Abercornucopia

The Stockade Boma at Abercorn in 1893. Constructed by Consul Hugh Marshall, it stood on the left  bank of  the Lucheche Stream facing down stream with its front gate facing the old Stevenson Road. Later this road ran to St Paul's Mission. It  used to wind down to Katuta Bay in Lake Tanganyika where the African Lakes Corporation had a depot. The site is  some 2 to 3km  north of the Old Prison near what used to be called the Boma Gardens. There should be the remains of a large high roofed house nearby.

This circa 1904 post card is surely the first pictorial card from Northern Rodesia. It shows the old road in Abercorn with the first Post Office and other buildings on the right. This was on the NW side of Cemetry Hill. The remains of these offices can still be found in 2018 some 200ms from the southern side of the Pioneer’s Cemetery opposite the side entrace. They need protecting form cultivation that is encrouching on them. The card was sent by Baron Rhoeder a member of Lt Graetz’s motor party during their trip from Dar-es-Salaam to Windhoek. Courtesy Carsten Möhle of Bwana Tucke Tucke Safaris.

Abercorn's first Post Office. Jim McNeil, the telegraphist and
 Post Master was appointed in 1899 by the African
Transcontinental Telegraph Service that had pushed through a telegraph line from the south.

Photo courtesy Stewart and Liz White.

The first Post Master Jim McNeil on he steps of the First Post Office in Abercorn. This was probably on "Cemetery" hill over looking Lake Chila.  Jim McNeil a Man of Africa, recorded  images of his time there through his beautiful drawings, photograph,  caricatures of local residents and his diaries.  

Courtesy Stewart and Liz White.

H. C. Marshall the First Commissioner stationed at Abercorn.

Consul Hugh Marshall and his dog at his residence in Abercorn. This is an interesting image in that it appears to show him in the garden of the mystery building that was also named the Boma.

The African Lakes Corporation Mandala Store in Abercorn was the probably the first two storey structure in what became the Northern Province. There was accomodation for the Manager and staff on the upper floor. The height of the building was subsequently reduced because of the risk from earth tremours. This building is still standing across the road from the T.V.M.I and diagonally opposite the Post Office. The roof has just in Nov. 2018 painted a good shade of green.

A 1906 photo of the 1902 T.V.M.I. building on the left with the African Lakes Corporation two storied house behind the family group. Note the wide Medan between these buildings and the Post Office which would have been to the right. Photo by Jim McNeil Post Master.

The A.L.C. building in 1919. Note the old T.V.M.I to the left. Photo Harry Mantell.

The fortified Abercorn Jail in 1915. Note: this is not the present Old Prison but was uphill across the road to Lake Chila. © Malcolm Alexander; From Ulendo: Claude’s African Journey into War and Passion, see www.aldridgepress.co..uk/ulendo

Abercorn Jail in 1915 showing the tower and the defences on the roof. Photo Marshall collection, Livingstone Museum.

The Ruins of abercorn Jail in 1915 after German shelling. These ruins were still visible in the 1950s as a pile of broken bricks and raised earth. © Malcolm Alexander; From Ulendo: Claude’s African Journey into War and Passion, see www.aldridgepress.co..uk/ulendo

Abercorn Block House and Hospital 1915.

© Malcolm Alexander;
· From Ulendo: Claude’s African Journey into War and Passion, see www.aldridgepress.co..uk/ulendo

This is a curious image as the building is not identifiable and we have no reference to a war time hospital in Abercorn. It may be the war time hospital in Old Fife or it may be that the Commissioner’s residence was defended in this way

The site of the first original Abercorn Prison. This predates the existing Old Prison Museum that is across the main road that goes down to Lake Chila. This site is about opposite the Police Station. It was fortified in 1914 and defended Abercorn during the 1915 German attack. This phot was taken in the early 1960s.

Native Commisioner's House Abercorn. This house is a mystery. It does not appears to be the core of the present District Commissioner’s residence. It is likely that it was the old house that was opposite the African Lakes Corporation manager’s house next to Mandala Stores. This was a large BSACo style house that was the Doctor’s House in the 1940s and 1950s. This postion also roughly corresponds with a house shown on an old German Map of the border region.

Lake Chila in 1907. It looks much the same as it does today.

Abercorn Socialites 1905 or 6. See next image for names.

Abercorn's special style was there from the start.

European Residents in 1905 or 1906. Note Hugh Marshall first commissioner at top left and a very young Ronald Smith.

Photo and names courtesy Anita McCullough.

Claude Oldfield is second left of this group at the Native Commissioner's House in Abercorn in 1914. Photo Malcolm Alexander.

Group at the Native Commissioner's House in Abercorn in 1914

includes Claude Oldfield the NC. Photo: Malcolm Alexander.

Note the number of small children.

The Abercorn May Day Party held at Mr Gordon Lobb's farm on the Siaisi in 1914. See Articles on Abercorn for a description taken from the Northern Rhodesia Journal. vol.ii, no. 1. pages 76-79.

Abercorn residents on the rocks where the Lecheche stream exits Lake Chila. Includes Asst. Native Commissioner Weggerle, Hall and Mrs Lobb. Ronald Smith extreme right. Photo Livingstone Museum.

Front row : Hugh Marshall, Mrs Grace Blyth of Jerico Farm and Mrs Marshall.

Back row: George? Blyth and Ronald Smith on right. Photo Livingstone Museum.

1905, House Party at the home of Hugh Marshal, Magistrate and Civil Commissioner Abercorn November 11.

Front Row: Mrs C. Blyth, Mrs Marshall, Mrs A. Miller.

Back Row: Gordon Lobb, John Deacon (trader and hunter) H. Marshall, A. Miller, Native Commissioner Mporokoso, G. Weggerle, Assistant N. C.

Tea on the Tennis Ground Abercorn 4th March 1905, Mr Gibson. Mr Irvine, Dr Wareham, Mrs Wareham, Mr D. (?) Dayer, Baby W. Vereker.

From the Marshal Collection in the Livingstone Museum.

Interior of Mr and Mrs Marshall's Abercorn residence. Photo Livingstone Museum.

MacKinnon at Luena Mission, NER From the Marshal Collection in the Livingstone Museum.

Lt Gaetz of the German Army in Tanganyika visits Abercorn.

This is the first car to visti the area and was photographed out side what looks like the African Lakes Corporation [ Mandala] Store.

Commander Spicer-Simpson RN with his men on Lake Tanganyika. "The Ice Cream War" and other histories  tell the story of his extraordinary expedition to Lake Tanganyika with the Mimi and the TouTou to sink the German vessels then dominating the lake.

General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck marching from the Chambezi to surrender in Abercorn on 25th November 1918.

Von Lettow Vorbeck's surrender from the Zambia National Archives

The trenches on the Siaisi in June 1915.

The Defense of the Siaisi in 1915 also showing Lobb's Farm, the Stevenson Road and the Telegraph Line.

Line up of the Guns von Lettow Forbeck surrendered in Abercorn in November 1918. See next image for details of the weapons and Articles section for a description of the event. 

Ref. BC330, Molteno/Murray Papers, UCT Libraries Special Collections.

Reverse of the image of the surrendered  German guns. 

Collection BC330, Molteno/Murray Papers, UCT Libraries Special Collections.

Carriers marching though Kasanga to Bismarkburg in WWI

Extract from the Abercorn Township Council Records now in the Livingstone Museum.  for burials in the Abercorn Cemetery showing First World War Casualties and other residents   Photo Courtesy Peter Jones.

Extract from the Abercorn Township Council Recordsnow in the Livingstone Museum.  for burials in the Abercorn Cemetery showing First World War Casualties and other residents   Photo Courtesy Peter Jones.

Extract from the Abercorn Township Council's Record of the burials in Abercorn Cemetery now in the Livingstone Museum. Photo Courtesy Peter Jones.

Post and Telegraph Staff in Abercorn c1901. These men were engaged in constructing Cecil Rhodes' Cape to Cairo Telegraph project.

The Rubber Factory where the German forces were informed of the Armistice that concluded the First World War viewed from across the Chambezi.

Reverse of the Photo of the Chambezi Rubber factory

Section of the Stevenson Road from Karonga on Lake Malawi to Katuta Bay on Lake Tanganyika. From the Marshall collection at the Livingstone Museum, courtesy Anita MacCullough.

Afternoon Tea at the stream with Mrs Leyer the wife of the Commissioner in  August Abercorn in 1908/9. The best guess is that this is the Lucheche Stream and they are sitting at the point where the road bridge now crosses the Lucheche close to the outlet from Lake Chila.

The Duchess of Abercorn holds a party

The Rifle Range in Abercorn pre 1914. Photo by the Post Master Jim McNeill courtesy Anita McCullough. Competition between Abercorn and Fort Jameson was fierce with scores being telegraphed between the two teams.

Consul Hugh Marshall’s first Stockaded Boma between the Stevenson Road down to Kituta Bay and the Lucheche river . This can probably be found below the Moto Moto Museum downstream from the current bridge.

The First Post Office in Abercorn Northe or Old Abercon. This was on Cemetery Hill on the Lake Chila side of the Pioneer Cemetery.

This is a remarkable early image of the buildings of Abercon North or Old Abercorn on Cemetery Hill. The Post Office is on the right.

Probably the earliest photo of Abercorn Main Road with the old 1902 T.V.M.I on the left and the old double storey African Lakes Company building behind the family group.

Abercorn Shooting Range. There was keen competition between Abercorn and Fort Jameson with the results being relayed to and fro by the new Telegraph line.

View of the Magistrate’s Office/Post Office with the old Boma beyond

The Native Commissioner’s Dwelling Abercorn. This is something of a mystery as it does not look like the old DC’s House. Nor does it look like a house on the opposite side of the main road from the African Lakes Co. manager’s house that was an NC house and later the Doctor’s house in the 1940s and then that of the Post Master in the early 1950s.

The Post Master’s New House as sketched by Jim McNeil in 1903

Abercorn types camping at Mpulungu. Jim Kitchen on the left, Ronald Smith on the right. Anyone know the others?

Abercorn Pioneer types from the 1930s. Ronald Smith on left perhaps Jim Kitchen on right.

Patricia Ogilvy a nursing sister from Southern Rhodesia who married Ronald Smith a long established Abercorn Settler. Ronald was an early rancher on the Saisi and had been a transport officer during WWI. He and his bother Lionel with Jim Kitchen started the transport company Smith and Kitchen that became Thatcher Hobson and later CARS. Ronald and Patricia ran the Crested Crane Hotel at Mpika before farming in Mazabuka.

An Abercorn wedding in the late 1930s. Ronald Smith with Bride. Patricia Smith née Ogilvy a nusring sister from Southern Rhodesia. Rum Mum [Ma Simpson]is on the right. Rum Mum was the widow of the well-known character Charlie Simpson, a Glaswegian fitter and mechanic who has started his African career running steamers on Lake Nyasa and Lake Mweru and was then in charge of the large Traction Engine that powered the famous Rubber Factory on the Chambezi near the present bridge.

Smith and Kitchens fleet of transport lorries that service Abercorn's needs in the inter-war period.

Old Abercorn Golf Club in the 1930s. This was opposite the  junction with the Mpulungu and Kasama Roads near the present ZAF base.

The Old Golf Club, Abercorn. This was on what is now the site of the ZAF base.Lionel or Ronald Smith on the left.

The Abercorn Co-Operative Building opposite the CARS depot at the entrance to Abercorn just West of the Mbulu Stream

The newly built coffee factory for the Abercorn Co-Operative Society

This building was opposite the old bus station at the entrance to the town.

Ballymain Estate Coffee Label. that was designed by Ian Friers, brother of Rowel Friers the Belfast Artist. The design was based on the Northern Rhodesian stamps. Courtesy Denis Mayne.

Another good size Nile Perch caught in the 1940s

The biggest Nile Perch yet. Note: this photo may not be all it seems!

Another good Nile Perch caught on Lake Tanganyika by David Mclean Clarke and Jack Venning

Norah Venning and David McLean Clarke with a good catch in the 1930s

J. H. Venning's home Chisungu House off the Mpulungu Road. David Mclean Clarke [ son in law] on left Venning on right with pith helmet. Fountain rising up in the middle. The water pressure came from the source of the spring high up on the escarpment behind the house.

Jack Venning enjoys his Snooker table  at Chisungu, his house on the Mpulungu Road with the most amazing view over Lake Tanganyika.

Marshall Avenue, Abercorn on Mail Day. in 1939 - 40. Photo Mrs Anthea Bush.

Jolly Boating Weather, Abercorn Style in the 1930s.

Damaged Aircraft, Abercorn Areodrome in the 1930s. Photo Norah Venning.

Another view of the London Johannesburg air racer that crashed at Mbete Bay

An Royal Air Force proving flight arrives at Abercorn Areodrome in 1934

RAF Vicker's Vimy heavy bomber arrives at Abercorn in 1934.

Photo Norah Venning.

Another RAF aircraft in the 1934 flight.

Picnic on the shores of Crocodile Island Lake Tanganyika in the 1930s.[The beach literally crawled with crocodiles then.That is why they are all still in the boats] Note the tie! Photo: Norah Venning.

Picnic at Kalambo Falls about 1935. note the Plethora of pith helmet.

Picnic at Kalambo Falls in 1935. Photo Norah Venning.

Jack Venning surveys the Kalambo Gorge from the lip just back from the falls. Note the low water.

Early settler transport. Motor cycles and side cars were easier to man handle over bad stretches of road. Hugh Venning with his wife Beatrice nee Shakelton and their son  "Munty".

1935 fishing expedition on Lake Tanganyika. Deck chairs to the fore.

The Fez or cut down Fez was often worn then.

Venning's ex Union Castle line life boat. Poor fishing and very hot. Someone has fallen asleep!

Abercorn Style 1930s. A Wedding Party at Chisungu. "Bally" and his bride .

Tennis party at the Old Club about 1934. Jack Venning centre seated with the Maynes to the right of the photo. Ronald Smith left.

Mr Alan Chilemu, Herad Clerk at the Boma  addressing the District Commissioner at the 1945 Abercorn Victory Celebrations. Courtesy Denis Mayne.

See Articles Abercorn People for  Mr Alan Chilemu's Obituary by J. H. Venning.

Abercorn District Chiefs and their Advisors at the Victory Celebrations in 1945.

1945 Victory Parade Abercorn. Mr Percy Mantell manager of the African Lakes Corportion's Mandala Stores fourth from the left

The 1945 Victory Parade Band marches past the grand stand. Photo courtesy Denis Mayne

Mrs DC  disapproves of the Setter's rowdy behavior at the 1945 Abercorn Victory Parade. J. H Venning keeps aloof on the far left.

Mr Ronald Bush  the District Commissioner during the war years with his wife Anthea and children Ralph and Lorna in the garden of the DC's residence Abercorn. Photo courtesy the Bush family. 

Abercorn (European) Primary School 1948/49.  Mrs Pat Williams top left with her daughter Yvonne in front. Mrs Bredo the wife of the director of the IRLCS is further along the back row. Mrs Mantell headmistress is centre back with Bill Williams in front of her. The Bredo children are in front in  dungarees.

Abercorn European Primary School in 1949. The building had been a part of the Polish Camp. The head teacher Mrs Mantell is standing at the door. Her daughter's is Ruth centre and Rosemary far left. the boy on the  far right next to the vanette is the son of the Director of the IRLS Hans Bredo.. Note the solar topee

Ronald Smith at the helm with Mpulungu behind him. Note no large store on the warf in the 1930s.

Captain J.L. Carlin, Air Correspondent of the Star flew with Lt. Schoeman on an inaugural Air Mail Proving flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg.

Miss Joan Carlin (on right) came through Abercorn in the early 1930s with a Concert Party while on a tour of South, Central and East Africa. They put on their production at the old Abercorn Golf Club and stayed with her uncle Mr. J. H. Venning at Chisungu. They later toured India and Burma with their show.

Chief Tafuna returning to to the mainland having survived the crossing. These are remarkable photos and are the first known images of this important ceremony. Photos by Mrs Anthea Bush the wife of Ronald Bush the District Commissioner.

The Chief Designate - centre in white - prepares to swim to Kumbula Island. Photos by Mrs Anthea Bush the wife of Ronald Bush the District Commissioner.

Chief Tafuna crossing from Mpulungu to what was then known as Kumbula Island. He had to survive the swim and avoid the crocodiles to qualify as Chief. Photos by Mrs Anthea Bush the wife of Ronald Bush the District Commissioner.

Photos from the Albulm of Mrs Anthea Bush the wife of the Abercorn District Commissioner Mr Ronald Bush.

Waiting to welcome the new Chief Tafuna of the Lungu. Photos by Mrs Anthea Bush the wife of Ronald Bush the District Commissioner.

The ceremonial house is erected. Photo by Mrs Anthea Bush the wife of Ronald Bush the District Commissioner.

The next stage of the ceremony. Preparing a residence. Photos by Mrs Anthea Bush the wife of Ronald Bush the District Commissioner.

Digging mud for the Ceremonial House. Photos by Mrs Anthea Bush the wife of Ronald Bush the District Commissioner.

Starting the Ceremonial House. Photos by Mrs Anthea Bush the wife of Ronald Bush the District Commissioner.

The Polish Refugee Camp in Abercorn. This photo shows that the concrete memorial with Polish Eagle insignia was in the centre of a small round-about. Is this the same memorial that could be seen in the 1950s  a few yards south of the new water tower?

"Little Poland" Abercon

The Chapel of the Polish Camp Abercorn. Photo: Courtesy Kresy-Siberia Foundation website.

Camp Residents and staff Abercorn.  Courtesy Kresy- Siberia foundation  - Kwietniowski

Polish school girls at the Abercorn Camp in their national dress. Courtesy Kresy-Siberia Foundation.

Polish Camp residents and the Polish commandant . Courtesy Kresy-Siberia Foundation

Polish women in the  Camp maintain Abercorn style standards! Courtesy: Kresy-Siberia Foundation.

The Polish Camp Community Hall. Note the chilly weather.

Polish Camp residents the Commandant and a British official?

The entrance to the old walled cemetery  on the side of the hill overlooking Lake Chila. In Colonial times this was reserved for European burials. Note the left hand wall appears to have been rebuilt although a bush fire run through the site.

The old walled cemetery showing the Polish graves and the remains of those of other residents. Sadly a bush fire had swept though the site. Poto courtesy Professor Hubert Chudzio, from the Pedagogue University in Cracow Poland.

The Polish section of the old Abercorn walled cemetery. Courtesy: Professor Hubert Chudzio, from the Pedagogue University in Cracow Poland. Helena Sowka named on the first headstone in the photo died having her tonsils removed, she was given too much anaesthetic and never came around. Information from Sofie Wood her great neice.

The Polish Eagle on the grave of a refugee. Photo courtesy of Professor Hubert Chudzio, from the Pedagogue University in Cracow Poland.

Restored Polish Graves in the old Abercorn Cemetery.

The upper  Eastern corner of the Old Cemetery under restoration by the Polish Team

Digging for clay to make the bricks for the Camp buildings. Photo Mrs Anthea Bush.

Buying thatch in 1943 for the construction of the Polish Camp. Photo Mrs Anthea Bush.

Polish School Girls with Novices

A Polish girl enjoys the delights of Lake Chila from the rocks at the source of the Lucheche stream. Courtesy Kresy-Siberia foundation.

See thier website in the link section.

Lake Chila must have seemed like paradise after Siberia.

The Switzerland of Africa.

Polish girls playing netball

The Polish Boy Scout Troop at the Camp in Abercorn

The renovated Polish Eagle.

A Polish Camp outing to Kalambo Falls. Note the man in uniform to the right of the group and the man in a big hat who looks like an local Abercorn resident. The girl’s brothers, fathers and uncles were in North Afica or Italy fighting with the Allies as members of the Polish Free Army.

Water Skiing on Lake Chila in the 1960s

Abercorn Club

The famous Abercorn Bunny Girls on the bar of the Abercorn Club

"There ain't nothing like a Dame!" The men's chorus line  at the Chila Yacht Club's Commodores Ball with Mark Lloyd to the fore and Ian Mackinson belting it out on the left.

The Bunny Girls in 2014. Northern Rhodesia Zambia Reunion at Salisbury Racecourse. Photo Amanda Parkyn.

Lake Chila from the Golf Club.

Abercorn Yacht Club on Lake Chila.

Lake Chila Yacht Club on a Sunday afternoon.

The Old Boma, Abercorn, Northern Rhodesia

Marshall Avenue, Abercorn with Kellet's Butchery on  the left, Westwood's Store centre and The Lake Press on the extreme right.
Courtesy Amanda Parkyn

Breezy Sailing on Lake Chila in the 1960s

Abercorn boys and girls on their way home from school down South.

The famous dance at the TVMI  to raise funds for the New University of Zambia

The Grasshopper Inn just down from the IRLCS building

Regatta Day at Chila Yacht Club. Drawing by Ian Mackinson

The FIRST Pan Abercorn Archaeological Congress. A take off of the real Archaeologists who descended on Abercorn with the Fifth Pan Africa Archaeological Congress in 1955. Lest Sheelagh Carlin right Edna Nash.

The real Pan-Africa Congress on Pre- History.

Children's Party in Abercorn. Shame someone's parents did not realize it was fancy dress.

Miss Marion Gamwell OBE at the wheel of their farm car "Old Henry". 

The Gamwell sisters discuss development plans with Paramount Chief Tafuna and Magnus Halcrow of the Industrial Development Board. 

Armistice Parade at the Memorial. Squadron Officer Joan Carlin MBE laying a wreath for the RAF

Armistice Day at the War Memorial shortly after the battle to keep its central position had been won. 

Armistice Day Abercorn. Northern Rhodeisa Police Reserve Officers keep vigil. 

Northern Rhodesia Police Guard Present Arms  for the Salute on Armistice Day.

Amanda holds forth at the Chila Yacht club's first and only regatta on Lake Tanganyika. It was very hot, the wind was light and the babies were parked under the tree in the shade.

And Post Independence - Mr and Mrs Reg Singh entertain guests at the Grasshopper Inn.

Mrs Mary Richards pressing flowers for the herbarium at the IRLCS Head Quarters in Abercrn. she was an indomitable plant collector and donated thousands of specimens to Kew Gardens  in London.

The Tennis Stars of the Abercorn Club. (Photo courtesy of Dorothy Kuhne)

More 1966 Golf winners from Abercorn Golf Club. Photo Don Fraser

The Score Board  from the 1966 Golf Tournament. It carries the names the proud winners in the photos. Credits Don Fraser.

Golfers displaying their trophies at the Abercorn Golf Club in about 1967. Photo Don Fraser

A production of "Peter Rabbit" by the pupils and staff of Abercorn Primary School in the early 1960s. Photo Dorothy Van der Linde

Abercorn Brownies. Photo Dorothy van der Linde.

A Red Locust from an IRLCS  Christmas Card

M. Bredo is honoured for his early work on Locusts. Article from the Bulawayo Chronicle courtesy Mr Harry Mantell.

The IRLCS Swamp Skipper coming ashore at Lake Chila, Abercorn after trials. It was powered by two Land Rover engines and was designed and built in the IRLCS workshops by Peter Parton and others in the 1950s. The large floaing wheels were designed to enable the vehicle to operate in the swamps, shallows and grass lands of the Rukwa.

The IRLCS Swamp Skipper Trials. Afloat on 3 feet of water. The Skipper was designed and built in Abercorn in the 1950s for  locust control on Lake Rukwa.

Abercon in the early 1960s. Looking North from over the IRLCS. Grasshopper Inn to the left.

International Red Locust Control Headquarters building Abercorn

Wet-Season Locust Control. Living conditons of the men who are keeping South, Central and East Africa safe from Red Locusts. The Land rover is marooned and inextricable. 

Tuzela Camp, Lake Rukwa, "Tanganiyika".Taken from the "deck" of the Swamp Skipper . This shows how Locust Scouts could see over the man-high grass where the machine could travel easily through the  floods that disabled  four wheel drive vehicles.  Each track in the photo is nearly four feet wide.

IRLCS aircraft servicing workshops Abercorn Airport in the 1960s.

Photo Adam Malujlo

Ted Malujlo with one of the Red Locust cCntrol scouting helicopters.

From from Adam Malujlo.

The Swamp Skipper Maneuvers down to Lake Chila. Note the low water level in the mid 1950s.

Dr Lea and colleagues in the Rukwa valley.

I.R.L.C.S Aircraft hanger at Abercorn Airoport

Red Locust spotter plane. The pilots flew really close to the ground while the locusts were at the hopper stage before swarming. The slipstream then blew the hoppers up into the air behind the aircraft. Thus the piltos also had to look behind them!. On one occastion a buffalo stood up as the plane approched and caught one of the landing wheels on its horn. It must had had quite a headache. The pilot landed more or less safely .

The I.R.L.C.S. Director's residence. This was at the top of the hill coming up from the Lake Chila pump station.

The old Lake Press formally Thoms Stores on Marshall Avenue

John Carlin and Aram Luchewe with the Nebiolo flat bed press

John Carlin outside The Lake Press Ltd., on the corner of Marshall Avenue and Little Poland.
"Abercorn is a humorous place"

Lake Press operatives with old Wharfdale press printing Lyashi.

Head compositor Benidicto Luchembwe and Martin Muhone hold up a "form" of hand set type for two page of L.yashi. In the 1950s The Lake Press occupied the Abercorn Co-Op Society's town centre building diagonally opposite what was to be the Standard Bank.

Christmas at the Lake Press 1954 style. Chaos rules in the office but everything has it place!

Lyashi being loaded for distribution to Kasama. The bulk of the print run was dispatched by air  to Ndola for distribution by the Information Department on the Copperbelt.

The Lake Press is honoured by Lord Dalhousie. Sheelagh Carlin had a great chat with the Queen Mother both being Scots Highlanders!

The Governor Sir Evelyn Hone visits the new Lake Press. Seen chatting with john Carlin. Martin Muhone, Intertype Operator in foreground.

Lady Hone is facinated by what John Carlin has to tell her about the Nebiolo printing press!

The New Lake Press under construction.

The Main Residence at Lunzua Agricutluaa Station, Abercorn in the 1950s.

This high roofed house was built by Unwin Moffat when the station moved from The Gardens on the Lucheche Stream to a site about 14 mile down the Kasama Road. The Station later became a staff training centre and was the first home of the Outward Bound School that later moved to Mr Laskie's House Kitula on the Mpulungu Road.

An Agricultural Conference in Lunzua. Annabel Brown née Jones writes:

"The chap with the glasses in the front row was called Taylor, his wife was June and he worked with my father.  My father (with white socks and long shorts) is next to the very tall man in the middle, father was H B C Jones known as Jonah. The date would be late 1956 early 1957." Photo courtesy of Annabel.

Annabel Brown writes: "on the back “Luanzua Agric Trng Centre Staff (Centre 4) and classes of 1957 &  1958 African Agric Assistants. Two messengers (old soldiers on flanks)

Hope Gamwell inspects Nindi flower on her plantation at Chilongowelo. 

The Office Luanzua.

J. H. Venning with a Nindi Bush in Flower

Agricultral Officers examine Nindi plants on an experimental plot.

Nindi growing next to Raffia plams.

Mr Halcrow the Development Commissioner examines an experimental Nindi plantation.

The Kew Gardens plant collector Mrs Mary Richards [back to camera] discusses a specimen with Desmond Vesey FitzGerald, Chief Scientific Officer IRLCS, and Agricultural Officers.

Al fresco lunch - Desmond Vesey FitzGerald with AOs.

Miss Hope Gamwell of Chilongowelo, Abercorn.

The classic image of Kalambo Falls

The Lower Luanzua Falls as seen from Kitutua Bay

An Enthusiastic Mulungushi Student visitor with the new guard rails at Kalambo Falls. Photo Mary Mbewe

The lip of the Kalambo Falls. Note the underwater ridge in the foreground. This slopes back up river and gives a slight sense of security.

The concrete path around the edge of the gore to the Kalambo Falls view point. Photo Mary Mbewe.

Kalambo Falls from the Tanzania side. In low water it is possible to cross along the low ridge just behind the lip of the falls. Best to be roped and a stout pole helps too. NOT for the faint hearted!

The falls are best viewed from further back along the gorge when the Kalambo river is in full flow.

The gorge below the Kalambo Falls. A minature banana grows down here.

The ominous green pool below Kalambo Falls. 

Izi Falls on the Mpona river. This spectacular but little known waterfall lies at the southern end of the western escarpment of Lake Tanganyika. It can be glimpsed from the Fisheries bay round the headland to the left of Mpulungu. It is best accessed from the Old Kambole road. It is a walk of some 6 kms relieved by a refreshing dip in the pool behind the lip of the falls.

General view of the Izi Falls. Photo courtesy of Kim Fraser.

The top if Izi Falls. Potenial bathers will be pleased to see that the pool lies a little back from the edge.

Izi Falls on the Mpona River from the Kapuramuka Ridge. Photo Steve Kilbey

A blissful early evening on Lake Tanganyika as the Evening Star make an appearance.

Heavy weather on Lake Tanganyika. Sonata, a real sea boat ,shows that she can take it.

Niamkolo Church Mpulungu. The old European building in Zambia.

The jetty at Kasaba Bay Game Lodge.

Happy boating on Lake Tanganyika. Photo Steve Kilbey

A Sharpe sailing dingy on Lake Chila in the 1950s

Lake Chila beach.  Photo: Amanda Parkyn

Carefree Days on Lake Chila. Photo Nigel Watts, NR Information Department late 1950s.

The Upper Luanzua Falls accessed from the road that serves the Hydro Scheme.

Luanzua upper falls off the Mpulungu Road

Mount Sunzu the highest point in Zambia from the Siaisi Valley.

Prize winning photo taken in 1953 for the TVMI Photgraphic Competition

The First world War Memorial  in the 1950s.

Note the traffic bollard etc.

A friendly elephant rubs his backside against the bar at Kasaba Bay

All Aboard Now. Leaving Abercorn on the CAA Dakota. Joan Carlin and her assistants in attendance. Photo Courtey Ian Singer NRZAM Website.

Lake Chila from the Golf Course in 2009

Kasaba Bay beach. Photo Steve Kilbey.

The Buningi Pans are two small marshy depression lakes some 12 miles down the Kasama Road. They used to be a venue for duck shooting picinics for the early settlers. Archeological excavations by John and Sheelagh Carlin shows that they were inhabited in prehistoric times.

The Old Post Office in Abercorn. This was directly in front of the present Post Office, but was set square onto the main road directly opposite the TVMI. Sadly it was demolished in the early 1950s to make way for the "Bournemouth " style building that still serves Mbala.

The old Boma in Abercorn shortly before it made way from the new building.

Abercorn Boma in 1939. This is the old Boma  on the south side of what was Marshall avenue. The Eucalyptus trees were to grow enormous by the 1970s.

Abercorn DC’s House in the 1950s

Abercorn District Commissioner’s residence 1960s

The District Commissioner's house in Abercorn.

The splendid Sunzu House on the upper Siaisi just below Mount Sunzu the highest point in Zambia. These photos come from Judy Jenkins whose father Jack "Sunzu" Rogers and his wife Kathleen bought the house and planted coffee. Later, like so many early buildings the house became infested with white ants and had to be demolished. J ack Rogers was a big shorts man who held great children's parties in his walled garden. It was originally built by Ronald and Lionel Smith.

Sunzu House showing the garden. Photo Judy Jenkins nèe Rogers

Sunzu House Modernized. Photo Judy Jenkins nèe Rogers

Sunzu House from the West when the Rogers bought the farm. Photo Judy Jenkins nèe Rogers

An London Missionary Society Dwelling House. This one may be at Kayambi but it is very similar to the main house ta Kawimbe in the late 1940s. Source: Cullen Gouldsbury The Great Plateau.

Kawimbe Mission Church in about 1905. From the Marshall Collection, Livingstone Museum. Courtesy of Anita MacCullouch.

Mrs Draper's house at Ndundu on the Kawimbe Road. Mrs Mary Richards, the well know plant collector for Kew Gardens, later lived here. It had an especially fine garden that was visited by a cheetah. It came up and lapped water from the bird bath while Mrs Richards and her visitors enjoyed tea on the veranda.

Will Goodlett's photo of Katula House . This fine residence was built by Henry Maclure Laskie in th late 1930s. Mrs Laskie sold the estate to the Westwoods who opened the Lake View Hotel on the site. Mrs and Mrs Peter Parton later lived there and ran the hotle. The property was then sold to the Outward Bound Association of Zambia and became the Lake School. It had to be partly demolished when a beam failed and the upper floor collapsed. J. H. Venning, who lived next door at Chisungu, called Katula a "rich man's" house in comparison with his own "poor mans" house!

Jerico Farm on the Siaisi in 1905. This farm was a partnership between Blyth and Lobb.

Detail of the brick work and the main doors of the Tanganyika Victoria Memorial Hall in Mbala. Now the offices of the Town Council.

Photo Heather Bender Chalcroft.

Marion and Hope Gamwell in the Italianate garden of Chilongowelo their farm on the Mpulungu Road.  This was a charming group of stone built, thatched cottages linked by covered walk ways.

Photo from Horizon

The Italianate garden the Gamwell sisters built at Chilongowelo on the Mpulungu Road. One of the cypress trees developed a fork near the top that spoiled the symmetry. But it was soon corrected by a visiting elephant hunter who blasted of the offending branch. The tree always had a kink thereafter. the hunter was rewarded with a bottle of the Gamwell's own special blend whisky. Photo courtesey Kim Fraser.

"The finest view in Africa". Chisungu House as the garden develops.

On a clear day one could see some 60 miles to the mountains on the Western Congo side of Lake Tanganyika beyond the Northern margin of Cameron Bay.

J. H. Venning's House Chisungu in 1931 before the trees were planted and the garden laid out. 

Ballymain, the Mayne family's bungalow on the Mpulungu Road down from the Gamwell sister's estate. Photo courtesy Denis Mayne.

The drawing room of Ballymain. Note the Tilley lamp on the stand to the right and the William Morris style chairs.. Ted Mayne made  the furniture based on designs in contemporary fashion magazines. Photo courtesy Denis Mayne.

Norah Venning and her uncle Ted Mayne dealing with an attack of red ants. Jack Venning unperturbed as usual. Note the coffee seedling bed behind under shade shade roofs. Ted Mayne's Farm Ballymayne off the left of the Mpulungu Road where a side road climbs the Luanzua River valley  up the escarpment to join the old Kambole Road.

Chisungu Garden in the late 1930s showing view down to Lake Tanganyika.

The fountain in the garden of the Laskie's house in the 1930s. This property later became the Lake View Hotel and then the Outward Bound Lake School.

On a different note: The Public Works Department Supervisors house in Abercorn. This was built in 1950 by David McClean Clark and later occupied by "Aunty" Pat and Henry Williams. It was on the road leading directly up to the IRLCS HQ and faced the back of the Boma.

Abercorn House  perhaps dating from the Polish Camp era 1943-46.

On the right out of town on the Itimbwe Road.

Mbulu House on Mbulu Estate a couple of mile up the Mbulu stream from the old bus station. Robert Yule lived here for many years before it was bought by the Carlin's.

Settler transport. An ex IRLCS series one Land Rover does sterling duty

In the 1940s this house was the "European Hospital" When the Hospital moved to a new house on Chila View it became a weekly boarding house for Abercorn School. It was run by Mary and Jimmy McGee. Mary was related to the Glynns would had leased Itimbwe ranch. Photo and information Terry Glynn

It was later demolished as it was riddled with white ants and a new house was built for Miss Joan Carlin

The plot was on the left half way up was the road leading from The Lake Press to the water tower.

The new Swimming Pool at Gemmill's farm Dlul Imiti on the Mpulungu Road. this was fed by a mountain stream and was always very cold. Photo: Norah Venning Sept. 1935.

Abercorn Customs House in the 1950s. This building was previously the Quarter Master's stores for the Polish Camp. Sheelagh Carlin was the Officer in Charge Customs from Fort Hall to Fort Rosebery. Note the dreaded Corny on the steps, quite the worst behaved dog in Town

The Macrae family's Simanwe Farm on the Mpulungu Road . Photo: Duncan Holland.

The District Commissioner's house in Kasama in the 1930s.

The Pontoon at Chembe on the Luapula River across to the Congo Pedicle  and provided a vital link to the Copperbelt. Photo 1948 Duncan Holland.

And for the most extraordinary bush creation of all  Lundazi Castle. Not really Abercorn but surely worth inclusion?

The Boma in Fort Rosebery (Mansa) in the 1950s.  Photo Duncan Holland.

The District Commissioner's House Fort Rosebery in 1949. Photo Duncan Holland.

NRG (Northern Rhodesia Goverment) Vanette  in Fort Rosebery. This was the ubiquitous means of transport before the Land Rover appeared. Photo Duncan Holland 1947.

The District Officer's House, Chila View Rd.  Abercorn in the early 1950s.

The District Commissioner’s Residence in 1938

Professor J. Desmond Clark working on the Archeological excavations on the bank of the Kalambo river in the 1950s.

This  image shows the scale of the excavations at Kalambo in the 1950s

John Carlin explores an unknown prehistoric living floor on the Kalambo River bank in 1956. Photo taken by Professor Sir Harry Champion  of the Imperial Forestry Institute, Oxford.

Cleaver found in the Kalambo River bank by John Carlin. Now in the collection of the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution. 

Hand axe  found in the Kalambo River bank by John Carlin. Now in the collection of the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution. 

Well shaped hand axe  found in the Kalambo River bank by John Carlin. Now in the collection of the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution. 

Small hand tools  found in the Kalambo River bank by John Carlin. Now in the collection of the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution. 

Large Stone Axe  found in the Kalambo River bank by John Carlin. Now in the collection of the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution. 

Carlin family fossacking  for out-wash artifacts on the banks of the Kalambo River.

Bored stone of Prehistoric origin from Mbala District. These were use as weights for digging sticks or for friction fire lighters. Photo Dorothy van der Linde.

Pre-historic rock paintings from a shelter some miles east of Kasama Girls School on the Malole Road.

Curious shapes from the pre-historic rock paintings from a shelter some miles east of Kasama Girls School on the Malole Road.

Dancing figures  from the pre-historic rock paintings from a shelter some miles east of Kasama Girls School on the Malole Road.

Figures from the pre-historic rock paintings from a shelter some miles east of Kasama Girls School on the Malole Road.

The Orne Glieman's  Itimbwe Ranch" the "The Rest" at the foot of Itimbwe Gorge where it exits to the Siaisi. There are rock shelters at the base of the cliffs to the centre left of the photo. Excavations by John Carlin found evidence of habitation by early man.

Orne Gliemann

The Outward Bound Lake School offices.

 Outward Bound Lake School  - on Parade. Image Steve Kilbey.

SS Liemba bow on.

SS Liemba before conversion to oil power . Photo: Steve Kilbey

Polungu Head at Sunset in August 1966. Courtesy Mike Franklin

The New Commercial Wharf and the Oil Tank Farm. Photo Mike Franklin 1966.

The Fishing Fleet in Aug. 1966. Photo Mike Franklin.

View over  the southern end of Lake Tanganyika from  lip of the Mpona Falls on the Izi River. Photo Steve Kilbey. Kumbula Island centre with "Crocidile" Island visible behind

SS Liemba before conversion to oil power . Photo: Steve Kilbey

Dames des Isles at Mpulungu. This large launch some how made her way from the Channels Isles to Lake Tanganyika where she was used by the District commissioner and government officials.

The Liemba approaching the wharf. Note the smoke indicting that this phtos was taken before she was converted to diesel fuel

SS Liemba at Mpulungu Harbour, Lake Tanganyika.

Busy Port Scene at Mpulungu Harbour

Courtesy Amanda Parkyn

Kasakulawe Bay from the Fisheries wharf when Chila Yacht club held a regatta on Lake Tanganyika.

The same view some 50 years later.

(Thanks to aroundguides.com)

The Laurent Giles designed cutter Sonata at her moorings at the Fishery’s  Jetty, Mpulungu. Note the Evening Star at her masthead. Sonata visited Kasanga in Tanzania and made trips to Kasaba Bay battling the Kabata anabatic wind with the help of beafy Outward Bound Instructors way out on trapezes to counter- balance the little yacht.

Cheery times on Triton. Photo Mike Franklin 1966.

Water spout of Lake Tanganyika

Mpulungu Harbour some sixty years ago.

Mpulungu in 1939. Note the very high water. Also the complete "close shave" of the vegetation  on the water margins.

Commander G. Wooler on the bridge of the "Liemba"

Liemba Boatswain  Hamisi Kalubi and Pilot Masudi Zaidi in the 1950s.

Albertville now Kalemie in the 1920s. It was the major Belgian town on the Western shore of Lake Tanganyika.

The Belgian steamer Baron Dhanis. This vessel used to visit Mpulungu in the 1950s when the SS Liemba was being refitted.

Moses a very well known and highly respected  Mpulungu boatman of the 1950s. Does anyone know his full name?

Moses at the helm of the Gamwell sisters Nakatali sporting his captain's cap.

A Quiet moment at Mpulungu  between Liemba visits in the 1950s.

The little white boat was the Nakatali  built by Tom Arnold for the Gamwell sisters. Later owned by Colin Carlin.

Dhow rigged vessel leaves Mpulungu Port in the mid 1950s. This is the image that must have raided alarm and fear in lakeside villages in the days of the slaver raiders.

Sit Alan Cobham's Short all metal Singapore type Flying Boat at rest in Mpulungu in 1929. From Twenty Thousand Miles in a Flying Boat by  Sir Alan Cobham 1930.

The German vessel the Herman von Weissman that shelled Katuat Bay and holed the Good News. She was sunk by Commander Spicer Simpson's flotilla.

The old deck configuration of the Liemba. Photo courtesy Tamara Bulmar.

The Approach to Kasaba Bay from the Sumbu side

The Liemba today busier than ever. She makes a fortnightly run South from Kigoma stopping at numerous small ports and even serving some of the new game camps en route.

View of Lake Tanganyika from the Laskie's house - later the Lake View Hotel and then the Outward Bound Lake School.

The Trimaran at the Fisheries Harbour, Mpulungu in about 1960.

This vessel was built by Cliff Kellett in abercorn and operated by Peter Parton to take Tourist from and from Kasaba Bay Camp Camp.

All Saints Church Mbala in 2006. Photo by Jackie Beare

The TVMI in 2006. The Mayor of Mbala  has his office here.

Photo Jackie Beare. This imposing building was constructed by Mr Jobling  and completed in the early 1950s to replace the old TVMI. The Gamwell sisters made a major contribution to the building fund.

TVMI was of course the Tanganyika Victoria Memorial Institute. Old Abercorn then being in the Tanganyika District of North Eastern Rhodesia hence the "T" vehicle registration letter.

The TVMI Library in 2017

Abandoned IRLCS Building in 2006. It was apparently bought from the Organisation when it moved it HQ to Ndola by a "local politician and nothing can now be done about it".

Photo Jackie Beare.

Finance Bank Mbala, previously the Standard Bank. Photo Jackie Beare 2006.

The Old Prison Museum, Mbala. Note that the first prison that was shelled by the Germans  in WWI was across the road. Photo Jackie Beare.

The Lake Press building in 2006.  Photo Jackie Beare

The rear of the Lake Press building in 2012. Photo Jackie Beare.

Lake Chila from the Yacht Club. Note the high water after a very wet rainy season in 2006. Photo by Jackie Beare who made a heroic trip in a lorry from Mbeya  where she supports a school.

The Lake Chila Yacht Club  in 2012 after a very wet season. It is now the Zambia Air force Officers Club. 

The entrance to Mbala Secondary School.

This was the Booth (North) Store on Marshall Avenue that was managed by the indomidable Major Morton. The building has stood the passage of time very well. Photo Jackie Beare 2006.

The Arms Hotel, Mbala in 2006. Photo Jackie Beare.

The Abercorn Arms Hotel in 2006.

The second Mandala Stores (ALC) House between the old stores and All Saints Church. This house was built by Mr Jobling who built the TVMI. Photo Jackie Beare 2006.

Independence av Mbala across from the Arms Bar in 2012. Photo Jackie Beare.

Independence Av. Mbala in 2006 looking west. Photo Jackie Beare.

The Outward Bound Lake School in 2006. Photo Jackie Beare.

Here we go. Outward Bound entrance in 2006.

Independence Avenue, Mbala.

A rainy day in Mbala.

Not really Abercorn but a real flier. This is a Britsh sea plane that was assembled in Albertville and used to threated Kigoma during the First World War.

Official Program for the Portsmouth - Johannesburg Air Race. This is now in the Livingstone Museum having been transferred from the T.V.M.I. Abercorn. Photo courtesy Peter Jones.

Derrick Peachey's Twin engine  Airspeed Envoy that crashed at Abercorn airstrip in October 1936 while competing in the Portsmouth Johannesburg air race. Photo courtesy Annie Wilson née Peachey.

Reverse of Derrick Peachey's photo of his twin engine plane showing the names of those who died. Photo courtesy Annie Wilson née Peachey. See also Images of Isanya.

This is probably Llewellyn's aircraftthat also competed in the Air Race of Oct 1936 but crashed at Mpulungu [ on Davies Farm, Mbete Bay] as he could not find Abercorn airstrip due to smoke from bush fires. See number 7. on tail fin. Peachey's aircraft was number 13.

Imperial Ariways tri-engined passenger aircraft refuilling.

Abercorn Airport. IRLCS spotter plane in foreground with Zambia Airways DC3 preparing for takeoff behind the fire truck. Note the IRLCS hangers. Photo Marshall Singer.

Back row. Ronald Smith and C. Blyth both ranchers on the Saisi and George?

Front Consul and Magistrate Hugh Marshall, Mrs Grace Blyth and Mrs Bea Marshall. Source: Lionel Smith’s photo album in the Marshall Collection, Livingstone Museum ex TVMI Mbala.

Frank Rumsey who took Hector Croad to inform General von Lettow-Vorbeck of the 1918 Armistice. Photo R.L. Brelsford.

From left: Rum Momma Simpson of the Abercorn Arms, Mrs Maud Draper, Betty Mayne and in front Norah Venning in the Garden of Nakatali Mrs Drape's house on the Kawimbe Road. Distant view of Lake Chila. Photo: Norah Venninglate 1930s

Ronald smith and friends with the ubiquitous vanette the favoured form of transport before the arrival of the Land Rover.

The Venning family at Chisungu in the 1930s. From left "Bally" Mayne, Jack Venning, infant Mayne (Paddy Ann or Denis) Bidi Mayne, Hugh Venning a coffee planter in Umtali and his wife Beatrice Venning née Shakelton. In front Norah Venning

J.H. Vennings's memorial on his grave in the Pioneer's Cemetery in Mbala.

Peter Parton and Karl Kuhne both IRLCS talking to an unknow visitor. Next Desmond Vesey FitzGerald also of the IRLCS and Steve Symon District Commissioner. Source volume 2 of the Abercorn/Mbala District Note Books in the Zambia National Archive

Residents at the shooting range on the east side of Cemetery Hill, Abercorn 1962. Photo courtesy Annie Wilson née Peachey

Anne and Graham Peachey off to school in England. Abercorn Airstrip 1962. Note East African Airways DC3 en route to Nairobi and gentlemen in hats and suits. Photo courtesy Annie Wilson née Peacheys

Residents at Abercorn Airport in 1962. Graham Peachey 2nd from left. John McCrae 4th from left. Steve Simons District Commissioner [in suit] 5th from left. Ken Jobling with fly whisk and wearing solar topi  back to camera.  Photo courtesy Annie Wilson née Peachey

Picnic at Buningi Pans down the Kasama Road in 1936. There was good duck shooting at the pans and they were popular with sporting types. A rock shelter was later found there. The Old Kasama road bisected the two kidney shaped depressions that formed small reedy lakes. Lionel Smith on the far right.

A fine catch on Peter Parton's  trimaran Triton

Mrs Mary Richards and Miss Marion Gamwell at the Gamwell's house,

Beau Coin, la Haule, Jersey overlooking St. Hellier's Bay. 1972.

Sheelah Carlin suffers the attentions of Dr Trant's baboon Audrey. for more on this beast see the piece on Dr Trant in the Articles section..

Abercorn's Team for the Murray Cup competition in Kasama.

Bismarckburg from Landside (east). Photo credit - Colonial Picture Archive from the University Frankfurt, Germany:

Bismarckburg from Landside with Askari buildings in foreground 1912 (east). Photo credit - Colonial Picture Archive from the University Frankfurt, Germany:

Bismarckburg from Lakeside 1912 (south). Photo credit - Colonial Picture Archive from the University Frankfurt, Germany:

Bismarckburg district office building under construction 1911. Photo credit - Colonial Picture Archive from the University Frankfurt, Germany:

Bismarckburg from Lakeside 1912 (north). Photo credit - Colonial Picture Archive from the University Frankfurt, Germany:

Detachment Bismarckburg from the Boma with Askari buildings in background 1912. Photo credit - Colonial Picture Archive from the University Frankfurt, Germany:

The High Street Kasanga in the late 1950s. Photo Dorothy van der Linde

The Beach at Kasanga in Tanganyika as was. Kasanga was the next town up the east coast of Lake Tanganyika from Mpulungu. 

Abercorn residents would visit this Arab settlement for its exotic atmosphere, so completely different from Northern Rhodesia. They would return with coconuts straight from the palm tree. These were the devil to de-husk. Photo: Dorothy van der Linde.

The remains of the German Fort at Bismarkburg, Kasanga on the East Coast of Lake Tanganyika. Photo taken by John Carlin in the late 1950s before much of the building was demolished for materials to built a school.

 Ruined interior of Bismarkburg at Kasanga in early 1959. Photo John Carlin.

A section of the ruined main defensive wall at Bismarkburg

Commander Spicer Simpson's expedition to Lake Tanganyika. Photo courtesy Holger Kotthaus

The "Mimi" being pushed off a sand bank

The German steamer Hedwig von Wissmann - plan.

The German steamer Hedwig von Wissman

The German vessel Hezwig von Wissmann sunk by Spicer Simpson's expedition.

SS Cecil Rhodes in 1914.  Shelled by the Hezwig von Weissman. Courtesy Holger Kotthaus

The Mimi and Tou Tou in Action, Lake Tangankika.

Road down to Kasakalawe Bay, Lake Tanganyika. Photo courtesy Holker Kotthaus.

Section of Boiler SS Cecil Rhodes. Photo courtesy Holger Kotthaus.

Flange of Boiler section SS Cecil Rhodes, Kasakalawe Bay. Photo Courtesy Holger Kotthaus.

Leading Seaman George Tasker (Signalman)  RN en route to Lake Tanganyika and the confrontation with the German Naval forces on the lake. Mr Tasker returned to Abercorn after the First World War and was a well known resident for many years. He is buried in Abercorn Pioneer Cemetery. Photo courtesy Florence Shannon.

HMS Fifi at anchor on Lake Tanganyika.

The SS Good News lying on the South West coast of Kituta Bay where the German naval forces had shelled her in 1915. Photo taken in the 1950s.

The Propeller of the SS Good News in its traditional place in the T.V.M.I. building

SS Good News under sail

This photo was taken in the afternoon of the 29th January 1908 by German First Lieutenant Paul Graetz. It shows the German steamer "Hedwig von Wissman" in Kituta Bay. Graetz had just unloaded the automobile in which made his historic trip from central Tanganyika to German South West Africa, now Namibia. Correction courtesy Holger Kotthaus

The Liemba with the Belgian vessel Baron Dhanis to the right. c1961 Photo courtesy Lawrence Tayor.

Two Belgian Vessels at Mpulungu c1961 Photo courtesy Lwarence Taylor. Blue ensign fyling from the stern of the Liemba.

The newly built Lake Press Ltd on the corner of what was Marshall Avenue and Little Poland in January 1963. [The street name Little Poland was changed to its present location at Independence] Photo Courtesy Max Keyzar.

The New Abercorn Boma. in 1963. Photo courtesy Max Keyzar

Abercorn Boma from the Air

Sunday Lunch at Chila Yacht Club

Chila Yacht Club Courtesy Ian Singer

Dames des Isles, the DC's launch on Lake Tanganyika in 1962. She was bought out from Jersey Channels Islands. Photo Courtesy Maz Keyzar

Waiting for the passengers to disembark at Abercorn airport. an important ritual for some residents.

The I.R.L.C.S. Helicopter. Photo courtesy Pippa Abbot.

I.R.L.C.S. spotter aircraft. Photo courtesy Pippa Abbot.

Red Locust Control Staff in 1956.

 Photo kindly courtesy Pippa Abbot  ne McLaughlin.

L to  R - (1)Peter McLaughlin, (2) Phil Simmons, (14)Tadek (Ted) Malujilo
Seated L to R - (1)Johnny Uys, (2)Pixie McLaughlin (nee Powell), (3)Karl Kuhne, (4)Dr Donald Gunn (Director), (7)Desmond Vesey Fitzgerald
Front L to R - (3)Roy Forrester, (5)Peter Parton

I.R.L.C.S. spraying aircraft in the Red Locust hanger at Abercorn airport. Photo courtesy Pippa Abbot.

Abercorn in transition. Abercorn Primary School in the 1960s.

Abercorn Primary School in the mid 1960s.

DC3 Dakota takes off from Abercorn airport. Central African Airways, East African Airways and Hunting Clan all made scheduled stops. All used DC3 aircraft although C.A.A. had earlier used the similar Viking aircraft.

Mbala Roman Catholic Cathedral under construction

The old second Post Office in its last days. This stood four square to the main road  just in front of the present Post Office. It also housed the Customs Office.

Isanya House as seen from the bottom of the lawn with Nindi in the foreground. 

Isanya - Front Aspect. 

Front Veranda  of Isanya house 1972. 

The Interior of Isanya House.

The Sitting Room Isanya.

The Billiard Room Isanya House.

Down the Garden Path, Isanya

The Garden, Isanya.

Isanya  - the front drive with  Elaine Peachy in front of Frangipani in magnificent  bloom.

The "Swimming Pool" Isanya.

The Jacaranda Grove Isanya.

Elaine Peachey with helpers picking the Nindi Crop at Isanya in 1960.

1960. Nindi field at  Isanya Estate.

Residue of Snow Fall at Isanya in 1972.

The Peacheys off to School in England in 1960.

Entrance to the Mbala Pioneer Cemetery showing the new notice board and the plaque with the names of the men who died in World War I.

The British War Graves memorial to the British soldiers who died on the Northern Front during WWI and who had been buried in Abercorn Cemetery.

They were transferrd to the main War Graves site at Kansenshi Cemetery in Ndola in the 1970s.

Those who attended the unveiling of the plaque

View of the renovated Cemetery November 2019

Further view of the Cemetery looking uphill.

The entrance on 2004

Honour Guard at the Memorial. General the Lord Richards laying a wreath on behalf of the British forces.

The eldest grand son of General von Lettow Forbeck, Count Casper zu Rantzau laying a wreath at the Memorial.

Wreaths around the Memorial

March Past by 3rd Battalion Zambia Regiment

Marquee erected at the Zambia Air Force Officer’s Mess Mbala for a luncheon for invited gusets in the presence of President Lungu

Guests at the Memoral Ceremony

President Edgar Lungu with General the Lord Richards and other dignitaries.

Crowds moving down to Lake Chila after the ceremony at the Memorial.

Kawimbe Church, Evangelists and Teachers 1926.

The Mission House, Niamkolo. Photo from the London Missionary Society Records at S.O.A.S. London.

The first Church being constructed on the Yendwe Valley where the “SS Good News” was built.

The Church at Niamkolo. Photo: the Anglo German Boundary Commission files at TNA Kew, London.

From British Central Africa by Harry H. Johnston, published by Methuen, London in 1897.

View from Niamkolo headland towards Mpulungu. Photo: Anglo-German Boundary Commission at TNA, Kew, London.

This is the building of the second Mandala Stores that still stand on the corner across from the newer 1950s Post Office. Note the Waggon and the oxen.