PREVIEW: THE GREAT WAR IN AFRICA ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE: 29 NOVEMBER

The Great War in Africa Association will hold its next conference at The Africa Centre, London, 66 Great Suffolk Street, London, GB SE1 0BL on Saturday, 29 November from 10.30am – 3.30pm

Among those speaking will be Christopher Mellor-Hill, Noonans’ Associate Director and Head of Client Liaison. He will focus on Juma Gubanda and Chisengalumbwe, the latter thought to be the first African Regimental Sergeant Major of the Northern Rhodesia Regiment in 1933.

R.S.M. Chisengalumbwe’s distinguished career in military and police service can be measured by his medals, the full group of which included the 1939/45 and Africa Stars, Defence and War Medals, the 1935 Jubilee and 1937 Coronation Medals, the Army Meritorious Service Medal (George VI) and the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

“The medals of R.S.M. Chisengalumbwe are a physical manifestation of an icon familiar to many British boys from the 1930s through to at least the 1970s,” says Christopher Mellor-Hill.”
In those days schoolboys collected and swapped cigarette cards and Player’s Cigarettes published a series – ‘Regiments of the Empire’, one card if which featured Chisengalumbwe, resplendent in full uniform and four of his medals.”

The talk forms part of a day-long programme of lectures and networking, with doors opening at 10am. The cost is £35, to include a light lunch and refreshments. To book email Anne at [email protected]