My African Stories - Tony Goddard

HOW TO ORDER

HARDBACK  £12.50  & UK postage £3.00 for 1 book £4.25 for 2 books
email: tonygoddardbooks@gmail.com
Please indicate which book(s) required, giving name and address where to be sent

Payment by Bank Transfer     M.A. Goddard     

  LLoyds   Sort Code: 30-98-69   Account: 00145978

                                                          Please insert surname as Bank reference

This book relates the often hilarious adventures of a young man in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) between 1962 and 1965 at the end of the Colonial era. Although in his very early twenties as a district officer cadet, he was within weeks of his arrival, given responsibility for a complete tribal area adjoining the South Luangwa Game Reserve. His adventures included his being charged by a lioness and chased up a tree by a rhino.

The tensions arising out of the move towards independence presented different challenges, as he operated largely on his own, trying to maintain law and order. All of which although related in a light-hearted way, does not entirely hide the very real danger of some of the situations. It was during this period that he started a youth training scheme and for this purpose ‘borrowed’ an African Police Inspector without the knowledge of the Policeman’s superiors. 

During the last months of his time as a District Officer he was in at the start of the trouble with the Lumpa Church when it went on the rampage in the adjoining District of Lundazi. In the final year of his time in Africa he transferred to the Ministry of Justice and operated as a stipendiary Magistrate in the southwestern province on the banks of the Zambezi. The cases he dealt with provide some of the best and most amusing stories in the book.

Tony's follow-up book The Tales of a Country Solicitor is on this blog and also available from tonygoddardbooks@gmail.com

REVIEWS

W R Lindsay-Stewart (N Rhode sia/Zambia 1954-70)

Tony Goddard's memoir, My African Stories, recounts his experiences during the colonial era and the early years of Zambia's independence. The book is structured around three periods: his childhood in Northern Rhodesia, his time as a District Officer in Zambia leading up to its 1964 independence, and his post-independence role as a Resident Magistrate. The memoir contrasts the traditional indirect colonial rule with the new, centralized system that followed independence, while also highlighting personal relationships between British officers and local leaders and staff. 

• Three distinct periods: The memoir covers Goddard's life from his childhood in Northern Rhodesia, through his university years in England, to his experiences as a District Officer and later a Resident Magistrate in Zambia.

• Transition from colonial rule: It describes the shift from the British system of indirect rule through local chiefs to a new, centralized, and politically controlled civil service after Zambian independence in 1964.

• Personal relationships: Goddard emphasizes the strong relationships that formed between expatriate District Officers and local chiefs, and particularly with their personal staff.

• Wildlife conservation: The book also touches on the history of the Luangwa Valley's wildlife conservation efforts, which began with a partnership between the colonial government and Paramount Chief Nsefu.

• Post-independence changes: The memoir provides personal insights into the social and political changes that occurred in Zambia during the transition to independence. 
• ___________________________________________________________

Tony Goddard 2025

Last week we met Modbury resident Tony Goddard and learned about his time as a District Officer in the Colonial Service serving in North Rhodesia (now Zambia).

Now we find Tony transferring to the Ministry of Justice and on the strength of his Oxford Law degree being appointed as Resident Magistrate of Balovale and Kabompo Districts on the banks of the Zambezi with the criminal and civil powers of an English county Court Judge.

This appointment saw the end of his career in the Colonial service and the urgent need to plan for a future career in England.

With a young wife to support, Tony decided to give up his intention to become a barrister in favour of the safer option of becoming a solicitor. 

A Life Navigated - Haydn Watson

 

HOW TO ORDER

Price £9.99 & £3.00 P & P

Available from Lynn Davidson, The Memoir Club, 34 Lynwood Way,                                        South Shields, NE34 8DB  07552086888

Please make cheques payable to Lynn Davidson Or email memoirclub@msn.com

Jacket front

This book is the outcome to a personal challenge that the author set himself some four years ago. It follows the life of a man born into a world of constant change. His story was relayed to the author through conversations over a number of years. He faced many challenging experiences and through a strong will and a little luck he survived to live a life that brought him respect and happiness. It is the author’s hope that the narrative will enhance your understanding of how one man’s determination to survive is so fundamental to humanity.

AUTHOR

Haydn Watson’s working life has included twenty-one years in engineering. Then another twenty-seven years in the teaching profession, working in both schools and colleges. He has been writing for twelve years and he has had two earlier books published titled; A Life Navigated and Garn Yem. He is also a singer with The Jarrow Choral Society and a board member of Gateshead Soul. He enjoys music and is a self-taught guitarist. Haydn has five children and eleven grandchildren.

REVIEWS

Thoroughly enjoyable book detailing the life from boyhood to adulthood of a very determined man. The obstacles he overcame to fulfil his dreams were many and he maintained his dignity, respect and faith throughout. Historical events have been researched and highlighted, adding to an overall excellent read. Dave, Lincoln. January 2021.

This book is a must read! I read it in two days, I couldn’t put it down! It is full of facts alongside an intriguing story! I recommend this book 100%! Janet, Durham. August 1st 2021.

A thoroughly enjoyable read…… Abdel experiences many challenges throughout his life, in this uplifting story, in the face of adversity. Interesting and excellent research by the Author. I highly recommend this book – Marvellous! Paul, Darlington. August 11^th 2021.

An excellent, detailed account of a life`s journey from poor beginnings in Afghanistan to a contented conclusion in South Shields in the UK. It highlights the differences and similarities between cultures and the common human need for love, respect and understanding. The determination and drive to seek new and challenging experiences keep you enthralled and you cannot help but feel encouraged by the acceptance and love shown towards those of different cultures. A very good read. Ian, Newcastle. January 25^th 2021.

An amazing story of the boy Abdel to manhood and beyond. Anyone with naval connection would appreciate the main theme of the book but, it could be enjoyed by all and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a book full of promise, dedication, sadness, friendship, hard work and ultimately love. Excellent. Jean, Fencehouses. December 2020.

What a story, what a life! A fascinating read where the first chapter could be a whole book in its self. The book is loaded with facts and information leaving the reader a little more knowledgeable. I was completely invested in Abdel as a person that I was upset the book ended!

J D Maddison, Witton Gilbert. January 24^th 2021.

Norma Hudson - Sole Survivor

 ORDER  THIS  BOOK  DIRECT  FROM  THE  AUTHOR

Goodnight, God Bless - Pauline Waters

 How to order direct from the author

Goodnight God Bless

FROM FARRINGDON TO KUWAIT 

Pauline Waters

SOFTBACK  £12.00  & UK postage £3.00
By Post: Mail to  Pauline Waters, 16 Ingleby Court, Sunderland, SR4 7NF
Cheque payable to Pauline Waters
By Email   pauline3.waters@gmail.com or MOBILE 07786024011
Bank transfer details    Pauline Waters
07-13-10        83948145

  

Pauline Waters

BOOK LAUNCH - 30 AUGUST 2025

ORIGINAL BOOK AND PHOTOS OF ABOYNE SQUARE

INTRODUCTION

This book follows the life of a family, a street, and a town within England and the world during the years 1974-76.

It is based on letters which were written by Stan to his son Stephen and family during the years 1974, 1975 and 1976. The handwritten letters were posted from Farringdon in Sunderland to Kuwait City in Kuwait.

His son Stephen went to university at eighteen years old and, after a few years of working for the local government in England, accepted a position as a Town and Country planner working for the government in Kuwait.

The usual form of communication then was by letter writing. There was an efficient postal service both locally and internationally.

Stan lived in a council house on an estate called Farringdon in Sunderland. He had been invalided out of the shipyards where he had worked as an engineer since leaving school. His days were spent tending to his garden, doing some housework, making ready cut rugs, and sewing embroidered articles. Daytime television did not exist but his daily paper, The News Chronicle, provided a crossword which was completed every day.

Stan loved to receive a letter from Stephen. He would wait for a letter to arrive from Kuwait and then he would reply to it. The letters were written in the style of the spoken word as if he were talking to his son or having a conversation with him. He always replied to an incoming letter and numbered his to aid continuity.

In his letters he mentioned news of family members, neighbourhood events, local and national news as well as the cost of living and rising prices. The local Sunderland football team was regularly mentioned and usually related to the players weekly performance on the pitch or news of injuries and transfers.

 Stan wrote detailed accounts giving a clear reflection of life during those years.

He wrote thirty letters over the period of three years. He expressed his thoughts, fears and opinions which at the time, he did not verbalise to his family.

_______________________________________________________

FROM FARRINGDON TO KUWAIT         STEPHEN’S JOURNEY

I applied to Kuwait Municipality in 1973 to work as a Town and Country Planner. I went to the Kuwait Embassy in London for my interview with Mr Alan Mathieston who represented Kuwait municipality. A team of six civil engineers and planners were appointed. In November 1973 I travelled out with my wife and two children to commence work before Christmas. Others in the group waited until after Christmas. We were given accommodation in a government guesthouse. The food provided for us was very spicy and did not suit my baby son. I travelled daily with a representative from the Kuwait housing department to view potential housing accommodation for my family. We eventually selected a three-bedroom apartment in a residential suburb area of Shuaib which adjoined Al Shuaib. Most of the accommodation was in medium rise residential flats. As I had arrived before the rest of the team, I had the advantage of meeting my Kuwaiti colleagues before them. The British Council gave me a list of dos and don’ts e.g. when meeting Royalty address a female member of the Royal household as Ma’am (sounding like Jaarm).

Our household items arrived in a shipping container. My new leather full length coat was stolen in transit. I purchased a smart double-breasted suit which I never wore as there were no formal occasions to attend. Letters mailed to me took twelve days to arrive at my postbox. I attended a course with Keith, one of the engineers, to learn Arabic, but found it difficult, so left the course. The technical officers spoke English. The chief engineer of the municipality was married to an English lady. He had qualified at Oxford University. I occasionally met his second in command who was just as powerful as his boss. He loved cheese on toast. He left suddenly with all his salary and allowances which had been given to him, apparently not keen on the living conditions. Our team had the task of initially designing a subdivision which included deciding how many dwellings would be built on the site. The plan was given to the draughtsmen and surveyors. The next day the ground was flattened and building commenced. There were a few thousand Kuwaiti in the population at that time. The Royal family were very wealthy. They had gold number plates on their cars.

On my first week there I witnessed a public execution. The condemned prisoner was marched into the main city centre from the prison and executed. A series of small pictures recorded the event in the local newspaper. Luckily, it was not a regular occurrence.

The Kuwaitis were mainly educated in the USA. They wore white dishdashas with real gold cufflinks and gold clips on their shoes, which were changed daily. The technical workers were mainly from the United Kingdom, United States and Europe. The manual labourers were from India and Pakistan. The Arabic language in Kuwait was very different to the language in other parts of Arabia. Pure Arabic was spoken in Mecca. ‘Yela’ meant ‘come or go’. I worked from 7 am until 2 pm. Some workers had an afternoon siesta and returned to work in the evening. I was given two months holiday per year. My children attended an English-speaking school. The wives of our team members were able to apply for jobs. My wife worked as a typist for the United Nations. We had a nanny called Sebastian who lived in an adjoining room. She did the ironing and babysat for us. She was very happy; we were too. Initially I thought I would be working there for two years. In fact, I was there for six years 1973 to 1979, before leaving for another position in Qatar.

REVIEWS

SUNDERLAND ECHO 29 August 2025

https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/people/im-shining-a-spotlight-on-life-in-sunderland-in-the-1970s-5292718

Alan Furness Tropical Diplomat

How to Order

HARDBACK  £12.50  & UK postage £3.50

By Post: Mail to Lynn Davidson, The Memoir Club, 34 Lynwood Way, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE34 8DB cheque payable to Lynn Davidson.
By Email memoirclub@msn.com   or MOBILE 0755 2086888
Paypal: account access - memoirclub@msn.com
Bank transfer details    Lynn Davidson      Barclays
20 83 69        83948145  please insert Furness  as bank reference

ALAN FURNESS

Tropical Diplomat covers the diplomatic activities of Alan Furness at his postings abroad in India, Indonesia, Poland and francophone West Africa, both his dealings with the foreign governments there, as well as the internal workings of the diplomatic posts he served in. Some of these posts were in countries that had been subject to colonial rule, whether British, French or Dutch (or one could add, Russian, as far as Poland was concerned) and where their relations with the former colonial powers were especially interesting, to put it politely.

Visiting British ministers could also be a problem as well as an opportunity. Sir Geoffrey Howe’s visit to Warsaw in 1985, evoked some responses within the British Embassy that were not wholly concordant.

Diplomatic activities is an expression that covers his relations with the British ambassadors he served under, and his relations with other members of the staff, especially when he was the Head of Post himself, as in Bombay in the 1980s and in Dakar in the 1990s.

His diplomatic activities concluded on an unusual note for a British Ambassador, when he became the Sovereign Order of Malta’s Ambassador to Senegal. 

AUTHOR

Alan Furness was born in 1937. He was educated at Eltham College and at Jesus College,Cambridge, where he read history. He then spent a year at the University College of the West Indies (as it was then called) in Jamaica, doing research into the period of plantation slavery, a subject as fraught then as it still is today. But he decided that an academic career was not for him. 

He joined what was later to become HM Diplomatic Service, starting work in the Commonwealth Relations Office, including a period as Private Secretary to the Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State, the 11th Duke of Devonshire, whom he accompanied on visits to Nigeria and to Canada.

His career in the Diplomatic Service then took him to India (twice), to the UK Delegation to the European Communities during the negotiations for British entry into the Common Market. He met and married his wife, Elizabeth, in Brussels in 1971. She too was working in the UK Delegation. Thereafter, their service overseas took them to Dakar (twice), to Jakarta, to Warsaw in the early 1980s when the Solidarity movement was being suppressed, and to Bombay.

After he reached the compulsory retirement age of 60 in 1997, a second overseas career beckoned. He had been received into the Catholic Church in 1979 in Jakarta; and in 2000, he became the Ambassador to Senegal of the Sovereign Order of Malta. He and his wife continued to live in their own house in Dakar, until they returned to England in 2008. He continued to undertake various activities with the Order of Malta in England.

 

TONY GODDARD - TALES OF A COUNTRY SOLICITOR

                                                                     

                                                                How to Order

HARDBACK  £12.50  & UK postage £3.00 for 1 book £4.25 for 2 books
email: tonygoddardbooks@gmail.com
Please indicate which book(s) required, giving name and address where to be sent

Payment by Bank Transfer     M.A. Goddard     

  Lloyds   Sort Code: 30-98-69   Account: 00145978                                                         Please insert surname as Bank reference

TONY GODDARD

This book records how after three exciting years as a district officer as recounted in his first book My African Stories the author then returned to England to the Thames Valley where he qualified as a solicitor.

After three years practising as a solicitor in the Thames Valley the author and his wife moved to South Devon and settled in an area that was predominantly based on agriculture.

The book describes a tight-knit farming community of a type that has now largely disappeared.

The key to entering this community as the author discovered was horses and hunting.

It was against this background that the author practised law and the book contains a host of splendid stories based on the author’s experiences.

REVIEWS

Kingsbridge & Salcombe Gazette and Totnes Times

Last week we met Modbury resident Tony Goddard and learned about his time as a District Officer in the Colonial Service serving in North Rhodesia (now Zambia).

Now we find Tony transferring to the Ministry of Justice and on the strength of his Oxford Law degree being appointed as Resident Magistrate of Balovale and Kabompo Districts on the banks of the Zambezi with the criminal and civil powers of an English county Court Judge.

This appointment saw the end of his career in the Colonial service and the urgent need to plan for a future career in England.

With a young wife to support, Tony decided to give up his intention to become a barrister in favour of the safer option of becoming a solicitor.

This required him to undergo a two-year apprenticeship known as Articles with a firm of solicitors in the Thames Valley followed by six months as a student at the College of Law in Guildford.

The College housed in a beautiful Manor House and presided over by a distinguished scholar disguised the real purpose of the College which was to "cram" the students with the information necessary to pass the examination at the end of the six-month period which it did extremelv efficientlv.

Tony was admitted as a Solicitor of the High Court on the January 13 1969 just in time for him to appear in the Magistrates Court for the first time the very next day!

After a vear as an assistant with the same firm in the Thames Valley Tony applied for a position with a small two partner firm in the South Hams initially as an assistant to take over and develop the litigation side of the practice which was virtually non-existent.

In his new book, Tony describes a tight knit rural community into which it was well nigh impossible for someone new to the areas to penetrate.

Until that is he bought on instinct a very beautiful but totally unsuitable thorough bred horse which proved to be the key to being accepted into the community which largely revolved around hunting.

Tony agreed to join the organising committee of the local farmers hunt "the Kennel Committee" only to find himself "bounced" into becoming Vice Chairman of the Hunt which took him into the very heart of the local hunting and agricultural community,

Tony spent some 10 years very happily as vice chairman to James "Jimmy" Darke grandfather of Richard the present chairman of what became the Dartvale, South Pool and Modbury Harriers.

This gave him a close insight into the operation of the close knit agricultural community that as his book "Tales of a Country Solicitor" amusingly records.

Sadly increased government regulation and the growth of the big city practices have sounded the death knell for these agricultural communities and the local solicitors practices who served them.

https://www.kingsbridge-today.co.uk/news/author-tony-goddards-unforgettable-colonial-service-797633

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THE GREAT RECOVERY CAPTAIN JOHN WATSON

AVAILABLE TO BUY  30TH JUNE 2025

HOW TO ORDER 

Softback - PRICE £12.50 & P & P  UK  £3.00

Hardback - PRICE £20.00 & P & P  UK  £3.50

The Memoir Club, 34 Lynwood Way, South Shields. NE34 8DB

Cheques payable to Lynn Davidson or bank transfer: 

BARCLAYS  20 83 69   83948145

Telephone:  07552086888  Email: memoirclub@email.msn.com 

Captain John J Watson

BOOK  LAUNCH  DUNDEE  LIBRARY

It was a three-week holiday in Turkey at the beginning of the 1990s that began he and Maureen’s love for the country and its people. Between 2001 and 2014 it was their second home allowing them to travel extensively west of a line drawn from Trabzon in the north to Adana in the south, with occasional sorties to the east of that line. John became a huge admirer of Ataturk, and it was travels to Gallipoli and latterly to Ankara to visit the Ataturk Mausoleum during 2008 that whetted his appetite to explore how the Republic was born, especially after buying a copy of Kamuran Gürün’s book from the mausoleum library upon which this volume is based. It has taken more than fifteen years of consideration to finally bring his work to print with the hope that it might be regarded as having been produced without prejudice.

Captain John Watson was born in Barr, near Girvan in 1939. His career has been long and varied. From joining the Merchant Navy to become Master Foreign Going in 1965 he left to join the ports industry with the British Transport Docks Board in 1966. That was the start of another successful career. He eventually left that organisation and become Harbourmaster and Pilotmaster of Dundee Port Authority and eventually its Chief Executive in 1986 and also Deputy Chairman in 1988.

Before the port was privatised at the end of 1995 he was active in the national and worldwide ports industry being appointed as the Chairman of the International Association of Ports and Harbours Marine Operations Committee in 1989. Then in 1992 he was elected as the inaugural Chairman of the new British Ports Association and was nominated and appointed an OBE for his services to the ports industry in that same year.

 

Between 1996 and 2001 he worked as a management and ports consultant at home and abroad. It was during this time he developed a new career in the conservation and restoration of historic wooden ships which remains his passion today.

BOOK LAUNCH 10 September

https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/events/event/34486