 Simon Elmer
Pictured left is Simon and his good lady, Anna, when, having attended a 1940s/50s concert Simon was attired in the Nyasaland Police uniform - clearly "appropriately ironed and polished". Simon is a retired Lincolnshire Police Inspector having previously served in the Met and RMP and although never having served in the Colonial Police he has an acquired historical interest of policing Africa.
He is a Nypol member and for more click below:-
Figurines
Greetings from Lincolnshire
(Note: Simon reports that the cap badge has a resoldered slider which won't last - should anyone have a spare please email nyasa.police@gmail.com for further contact)
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David Corrall ~ RIP
It is sad to report that David passed away on the 3rd August 2025. He was aged 84 having been diagnosed with gastro-esophageal cancer in February. Following his service in Nyasaland he was resident in South Africa, and, married to Peta for some 44 years, they lived in Johannesburg but travelled extensively, mainly overland throughout Africa - their particular joy.
Thank you, Peta, for the pictures posted below.
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 Vanessa Farmery ~ Lions
Lions were always there in Nyasaland but rarely encountered and, in the main, only came to notice when they were being a danger to villagers or raiding livestock. There were government hunters employed to deal with such circumstance when culling was necessary. However, on those occasions when hunters were active elsewhere it fell upon the Police to deal with such occasions. Here Vanessa writes of one such occasion in Ncheu district when it was necessary to take out a dangerous pair of these magnificant beasts.
'Click here' to view her account. |
The youngest person to serve as a Police Officer in Nyasaland/Malawi
or in any other Commonwealth country.
On the 20th July 2025, on Zoom, Malawi historian Victor Sibale presented a programme on the History of 'Law Enforcement in Malawi', when he spotlighted that remarkable man - Mateyo Numero, the youngest person ever to serve as a police officer in Malawi ~ and possibly in the entire Commonwealth.
Born into a family deeply rooted in service ~ his grandfather in the King's African Rifles (KAR) and his father, Sergeant Numero, a Parade Instructor at Zomba Police Training School. Mateyo's journey began around 1940 when the Police Band was being formed. At a time when music schools were non-existent, officers were invited to try their hand at instruments. Among the curious onlookers was young Mateyo, just 11 or 12 years old. When seasoned officers struggled with the cornet, young Mateyo stepped forward and to everyone's amazement, he played it effortlessly ~ like a duck to water! At just 14 he had become indispensable. In recognition of his extraordinary talent, the Police assigned him a service number, 1353, and placed him on the payroll, officially making him a police officer. A miniature uniform was tailored just for him.
At just 22 years of age, he was recommended by the Nyasaland Police to pursue advanced music studies at the
prestigious Royal Military School of Music in England. Remarkably, he became the only African in a class of 240 bandsmen drawn from across the world. Typically such 'Royal' institutions required strong academic credentials such as good A-Levels,  yet he was admitted without these formal qualifications, relying solely on his extraordinary musical talent, and he excelled.
After training in England in 1956 he became the first Malawian Director of Music in the Police Band in the country, a remarkable achievement for someone so young with the cornet, an instrument many adults found difficult to master. He went on to enjoy a 35 years service career in the Malawi Police Force, retiring in 1976. He became the first Malawian Director of Music in the Police, composing numerous songs, including the ever-popular 'Don't Worry'. After retirement, he continued to pass on his legacy by teaching wind instruments at St. Andrews International School in Blantyre. Among his students (outside the school) was none other than Dan Sibale, Malawi's celebrated saxophonist and member of the legendary 'Ma Nyasa Band'. Such talent, dedication, and history that surely deserves to be remembered.
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 Ray Punter ~ Newsletter
For many years, since leaving Nyasaland for New Zealand Ray Punter (93) has been in the habit of putting out a Christmas newsletter to friends, former colleagues and relatives. Always detailed and always interesting to those who know him and those who know of him. Ill health precluded it this year but with recovery he has found the time to produce a mid-year update and this has been added to the 'Letters' page. Read, appreciate and enjoy! |
 Nyasaland Cookery Book
and Household Guide
By The Nyasaland Council of Women
The Nyasaland Council of Women, in presenting this book, has endeavoured to collect recipes, household hints and other suggestions, for the benefit of those who come from temperate countries to live in Africa. Many problems face the newcomers especially those who find themselves in country districts without the amenities of town life. It is useful to learn how to live in the country for food stuffs and comforts.
| A selection from this 1947 publication is now available on the Items of Interest page. |
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David Searle ~ RIP
It is sad to report that David Searle passed away on the 8th April 2025, just over two weeks short of his 92nd birthday. He joined the Nyasaland Police in August 1959, leaving in 1971, having previously served in the Metropolitan Police (1956-1959). He was employed variously throughout and for details of his service In Nyasaland and his later employment Click here. It is greatly appreciated that Nypol member Trish Thacker was there to represent the Association at his funeral at The Park Crematorium, Plymouth, on Friday 9th May, 2025.
Note: Following David's funeral on 9th May there was the gathering for refreshments at the Bedford Hotel in Tavistock. It was here that a comprehensive slide show was displayed featuring aspects of David's life from childhood through to his service in the RAF, his time in Nyasaland and his family life as well those already shown in his Galleries collection. We are honoured that the family have provided the Association with a copy of these slides and a selection have been added to the website Galleries page sub-titled David Searle Extra. |
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 Missing the News?
There are those among us who were in Nyasland before there was a local radio station and to keep up to date with what was going on in the world we relied on and appreciated the BBC World Service. We still have members outside of the UK who look to the BBC to keep them up to date with both home and world news. However, the BBC has recently announced changes to their services which will make it difficult for expats to access certain of of their programmes. This has led our member in the Faroes, Vanessa, to express her opinion and disappointment by way of a letter to the Daily Telegraph. Click here to read it |
It's a Small World!
For some time Donald McCarry was Commander of the Presidential Guard to Dr Banda. His duties as such included escorting the President variously about Malawi and elsewhere. In about 1971 they were staying at the Dorchester Hotel in London for some three weeks visiting various places including his old surgery in Harlesdon were he was a local GP. Surprisingly, when they came out to get back into their cars, there walking towards them were two elderly ladies, whereupon one of them shouted, Ooh look, it's Doctor Banda!
Further, I now live in Upton upon Severn in Worcestershire when, amazingly, a lady who lives about five doors from me heard me mention Dr Banda to which she exclaimed that he was her doctor in London.
Click here to read the full story of Dr Banda published on YouTube.
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 Central Africa ~ Its unbounded space, and spectacular landscapes
Prior to joining the Police in 1953 Reg Brill, being duly qualified, was in the Agrucultre Dept. With Mary, he was first in Nyasaland in 1949 and Mary writes of her initial times in the country, plus three years old son, when she happily accepted conditions which weren't quite so sophisticated as that which they had left behind in the UK.
Click here to read and appreciate |
 Nyasaland ~ A bit of Background History
How many of us, during our time in Nyasaland, took more than a passing interest in the historical origins of the country? Well Vanessa did and she has put together a quite comprehensive article about those early days. We are honoured to share her hard work and it appears here on the "Items of Interst" page. To enjoy and, belated perhaps, learn a great deal Click here. |
 Travel to Nyasaland:
Mike Hunt details his first travel by air and to Africa in 1956 as a teenager. Aged 16 he travelled to Nyasaland to be with family and and it proved an interesting experience. No doubt it will cause many to recall their own journey there but this, indeed, is a remarkable account and to be accommodated in a houseboat whilst in transit is surely unique! ~ click here to view.
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Life & Work in Nyasaland: