40 Facts About Roy Welensky

Roy Welensky retired to Salisbury, where he re-entered politics and attempted to stop Rhodesia from unilaterally declaring itself independent.

Roy Welensky's mother died when he was eleven years old, being treated by Godfrey Huggins, a doctor who went on to become the prime minister of Southern Rhodesia.

Roy Welensky rose through the ranks of Rhodesia Railways to become a locomotive engine driver and became involved in the trade union movement, joining the Rhodesian Railway Workers' Union.

Roy Welensky was elected to the Northern Rhodesian Legislative Council in the 1938 general elections.

The Governor of Northern Rhodesia prevented Roy Welensky from enlisting in the armed forces during World War II and appointed him Director of Manpower.

Roy Welensky had earlier wanted an amalgamation of Northern and Southern Rhodesia with a constitution similar to that of Southern Rhodesia.

Roy Welensky felt that the colonies were missing out on the post-war economic boom.

Roy Welensky suggested that the Constitution of Australia be used as a basis for the proposed federal constitution, and pushed the idea of 'partnership' between blacks and whites.

Apart from organising the federation, Welensky won a significant political battle in Northern Rhodesia against the British South Africa Company, which controlled mineral rights and the associated royalties throughout the territory.

Roy Welensky was paternalistic towards native Africans, but believed in the dictum of "equal rights for all civilised men" and gradual advancement.

Roy Welensky stood for the federal legislature in 1953 for the United Federal Party, created by himself and Southern Rhodesian prime minister Sir Godfrey Huggins.

Roy Welensky credited the high rate of development to the astute management of the federal Minister of Finance, Donald MacIntyre.

However, when it came to liberalising alcohol restrictions on blacks, Roy Welensky argued against doing so, stating that such an action would cause the UFP to lose the next election.

On taking office, Roy Welensky was forced to take sides in the Suez Crisis.

The Colonial Secretary Alan Lennox-Boyd visited the Federation in January 1957, while Roy Welensky prepared to outline the difficulties regarding African advancement.

Roy Welensky did not understand or appreciate the party's goal of increased African representation or secession when it relied on the Federation for its well being.

Roy Welensky did not rule out deploying federal troops if the situation deteriorated.

Roy Welensky was outraged when the report was published, calling it the "death knell of federation" and rejecting it out of hand.

Roy Welensky was opposed to any talk of secession, and the Monckton Report suggested it in writing when it stated that the territories should have the option after five years under a new federal constitution.

Roy Welensky had Banda's cell wired for sound and was frustrated with what he saw as the British government's "betrayal, duplicity, appeasement, cowardice and loss of nerve" when dealing with the African nationalists and the federation.

Roy Welensky was informed that Banda would be released so that he could join in discussions with the British Government over the future of the Federation.

Bitter and angry at what he saw as British ignorance to the situation, Roy Welensky did not comprehend how the British were willing to deal with Banda.

Roy Welensky considered a federal unilateral declaration of independence when the new Northern Rhodesian constitution appeared likely to grant an African majority in its parliament.

Roy Welensky once told a journalist that he was considering incorporating the Belgian Congo's Katanga Province into the Federation.

Roy Welensky was sympathetic to the situation but unable to act; the British government, which had ultimate jurisdiction over the Federation, disallowed him from mobilising the armed forces.

Roy Welensky pleaded with Macmillan to deploy the Rhodesian forces, but Macmillan rebuffed him, telling Roy Welensky that their hopes were pinned on the United Nations being able to restore order and hoping for a wholly neutral or anti-communist Congo.

Roy Welensky decided to support Tshombe, feeling that Katanga could provide a buffer between the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba of the Congolese government.

Roy Welensky feared Lumumba was supporting black nationalists and communists in the Federation.

Roy Welensky heavily criticised UN peacekeeping operations in the Congo and the United Kingdom's response to the crisis.

Roy Welensky used this as a means to mobilize white Rhodesian support for his government as it came under increasing pressure from the white supremacist Rhodesian Front party for failing to contain black nationalism within the Federation.

Roy Welensky stayed in regular communication with Tshombe, although they did not meet in person until late September 1961.

Roy Welensky was blamed for the accident throughout the communist and Afro-Asian world, becoming a hated figure and a lingering symbol of colonialism.

Roy Welensky thought the decision was cynical and displayed weakness in the British Empire.

When UN troops initiated military action against Katanga in December 1962, Tshombe fled to Salisbury and met with Roy Welensky, vowing to continue the secession.

Roy Welensky hoped to get a display of confidence in the Federation, so he dissolved parliament in mid-1962 and held elections.

Roy Welensky now had parties in power in all three territorial legislatures that were opposed to the Federation and advocating independence for their respective territories.

Roy Welensky refused to dine with the British delegates, on the grounds of "not choking on his food", but ensured that the talks went smoothly.

Roy Welensky knew that if the RF won the by-elections it would appear as a mandate for unilateral independence; the campaign, for only two seats, was intense.

Roy Welensky had much more antipathy for the British Government than for his RF opponents, and was disgusted at their treatment of the Rhodesians during constitutional talks:.

Roy Welensky continued living in Rhodesia until Robert Mugabe gained power and the country became Zimbabwe in 1980.