This is not really on the list but I have hit a brick wall and really need some help. I have a relative, William Charles Hoaten, who was in the BSAP (British south African Police) ie British police in Southern Rhodesia. I am not sure of the exact dates but his employ is at least from 1908 - c.1955. By 1931 he was a , W.C.,R.S.M., S.R.V. I have no idea what this means... He also fought in WW1 where he was a Lieutenantand received a medal. He died with the rank of a Major in 1955. Can anyone suggest where I may be able to find out more information about him? Is there any British military organization I could approach? As Rhodesia was a British colony during the time he was in the police force, I am hoping that some British based orgainization may hold some information - getting information out of Zimbabwe in nigh impossible at the moment. Many thanks Michelle Essers Israel

Michelle, There is a very active group of ex-BSAP people out there that should be able to help you out. Their website is www.bsap.org. They also have several discussion groups on yahoo, one of which is dedicated to the history of the BSAP. The main intent of the groups is to act as a forum for ex-BSAP members but they will allow outsiders (such as myself) participate from time to time. I am distantly related to Col William Bodle who was the first commisioner of the BSAP. If you would like, I can post your query to their mailing list (just send me an e-mail of list if you would like me to do that). Regards Mark Milton PS It is the British South Africa Police rather than the British South African Police. Michelle Essers wrote: > This is not really on the list but I have hit a brick wall and really > need some help. > > I have a relative, William Charles Hoaten, who was in the BSAP > (British south African Police) ie British police in Southern Rhodesia. > I am not sure of the exact dates but his employ is at least from 1908 > - c.1955. By 1931 he was a , W.C.,R.S.M., S.R.V. I have no idea what > this means... He also fought in WW1 where he was a Lieutenantand > received a medal. He died with the rank of a Major in 1955. > > Can anyone suggest where I may be able to find out more information > about him? Is there any British military organization I could > approach? As Rhodesia was a British colony during the time he was in > the police force, I am hoping that some British based orgainization > may hold some information - getting information out of Zimbabwe in > nigh impossible at the moment. > > Many thanks > > Michelle Essers > Israel > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to SUSSEX-PLUS-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > >