Folks,

I thought many of you might like to know that I got word this morning that Brian Nicholson passed away yesterday.

Brian laid out the hunting blocks in the Selous, had a wonderful track record of hunting in East Africa and also wrote the book 'The Last Of Old Africa'

Here's a review of the book.

"The Last of Old Africa chronicles Nicholson’s career during the heyday of the East African safari. It tells of his years growing up on a farm in Kenya in pre-WW II days and the exciting characters he met there as a youth: John Boyes, Allan Black, and Robert Foran of Lado ivory fame.

Nicholson tells of his efforts to eradicate cunning man-killing lions and leopards, and how in the process he became the foremost expert in this macabre field. Nicholson succeeded in killing more than 30 of these menaces over a 22-year period. Moreover, Nicholson did as much elephant-control shooting as any man alive today, and he has stories commensurate for a man of his vast experience. Read about the time a wounded marauder stood directly over Nicholson but, luckily, could not smell or see him.

Nicholson was instrumental in the formation of the Selous Reserve, Africa's biggest wildlife area, which he patrolled entirely on foot for months at a time and eventually helped open to hunting in 1965. He recounts the biggest tuskers ever shot in the Selous, including the monster elephant shot by Alice Landreth".

I never met Brian but have heard and read about him for most of my life and somehow, consider him a friend I just never got to meet.

Rest In Peace Brian. I'll be drinking a toast to 'Absent Friends' at 2100 hours this evening and I'm sure that many here will also join me when that time rolls around in their neck of the woods.

Worthy of a toast.

Anyone who has any involvement, at any time, with the Selous ought to have read his book - it is a gem.

Sorry to hear this. I remember you posting that he was not doing well a while back.

He deserves a monument somewhere in the Selous for sure.

He was one of the great ones.

Count me in on the toast.

Always hate to hear of one of the "old guard" passing. Read his book and amazed at the work he did in the Selous. Worked with old Ionides... May he rest in peace.

I was well acquainted with Brian during his tenure as Architect of the SGR as well as our other departed friend Alan Rogers who also played an important role in assisting Brian.
In the later days they took to air patrols and always buzzed camp as a signal for a "Bia baridi".

Several toasts and more to these dedicated gentlemen!

the "happy hunting ground" has inherited a true hero! 2100 it will be in georgia as well.

Imagine what a full and rewarding life he lived. Many of us would be so lucky as to have lived that life.

Amen. RIP, Brian.

Crap, another good guy home from the hill.

Rest in peace. If any of you are interested, a non blood sport guy wrote a great book about the Selous and Brian entitled "Sand Rivers", by Peter Matthiessen. It chronicles a foot safari made by them with much insight into Brian. What a dedicated man!

Another piece of old Africa gone. A momument in HIS PARK should certainly be in the works, but honoring a white man for anything in todays Africa is a rare, if not unheard of thing. A pioneer of the first order has passed, but for those of us lucky enough to have walked in that great game field, the man will not be forgotten.

True that one, Dave.

Dave,

let's hope something can be arranged but I'm sure if it can, it'll take a while to get organised.

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
Dave,

let's hope something can be arranged but I'm sure if it can, it'll take a while to get organised.

Can only be done by TPHA/TAHOA as I have reservations that the GD will do anything and provided
they will accept a "permanent structure" within the reserve.
Maybe we could propose prominent landmark instead as was done for Ionides? (Ionides Mt. + Nicholson's Mt/Hill)

PM sent

I have a thought. If it were possible to get permission to erect a monument to Brian Nicholson somewhere in the Selous, how about us members of AR contributing funds to get it built? Nobody would have to throw a lot of money towad it unless they wanted, but those who wish to participate could do so. There probably isn't a group, other than probably african PH's, who have a greater reverence for Mr. Nicholson, so why don't we step up and do something to remember him?

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:
I have a thought. If it were possible to get permission to erect a monument to Brian Nicholson somewhere in the Selous, how about us members of AR contributing funds to get it built? Nobody would have to throw a lot of money towad it unless they wanted, but those who wish to participate could do so. There probably isn't a group, other than probably african PH's, who have a greater reverence for Mr. Nicholson, so why don't we step up and do something to remember him?

That had occurred to me also but we first need to do some behind the scenes work to deal with any possible problemsthat might prevent us doing something for Brian.

That work is already underway and I or someone else will post the relevent news when we have any. In the meantime, if we get ahead of ourselves, it'll probably make things more difficult for us......... So patience is the watchword. At least for now.

The more I think about it, the entire Selous IS his monument. I do agree that a stone, a mountain, or something would be nice. He certainly deserves it and more.

So sad to hear this news. On the wall next to my desk here is a huge map of the Selous GR that was hand drawn by Brian,(dated 31 December 1970) with hunting blocks. Not sure where we could put his monument...perhaps near Kingupira? I have been to Ionides grave on top of Nandunga. The trouble with Iodines grave is that its remote and a small climb, so few people visit it. Better to put Bwana Niki's marker a bit more accessable (like F.C. Selous) Steve, lets work on trying to get permission to put something up. Count me in, and perhaps we and a few other phs can chip in and we can go get something nice put up, maybe even drink a few toasts to Brian while doing it. may be fun.

Mate,

Steps are underway but I know I don't need to tell you how these things are best done behind the scenes...... As soon as something is decided, I or someone else will post the news.

One thing's for sure. Every person that has dreamed of the Selous, ever been there in the past or ever goes there in the future, owes it in large part to Brian Nicholson and the guys who went with him!