Northern Rhodesia Colony

George Goodfellow: Northern Rhodesian Police

Born as George Adamson in 1930 in Sculcoates, Yorkshire, Britain, his family moved to Wexford in Ireland when he was just two. Later, his father served in the Irish Maritime arm (Maritime Inscription Service) of the Irish Volunteer Force. After the war had ended, young George Goodfellow joined the Royal Military Police and spent the late 1940s and early 1950s working with them in the colony of Hong Kong. You can see photographs of him in Hong Kong here. After working in Hong Kong, he moved to Northern Rhodesia, where he joined the Northern Rhodesian Police sometime in the mid-1950s. He continued to serve in the NRP until independence in 1964, when he moved to work with the Swaziland Police for one year, and then relocated to South Africa, where he worked in security at RMB Alloys. The last few pictures here relate to those final postings, but the majority show his time in the Northern Rhodesian Police and include staff photographs, riot training, and what appears to be his involvement in the Northern Rhodesian Police Band towards the end of his time in the colony.

Northern Rhodesia


Appointment certificate — formal document confirming G. Goodfellow’s entry into the Northern Rhodesia Police	Colonial comrades — George and Roger Barbor in full tropical uniform, pith helmets and polished shoes	Parade ground — rifles shouldered and ranks aligned, with commanding officer inspecting the platoon	Mess night — Rhodesia Police officers in white jackets, drinks in hand beneath the eagle-emblazoned flag

Recruit squad — twelve men posed in front of barracks, names handwritten for archival clarity	The Queen Mother visiting Broken Hill in 1957	Field inspection — ranks aligned in light uniform, officers exchanging formalities in foreground	Police transport — officers inside mesh-sided truck for riot duties. license SG 656 visible

Bert Edney on parade — formation at Bwana Mkubwa, handwritten note anchors the moment	Riot drill — coordinated shield and baton demonstration, crowd watching from field’s edge	Riot platoon — shields raised in formation, handwritten caption links the drill to B/Mukwa	Visit of I.Gen — formal group portrait at Bwana Mkubwa, tropical uniforms and corrugated roof behind

'C' Company 1956 — Mobile Unit portrait with dog at rest, names handwritten beneath for archival record	Commissioner’s inspection — Mobile Unit assembled for formal review, flag flying and vehicle parked behind	'A' Company 1956 — helmeted ranks posed in front of brick arches, a disciplined Mobile Unit formation	Mobile Unit 1960 — three-tiered group portrait with full name list, tropical barracks and trees behind

Ceremonial band — NRP musicians in full dress, drums and tall hats aligned beneath the Union Jack	Drum corps — symmetrical formation in tropical kit, rehearsing on field with barracks behind	NRP Band at Lilayi — full ensemble with brass and percussion, handwritten note links Don Scott to the scene	Rifle team victory — 1963 East & West Africa match, Goodfellow and Evans pose with winning squad

Christmas 1956 — Inspectors Mess menu and toast list, signed by colleagues, Broken Hill, Northern Rhodesia	RMB Alloys team — four uniformed men and one civilian posed formally, South African security detail	RMB Alloys 1967 — group portrait in Republic of South Africa, Goodfellow among uniformed and civilian staff	Swaziland discharge — certificate marking end of service in 1965, exemplary conduct noted by Commissioner