Fighting Men of Rhodesia Ep308 | SGT George Parker | Guard Force
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- Опубликовано: 9 янв 2025
- You can contact me (John van Zyl) at fightingmenofrhodesia@gmail.com or Tony Ballinger at tonyballinger991@gmail.com.
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Wonderful interview with George and great to hear his story...thank you for persevering Tony and George.
I have the utmost respect for the men of Guard Force, many of whom were former RAR rank and file members, and a paramilitary unit that was under-equiped and challenged for the task that , and in the 'sharp-end' alone, faced truly formidable odds.
I was unkind towards these fine men back-in-the day, an unfounded and undeserved arrogant bravado if you will. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and so now, all these decades later, I can publicly pronounce my shame.
George, I salute you and all members of Guard Force for your service, commitment and the gallantry you all displayed. You were far braver men than me.
Well said sir. Many of us were guilty of that.
Russell, you yourself remain a major inspiration, and i find myself watching your interviews repeatedly for your exploits with the RAR.
The story you recapture with the individual from the RAR who waiting in the bush over a week stalking terrorist and calling in a Fire Force to avenge his murdered family sends Shockwaves up my spine everytime I hear it.
Many thanks Russell.....anyone who wore the uniform contributed in full during that conflict. GF as you mention did have some disadvantages in the field, but their presence at least was invaluable. Hope you are well.
Thank you once again Tony, please do not become disheartened at the lack of response by other folk in coming forward to chat about those days. I think once reason may be because the reliving of our lives and times is so traumatic and heartbreaking that they may rather not want to open those wounds. I know I feel like that.
Thank you George for your brave service to our lovely country and people. I would like to nominate him as an Honorary Rhodesia, Tony.
Another great interview, the first one I've seen about Guard Force, my respect to all who served.
Thanks George for your take of Guard Force. As OC of Delta, and having spent a few evenings with the late Commandant Godwin, there was a vision to make the entire unit into a real force. However, the lack of resources, lack of junior NCO class, we were still effective in the vast areas we were assigned to. GF was undoubtly the largest untit of the Rhodesian armed force. We can thank the likes of the RLI guys (Robin Tarr lead the charge) that came over to train the thousand of troops.
On the matter of vehicles, I was given an unprotected Landrover (short wheel) to drive around the farms. There were no options - transport was a serious problem
Finally, may other GF trrops come onto this programme and give their take
Thank you for your insights, and for your service.
It would be fabulous to hear from African members of the security forces, if any could be found willing to do so. From the opposition and SF 5:30 auxiliary too although the difficulties in achieving that are legion. A great interview, Tony.
@@chrisjones6736 I know a few ex black Selous Scouts back in Zimbabwe who we seconded in the Zimbabwe National Army . It will be difficult to get these guys on record
Great interview! It was really interesting to hear about the conflict from the Guard Force perspective. Greetings from North Carolina!
1:07 very interesting and informative interview.Brings back memories. Talking about memories like these must help in uniting old friends.I hope lots more connect.
Great insight to what went on during the Rhodesian war. Great idea to do this!
Great talk, thanks very much George and Tony.
Well done, George. Although I know you have underplayed the importance G. Force played in the conflict and what you and your wife and family went through during these difficult times. Looking forward to hearing more. Cheers, Ed
Thank you.....that was it in a nutshell.
Very interesting interview many thanks Tony and George.
Guard Force was a tough gig, especially when you really didn’t have much skin in the game. Respect ✊🏾
Thank you George it was a really interesting chat.
Thanks for sharing George
Thanks for viewing Greg.....so worthwhile getting these insights out to the general public.
Thanks John, and of course George. Guard Force hey, that brings back memories!
I actually lived in Rhodesia from from 1965 to 1970 originally, but then rturned to the UK with my mother to attend High School. Did have a spell in 1973 from March to September, but then I returned to Rhodesia in 1976. After 2 years, (grace period) I was sent my call-up but returned them and joined regular BSAP, (5/79). But like an idiot I got a girl in trouble and wanted to do the "right thing" but the BSAP wouldn't let me. Anyway, I forced their hand and as I walked out the door they gave me another set of call-up papers - which I returned and joined regular Guard Force, they were happy to take, and let me get married! Because of which they gave me a position as SGT at the Ordnance Depot at Chikarubi. But soon after GFHQ in North Ave required my services to work under Capt Willey and SO Provisioning. Basically Mon-Fri 9-5 job... And earning twice as much as I was as a PO in the BSAP! I basically kept stock of everything in GF on Cardex! Also made out all the Requesitions on GCS by Enterprise Road. I was offered a commission but turned it down as it would have been a drop in pay. But to much delight of SO Provisioning at GFHQ! Of course it came to an abrupt end in May 1980, but was paid out 3 months + leave which was a pretty penny back then! But for me it was sad as I loved what I did and I was treated very well!
As you know we were actually employed directly by the Government, we had a Government Employment Number, not an Army Number. Hence the 3 month pay as we were entitled to as a government employee... I know, I had it easy. And I'll be the first to say so! The only time I had to stay overnight was when I had to be Duty Warrant Officer one night a month... Which actually I quite enjoyed taking the Parade at the Lowering of the Flag. I used to check every single one as if they were on the Parade Square at Morris Depot... If you're going to do something - do it right I say!
Anyway, thanks again George, and John. Take care..... Bill.
Sounds to me that you have a few stories to share with us as well. You should do an interview I would be thrilled to hear it.
Thank you....was a very interesting summary of your time at GF. I never realised at the time that there was actually a GFHQ in Salisbury, I used to think that Chikurubi was the be-all and end-all of the Unit.
Good man, that!
Very interesting (as always). Thanks guys😄🤙
Very interesting about guard force, a much maligned unit not for the mens fault, who coped very well with their low equipment levels.
But they tried and did their best.
Thank you Mike.....always astounded that with upwards of 7000 men it was a sizeable force and spread to all corners of the country.
Thanks, George and Tony. Not much is spoken about Guard Force. Keeping communities, railways and farms safe was an important role during that time.
It certainly was extremely important Sean. Protecting locals in a war zone, helping farmers to stay on the land under very stressful situations, and keeping the trains running as a vital asset of Rhodesias economy.
More from George plz
🎉 Thanks again 😊
Another cracking interview; to my benefit and shame this has increased my knowledge of Guard Force many time over. A very good insight into the organisation and defence of the PVs which my reading has not covered. Thanks Tony and George - subtitles entirely unnecessary. 👍
Interesting talk. I used to see Mayo railway siding traveling by train between Salisbury and Umtali. I saw a lot of Guard Force at Rutenga where my family lived. I wrote a full chapter about the war in my book "THE TRAIN LEAVING SALISBURY"
Perhaps one of the factors in Southern African training is that there are less people doing specialized work, so people need to become proficient in many areas.
This seems the case in engineering, medical, aviation, construction and many fields.
You blokes did the best you could under the circumstances and unfortunately the blacks as well as the whites suffered horribly and unnecessarily. You were the victims of geo political / cultural and commercial re-engineering that has been going on solid since ww2.
The big boys with big toys working for the mother of harlots served it to you good and proper. They don’t care about who suffers as longs as the programme marches on. Here here to the brave black and white men and women of Rhodesia who stood firm in the face of a determined opposition. You did yourselves and your country proud. Long live your memory.
George, this was an incredibly humble interview, and although you seem to downplay your feats and accomplishments, you sir are a legend. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your story.
Tony/John - off-topic but ive spent hours reviewing your interviews for one specific dialog... There was a gentleman who was eithe in some kind of Psudo op or it was a warden, but they were in a villiage learning about terr acitivities, and the gentleman had witnessed some kind of spirit medium ritual and mentioned that they could "feel the evil" aroubd them, and they had to focus on a light inside of thier own soul to stay sane during this particular evening. It was either Greg Ashton, Warden Ron Thomson... gah cant remember, was hoping one of you gentleman might be able to chime in.
It went a great deal to explain to folks the depth of the spiritual battle going on on Rhodesia as well as the political/military war.
It could've been DC Ben Kaschula. He did 4 episodes and one focused on the spirit mediums. Here is a link to the first episode: ruclips.net/video/5r_nX8yVWso/видео.html
@fightingmenofrhodesia Starting those four now. Thank you so much for the response. Honest to goodness love you gentleman for all you do.
Thank you Rob.....I sometimes think the African members of the unit certainly did not always get the recognition they deserved.
Love the shirt...is that in celebration of the win over OZ?
I think Scotland is quite the up and coming Rugby nation at the moment.
It was more of foresight.....in fact this interview was conducted many weeks ago, long before the Wallabies humiliation😀
Re' medics not providing assistance to whoever... in the experience of myself and friends who once discussed the subject, the only organisation we could offer no criticism of at all was MSF. No matter what they thought of any individual or his service, their doctors always treated the patient in front of them. This is as it should be, but credit where it's due to MSF. 👍
Many thanks Gino, I was more disappointed than angry at their 'behaviour'
There was a Catholic Mission at Mushangaidze Pools in the Zambezi valley were feeding and hiding Terrs
Yes, there were a number of missions throughout the country performing that task. Unfortunately those Missionaries (from varied Churches) who refused paid with their lives.