Robert Brunsdon - Simpsons Circus

At our meeting on Wednesday 15^th March we were entertained by Bob Brunson telling the story of the fight for control of Lake Tanganyka at the beginning  of the 1914 – 1918 first world war.

Basically whoever controlled the lake controlled Central Africa – important for Britain because of the fear of a native uprising in Rhodisia.  Besides which at the end of the war possession of the lake could convey a commercial advantage.

So Lt. Commander Geoffrey Spicer-Simpson was chosen to head up an expedition to ensure Britain’s interests were maintained. Two gunboats suitably armed were built – Mimi and Toutou – loaded and sent on the 9600 km voyage to South Africa . That was the easy bit!! The gunboats then had to be hauled across mountains,  through swamps, forests, across ravines - some 650 kms to get to the lake. The battle eventually commenced in December 1915.   After several  sea battles the gun boats eventually took on and sunk a German Steamboat on February 8^th 1916, which effectively ended  the naval battle.

By late 1916 Spicer-Simpson and most of his crew returned to England to continue their careers. Spicer- Simpson continued his career and died in1947 aged 71.

A history tale well told by Bob.

Ron Jones