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Welcome

The OVERSEAS SERVICE PENSIONERS’ ASSOCIATION (OSPA) was founded in 1960 in order to protect the pension rights of members of the Colonial Service (since 1954 properly called Her Majesty’s Overseas Civil Service – HMOCS), who worked for the governments of the former British colonial territories, ultimately under the former Colonial Office in London.  OSPA now also represents people who served the governments of Southern Rhodesia, the Central African Federation and Sudan, which were not administered by HMOCS.  Widows are also included.

The pensions issues have now mostly been resolved, though some are still live, and others may yet arise.  OSPA now focuses more on spreading a better understanding of what the Colonial Service/HMOCS was, who its members were, what they did, why and how they did it, and to what effect.  More generally, what was their life like. This applies to the other overseas territories too.

OSPA believes that this information ought to be out on public record, in many different ways, so that people today and those of tomorrow can know about and have access to first-hand evidence of how the colonial territories were governed and developed during the colonial phase of the 20th century, especially after 1945.

Membership

Membership of OSPA is open to all former HMOCS officers and their widows, and other Overseas Service people.  Non-pensioners, and anyone having a personal or professional interest in the work or activities of the Colonial Service, or just in colonial life and times generally, may become Associate members, and these are a growing number.  To see membership rules and other details click here.

There are approximately 4,000 members, of whom a quarter live outside Britain.  They include widows, and wives.  There are many more former HMOCS personnel (and widows) who do not belong, perhaps because they are not aware of OSPA's purposes and the nature and scope of what it now does.  They are invited to join now!

Golden Jubilee

OSPA celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2010, and plans to continue for some time to come while there are still enough people to recall their overseas service.

Current interests

I Remember it Well

I Remember it Well
 OSPA’s Golden Jubilee was marked by the publication of a book I Remember it Well edited by OSPA’s Secretary, David Le Breton.  Over seventy contributions make up this collection of memoirs from members who served the Crown in colonial territories around the globe both before and after World War II.  They write about their personal lives; their first tour, travel, work and leisure activities.

Life in the Colonial Service was varied, sometimes dangerous, often hilarious but never dull.  An important record of the lives of many professionals in the colonies.

The book can be ordered from Librario Publishing Ltd., Brough House, Milton Brodie, Kinloss, Morayshire, Scotland  IV36 2UA.  Tel:  01343 850178 or order online at www.librario.com (secure site).  Price £16.99 (but for OSPA members a special discount price of £12, by direct order to the publisher), plus p&p UK £2.40, Europe £4.50, ROW £7.50. 
ISBN 978 190677 518 6

   For all information contact us at:

Email: mail@ospa.org.uk
Tel: 01732 363836 (international + 44 1732 363836)
Fax: 01732 365070 (international + 44 1732 365070)
Office: 138 High Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1AX
(Monday - Thursday 9.00am to 4.30pm)
PRESIDENT OF OSPA:
The Rt Hon the Lord Waddington, GCVO, QC

CHAIRMAN OF OSPA COUNCIL:
  Jeremy Mathews, CMG

SECRETARY, TREASURER AND EDITOR:
  David Le Breton, CBE
 
STAFF AT TONBRIDGE:
Noreen Teare - Personal Assistant (and Editorial)
Andrea Fryatt - OSPA Membership Secretary
Jane Mata - OSPBS Administration Secretary
(Website last updated on 23 August 2011)

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