Arnold Woolley – Appreciation

Arnold Woolley

Arnold was with the British South Africa Police in Rhodesia before it became Zimbabwe. Many of the BSAP were young British men who had gone to serve in the police force in Africa. Back home in the UK, Arnold has written of his time in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe with the catching title of Criminals and Crocodiles.
While it is a long book, it is an easy read giving insight to a time now past: the work of the police in remote African areas, and how one passed the time when not working.
While a very different book in tone and focus to John Padbury’s Battle for Hurungwe, feedback received on Criminals and Crocodiles by others who served at the time has been highly favourable. Arnold was serving in a very different part of the country to John, the two books between them showing how complex and diverse one country can be.
There’s more to Arnold’s time in Zimbabwe, then Rhodesia… keep an eye open. I’m waiting with anticipation to see what else he got up to.