Another interesting episode, well done John van Zyl. I remember an incident, C/Sgt Don Kenny who I knew very well, had transferred from C Sqn SAS to Grey's Scouts, I was by then serving with Recce Troop of Selous Scouts. My partner Stephen Mpofu and I needed to be deployed to the Mozambique border area, first things first we were taken by vehicle to a forward camp manned by Grey's Scouts and Don Kenny suggested we deploy to our drop off point on horseback. Stephen and I had never ridden horses so the Grey's Scouts escort patrol picked a couple of less excitable horses and off we went. I remember being impressed at how quickly we covered the 20 or so kilometres to our drop off point, at night. Much respect to the Grey's Scouts.
Don Kenny was an amazing bloke, we were terrified of him on first getting to the Squadron but soon learned that under the tough exterior and gruff voice wad a guy that really cared. We were in Mt Silinda when he arrived at my bivvy one afternoon. He just ducked in and sat down, he told me to be at ease and started talking about the Chambonda scene which we discussed for a little while. He then said they wanted to promote me, I told him I thought I was still a little rattled by the incident and asked if we could sit on it for a while and I would get back to him. He thanked me for my open reaction but told me he would let me know when I was ready lol....and he did a few months later in Sinoya when I got seconded to the integration unit. An amazing man and brilliant leader.
Thanks for this interesting talk Les, great to hear about the horses.I was in the Artillery in the SADF, but always saw guys at the Potchefstroom Military Hospital that where from the Horse Unit that had broken arms/injured from being kicked by the horses Tor just injured in training. Tony once again thank you,You deserve a Medal for all this work that you do.
We purchased an ex-Grey Scouts retired horse '76'ish I think by name of Biggar, if I recall correctly, and an absolutely wonderful animal to work with. Biggar had a bit of "rib" missing on his right flank I think and a depression about the size of the bottom end of a 500ml bottle water and no explanation rcvd as to the origin of this. As i mentioned, you could do and request anything of this beast and he would unflinchly reciprocate. Walk out from anywhere with even a broom, rifle, or similar, Biggar was a totally different uneasy entity to contend with until the item was removed from his sight. He could also be a real SOB, but in all's favour :), as at full gallop over the sandy river banks heading towards the water, the sh*t would come to a dead-stop sending you over his head scrabbling through the air Icarus-like with the knowledge that this was going to hurt you mostly to some extent. The upside of this, good ol' Biggar only did this if he had espied a crocodile and as always, hang around for a few minutes, and sure enough, one or more would surface.
A well respected man in the Greys Scouts and a good friend. I remember many years ago when he got that bad bilharzia bug that nearly ended his life, I think it was called Katiyama excuse the spelling. Yes what ! man😊❤
Hi Les my brother told me to listen to this pod I found it very interesting and informative. You spoke about the ambush where you did a follow up between Ft Vic and Ngundu. Yes it was the Du Plessis Paul and Renzia, It was a Purple Datsun 1200. Paul and his wife were in the front with their daughter Karen on her lap. Reinet was in the back I was in the middle and Dave the son was behind his Mom. Paul was shot in his shoulder and wrist flesh wounds and I was shot in my upper arm nasty mess but thankfully also a flesh wound. When we were running Renzia fell and Karen got a cut on her head. Renzia and David were unharmed. I can't say for sure where Reinet the beautiful 9 year old blond was shot because everyone has a different story but she was dead. I have been told it went through her side and through her heart and have been told in the head so cannot dispute what you say. We had just missed the convoy and were told we could catch it up. Obviously we never caught it up because as we came around the corner there they were in a lay by, they opened up on us. At the time I was 17 years old and to tell you the honest truth the whole thing is a blur, the car broke down right where they were Paul got his rifle out and started shooting at them and told us to run. Renzia (Emma) had Karen, David had already jumped out the car and I grabbed Reinet and told her to come " Netty" lets run but she never moved and I just knew she was dead. Everything after that is bits and peices. Someone I think their surname was Groenewalt was coming from Ngundu and Paul stopped him, Paul started shouting at us to come back we jumped into the car and he turned around and took us back to Ngundu. Paul stayed behind with Reinet I think because he had a rifle and was shooting at them the terrs ran away when he started firing back but some stayed in the lay by, for some reason they stopped shooting. A car had been ambushed in front of us and they had shot the guy who also managed to survive but he was taken to Ft Vic I think by a passer by. A helicopter came and fetched us at Ngundu Halt and took us to Buffalo Range from there we went to Cheridzi Hospital. We were all living in Cheridzi at the time. So interesting to hear about the follow up you did. You are a very good speaker x
Thankyou for your comments you must of faced hell that day. We arrived by Chopper and there was a lot of soldiers already on the scene. I had a brief glance in the car and saw the young girl in the back seat. They were absolute cowards and we wanted nothing more than them to face our vengeance, but I Know God's vengeance was more severe on them. God bless and thankyou for your comment it truly touched my heart.😢❤
Excellent, excellent interview! Thank you so much for this. As a younger man who was born in 1980 I can tell you I am certainly very interested in these stories and learning a lot Rhodesia. I do think younger people will flock to these interviews someday. Please keep up the work you are doing.
I love these stories and thank You for making them known. Growing up I listened to the stories of My Combat veteran relatives and those of friends and coworker’s who served in WW2 , Korea and Vietnam. My Older Brother just missed being drafted graduating in 1974 and I in 1975. Friends of Mine served but not in any real combat . One served in the Marines as a embassy guard in Kuwait in the late 1970’s and later in the Department of State as a Security Chief for Africa snd the Middle East. Interesting listening to You talk about Your Kids not being interested. I now must ask one of My Son’s and a Nephew about their experiences in Iraq and in the case of My Son other places . He is still serving as a Special Forces Doctor. Your reference to the book Birdsong reminded Me of a similar book and story called The Souvenir. In it the Author describes how differently the battle monuments are maintained by the American’s and Japanese. And I often wonder is it the same now for the Rhodesian’s in Zimbabwe? The Father of a childhood friend said He fought in the Philippines . Years later after moving back into a home in the town I grew up in a next door neighbor was doing repairs on His home in preparation for moving out. He found under the house a Japanese Rifle chambered in 7.7 with a Chrysanthemum on its receiver wrapped in a blanket in almost perfect condition. Not long after I ran into My old friend and His Dad . I learned that the man Who lived in the house before had grown up in San Francisco with My Friends Dad and they served together in the Philippines. His old Friend had passed away within a week of His Wife and no one knew the rifle was under the home. They had no Children. I like shooting and collecting old Guns and have a couple of 6.5’s . I told My neighbor to never alter or change the rifle. I believe it came from fighting on Northern Luzon. My Maternal Grandmother lost a Cousin Anthony Bello Killed In Action fighting on Leyte . He was in the 7th Infantry Division and had previously fought in the Aleutian’s and on Kwajalein. He is in the military cemetery in Manila. I watch a lot of History and have seen on video’s monuments to the fallen some with Birth Dates of 1958 which is younger than Me. And I wonder how are they and others who fell in the Bush War remembered by those who live there now. Are their resting places and monuments given the respect they deserve?
I can only say....1000% Respect.... and so thankful to have been able to watch these interviews that fill the gaps in what we thought we knew !!! It was important that everything had to be on ..''a need to know '' basis, but ........
yeah Johan i know Les and his twin brother Allister very well in those days, i was the one who took the little girl out of the car after that episode at Ngundu halt with the convoy being attacked, couldn't get the blood stains out of my webbing, very sad day, was also with John Bisset, did the tracking and survival course in Kariba and was also involved with Barry York at triangle/Hippo Valley in a contact, remember John Dutton very well, it sure brings the memories flooding back, great to hear from you Les. Keep up the good work Johan and Hannes
Hi Nick great to hear from you again, hope you are keeping well bud. Terrible day at Ngundu, we were there for a few minutes then took to tracking after them. Take care my old friend. Cheers Les.
Thanks, John and Les, very informative post, much appreciated to hear more about the Grey Scouts. Again, maybe a follow up would be great. Was that a short version ? Just asking. 😂 Pete Clements would be great to have on record.
Les, what an honor and privilege to hear your story. The more of these interviews i listen to and books i read the more and more reverance is placed on the Grey Scouts and their unspoken incredible feats. Its the closest thing to the wild west america in our lifetime. John, Les mentioned Allister attending a snipers course. Does the name Clive Mason ring a bell to any of you in RSF? As a student of marksmanship myself, in reaserching sniping in Rhodesia, which would have been ideal for 70s sniper doctrine, i can only come up with one name in "reports", (Clive Mason) who was more of a 'sharpshooter' who was allegedly KIA by a random stray bullet to the head. In these interviews ive heared fleating mentions of a sniper course. Any details on this from those in the know? What was going to be the rifle of choise for the RSF had thia program been initiated?
Who cares about WW1? I have to admit that I needed to learn the battles between 1914 and 1919 so I could write the lines for my old unit's Wikipedia page. The battles are named as honours on the regiment's colours, but except for two or three, just about all those long miserable draining battles are just letters of places in France or Flanders. It was a staggering realization.
Great interview. Always hear about the RLI, SAS and Selous Scouts. Books etc. Not so much about Grey's Scouts. Are there any good books you guys recommend about them?
Enjoyed the interaction immensely. I must ask, as Bushney is not that common a surname ? - is Bill "Ponkey/Ponky" Bushney a relative of yours? Ex-Malaya under Lt. Gen P. Walls, he joined us at what became RhE 7Eng Sqn late '78 I think, age 60:) plus, married to a Greek lady. An entertaining raconteur and enjoyed his tales of times before us!!!
Yes sir he was my dads brother, Les and myself have also listen to his stories with GP Walls in Malaya, GP was a lieutenant at the time, they got up to plenty mischief. General Hickman and Ron ReidDaly were there too.
@@alistairbushney6578 Spot on I reckon; I doff my hat to him, even at his age, he used to now and again come out to Mukumbura and Marymount when lesser, much younger men feared to venture near. And even in town, a good time had by all. I think he greatly enjoyed the banter, respect and acknowledgement "showered" upon him from kindred beings.
@@alistairbushney6578 @robertbushney6393 Here I am under correction; tonight, enjoying a dop, and a youngster then, Bill's one comment I hopefully correctly attributed to him, was "When men were men, and barmaids ate their young!". A new one for me then and no matter the author, always enjoyed to this day! Cheers guys, have a good weekend.
Another interesting episode, well done John van Zyl. I remember an incident, C/Sgt Don Kenny who I knew very well, had transferred from C Sqn SAS to Grey's Scouts, I was by then serving with Recce Troop of Selous Scouts. My partner Stephen Mpofu and I needed to be deployed to the Mozambique border area, first things first we were taken by vehicle to a forward camp manned by Grey's Scouts and Don Kenny suggested we deploy to our drop off point on horseback. Stephen and I had never ridden horses so the Grey's Scouts escort patrol picked a couple of less excitable horses and off we went. I remember being impressed at how quickly we covered the 20 or so kilometres to our drop off point, at night. Much respect to the Grey's Scouts.
Thanks Bud yes Tom Kenny was our Sgt Major a real Legend that took no kak and was excellent with a 2"mortor😊
Don Kenny was an amazing bloke, we were terrified of him on first getting to the Squadron but soon learned that under the tough exterior and gruff voice wad a guy that really cared.
We were in Mt Silinda when he arrived at my bivvy one afternoon. He just ducked in and sat down, he told me to be at ease and started talking about the Chambonda scene which we discussed for a little while. He then said they wanted to promote me, I told him I thought I was still a little rattled by the incident and asked if we could sit on it for a while and I would get back to him. He thanked me for my open reaction but told me he would let me know when I was ready lol....and he did a few months later in Sinoya when I got seconded to the integration unit.
An amazing man and brilliant leader.
Thanks for this interesting talk Les, great to hear about the horses.I was in the Artillery in the SADF, but always saw guys at the Potchefstroom Military Hospital that where from the Horse Unit that had broken arms/injured from being kicked by the horses Tor just injured in training. Tony once again thank you,You deserve a Medal for all this work that you do.
Thanks guys! I can remember 1974 like it was yesterday now if I could only remember yesterday! 🙄 haha
We purchased an ex-Grey Scouts retired horse '76'ish I think by name of Biggar, if I recall correctly, and an absolutely wonderful animal to work with. Biggar had a bit of "rib" missing on his right flank I think and a depression about the size of the bottom end of a 500ml bottle water and no explanation rcvd as to the origin of this. As i mentioned, you could do and request anything of this beast and he would unflinchly reciprocate. Walk out from anywhere with even a broom, rifle, or similar, Biggar was a totally different uneasy entity to contend with until the item was removed from his sight. He could also be a real SOB, but in all's favour :), as at full gallop over the sandy river banks heading towards the water, the sh*t would come to a dead-stop sending you over his head scrabbling through the air Icarus-like with the knowledge that this was going to hurt you mostly to some extent. The upside of this, good ol' Biggar only did this if he had espied a crocodile and as always, hang around for a few minutes, and sure enough, one or more would surface.
Brilliant once again! Thank you so much.. From an appreciated ex BSAP member. And of course, thank you for your service. Blessings...
Thank you.This was most interesting especially as my cousin was Cedric Tipping-Woods who sadly passed away in May 2023.
A well respected man in the Greys Scouts and a good friend. I remember many years ago when he got that bad bilharzia bug that nearly ended his life, I think it was called Katiyama excuse the spelling.
Yes what ! man😊❤
Hi Les my brother told me to listen to this pod I found it very interesting and informative. You spoke about the ambush where you did a follow up between Ft Vic and Ngundu. Yes it was the Du Plessis Paul and Renzia, It was a Purple Datsun 1200. Paul and his wife were in the front with their daughter Karen on her lap. Reinet was in the back I was in the middle and Dave the son was behind his Mom. Paul was shot in his shoulder and wrist flesh wounds and I was shot in my upper arm nasty mess but thankfully also a flesh wound. When we were running Renzia fell and Karen got a cut on her head. Renzia and David were unharmed. I can't say for sure where Reinet the beautiful 9 year old blond was shot because everyone has a different story but she was dead. I have been told it went through her side and through her heart and have been told in the head so cannot dispute what you say. We had just missed the convoy and were told we could catch it up. Obviously we never caught it up because as we came around the corner there they were in a lay by, they opened up on us. At the time I was 17 years old and to tell you the honest truth the whole thing is a blur, the car broke down right where they were Paul got his rifle out and started shooting at them and told us to run. Renzia (Emma) had Karen, David had already jumped out the car and I grabbed Reinet and told her to come " Netty" lets run but she never moved and I just knew she was dead. Everything after that is bits and peices. Someone I think their surname was Groenewalt was coming from Ngundu and Paul stopped him, Paul started shouting at us to come back we jumped into the car and he turned around and took us back to Ngundu. Paul stayed behind with Reinet I think because he had a rifle and was shooting at them the terrs ran away when he started firing back but some stayed in the lay by, for some reason they stopped shooting. A car had been ambushed in front of us and they had shot the guy who also managed to survive but he was taken to Ft Vic I think by a passer by. A helicopter came and fetched us at Ngundu Halt and took us to Buffalo Range from there we went to Cheridzi Hospital. We were all living in Cheridzi at the time. So interesting to hear about the follow up you did. You are a very good speaker x
Thankyou for your comments you must of faced hell that day. We arrived by Chopper and there was a lot of soldiers already on the scene. I had a brief glance in the car and saw the young girl in the back seat.
They were absolute cowards and we wanted nothing more than them to face our vengeance, but I Know God's vengeance was more severe on them. God bless and thankyou for your comment it truly touched my heart.😢❤
As we know winners write what history remembers...this may not be everybody's version of history but once again, bloody brilliant!
Thankyou 😊
YESTERDAY you can waffle on uncle les. Haha great insight into your life dude 👍 great podcast.
from your old pal Louis from england
Excellent, excellent interview! Thank you so much for this. As a younger man who was born in 1980 I can tell you I am certainly very interested in these stories and learning a lot Rhodesia. I do think younger people will flock to these interviews someday. Please keep up the work you are doing.
Thank you so much! I appreciate the encouragement :)
Nice to see you again, Les! I certainly miss the wild old days of Bulawayo.
Hahaha they certainly were wild days hey Henry hope you well.
Hey Henry nice to hear from you again my friend, shucks it's been years. Take care buddy and God bless.😊❤
I love these stories and thank You for making them known. Growing up I listened to the stories of My Combat veteran relatives and those of friends and coworker’s who served in WW2 , Korea and Vietnam. My Older Brother just missed being drafted graduating in 1974 and I in 1975. Friends of Mine served but not in any real combat . One served in the Marines as a embassy guard in Kuwait in the late 1970’s and later in the Department of State as a Security Chief for Africa snd the Middle East. Interesting listening to You talk about Your Kids not being interested. I now must ask one of My Son’s and a Nephew about their experiences in Iraq and in the case of My Son other places . He is still serving as a Special Forces Doctor. Your reference to the book Birdsong reminded Me of a similar book and story called The Souvenir. In it the Author describes how differently the battle monuments are maintained by the American’s and Japanese. And I often wonder is it the same now for the Rhodesian’s in Zimbabwe? The Father of a childhood friend said He fought in the Philippines . Years later after moving back into a home in the town I grew up in a next door neighbor was doing repairs on His home in preparation for moving out. He found under the house a Japanese Rifle chambered in 7.7 with a Chrysanthemum on its receiver wrapped in a blanket in almost perfect condition. Not long after I ran into My old friend and His Dad . I learned that the man Who lived in the house before had grown up in San Francisco with My Friends Dad and they served together in the Philippines. His old Friend had passed away within a week of His Wife and no one knew the rifle was under the home. They had no Children. I like shooting and collecting old Guns and have a couple of 6.5’s . I told My neighbor to never alter or change the rifle. I believe it came from fighting on Northern Luzon. My Maternal Grandmother lost a Cousin Anthony Bello Killed In Action fighting on Leyte . He was in the 7th Infantry Division and had previously fought in the Aleutian’s and on Kwajalein. He is in the military cemetery in Manila. I watch a lot of History and have seen on video’s monuments to the fallen some with Birth Dates of 1958 which is younger than Me. And I wonder how are they and others who fell in the Bush War remembered by those who live there now. Are their resting places and monuments given the respect they deserve?
Got an old mate here in Perth Aus ex Greys...Ronnie Mills [ex UK army]... not seen for years as had a few problems. Respect to you all.
My mother was the secretary at Fisher Motors where Les started his apprentisship , she then became secretary at Cyrene mission at Figtree
Another excellent production. You guys get better every time.
Much appreciated!
Thankyou😊
Great again
Remember the Bushneys well when we lived in Bellevue , Bulawayo .
Skebabangas of note.
Really enjoyed this John and Les, from an OP and Greys A Sqn, now in Aus. (Abbo Norvall)
Thanks Abbo and I really enjoyed your interview and had a good laugh. Love your sense of humor.
Cheers Les.
Haven't seen you in a bit always a pleasure God bless you
Great one Les... loved this episode
Thanks Dave 😊
Great stories Les.....myself served in 1984, 1985 SADF Berede(Equestrian) wing...can relate
Thanks for the great stories .
I can only say....1000% Respect.... and so thankful to have been able to watch these interviews that fill the gaps in what we thought we knew !!! It was important that everything had to be on ..''a need to know '' basis, but ........
A very good and entertaining interview, thank you both.
Great stuff Boys, We always followed the progress and successes of our Commando brothers, 2 Commando was a great commando as were the others!
Brilliant interview ❤
Thanks Les and John for a great interview.
Brilliant interview Les, you did the unit proud 👏
Cheers Clive 😊
yeah Johan i know Les and his twin brother Allister very well in those days, i was the one who took the little girl out of the car after that episode at Ngundu halt with the convoy being attacked, couldn't get the blood stains out of my webbing, very sad day, was also with John Bisset, did the tracking and survival course in Kariba and was also involved with Barry York at triangle/Hippo Valley in a contact, remember John Dutton very well, it sure brings the memories flooding back, great to hear from you Les. Keep up the good work Johan and Hannes
Hi Nick great to hear from you again, hope you are keeping well bud. Terrible day at Ngundu, we were there for a few minutes then took to tracking after them.
Take care my old friend. Cheers Les.
Hi Les, good man struggling with my lungs and legs a bit but yeah all good, where are you guys living now
@@robertbushney6393
Thanks, John and Les, very informative post, much appreciated to hear more about the Grey Scouts. Again, maybe a follow up would be great. Was that a short version ? Just asking. 😂 Pete Clements would be great to have on record.
My heart is with youse, what a struggle
Listened t it three times. Thank you. John, have you ever tried to get Pete Clements for an interview, he must have some tales to tell.
Zambarara Les! Excellent interview. Had a good few chuckles 🤭
Thankyou Allen 😊
Very interesting interview, Hamilton was also the school i went to, luckily the war had ended by the time i turned 18.
What a great interview. Yes tracking / anti-tracking is a specialist art, that is never forgotten.
Thoroughly enjoyed your stories.
God bless you Les.
Thankyou😊
Thanks Buddy.😊
i worked with his father Sarge and met George and his daughter i cant remember her name many times in Pinetown many years ago
Great talk by les!
Great content guys, very entertaining and very interesting - I love hearing about the human silliness amongst all the seriousness.
Respect! 🍻
1:00:53 They definitely do want to know (once they they come to terms with their own mortality).
Enjoyed it a lot. Keep up the good work please!
We will!
1893 farm grants in 1893/4 were for those who took part in the fights that overthrew King Lobengula
Thanks bud for the info on farm grants didn't know that.
Take care and God bless
Cheers Les😊
@@robertbushney6393 all the best Les
The late Derek Watts was Hamilton boy , i believe.
Great interview much respect
Thankyou😊
Les, what an honor and privilege to hear your story. The more of these interviews i listen to and books i read the more and more reverance is placed on the Grey Scouts and their unspoken incredible feats. Its the closest thing to the wild west america in our lifetime.
John, Les mentioned Allister attending a snipers course. Does the name Clive Mason ring a bell to any of you in RSF? As a student of marksmanship myself, in reaserching sniping in Rhodesia, which would have been ideal for 70s sniper doctrine, i can only come up with one name in "reports", (Clive Mason) who was more of a 'sharpshooter' who was allegedly KIA by a random stray bullet to the head.
In these interviews ive heared fleating mentions of a sniper course.
Any details on this from those in the know?
What was going to be the rifle of choise for the RSF had thia program been initiated?
Mannn did I enjoy that chat Les....must get together have do much more I want to ask you.
You guys were all extremely brave... Or mad 😅
Good one, les!
Who cares about WW1? I have to admit that I needed to learn the battles between 1914 and 1919 so I could write the lines for my old unit's Wikipedia page. The battles are named as honours on the regiment's colours, but except for two or three, just about all those long miserable draining battles are just letters of places in France or Flanders. It was a staggering realization.
Derek should have had a Pookie 😊 !!
😂😂😂😂
Great interview. Always hear about the RLI, SAS and Selous Scouts. Books etc. Not so much about Grey's Scouts. Are there any good books you guys recommend about them?
www.amazon.com/Equus-Men-Rhodesias-Infantry-1896-1980/dp/1914059204
Any grey scouts here that knew Tony Porter??
Were you ever at Tswiza ?
Yes just before Villa Salazar based there quite a few times.
Enjoyed the interaction immensely. I must ask, as Bushney is not that common a surname ? - is Bill "Ponkey/Ponky" Bushney a relative of yours? Ex-Malaya under Lt. Gen P. Walls, he joined us at what became RhE 7Eng Sqn late '78 I think, age 60:) plus, married to a Greek lady. An entertaining raconteur and enjoyed his tales of times before us!!!
Yes sir he was my dads brother, Les and myself have also listen to his stories with GP Walls in Malaya, GP was a lieutenant at the time, they got up to plenty mischief. General Hickman and Ron ReidDaly were there too.
@@alistairbushney6578 Spot on I reckon; I doff my hat to him, even at his age, he used to now and again come out to Mukumbura and Marymount when lesser, much younger men feared to venture near. And even in town, a good time had by all. I think he greatly enjoyed the banter, respect and acknowledgement "showered" upon him from kindred beings.
Yes Ponky went to Malaya with C Squadron SAS for a year then volunteered to fight for another year. A real Legend and loved listening to his stories.
@@alistairbushney6578 @robertbushney6393 Here I am under correction; tonight, enjoying a dop, and a youngster then, Bill's one comment I hopefully correctly attributed to him, was "When men were men, and barmaids ate their young!". A new one for me then and no matter the author, always enjoyed to this day! Cheers guys, have a good weekend.
Ever meet Colin Wheeler in Grey's ??
If I see his face but name sounds familiar. Did my national service with a Len Wheeler from Selukwe and had a younger brother John
Thankyou 😊