My father, Robert (Bob) Scanlon went murderedormissing (MoM) in Uganda in 1977. This was during the Idi Amin years. I just wonder does any one out there have any information which might help to discover what happened to him and why?
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Hi Cherie
We were just talking about that evening when you were told about your father. Kate was sitting next to you in chapel when Delve came and said she wanted to talk to you. Louise was remembering how we sat and watched the news that night in total disbelief. What we can’t remember is what happened to you. Did you go to the san that night? We thought you had left school.
Thinking of you……
Were you Al 11? We are trying to remember!!! xxxxxxxxx
I was taken to Miss Thompson’s office and sat down and told that my father had been arrested. I knew instinctively that I would never see him again. Delve put her arm around me. I wanted her not to touch me. It was so horrible, my heart is racing thinking about it. They said they thought it better if I didn’t go back to the house because they didn’t want the other girls to be disrupted. They said I should go and stay with Miss Thompson. I went and was given a room of my own. I was so lonely. They gave me, or tried to give me tranquilizers. I am crying now just remembering how awful it was. I was Al 11.
The comment in italics (5 lines) ‘This is comical but it shows you to what extent these British people will go to get what they want’. Is totally out of context.
The British men had no choice, were told they had to escort/carry the chair or a few of them would be killed! It did not matter who did the carrying/escorting just that they were British. How do I know! I am his eldest sister and he told me himself. They all met; not one of them wanted to do this so they drew ‘straws’! The one’s doing the carrying were the unfortunate ones, but it was not worth any of them getting killed for! No it was not ‘comical’ it was absolutely terrifying for each and everyone of them! They were all very BRAVE to do it! Bear in mind the British Government did absolutely nothing to help them and none of them had done anything wrong to anyone British or Ugandan! They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time!
Idi Amin will always be remembered for the monster he surely was! However, we met many ordinary Ugandans whilst on holiday there and they were just like ourselves, friendly with everyone.
I remember the houseboy; the gardener, and the AYAY (NOT SURE IF THAT IS THE RIGHT NAME FOR THE PERSON WHO LOOKED AFTER THE CHILDREN). They were all pleasant and when I came down with malaria I could not have been taken care of any better than they looked after me. I will never forget them!
What a sad story. I was born in Uganda, and I remember the time your father was killed. I was there (in Uganda) at the time.
Yes it is a sad story and as yet it is not finished, I am still searching for the answers to my questions… and trying to find my father’s remains
Can you tell me anything about this. Please don’t mess with me, it is very distressing. Who are you? What did you see?
Hi Cherie
I was good friends with your mother in Uganda as were my family. My maiden name was Mintowt-Czyz and your sister Jane used to play with my children Richard and Glenn. I remember your father with great fondeness his was truly a good man. When he went missing your mother came to London and contacted us through the Daily Mail and we went to the Hotel to see her and Jane and I believe your brother David. We tried to do everything we could to get the British Government to help your mother and I managed to get a lady called Baroness Elles to ask questions in the House of Lords in an effort to get something done – sadly to no avail which made me very angry. I do think not enough was done by the British Government to help your father and I wish you could somehow find out what happened to him. I would love to get in contact with your mother again if possible. My email address is ylee@redmountgroup.com. Hope to hear from you. With love and best wishes Yola xx