February 2024 edition
The fact that those who seek the breakup of the British nation have held power in one part of the United Kingdom, i.e. Scotland, is abhorrent, but the recent ascendancy of those who not only seek the destruction of Britain but who have used terrorist intimidation in Northern Ireland in order achieve their devilish aims, is a cause for even greater anguish.
The Sinn Fein/IRA terrorists have never obtained a majority of votes in Northern Ireland of course, and the main reason why they now hold the position of First Minister at Stormont is because of the bizarre and totally unfair electoral system which was foisted upon the people of Northern Ireland by the so-called “Good Friday Agreement” engineered by the New Labour Government of Tony Blair. Blair of course subsequently revealed where his true sympathies lay by his conversion to Roman Catholicism.
But it is not only the arcane electoral system now operating in Northern Ireland which should be blamed for this sorry current state of affairs, nor even the tame Catholic/nationalist minions who are brainwashed by their church and intimidated by threats of violence into voting the way they do, but perhaps more importantly the apathy, naivety and divisions among the majority Protestant/Unionist community.
Alas all too often those who are Loyalist at heart condemn “all politicians” without realising that no-one is perfect, and that voting is always the case of voting for the best option available, and that the ideal option is only very rarely available. By staying at home rather than voting just because of one or two petty disagreements with the Unionist candidates available they are in reality voting for the SF/IRA scum. Even more sickening are the increasing number of people from the Protestant community who are now prepared to vote for the ultra-liberal Alliance Party. Adherents of the various Protestant denominations on the mainland (indeed around the Western world) are notorious for holding ultra-liberal views on political and social matters, and alas this poison now seems to have spread to Ulster – to the detriment of the well-being of their own people. It seems like an “action replay” of what happened in South Africa during the 1980s, when most of the Calvinist Reformed churches abandoned their previous conservative positions in order to embrace “diversity” – and lost their entire country as a result!
But perhaps the worst self-inflicted wound enacted by the Unionist people has been their divisions and in-fighting. Although on the nationalist side of the spectrum SF/IRA have squeezed the non-terrorist nationalist SDLP into insignificance (playing the bizarre electoral system to their own advantage by allowing the SDLP ascendancy in a few certain seats), on the Loyalist side of the spectrum the UUP and the DUP continue to engage in self-defeating in-fighting with little thought of working the system to the advantage of Unionism as a whole. In addition of course there is the position of the hard-line Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) party, which although advocating most praise-worthy policies has adopted electoral tactics which can only benefit SF/IRA. Jim Allister made an excellent and powerful speech at Stormont when the SF/IRA subversives took their new seats – but how much more effective would it have been had he voiced this speech from within the UUP or the DUP?
We must be realistic however. Northern Ireland’s position within the United Kingdom now lies in the hands of the central UK Government. Years ago Enoch Powell argued that the best security for Northern Ireland was for full integration into the UK, and although the abolition of Stormont did not seem a good idea at the time the situation has now changed so radically that it is now perhaps the best option left available. We now therefore clearly need a British Government (and a radical change in British politics does now seem possible in the not too distant future) which is prepared to rip-up all of Tony Blair’s constitutional vandalism, which will not only mean the abolition of the Holyrood and Cardiff Bay quangos, but also the now desecrated Stormont.
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SPRINGBOK CLUB NEWS
The Springbok Club joined with the Patriotic Forum in order to celebrate both Burns Night and Australia Day last month. This proved a most enjoyable event, with full details of which being reported in the Patriotic Forum News section of this SCN.
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Alas there was a mistake in last month’s SCN regarding the date of this year’s Springbok Club AGM. This will take place on Saturday 2nd March 2024. This AGM will commence at 16.00 hrs. at a venue in central London, and full details will be circulated to all fully paid-up members in due course. After the business side of proceedings have been concluded Mr. Gavin Sandeman (who has given the organisation several fascinating talks about the exploits of his illustrious family in southern Africa over the past few months) will give an illustrated talk about the Australian experiences of certain members of his extended family, and all supporters and friends of the Springbok Club, be they members or not, will be welcomed to attend this section of the day’s proceedings, which will commence at approximately 18.30 hrs. If you are interested in attending this event then please e-mail: springbk@netcomuk.co.uk and we will inform you of the precise details.
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In late March the Springbok Club will be staging a trip to a Rugby match featuring a side with strong South African connections, and in April the organisation will be holding a meeting to be addressed by a most interesting South African guest speaker. During May the Springbok Club will be making a visit to Portsmouth in order to see HMS Victory and the Mary Rose, and in July will be holding its annual Rhodes and Founders Day celebration, which this year will comprise of the first in a series of events to commemorate the life of Frederick Courtney Selous. Full details about all these events will be appearing in future editions of the SCN.
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PATRIOTIC FORUM NEWS
The Patriotic Forum staged a most enjoyable and successful event last month in order to celebrate both Australia Day and Burns Night. The day’s activities started with a small ceremony at the bust of Admiral Arthur Phillip (who founded Sydney and became the first Governor of New South Wales) in the City of London – thus continuing the tradition initiated by the late, great Dennis Delderfield. At this ceremony a short speech was given, mentioning in particular the most encouraging result rejecting the kow-towing proposals at the recent Australian “Voice” referendum, and then the Australian National Anthem was sung – with heavy emphasis on the word “Young”! By chance a tourist party walked by during the ceremony, which included a couple of Australians – who of course appeared very impressed by what they witnessed! After the ceremony the Patriotic Forum party moved on to a near-by hostelry where they were joined by several other supporters for a traditional Burns Night haggis meal – with the haggis being addressed in the traditional manner!
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The long-awaited re-constitution meeting of the Patriotic Forum is now expected to take place during the next couple of months. Once the formal re-constitution of the organisation has been enacted then regular monthly meetings will be resumed, and indeed half-a-dozen prominent guest speakers from the worlds of politics and journalism who have already agreed to speak for the organisation.
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NEWS FROM THE NETWORK FOR ANIMALS
In last month’s SCN we reported the sorrowful news that Mr. Brian Davies, the founder of the estimable Network for Animals organisation, had sadly died. We feared that this worrying development could mean the demise of the Network for Animals organisation, so we have therefore been very pleased and relieved to continue receiving their regular circulars – very distressing though many of the contents prove to be, as the following harrowing report from the “new” South Africa illustrates :-
“Freedom Park in South Africa is an impoverished, gang-infested nightmare for animals. Here, dogs and cats are routinely neglected and often viciously abused. They live surrounded by callous thugs who intentionally harm them just because they can. We have seen dogs burned with acid, brutally beaten, kicked almost to death, and starved to “teach them a lesson.”
”We work in areas like these because few other organizations do, and the needs of animals are often greatest in places like this. We also know these are really dangerous areas.
”We found out just how dangerous on a routine visit to the community to treat and feed animals, when I was attacked while rescuing an injured mother dog and her puppies!
“A resident had alerted us to an alarming situation - a mother dog and her pups were being neglected and possibly abused. Mummy dog had a badly injured leg.
“Together with our partner Fallen Angels, we sprang into action and raced off to rescue the mother dog, now named ‘Trouble’, and her pups. But once we reached the tiny, miserable concrete enclosure where Trouble and her babies were being kept, the situation quickly escalated.
“While the owner’s son was happy for us to take the animals to treat them, his mother became enraged. Remaining calm but acting fast and decisively, we managed to remove Trouble and her pups to get them to safety.
“That’s when our luck turned…
“As we prepared to leave, a man attacked me with a brick, trying to hit me on the head with it.
“It was a very close call for me, but I am relieved to say that I escaped unscathed, and Trouble and her pups all made it to a veterinary clinic. The poor creatures all need URGENT medical care.
“Trouble has a torn knee ligament and needs surgery. She will be cared for by specialists for the next two months, and with your help, we will give her the treatment and care she deserves.
“Trouble’s puppies are all sick; they will be treated and loved, and once they are healthy, put up for adoption into homes carefully vetted by Fallen Angels.
“Fallen Angels does amazing work for animals in impoverished South African communities. They also have a wonderful agreement with pet owners in Mitchells Plain: if they have their pets sterilized, Fallen Angels will help feed and provide medical assistance to their animals. This is the best possible way to reduce the street dog population, but it cannot be done without the support of animal lovers like you.
“£4,100 will help rescue, feed, rehabilitate and find loving homes for animals born into suffering.
”If you can find it in your heart, please support our work by making as generous a donation as you can today.
“For the animals,
“Gloria Davies (and Max and Flora!) Founder Network for Animals
“P.S. Friends, your love and support help tragic dogs like Trouble and her defenceless babies. Every animal we save gets a second chance because of you. Please donate now and help us reach more animals like "Trouble" and her puppies.!
For more details about the Network for Animals organisation, or to make a donation, visit their web-site at: https://networkforanimals.org/
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CRICKET SOUTH AFRICA’S SHAME
Shortly before the start of this year’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup the governing body of Cricket in the “new” South Africa, Cricket South Africa, announced that it was removing the team’s captain David Teeger. This wasn’t because of any loss of form, nor because he had committed any crime. David Teeger, who is Jewish, was relieved of the South African Under-19 captaincy simply because he had voiced his anger at the October 7th Hamas terrorist atrocity, and his consequent support for the State of Israel. In spite of widescale international objections to this outrageous decision Cricket South Africa refused to relent.
Our advice to David Teeger is that he should immediately start to make plans to emigrate to Israel. Cricket in Israel is not very strong at the moment, but David Teeger’s addition to the national team would have a very beneficial effect, not only through his playing skills but also because of its national psychological effect. Cricket internationally is after all sorely in need of another leading “first world” power!
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PETITION TO CUT IMMIGRATION NUMBERS
A supporter has recently informed us about a most important petition calling on the government to reduce immigration into the UK significantly. We certainly encourage all of our supporters to sign this much needed petition, which can be accessed at :-
https://cutimmigration.co.uk/petition/
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MICHAELA STRACHAN BROKE OUR HEARTS
Most readers will probably be familiar with Michaela Strachan, the much respected and greatly admired broadcaster best known for being the co-presenter of the hugely popular BBC nature programmes Spring Watch and Autumn Watch etc.. What is less well known is that Michaela Strachan is no longer based in the UK but in South Africa, having been in a close personal relationship with the South African wildlife film director and cameraman Nick Chevallier for a number of years. Indeed their son is believed to be a pupil in the prestigious Bishops Diocesan College in Cape Town. It is of course weirdly strange that Michaela and her family should choose to reside in such a dangerous country as the “new” South Africa – but perhaps they think that money can buy you security? If so then they are wrong, for the wealthier you are perceived to be then the more likely you are to be targeted by the notorious Cape Flats criminal gangs. Clearly it would be far wiser if Michaela and her family were to relocate to the UK where her television career would undoubtedly flourish even further, and her son would have an infinitely better future in life for himself.
Interestingly a song entitled “Michaela Strachan: You broke my heart” praising Michaela Strachan was recorded a few years ago by the acclaimed popular music group “Scouting for Girls”, and a YouTube version of this can be found at :-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILJafTc7c6E
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SEARCH SERVICES FOR THOSE SEEKING LOST RELATIVES
Find any South African, even those who have emigrated. We also search Botswana, Namibia and ex-Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. Please use the search request form at :-
http://www.bellemodel.biz/emails/emails.php?id=emails_from_SCN
Also check the list of South African expatriates/emigrants web-sites, which can be found at :-
http://www.bellemodel.biz/uruguay/uruguay.php?id=uruguay_from_springbk
and
http://www.bellemodel.biz/emails/expatriates/toplist_expatriates.php?id=toplist_expatriates_from_springbk
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BOOK OFFERS
“LIEUTENANT COLONEL ALFRED JAMES TOMLINSON: MEMOIRS OF AN AFRICAN PIONEER AND BSAP OFFICER" is now available at Amazon.com, and can be shipped to anywhere in the world. This book contains excerpts from Lieut. Tomlinson's writings detailing his experiences as a member of the BSAP in Southern Rhodesia, where he rose from the rank of an ordinary trooper to retire as the commanding officer. It also includes the personal story of Majaqaba Ncube, a man who was enslaved by Lobengula when his entire village was massacred by the chief's soldiers. After he escaped, Lieut. Tomlinson saved him from certain death and gave him a job. They lost contact and were reunited after 45 years, when Majaqaba presented Lieut. Tomlinson with an earthenware jar.
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CREST PUBLISHING BOOKS
The latest book published by Crest Publishing is entitled: “BOWLS - QUIRKS, CHIRPS AND ANECDOTES". This is not an instruction manual but rather a cheerful, humourous and sometimes controversial chronicle about the game and its history worldwide. Written to celebrate 40 years in the sport by the author, Glenn MacAskill, it should be of interest to all bowlers and other sports enthusiasts.
For more information about all books published, or to make an order, please contact Crest Publishing at: P.O.Box, 4178, Honeydew, Johannesburg, 2040, South Africa, e-mail: glennallanmacaskill@gmail.com, or visit the Crest Publishing web-site at: www.crestpublishing.co.za. Special discounts are available to ex-servicemen, Rhodies and Springboks!
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"THE SAINTS" – a unique documentary in support of the book on the brief history of the RLI.
DVD available along with other premium titles of historical interest from Msasa Enterprises. Visit www.rhodesianvideos.co.za or write to msasasa@mweb.co.za for more information. UK contact telephone: 07415 753 340.
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?
No.303: Mr. MERVYN ROBINSON of Durban.
Mervyn Robinson ran a highly successful computer business based in Buxton’s Village on the Moore Road in Durban during the 1980s. Although clearly a most intelligent person and an astute businessman he had the reputation of being a bit of an eccentric, and was nicknamed “The Mad Hatter” as a result. He was a practicing, though not fanatical, Roman Catholic and had a Polish wife. Very friendly and popular with all his contacts, he also was clearly a patriotic South African at the time. His main assistant in his computer business, which became known as Computerama, was a Finnish chap who went by the name of “Terror” – his actual Finnish name being pronounced very similar though spelt far differently. Like Mervyn himself “Terror” was a very friendly and able person. It would be very interesting to learn what happened to both Mervyn and “Terror”.
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RECOMMENDED WEB-SITE OF THE MONTH
Although we made The Euro Probe our “Recommended Web-Site of the Month” in the April 2014 Edition of the SCN, we have recently been informed about an excellent article which appears on their web-site entitled “The Britons and Caucasians: Who are they?”, which details sinister plots hatched during the 19th and 20th century to try to wipe out the White races by miscegenation. Alas a middle section in this article emphasizes that several of those involved in this plan were Jewish, which is actually completely irrelevant as far more of those heavily involved were members of other White races! In spite of this one criticism we believe that this article is still well worth reading, as it gives clear evidence about this sinister state of affairs. It can be accessed at :-
https://www.theeuroprobe.org/2021-029-the-britons-and-caucasians-who-are-they/
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
POWERLESS AND POWERLESS
Sir,
It is four years since this effort was started to remind the Afrikaner people group in South Africa about lost opportunities to take the lead in Article 235 repositioning of self-governance and proper use of the legal status of the fully signed, witnessed and disclosed but carelessly discarded and suppressed Afrikaner Accord of 23 April 1994. Now South Africa is powerless. South Africans are brutally manipulated by a new instrument of political torture after the controversial Covid Plandemic had failed to lead in the Great Reset. Where manipulated disease and a proxy war narrative failed, the national power grid in sunny South Africa is now the narrative with Stage 6 and Stage 8 load shedding, sabotage, diesel shortages, plant failures, bosses resigning, political lies and whimpering citizens. City water reservoirs are running dry, more businesses are failing since March 2020 and cold storage logistics chains are malfunctioning! Will South Africans ever wake up and effectively resist the escalating iniquity? Will the by now pathetic Afrikaner ever regain previous levels of backbone and responsibility? Will the Church ever stand up to regain and maintain righteousness in our societies? Will "leaders" ever become honest again? Boere- en Afrikaner Geloftevolk mense, - is ons nie deel van die sout van die aarde nie? Wanneer gaan ons werklik geloofwaardig-behoudend en as voorbeeld van vaardigheid en verantwoordelikheid weer opstaan, saamstaan, vasstaan en slimstaan?
Yours etc.,
Abraham J. Meintjes, Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa.
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SING NO MORE
Sir,
I received a video from an ex-MD who lives in Singapore. Singapore is of no particular interest to me or to you, however:-
By default it addresses a few questions that I have been asking for many, many years:-
What are the limits to growth? What is a sensible immigration policy? What is a sustainable population for any community? What about the quality of life rather than simply the quantity/material quality of life? What is a viable/sensible level of debt ?
The video lasted for about 14 mins. Singapore has changed dramatically in the past 40 or so years. A very modern City/State that looks exactly like so many, in fact ALL, of the "modern cities" that I have worked in. Cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, Doha, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Muscat, Manama and so many others here in Canada and the US. No character, no individuality and no soul.
One big difference when it comes to immigration and citizenship is that the Mid-East countries that I mention here allow you in on a work permit/sponsorship basis. If the economy tanks then out you go. No risk at all to those countries as they have no debt, they are providers of debt funding/inward investors in the "developed world".
Expand your population? Grow your GDP, but not necessarily the wealth/standard of living of the working class/the middle class. The US must now pay out $2 Billion per day in servicing its federal debts, my province here in Canada has around or over $C100 Billion of debt. An ever bigger slice of the budgets pie chart must go on servicing these debts! Unsustainable. Must end in tears. I am surrounded by water but my various levels of government have not invested in the infrastructure necessary to store and treat the needs of an ever growing population. From today I will be breaking the law if I do any outside watering. Short term solutions to long term problems. Not going so well? Change the PM, change the Chancellor (the UK has had four of each in the past couple of years!). 6 million people across Canada without a GP and yet our population will grow by around 700K this year. 8 councils, or more, across the UK now bankrupt and under Section 114 protection. The latest was Birmingham who hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2022. Little Thurrock with debts of £1.3 Trillion, having invested taxpayers money in a non-existent solar farm. Croydon went into bankruptcy three times. The ex-CEO left with a £400K + golden goodbye.The list goes on and on. No worries though, they will all be bailed out by the taxpayer.
Maybe worth 14 minutes of my time, not for any interest in Singapore but for the wider implication.
Yours etc.,
Paul Rhodes, Sechelt, British Columbia, Canada
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J.P.R. SUPERSTAR (1)
Sir,
Thanks for the obituary to J.P.R.Williams in last month’s SCN. He was a force of nature and terrific to watch in the 70s heyday of Welsh Rugby.
Yours etc.,
Peter Lindsay, Reigate, Surrey, U.K.
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J.P.R. SUPERSTAR (2)
Sir,
Last month’s was another excellent and informative SCN. I especially liked the news on the despicable action by the South African Government regarding Israel, and also the lovely obituary to J.P.R.Williams. I’m slightly too young to remember him on TV, but my late Dad did, with I think a grudging respect.
Yours etc.,
Steve Smith, Ashford, Kent, U.K.
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RUSSIAN ROULETTE
Sir,
I recently received the following report. This is South Africa very soon to come :-
“US Intelligence has suggested that South Africa’s government has deepened its military relationship with Russia over the past year, as accusations suggested a Russian cargo vessel subject to US sanctions docked in South Africa where the government is covertly supplied Russia with arms and ammunition that could be used in its war in Ukraine. THE ANC IS PLAYING WITH FIRE. Russia accounts for a paltry 0.2% of South Africa’s global export trade, while the US, UK, and the EU account for a combined 35%. This means South Africa is risking over 40% of its export revenue “
The South African government doesn’t seem to care. Russia is isolated; it can’t trade fluidly with 60 COUNTRIES LOCKED OUT BY SANCTIONS. Extreme Rand weakness and the collapse of government’s finances, most likely bankrupting South Africa to the point of mass food riots and total collapse of law and order in most cities with mass murder and arson. South Africa will likely face its worst economic crisis to date if it undergoes full sanctions from the West, lose the AGOA trade benefits and face sanctions from Western countries that will destroy its economy. ANC terrorists are playing Russian roulette – threatening the worst economic crisis in its history.
Yours etc.,
Richard Windsor, Canterbury, Kent, U.K.
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OBITUARIES
THE HON. WILFRED DENIS WALKER
It was very sad to learn of the recent death of Wilfred Denis Walker – always known simply as Denis Walker.
Denis Walker was born in London in 1933, and was a staunch Methodist, qualifying as a Methodist local preacher. His dour Christianity led to him volunteering as a Methodist missionary in southern Africa, serving firstly in South Africa and then gravitating north to the then Southern Rhodesia, Unusually for an austere Methodist he believed firmly that the then existing racial dispensation in southern Africa was the correct order of things, and joined the governing Rhodesian Front party of Ian Smith. He was selected as the RF candidate for Bulawayo North at the 1974 General Election, winning the seat with 93.4% of the vote, and holding it at both the 1977 and 1979 elections. He didn’t gain a position in government until after the transitional government was instituted in 1977 however, being appointed Junior [deputy] Minister of education, When the Zimbabwe-Rhodesia government of Abel Muzorewa was set-up in 1979 he was appointed as one of he two joint Ministers of Internal Affairs. Surprisingly he decided to remain in Parliament after Muzorewa capitulated to Mugabe’s ZANU/PF terrorists, but when he was threatened with arrest over an (undoubtedly trumped-up) charge of attempting to overthrow the government) he immediately moved back to the UK.
He based himself in Bishop’s Stortford (Cecil John Rhodes’s birthplace) and proved himself a man of boundless energy. He resumed his role as a Methodist local preacher in his local circuit and also established a successful computer supplies business. But it was through his continuing activism for patriotic and anti-communist organisations and causes where he made the most impact. He became Deputy Chairman of the Rhodesian Christian Group under the chairmanship of Father Arthur Lewis, and a trustee of the associated Zimbabwe-Rhodesia Relief Fund, and after joining the Conservative Monday Club quickly rose to become Chairman of that right-wing organisation. Most surprisingly he also founded and ran the Constitutional Monarchy Association, a most curious position to hold for someone who had been technically in rebellion against the Crown during the Rhodesian UDI years! During his final years he also accepted the position as Deputy President of the Romford Conservative Association, a position which he evidently took great pride in.
Denis Walker was Guest of Honour at the Springbok Club’s 2003 UDI Day Dinner, and gave an excellent and extremely well received speech. Alas attempts to retain contact with him and the Conservative Monday Club did not prove successful, and it is believed that this was because an attendee at this dinner said something to Denis which was completely out of order, which he erroneously believed reflected the views of the Springbok Club as a whole. Denis unfortunately was a very vinegary character, and had the tendency to see enemies where no enemies existed, for we know of at least three people with only vague connections to the Springbok Club who suffered ostracism as a result of similar unsubstantiated misunderstandings.
The Hon. Wilfred Denis Walker had his faults, but at this sad occasion of his death we prefer to remember his outstanding virtues of working tirelessly for the patriotic cause on two continents. Our sincere condolences are extended to his widow Jill (a delightful woman who we remember well from when he addressed the Springbok Club dinner in 2003), and to his son Trevor and his family.
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BARRY JOHN
It was with great sadness that we learnt of the recent death of Barry John. Barry John was born at Cefneithin in Carmarthenshire in 1945.His Rugby playing career started with his local village team Cefneithin RFC, but his outstanding talent as fly-half soon came to he attention of Llanelli RFC who he joined in 1964. He played his first international for Wales against the touring Australians in 1966, and soon established himself as Wales’s first choice fly-half. His half-back partnership with Gareth Edwards (now Sir Gareth Edwards) proved formidable, and was cemented even further when Barry John moved to Cardiff RFC to join Gareth Edwards in 1967.
Barry John was selected for the British Lions tour to South Africa in 1968 – the only time that he was to play in the country – but after playing in three winning matches against provincial teams he broke his collarbone during the First Test and had to return home. He had recovered in time for the 1969 season however, when Wales won both the Five Nations Championship and the Triple Crown. In 1970 he played twice against the touring Springboks, firstly for Wales in a match which resulted in a 6-all draw, and then for the Barbarians which saw the Baa-baas winning 21-12. Later in 1970 he was in the Welsh squad when Wales shared the Five Nations Championship with France, but in 1971 Barry John was a regular in the Welsh team which won the Grand Slam!
The high-spot of Barry John’s Rugby career was undoubtedly the 1971 British Lions tour of New Zealand, He played in 17 of the 26 matches on the tour, and in all four Tests in a series which the British Lions won 2-1 (with one draw). It was during this series that the New Zealand press gave him the nickname of “King John”, an appellation which he evidently didn’t like and became something of a millstone around his neck. The 1972 Five Nations Championship was marred by IRA terrorism, and as a result Wales didn’t play Ireland. They won all three remaining matches however, with Barry John being in the team each time. At the end of he Championship he dropped a bombshell however, by announcing that he was retiring from all competitive Rugby at the age of only 27. He gave as his reason that he simply couldn’t handle the fame and adoration which he received. He wished to play Rugby for fun, not in order to be revered. His premature retirement meant that he did not take part in the famous British Lions Tour of South Africa in 1974 – “The Invincibles”. He was replaced as fly-half for both Wales and the British Lions by Phil Bennett: some replacement!
In all Barry John played 25 times for Wales scoring 90 points, and 5 times for the British Lions scoring 30 points. Our sincere condolences are extended to his wife Janet (although separated they remained on good terms), his four children and eleven grandchildren.
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