Hello from Australia - interested in African archival material

Hello to all, I have just joined up. My interest is not so much in hunting, but in the history of the Rhodesian Ridgeback. I used to live in Zimbabwe where I bred, showed and judged this breed. I became fascinated in the history of the breed, and collected a lot of material. In 2000 we left Zimbabwe and came to live in Queensland in Australia (with our family, dogs and all my historical material!). In 2004 I published a book entitled "Rhodesian Ridgeback Pioneers" which told of the early days of the breed - the owners, breeders and the dogs themselves. However, my research has continued since then.

Later this year I am giving a presentation at the Rhodesian Ridgeback World Congress to be held in Canada - I will be talking about some of the Ridgebacks who left Southern Rhodesia in the 1920's and 30's and made their way to England. A small breeding group went to Kenya in the 1920's where a professional hunter named Sydney Waller bred them for some years. Many of his were exported to Britain and other parts of the world.

Waller died in Tsavo in the 1950's and he was probably best remembered for his role in leading HRH Prince Henry Duke of Gloucester's safari in 1928. He also had a lead role in the filming of the early movie "Trader Horn" in 1929

I have been asked to provide as many images of possible for my presentation in Canada. I am focussing quite heavily on the theme "Safari" as it was those English clients who took hunting safaris in the 20's and 30's who took back Ridgebacks with them to their home countries. If anybody can assist me with pictures of the following, I would be most grateful, and of course you would be acknowledged. The timeframe is up to about 1940.

Pictures of Sydney Waller or anecdotes about him

early pictures of Rhodesian Ridgebacks or stories/anecdotes about them

pictures of safari life - from the most sumptuous to the barest minimum

pictures of HRH Prince Henry Duke of Gloucester on safari 1928

any "movie" footage of any of the above

I appreciate any assistance or suggestions received.

With kind regards,

Linda at ridgebackhistory

Welcome to AH Linda! Good luck with your search.

welcome but cant help, hopefully some on here will be able to.

Welcome to the forum, Linda, hope you can get help around here.

Originally Posted by Nyati

Welcome to the forum, Linda, hope you can get help around here.

Linda??? Murray???

NO, not Linda Murray!

Wish I could help but my only experience with them is seeing a couple that belonged to a farmer/meat packer in Zim in 1996, near Nyamandhlovu.

Welcome to AH Linda Costa...

Your name is all over goggle when looking for ridgeback dogs..

unable to assist you at this time...

Hello James, very nice to get your welcoming message. Thank you!

Linda (Ridgeback History)

There were Ridgeback breeders in this area in the timeframe you mention - John and Margie Sankey. They bred some superb Ridgebacks over the years. Sadly, both have now died, and I believe that the experience of being evicted from their farm had a great deal to do with their physical demise.

Lovely to receive your message,

Linda
(ridgebackhistory)

Dear James,

thank you so much for your message. You flatter me! there are many breeders of quality Ridgebacks apart from myself.......


Linda (at ridgebackhistory)

Welcome to AH Linda! Can't help you out with the history of the Rhodesian Ridgeback but maybe we can sway you to do a hunt. Enjoy the site.