Palace and Fort", Bikaner, still stands; no longer home to a Maharajah (Mrs Gandhi officially abolished such titles back in 1970) - but, in the modern way, an "exclusive luxury hotel":

The Old Palace and Fort, Bikaner

MILITARY UNIFORMS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE OVERSEAS, 1938 (1) - BRITISH GUIANA

In 1938, the critical year of the Very British Civil War, John Player & Sons (part of Imperial Tobacco) produced a series of cigarette cards depicting the "Uniforms of the British Empire Overseas". Here in the Hereford VBCW, we do like a nice cigarette card - in this case, contemporary evidence of some of the troops that returned from overseas to fight for "the King Emperor" (or, if you're a Yorkist, fight to replace him with a different "King Emperor"):

The British Guiana Militia

The reverse of the cigarette card (No.48 of 50) states:

"British Guiana, which was ceded to Great Britain in 1814, has an area of 89,480 square miles and a population of over 328,000. The British Guiana Militia was constituted in 1891 and consists of a machine gun company and infantry companies. The Force is equipped with modern arms and is trained on the lines of the Territorial Army. It is under the command of the Inspector-General of the Police and has a permanent military staff to supervise its training. Our picture shows a Company Sergeant Major of the Militia; the Town Hall, Georgetown, British Guiana, appears in the background."

Notes:

(1). it appears that - unbelievably enough - no 28mm manufacturer has produced figures for the British Guiana Militia, 1938. However, West Wind have produced four Colonial Police that could pass; and Empress Miniatures' "Jazz Age Imperialism" lines might be profitably plundered for special items such as machine guns. Gripping Beast do 28mm separate heads in Wolseley Helmets. Any other suggestions, leave a comment!

(2). British Guiana became independent in May 1966 and was renamed Guyana. The 2022 population of Guyana was c. 808,000. Shorn of all imperial pretensions, The Town Hall, Georgetown still stands:

No Militia today - replaced with Mondeos and Toyotas. Sic transit....