1906: Natal Police (Colonial) Officers
Archival correspondence from the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Natal Division, 1957) identifying colonial-era Natal Police officers and providing historical notes on their service.
Via Lt-Col William Marshall (SADF)
Lt‑Col William Marshall located this historically valuable correspondence in the military archives and shares it with readers.
Named Officers Identified in the Letter
- Lieut C.L. Archer – later R.S.M., later Major Archer; committed suicide at Richmond c.1951.
- 1/Sgt C. Woodgate – no further information known.
- R.S.M. W. Ingle – believed to have obtained a commission in the SAP (unverified).
- Maj O. Dimmick.
- Staff/Sgt S. Martin – no further information known.
- J.B. Burdett (probable identification; rank uncertain).
- Possible No.7: J.K. Popham – living with his son at African Air Sprayers, Grand Central Aerodrome. Lt Strange – no further information known. Edmond‑White – later SAP; daughter decorated South Africa House, London.
Full English Reading of the Deputy Commissioner’s Letter
Below is a faithful English rendering of the content visible in the archival letter (quoted lines are taken directly from the document):
Page 1 — Identification of Officers
The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Natal Division, writes from Pietermaritzburg on 7 September 1957 to the Staff Officer of the Military Historical Section at Defence Headquarters, Pretoria. The subject concerns:
“PHOTOGRAPHS OF NATAL POLICE OFFICERS. KA/NATAL DATED 28.7.1957.”
He notes that the photograph has been returned and that a key is attached. The following information has been gathered:
- Lieut C.L. Archer — later Regimental Sergeant Major of the 3rd South African Mounted Rifles; subsequently known as Major Archer.
“(committed suicide at Richmond, Natal, about 1951)”
- 1/Sergt C. Woodgate —
“nothing further known of him.”
- R.S.M. W. Ingle —
“said to have obtained his commission in The South African Police – cannot be verified.”
- Major O. Dimmick.
- Staff Sergt S. Martin —
“nothing further known of him.”
- Thought to be J.B. Burdett — rank unknown; identification uncertain.
- Possibly one of three men: J.K. Popham, residing with his son at African Air Sprayers, Grand Central Aerodrome, Half Way House. Lt Strange — no further information. Edmond‑White, who later served in the SAP; his daughter created the mural decorations in South Africa House, London.
The Deputy Commissioner suggests that the photograph may date from the (1906) Natal‑Zululand Rebellion, when a special composite unit was formed from the Natal Mounted Police, Natal Police Field Force, and Zululand Mounted Police. Natal Police N.C.O.’s were seconded with temporary commissions.
Page 2 — Additional Notes
The second page reports that an active body exists:
“the ‘Natal Mounted Police, Natal Police Old Comrades Association and Nongqai Shellhole’.”
The Secretary has recently died and a new one has not yet been elected. The annual meeting is held in June. Further enquiries may be directed to the Acting Secretary at:
“Natal Bantu Blind, Box 2726, Durban.”
The Deputy Commissioner notes that the photograph may have been published in the Nongqai in 1906, possibly with names.
He concludes:
“I regret that enquiries among old ex-Natal Police members resident here could not elicit more exacting data.”
Signed:
Captain, for Acting Deputy Commissioner: Natal Division.
© nongqai.org
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