Automobile Association of Rhodesia
The A A of Rhodesia was founded in 1923 and the first meeting was chaired by the then, last, Resident Commissioner during the old BSAC administration, Crawford Douglas-Jones, who became the first President of the new Association. He was knighted in 1934.
In 1937 the AA published a fairly hefty 245 page Route Book and Sir Crawford wrote a short foreword which is reproduced below.
AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION OF RHODESIA – ROUTE BOOK
FOREWORD
THE NEED FOR AN AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.
I have been asked to write shortly how it was that the Automobile Association of Rhodesia came to be founded. This I am very pleased to do.
When the motor car took the place of the cape cart, wagonette and travelling wagon, Government officials, business and mining men, sports men and others who had to make long journeys about the country were able, mainly during the dry season, to make these journeys by motor car in a few hours or days instead of days or weeks.
It was evident that the ancient methods of transport were rapidly being superseded by the modern.
One of the chief difficulties experienced at that time by drivers of cars was that of keeping to the road they wished to follow. On leaving a town the track would be distinct and easy to follow, but a few miles out it became, unless one were familiar with the road, difficult to decide which was the correct way – either the well-defined spoor or the indistinct one often almost hidden in tall tambookie grass.
How often did it happen that the motorist arrived at a farm house, mission station, trading store or some small mining camp, only to find that he was many miles out of his way? There was nothing for it but to accept proverbial Rhodesian hospitality – stay the night or to retrace his steps.
How often, too, did the distinct track lead into some impassable vlei, where, without any warning, the car became bogged and impossible to move under its own power?
It was plainly evident that some co-operation of motorists was necessary to provide the funds for the preparation of road-maps, description of routes and the erection of sign posts.
The success of Automobile Associations in Great Britain, South Africa and elsewhere, and the assistance they gave to the motoring public, which in numbers were increasing rapidly, prompted me to form an association on similar lines.
The space at my disposal will not allow me to describe in detail the hopes and disappointments, and the criticisms the suggestion to form an association evoked at the outset; but encouraged by some sportsmen friends, who are still prominent members of the Association, I decided to convene a meeting to which all interested were invited to attend. Well do I remember that first meeting! It was, however, decided to form an association, elect a committee and get to work.
Very soon the young Association was able, through the generosity of some business men, to issue a fairly accurate and useful road map, descriptions of some of the main roads traversing the country, in which were shown branch roads, rivers and other physical features, with approximate mileage, so that the motorist was able fairly accurately to determine his position. Sign posts, too, were erected, and to cover their cost, spaces for advertisements were let on them. Financial necessity made Goths of us then!
From a very small child this Association has developed into robust manhood, due entirely to the care and attention, not to say enthusiasm and keen business acumen, of those who were responsible for the upbringing of that small child.
I experience a feeling of pride at the result of those early efforts from which has sprung the present helpful and prosperous Association.
To-day I proudly display on my car badge No. 1 of the Automobile Association of Rhodesia.
I take this opportunity to wish the Association, its officers and members long and successful motoring lives.
C. Douglas-Jones
Coxheath, 10th June, 1936.
The first meeting of 30 prospective members took place on 25th January 1923. Fifty years later, in January 1973, membership within Rhodesia topped 50 000 – a fitting event to celebrate in the Association’s 50th year, and a tribute to the enterprise of the small group of men who started it all with the aim of making it easier for Rhodesian motorists to find their way about the country.
Click below to read all about the 50 years in between.
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Click below for a 1970s AA Road Report from the RBC
For more information about the development of Rhodesia’s superb road network, see here: Road Travel in Rhodesia
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