ROYAL OLD COMRADES LINK UP NEWSLETTER #157 JULY 2020

YOUR CORRESPONDENCE

Continuing from last month here are more Publicity Stories. First up is another one from Cyprus under the heading of, “Hoylake Military Policeman on Duty in Cyprus”. According to Gilbert and Sullivan: “A policeman’s lot is not a happy one”. A policeman who would disagree with that is Staff Sergeant Alastair MacKinnon (33) who is serving with the Royal Military Police at Dhekelia in eastern Cyprus. Alastair would be the first one to admit that service on a Mediterranean island makes his lot a happy one indeed! Alastair’s mother lives at (address withheld) Hoylake, Cheshire. Before he joined the army in 1955 he pounded the beat as a police in Edinburgh, he is now a highly trained military policeman with specialist qualifications in special investigation and clerical matters, at present he is NCO in charge of his unit’s charge and reports section. He was promoted to his present rank in November 71. Aaistair chose the army as a career to follow in his father’s footsteps, the late Mr MacKinnon served as a captain with the Royal Military Police. Military police duties in Cyprus include everything from crime detection and prevention to VIP escort duties and ammunition guards - all over a ‘beat’ much bigger than you would find in any town or city. On the advantage side there is the beautiful island with one of the best climates in the world. Alastair’s home is less than a mile away from the blue Mediterranean. Our picture from Cyprus shows Staff Sergeant MacKinnon using the two way radio telephone in his Land Rover to report back to his headquarters during a routine check of road signs in his area.

Alastair was featured once again in a local newspaper in Galashiels when he was a recruiting . Part of the write up said, “Sergeant Major MacKinnon came to Galashiels from just over a month ago. He has served 22 year with the Royal Military Police, and during that time he has been stationed in Singapore, Malaya, Cyprus, Germany and France, as well as the ”

I previously said that I had received a good response and I have two more entries from Rob Eatwell who seems to have hogged the limelight during his time.

The following is the text which accompanied the photograph. The event took place in 1971 ‘Over a thousand miles of motoring in three days and nights, in tough conditions and against the clock, make the Army Driving Championships a blistering event, as Corporal Rob Eatwell of Burbage, recently discovered. Twenty-five year old Corporal Eatwell whose parents live at (address withheld) took part in this year’s Championships held at Sennelager in Western Germany, for the first time. Corporal Eatwell is serving with Sixth Armoured Brigade Provost Unit of the Royal Military Police at Soest in Western Germany.’

The second photograph, published in September 1966 had the following text accompanying it. ‘The Royal Military Police career of 20 year old Robert Eatwell who parents live at (address withheld) hit a dramatic highpoint when a top-secret Russian jet fighter crashed into a lake in West Berlin’s British Sector. While a large-scale salvage operation was mounted by the , to recover the wreckage and bodies of the two Russian pilots killed in the crash, reinforcements were called in from West Germany, where L/Cpl Eatwell is stationed with 1 (Br) Corps Provost , to carry out strict security measures. During his ten day special duty as a member of the Redcap “crisis squad”, this former pupil of Hastings High School, kept guard whilst British experts examined the wreckage, which was later returned to the Soviet authorities. After eighteen months as a Redcap, Robert looks back on a hefty share of action, and demanding assignments - but the tension which surrounded the Russian plane crash had the edge on previous jobs.

Mike Newell sent in a small newspaper clipping from 31st December 1971 which was in his local paper. It read, Military Prize. A Kettering boy, Michael Newell of (address withheld) received the Commanding Officer’s Special Prize at the passing out ceremony of the Junior Tradesmen’s . The ceremony was commanded by Michael, who is Junior Company Sergeant Major, Royal Military Police. Michael, who is 17, has been training at Kimmel Park Camp, Bodelwyddan, since September 1969 and he is now passing out into adult service. He is now stationed at the Royal Military Police Depot at .

On the left you see a young, almost innocent Mike, as a Junior Leader -ooOoo-

Checkpoint Job - in Greece Among the thousands of NATO troops airlifted to Northern Greece for Exercise Olympic Express was a 1,000-strong British force from the United Kingdom and Malta. Corporal Roy Casson (centre), Royal Corps of Military Police, is seen with other NATO military policemen manning a check point near Salonika. Roy, whose mother lives in (address withheld) attended Barnsley Grammar School before becoming a military policeman six years ago. Since then he has served in Hong Kong, Germany and Norway. Roy also had another report in a local newspaper which just featured a small photograph. The text read, ‘Cyprus tour for Redcap. Military police sergeant Roy Casson has certainly seen the world since he joined up 14 years ago. He has left Burnley for a two year tour of duty in Cyprus after a short stay with his mother and stepfather Mr and Mrs Kendall (address withheld). During his Army service Roy, an old boy of Burnley Grammar School, has served in Germany, , Greece, Norway and Hong Kong, from where he visited Saigon and Singapore. Roy, son of the late Sub Officer Alfred Casson who served with Burnley Fire brigade for 28 years, joined Burnley Borough Police as a cadet in 1959 and became a constable two years later. After joining the Military Police in 1963 he was posted to Hong Kong. He later returned to this country and spent four years at Tidsworth, in Kent, (I have not mistyped anything - I have copied it accurately) with the Strategic Reserve serving in Norway, Germany and Greece with the NATO troops. For six months he was a motor-cyclist with the Royal Military Police Display Team.’

Helen Kerridge sent the following, ‘Thanks as ever for the latest newsletter; I must have missed the call for “Local boy (girl) makes good” photos from the press, but I humbly submit the following. I ‘hit the big time’ by making the front page of Sixth Sense on 17th August 1983 (price 50 pfg) during Exercise Olive Branch ‘83. The WRAC Provost from all over BAOR were incorporated into a specially formed unit, 102 Provost Company, and were to provide backup for a river crossing of the Rhine near Xanten. An American MP company acted as enemy and we were heavily outgunned; I seem to remember a ‘fire fight’ where we were so short of ammunition we ended up shouting ‘bang! whilst they blatted us. Prior to the photo being taken for the article, which was entitled, “Unit formed for the Occasion” I had been carrying an SLR but it was deemed not ‘appropriate’ so hence no weapon. The caption read, “Cpl Helen Bentley directing one of the Foden ten tonne lorries”. Also making the front page were, LCpl Dawn Cousins, who was “manning the harbour area on the east side of the Rhine” (with SMG) and Sergeant Major Dorothy Walker “who at the ‘demise’ of her Commanding Officer took over command of the WRAC Company”. Let’s say it was an ‘interesting’ week! I also made The Evening Sentinel, my local paper in Stoke on Trent, back in June 1979, after passing out from Chichester and before heading off on posting to Berlin. That was thanks to my mother (why do they do that) but it is so cringingly awful it will remain forever buried away. With best wishes from a cooler Suffolk

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It appears that what was our “company car” for many years is back in vogue. Philip contacted me and said, ‘The mention last month of pleats to the front of the redcap cover and of the chin strap reminded me of the need to keep about you a spare chin strap, for when it was actually needed – couldn’t run the risk of defacing hours of work achieving the right shade of chestnut (At Inkerman the colour to be avoided was apparently “mad woman’s vomit” – don’t even ask!). My personal struggle was with white webbing gaiters – the slightest touch of Brasso from the brass buckles achieved an instant black smear on the pristine white and, as for Kiwi black polish, just a speck achieved a similar result. Thank goodness for liquid polish – not usable elsewhere but here a boon. As regards the darkening between the two stripes of a full Corporal, this was never to trouble me However, when I received a copy of my Army Records, I was momentarily chuffed to find that my CO felt that I was “suitable for promotion” – until I realised that, in those days, everyone who had served two years and kept a relatively clean sheet was similarly honoured. The two Landrovers (last edition) with entirely different number plates (89BR91 and 70BP08) made me wonder how military vehicle were numbered? The attached photo taken at about the same time in Cyprus has 67BP74. Only BP in common. My redcap has the usual pleats and is worn at a conscript’s slight angle - in a style subsequently to be imitated by the cast of the TV show “On the Buses” The only other, very slight, connection between my service in Cyprus and is Sir Dudley Ward, CinC Middle East Command during my time. Rage, my dog took me for nightly walks about his front and back garden. My grandest title was Night Bodyguard (no mention of Close Protection - not even Distant Protection). Subsequently it was my privilege to give his car precedence when it was queuing to enter or leave HQ – no contest really as his was the only four star car on the Island. The Provost Marshall, held generally in high esteem by his rank and file team, had a sand coloured Standard Vanguard with just a single star. His driver, who shared my tent, reported that the moustache that I had secretly cultivated over the Easter break whilst night body-guarding – (in between feeding consecutively both a washing and a drying machine) made this lance corporal look like a Sergeant Major – and I still didn’t sign on! When the order came down from on high that RMP traffic police were no longer to salute starred cars, the National Service types amongst us agreed to see what happened if we only saluted our Brigadier. Nothing happened! Upon his retirement from the Army, General Sir Dudley Ward, despite me not saluting his car, was appointed in 1962 as Governor of Gibraltar, and once more did such a good job there that they named a tunnel after him. The photo will have been taken at the Cyprus Provost Coy in Episkopi, probably early in 1962.’ Ed: Thanks Philip, covered a few topics there. Spare chin strap always tucked into the rim of your cap as you never knew when you would need it - think they were called “Cabby Straps”. My chin strap just happens to be on my desk at the moment, unpolished since about 1974 when the was issued, and it still has a bit of a shine on it after all the years of neglect. With regard to General Sir Dudley Ward I was in Gibraltar when he took over as Governor. If I remember correctly I was on duty at John MacIntosh Square - in No 3 Dress I think.

Staying with the iconic vehicle Fred Steel sent in a photograph of himself and his Land rover in Singapore sometime between 1961 and 1964. Happy to have any photographs of military police vehicles always very useful to the RMP Historic Vehicle Restoration Group for reference.

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I was forwarded some information from the Museum from Ashley Mills, grandson of former 2287842 Lance Corporal Anthony “Tony” Mills who trained in 369 Squad and then was posted to B Company, D&TE as a driving instructor in 1953. Tony would like to get in touch with any of his former comrades. He remembers the following names Harry Lever, Roy Spooner, Mick Taylor AKA from Slough Taylor, Mick Taylor from Glasgow AKA Jock Taylor, Barry Poole, Ron Bartle, Joe Pots who re-enlisted, obviously a lot older, Walter Fakeney who was a semi pro footballer, Jumping Jack Smith who

I am told could free himself while two PTIs were trying to detain him.

In the photograph above are L to R: Tony Mills, Tom Walne. Lance Corporal Stevens and the last person is unknown. The second photograph is of Tony which was taken at Stoney Hill, nicknamed Stoney Mountain.

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I received a phone call from David Booth making reference to his short time in 156 Provost Company and having listened to his path to that company I asked him to e-mail me and this was the result, ‘After training in 412 squad at Inkerman in May 1954 I was posted to 3 Divisional Provost in Egypt serving at Moascar and El Ballah.{No. 2 section}. In November at the start of the troop withdrawal from the Canal Zone we returned to UK. I came back on the Empire Ken from Port Said on 9th November arriving at Southampton on 19th and went straight to , Le Cateau Barracks. As we were regarded as advance party the only duty we performed was main gate Traffic Control. Our accommodation was in the guard house. The HQ. Coy arrived in December. When the Company moved to Cavalry Barracks in April 1955 I was sent to Dover as Section Corporal. In October the entire company was sent to Cyprus because of the EOKA problem. I did not go as my National Service was finishing on 5th January1956 so I was firstly sent to Chatham, then Shorncliffe and then to 156 Coy in Reed Hall Lines. It was printed on part 2 orders that acting ranks would be retained. I was then posted back to Cavalry Barracks as 3 Divison Provost Company was being reformed and a complete intake from the Depot was sent in the December.’ Ed: Thanks David. In two years that was some shuffling around. -ooOoo-

Colin Ullman-Jones said, ‘Following on from the recent articles regarding the SOXMIS cars I enclose two photographs from an advanced driving course I attended at Dusseldorf 101 Pro. Coy in 1969. It was the introduction of the Vauxhall Ventura traffic car.’

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I would like any photographs or stories about 158 Provost Company for the next edition - get your thinking caps on.

CAN YOU HELP

Jim Patterson sent in the following request. ‘Some colleagues of mine both ex RUC and Army are painstakingly putting together for future publication a book or record off all Op. Banner deaths. All encompasses those who died of natural causes or those who sadly took their own lives. if anyone knows the resting places of the following RMP personnel who died as a result of serving during Op. BANNER could they please let me know - telephone 07711 823414. LCpl Paul Charles Mundy who died in an RTA with Cpl. Stuart Kenneth Milne at Alexander Barracks Aldergrove in 1974. Woman Constable Patricia Quigley ex RUC but previously WRAC Provost who died in tragic circumstances in March 1997. Any photographs would be most welcome. The idea is that through a network of comrades living on the mainland the graves can be sought and a photograph taken.’

DEATHS

GRAY The death has been announced of former 23900451 (Rank believed to be Sergeant) John Edwin Gray who served in the Corps from 1962 to 1977 with postings such as Aden, NEARELF, Hong Kong and Northern Ireland. John is to be cremated on the 28th at Newport South Wales. John leaves behind a widow June, two sons and one daughter. Anyone remembering John the family would love to hear from you. Ed: At this stage if you want to make contact with the family please do so through me - I will try and get and address.

HOWITT Former 23980878 Corporal Paul Howitt passed away on the 23rd December 2019. Paul enlisted into the Army as a Junior Leader in 1964 and following training at AAJLR Tonfanau went to RMPTC in 1966. He went on to serve in 4 Division Provost Unit until his discharge in 1972.

KITSON Former RMP 23938173 Sgt Terence (Terry) Kitson died on the 23rd June 2020. He was a valued member of the Black Country Branch RMPA and the Branch Standard Bearer. Terry enlisted as a boy soldier in 1962 at AAS Carlisle and served in the from 1965 to 1978. On discharge he served two years in West Midlands Police before enlisting into RMP serving in 160 Provost Company, Berlin, Celle and Hong Kong. He retired in 1989 and worked for the local authority. His funeral was on the 17th July at Rowley Regis Crematorium was attended by branch members and the RBL

NOAKES It was reported that David Noakes, a member of RMPA Kent Branch passed away on the 26th June 2020. At the time of writing no other information is available.

SUDDERY It was reported on social media that Alan Suddery passed away on the 13th June 2020

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I overlooked the fact that the last edition, #156 represented thirteen years of publishing your stories and photographs. It seems a long time but say it quickly and it is not so bad. Thank you for your support during those years and I hope that you will continue to feed me articles and photographs - remember what I have always said, this is your newsletter I just nail it together.

Compiled by Bob Eggelton 02392 265645 07913 997233 [email protected]