Pioneer Days

Rhodesia, old and new, at the Greater Britain Exhibition 1899

It is difficult today to appreciate just how brave and hardy were the early pioneers who opened up the wilderness which became Rhodesia.  There was nothing at all to be had other than that which could be brought by wagon through literally hundreds of miles of virgin bush. The wagons and their drivers had to cross land having no roads of any description and the rivers to be crossed had no bridges.  There were no towns and everything that a man might want had to be built from scratch.

Yet within a few years the pioneers had laid the foundations for a modern country. The pictures below were kindly donated by a pioneer descendant who wishes to remain anonymous.  They include a number of private photographs which have probably not been published before.


The old Bulawayo Club, 1897

Members on the verandah of the Bulawayo Club 1897

1. unknown  2. P Sneddon  3. AC Evans  4. Fleming  5. Sir Frederick Frankland  6. A Molineux  7. Douglas Hawksley  8. T Tompkins

9. blurred  10. Dr. Hans Sauer  11. PBS Wrey  12. unknown  13. Marquand  14. unknown  15. Fred. Crewe  16. Maj. Walter Howard

(click on the picture and then again for a closer view of the members)


Natives watching Coronation parade, Cecil Squere, Salisbury, 1902

“Salisbury Club, boys watching Coronation Parade in Cecil Square, 1902”


A Cape Cart on the road the Ayrshire Mine

Outspan in the bush; a Cape Cart on the Ayrshire road North West of Salisbury, 1902


Chiefs on Coronation Day, Salisbury, 1902

Native Chiefs on Coronation Day, Salisbury, 1902


Journey to Hunyani 1899

Messrs. Thomas & Hawksley (in cart) with native boys on road to Hunyani, 1899


Looking North along First Street, Salisbury c 1905