Lewis Hastings had run away to Southern Rhodesia at the age of 17 after leaving his school, going on to prospect for diamonds, serve in the Cape Mounted Police, and operate as a political organizer; after the First World War, he bought a farm there, founded the Southern Rhodesia Tobacco Growers' Association, and became an MP and war correspondent for the BBC.
At 17, Lewis Hastings left his school to escape to Southern Rhodesia. There, he searched for diamonds, served in the Cape Mounted Police, and organized politically; after World War I, he bought a farm there, founded the Southern Rhodesia Tobacco Growers' Association, and became an MP and war correspondent for BBC.