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ROYAL OLD COMRADES LINK UP NEWSLETTER #161 NOVEMBER 2020

NEW CONTACTS

GOODCHILD Former 24632023 Sergeant Trevor “Taff” Goodchild. Squad 8701. Taff served with the Fusiliers from 1982 to 1992 before transferring to the Corps. He then served with 111 Provost , 175 Provost Company (attached to Close Protection Unit (CPU) Longmore for six months), 177 Provost Company (Support Platoon) and completed his career with 251 Provost Company RMP(V) in 2000.

ORR Former 23003977 Corporal Hugh Orr, Squad 422 (see photograph below - Hugh is seated on the left of the Squad Instructor, a Sergeant Jones), served in 194 Provost Company, Hamburg, from 1954 to 1956.

PRINCE Former 23496241 Corporal Roger Prince, Squad 668. I was recently sent Roger’s details by the Chair, RMPA Western Australia Branch. I immediately recognised the name from 1(Br) Corps c1963/64 and in fact I already had his details. Roger, who now resides in Bridge- water, Tasmania, served in Hong Kong Provost Company and 28 Commonwealth Brigade Provost Company prior to being posted to BAOR.

THURGOOD Former 24883177 Staff Sergeant Stuart Thurgood, Squad 9402B. Stuart enlisted in 1994 and served until 2017 with 111 Provost Company, Pol Coy NI, 170 Provost Company, 150 Provost Company (Harrogate Police Post), 35 Section SIB, CIT 4 Inv SIB, 32 Section SIB and POM RHQ SIB .

YOUR CORRESPONDENCE

Robbie Thomson sent in the following photograph and said, ‘Very many thanks for your excellent newsletters and I wonder whether some details of this Unit may interest you? The attached photo was taken in York Barracks, Munster, BFPO 17 in 1965 or 1966. In 1968 the Unit was re-deployed to Barnard Castle and then in 1971 returned to Werl/Soest as the re-designated 115 Pro Coy RMP. Since 1980 a bi-monthly newsletter and 22 reunions have taken place keeping quite a number of us in contact. Many of our mates have passed on but many of the families remain in contact and in total 33 Unit members (including 'Jimmy' James, our interpreter) and/or families remain united by our newsletter. The then Capt N C Allen shown in the photo was OC, he subsequently became PM (Army) and I'm pleased to say that he remains in contact with us as a group. Sadly, other OCs who succeeded him have all died - Capt P J Rogers, Capt (subsequently Maj) M H Rose and Capt B Hughes-Jones.‘

Those in the photograph are as follows and where they are known to have passed on and a (D) signifies this. Several unit members were missing from this photo due to leave, courses etc. Ranks shown are as at 1966. Front Row (L to R):Cpl Alex Lambie, Sgt Jimmy Daniel (D), WO2 Brian Gater (D), Capt NC Allen, SSgt Fred Bennett, Sgt Dick Rowe (D), Cpl ‘Chic’ Harding (D). “2nd Row (L to R): LCpl Barry Mountford, LCpl Phil Croft, LCpl Mike Bliss, Cpl Dave Naris, LCpl Glyn Guymer, Cpl Ron Brocklesby, Cpl Terry Regent (D), LCpl Ken Lacey (D), Cpl Joe Taylor. 3RD ROW (L to R): LCpl Graham Phillips, LCpl Bob Rose (D), LCpl John Wilkinson, LCpl John Westland (D), LCpl Allan Edgar, LCpl Bill Dyce, Cpl Barry Arnold, LCpl Alan Barkess, LCpl Keith Hay, Cpl Bob Allen. 4TH ROW (L to R): LCpl Barry Crossley, LCpl Robbie Thomson, LCpl Jack Kane, Cpl Bob Greaves, LCpl Dave Fretwell (D), LCpl Mick Mobbs, LCpl (?) Roberts. REAR ROW (L to R): LCpl Alan Mews, LCpl Bill Turner, LCpl ‘Taff’ Adams ACC, LCpl Barry Drew ACC.

Robbie added ‘We are always on the lookout for ex-6 Inf Bde Pro Unit veterans, so if you are able to publish this Bob and there are any of our number out there who want to get in contact, could they do this through you firstly please, then to me?’

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Had the Covid restrictions not been in place I hope to think that I would have been in this photographs having a beer with George Wild on the occasion of his 99th birthday on the 7th October.

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I received the following from former 24440411 Sergeant Michael Porter, ‘I have reached the ripe old age of 61 and have decided to chronicle my career and life. The obviously created the best possible start and bedrock of a career that ended as a Detective in the Royal Ulster Constabulary and PSNI. I joined on 11th October 1976 and served initially with 110 Provost Company, BFPO 116. A great time was had, my first point as it were as a newcomer was a ‘Point’ in the middle of nowhere wearing my Blues. I had arrived at Sennelager just as the Queen’s Jubilee started. (I don’t think I saw one person from 4 in the morning until last light). After Sennelager went to 175 and 176 Provost Company then I was the only (I Believe) RMP to serve as an Armed Explosive Dog handler in NI. Subsequently served in Cyprus then when I joined the SIB, finished off in Tidworth (via Belize) under Bob Hope and John Baynon. I got a compassionate posting to Lisburn to facilitate family in 1989 then joined Police’. Michael believes he was in Squad 7615.

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Tug Wilson contacted me and said, ‘Dear Bob - just to let you know that I did not receive my usual e- mails from you. I am Graham George Wilson ex RMP 23067698. This e-mail is prompted by a message I received from Stewart Leach (I am a member of Taunton Branch RMPA and former Chairman/secretary). I did national service from September 1954 until discharge October 1956 when I joined Somerset Constabulary. I was initially sent to the , Catterick but was moved to Inkerman Barracks for RMP training (course squad 463) achieving L/Cpl on 7th February 1955. Then stationed at Bulford as a member of 158 Provost Company. We policed Salisbury everyday working closely with Wiltshire Police, American Air Force Police and sometimes Naval Patrols, Also policing Tidworth and other areas of . On 29th November 1955 I was promoted to Paid A/Cpl and posted to Granby Barracks, Plymouth as 2/ic to Sgt Heap. We had 5 lance corporals and an ACC cook. We worked closely with Naval Patrols, and Plymouth City Police. When Plymouth detachment was closed I moved to Taunton (Sherford Barracks) as 2/ic of that detachment. We policed Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and various other wider areas including escorts to Aldershot. I noted from the historic notes on 158 that the Plymouth detachment is not mentioned. For information my father Dennis Albert Wilson born 9.10.1910 was a member of CMP No. 7687900 serving in SEAC. He joined in 1940. and held the rank of RSM when discharged after WW 2. Thank you for all you do for keeping us informed etc. Best wishes. Graham Wilson (known to many as Tug)’ Ed: Thanks Tug and I know the newsletters are now getting through to nearly everyone.

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Les Kynaston contacted me and said, ‘Hi Bob – greeting from Wales pre lockdown. Please see attached photograph of the members of FIGPU assembled outside their operating base - Port Stanley Police Station. The then OC Maj Evanson and I are seated left and right respectively of the whaling harpoon gun – as you do! RPO Howell RN is seated the other side of the uniformed police sergeant) Note the snow on the ground (in June!) – the Falklands Winter – very parky with an ever present wind/chill factor too.

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Graham Taylor commented on an article in the last edition. ‘Dear Bob, reading the last newsletter and tales of dog handlers past brought back some memories of my own. When I was a young Corporal in Osnabruck about 1968’ish, it was decided to introduce police dogs to RMP BAOR. The only slight problem with this was that the Army didn't have any police dogs so we were issued with war dogs that had supposedly been retrained not to bite. At this time I shared a two man room with Brian "Gabby" Hayes and he was the unit dog handler. Another slight problem was that the unit had no dog kennels so this huge German shepherd used to sleep beside Brian's bed. On this particular morning there was an RSM's room inspection but because Brian and I were sleeping off nights we were not involved and there was a note on the outside of the door "Sleeping off nights". Imagine the picture if you will; we three are quietly slumbering when the door flies open and there looms RSM Harry Fisher with pace stick twitching, at the same time this snarling, growling dog races across the room intent on devouring anything that moves, simultaneously Brian sits bolt upright in bed and at the top of his voice yells "LEAVE!!!" The dog stopped within an inch, it may have been closer, of Harry's most valuables. As you would expect of an RSM of his calibre, he said nothing, took one pace back, turned smartly on his heel and disappeared. Brian, I and the dog went back to sleep. It was quite a while before we had any more room inspections. I later went on to be one of the dog handlers in Osnabruck for a while and I could tell quite a few tales. Really look forward to the Newsletter. Keep up the good work.’ CAN YOU HELP?

One of my regular contributors is Dan Cowley who received the following photographs from a friend in who had seen them on a Website relating to Royal Naval Divers. Any connection with Malta was immediate dispelled and it is thought that they were taken in Berlin. Dan and I would like to have some names.

-ooOoo- Jim Jackson-Bowers contacted me by e-mail and said, ‘Many thanks for your efforts producing the old comrades RMP notes they have been good moral boosters for the old and bold like myself. If it is not too late could you please put entry in the notes to say hello to anyone who remembers Jim Bowers. You can put in my email address if you could Wishing you and your family Christmas greetings and Happy new year stay safe Regards Jim’ Ed: Thank you Jim, your wish is my command. Seasonal greetings to you and indeed anyone reading this newsletter. So if you remember Jim from your time in then contact him at [email protected] 161 PROVOST COMPANY

As far as I am able to ascertain 161 Independent Brigade Group Provost Unit (TA) was established in 1951 and was based at Chingford, Essex. In 1956 the unit amalgamated with 162 Independent Brigade Group Provost Unit (TA) and became 54 (East Anglia) Division/District Provost Company (TA) which had its Headquarters at Chingford. This unit disbanded in March 1967.

In 1961, following the reorganisation of the Army Emergency Reserve (AER) 161 Force Provost Unit AER was established as a Category 1 unit and had its Headquarters in Southampton. The unit was administered by 158 (SC) Pro Coy. Disbanded Southampton 1 Nov, 1963.

DEATHS

DENNETT The death of Kenneth Dennett was reported in civilian police circles. Kenneth, a former Military Policeman c1954 - 1956 passed away on the 7th November 2020. Ed: It is a possibility that this person is former 21024523 Corporal KA Dennett who served with 1 Infantry Division Provost Company, in Tripoli but I stress this is unconfirmed.

HAMPSON The following information came via South Wales Branch. Former Lance-Corporal John Hampson passed away on the 4th November 2020. As far as it can be established John he passed out of training in July 1952, and it is believed by his family, that he served in Dusseldorf. He served as a National Serviceman.

NORTHCOTT The following notification was seen on a Social Media Site. Ray Northcott passed away on the 7th November 2020. As far as can be established Ray transferred to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps at some stage during his Army career. It is believed that he served at Emblem at some point.

PEARCE The following details have been extracted from The Lioness magazine. Former Sergeant Mary Pearce WRAC Provost died on the 6th April 2020, aged 80 years. Mary enlisted in May 1959 and went on to serve in the and Singapore

POULSOM The following information was received from the Regimental Secretary. “It is my sad duty to inform you that Lieutenant-Colonel Neville Wright Poulsom died at home on 5th November, aged 94. Born in 1926, Neville Poulsom gained an Emergency Commission with the Indian Army and joined the 10th Baluch Regiment. After Partition, he was gazetted to The East Yorkshire (The Duke of York’s Own) Regiment and for a time seconded to the 6th (Tanganyika) Battalion, King’s African Rifles Regiment before a return to the East Yorks. He transferred to the Corps of Royal Military Police in 1960, having attended the Provost Officers’ Course at the RMP Depot and Training Establishment (D&TE) at Woking. His service with the RMP included command of the RMP Hong Kong Dog Company, staff appointments at the War Office/Ministry of Defence and HQ Aldershot District, as a Deputy-Assistant-Provost Marshal (DAPM) in , at the Royal Military Police Training Centre (RMPTC) at and with HQ Northern Command. As a Lieutenant-Colonel he served as Assistant-Provost Marshal (APM) HQ Army Strategic Command (later HQ UK Land Forces (UKLF)) and finally as APM HQ North-East District

SKEOCH Former 22881543 Lance-Corporal George Skeoch passed away on the 11th November 2020. Following training in Squad 417 George went on to complete his National Service with 247 Provost Company.

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All that remains is for me to wish all of you a very merry and safe Christmas.

Compiled by: Bob Eggelton 02392 265645 E-mail: [email protected]