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From Soup to Nuts: a song of life
Nigel Henson was born in Bulawayo, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in 1946, and educated at Plumtree School. He was awarded the Sword of Honour at the School of Infantry and was commissioned into the Rhodesian Light Infantry, serving as a troop commander in the Bush War of the 1970s. He moved to the Middle East to join the Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces as a company commander in Dhofar in1968/9 at the age of 21, before returning to the RLI as a training officer, rising to staff officer in army headquarters. In May 1977, Major Nigel Henson took command of the Support Commando engaged in Fire-Force operations, most of which he commanded from the air and involved parachuting into Mozambique and Zambia. In early 1980, Henson, along with other officers and soldiers, was decorated at Army Headquarters Salisbury after the Commonwealth Monitoring Force had arrived. Now retired, Nigel lives in Gauteng. He relishes his fly-fishing, his love of fine whiskeys, and the occasional poor game of golf.
‘‘...Major Henson has acted as the airborne controller and has been subjected to considerable ground fire from the enemy. In spite of this, Major Henson’s tactical handling of his troops on the ground, and his determined leadership have been of the highest order...’’ - Excerpt from Citation for ”Order of the Legion of Military” (OLM)
awarded at Special Awards April 1980.
‘‘...Major Henson has acted as the airborne controller and has been subjected to considerable ground fire from the enemy. In spite of this, Major Henson’s tactical handling of his troops on the ground, and his determined leadership have been of the highest order...’’ - Excerpt from Citation for ”Order of the Legion of Military” (OLM)
awarded at Special Awards April 1980.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 13, 2022
Brave people
The final quarter of the book encapsulates the horrendous and brave struggle of the few who held the line and helped prevent a completely catastrophic end to the Rhodesian UDI saga. In hindsight the Lancaster House Agreement at least bought time for an orderly exit from Zimbabwe, which may not have been possible without the sacrifices made by the likes of Nigel and his contemporaries. Also very informative for those of us who were not there at the end.For Rhodesians, a story with a sad end, alleviated by Nigel’s amusing accounts of his youth and particularly of his time at Plumtree and in Oman.
The final quarter of the book encapsulates the horrendous and brave struggle of the few who held the line and helped prevent a completely catastrophic end to the Rhodesian UDI saga. In hindsight the Lancaster House Agreement at least bought time for an orderly exit from Zimbabwe, which may not have been possible without the sacrifices made by the likes of Nigel and his contemporaries. Also very informative for those of us who were not there at the end.For Rhodesians, a story with a sad end, alleviated by Nigel’s amusing accounts of his youth and particularly of his time at Plumtree and in Oman.
August 11, 2023
Not really my cup of tea
Have read a few books about the RLI and the Rhodesian conflict but this one just doesn't work. There are many better and more interesting books on the conflict
Have read a few books about the RLI and the Rhodesian conflict but this one just doesn't work. There are many better and more interesting books on the conflict
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews