Rhodesian Service men

I was at boarding school during the War and did not realise the part my father had played until I was a lot older.

The school was in the country near East Grinstead and I recall that we all went down to the large cellar during each air-raid and were given a sweet each from a huge tin. During the Battle of Britain we saw dog-fights overhead and once I experienced bullets rustling in the undergrowth around me from diving fighters.

During the school holidays I only saw Dad at weekends. He worked at Rhodesia House in The Strand during the day and for the Metropolitan Special Police at night.The following is a cutting from the Rhodesia Herald soon after the war which gives some idea of the work he did.

From the Rhodesia Herald 1946
"FAIRBRIDGE ENTHUSIAST
Bill Denman, who broadcast to Rhodesia last night with the Chief Scout, Lord Rowallan, on the Rhodesian Fairbridge scheme, is easily the best known "non-Rhodesian" member of the Rhodesia House staff.

It was he, in particular, who helped Rhodesian Service men in England, and particularly returned prisoners of war, to get their pay problems straightened out - no small task in many cases. As a commissioned officer in the Special Police, he saw service in some of the worst bombed areas during the blitzes, and took many a party of Rhodesians on sightseeing tours. Lastly, but by no means least, he and his wife entertained over 100 Rhodesians during the war at their charming house at Haywards Heath in Sussex, for week-ends and sometimes for a week or more. If ever he realises a 20-year-old ambition to visit Rhodesia he will have a busy time fulfilling all the invitations he has had.
His dominant interest in life is the Fairbridge Scheme. He is the complete embodiment of a single-minded enthusiast The committee was fortunate indeed in having him available at Rhodesia House to be the general secretary."

I have fond memories of Rhodesian Airmen staying with us,spoiling me with their extra rations, and telling me exciting tales about their flying exploits.

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