ROYAL OLD COMRADES LINK UP NEWSLETTER #169 JULY 2021

NEW CONTACTS RENNIE Former 24088967 Sergeant Stuart Rennie, Squad R90. Stuart joined the in 1969 and following training went on to serve with 247 Provost , 16 Parachute Brigade Provost Unit, SHAPE, 174 Provost Company, 114 Provost Company and 227 Provost Company. He completed his service in 1982.

YOUR CORRESPONDENCE

It looks as if Tom Waples, mentioned in the last edition did take up his pen again so here is his story. “In 1950 it was a waiting game, National Service for 18 months serving the King and Country, A large black cloud hung over you, would you get deferred to enable you finish your course.. Unfortunately the education/apprenticeship had a longer period, therefore when you finally joined you could be in your early twenties with a good education mixing with in some cases rather backward not so well educated youths. At your medical you would have been asked what branch of the services you would like to serve. According to the information one got from gossip it was usually the RAF for a so called easy life, (the Brylcream boys). The vast majority of conscripts went straight into the Army, but the biggest threat was, will the dice drop onto the Bevin Boys? Although they said it was OK, time spent underground digging for coal in very small places was not the first pick by any means, so still under the black cloud one just waited until you received the letter telling you to report. My letter arrived telling me to go to a named barracks in Aldershot, I was about to join the Army. Transport was free by using the enclosed travel warrant travel card and no deviation was allowed. One sigh of relief, you have missed the coal mines (the Bevin Boys). The instructions were very clear straight to Aldershot. When you arrived you were met by a lot of loud mouth NCOs shouting and pushing us into lines, then onto lorries. Arrived at the Barracks still being shouted at. Our sleeping huts formed a row of Nissan huts left from World War 2, told to grub a bed space, dump your gear, get outside, form a line, marched to the store, given our sleeping gear (well not really given more like thrown at us) cannot remember whether we got sheets etc, but we did get 2 blankets each. Then it was back to our hut, shown how to make a bed, then off to the cookhouse for our so called dinner which was not very appealing. The unit was a holding company for the RAOC (Royal Army Ordnance Corps). During the two weeks there, you went through various tests and interviews to find out where they could place you in the Army. One test was to assemble a bicycle pump. During my interview with an , when asked where in the Army I believed I might fit. I replied, “Military Police”, lots of laughter and shouts etc. At the end of two weeks I was at Inkerman Barracks, still getting shouted at. I started a 16 week Police training program which was immediately increased to 18 weeks. There were a couple of RTUs but I settled down got stuck in and became a Military Policeman when the course ended. Big passing out parade. Remember, No mobile telephones, no computer, just pen and paper and post cards. Ed: Thanks Tom and I hope you enjoyed your two years. When I went to sign on if I had listened to the Recruiting Sergeant I would have ended up in the !

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Bryan Melvin contacted me and said, ‘Many thanks for your continued and eagerly awaited newsletters. May I say a few words on the subject of slashed peaks? A work colleague completed his National Service in the . He was always smart and I was impressed by his headgear. A high fronted cap with the peak set flat against the forehead and resting at eye level. I hoped that one day, whilst serving Queen and Country, I would wear such a stylish item. My turn arrived and being over six foot tall, thought I had a chance to join the . I was told that NS men were not allowed to serve in the guards and the only way was to sign on as a regular. I mentioned that three generations of my family had served in the artillery. Because of the connection, I was guaranteed service as a gunner. My call up papers arrived, ordering me to report to Dorchester Barracks and join the Dorset . After a few weeks as an infantryman, I found myself en-route to Inkerman to join 377 Squad, . From to cap and a step nearer my goal. After a spell at SHAPE in Paris came a posting to London District in the heartland of the Guards Brigade. The CO was in the Irish Guards and the CSM ex-Coldstreams. Surely, now was the time to wear the object of my ambition. However, although set ups and weights were allowed the sought after slashed peak was strictly forbidden. As such, I had to continue the rest of my service wearing the “as issued” cap. Ironically, a friend began his National Service a few months later. He asked to join the RMP but ended up in the Coldstream Guards.’

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My Chief Correspondent in York, Jim McIntosh contacted me and said, ‘Thanks for my mention and that of Maurice Nicholls. Shortly after his stint as OC 20 Armd Bde Pro Coy, he became OC Celle Detachment SIB RMP BAOR, where I had the considerable privilege to serve under his command. There were some ‘old sweats ‘of SIB Sgts there with the late Bill Jonas and myself as the ‘young’ Sgts. It was a great learning curve and as Maurice was also young as our OC, we had a lot of empathy with him. Also, re the ‘Escort Vehicles’; you may recall that at 1(Br) Corps Pro Coy in Bielefeld we had the ‘souped up’ Ford Zephyr Soxmis cars. I was the driver of one, with the late Les Greenwood as my observer. We chased the Russians, who were tracking exercises, all over Northern and carried out long distance autobahn patrols. The SIB was quite tame after that! I do remember that our MTO was Lt Peter Hewlett-Smith (later AOSI when I was OC SIB Training) and the MT Sgt was George Horne.’

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From his home in the Far East Barry Gough contacted me. ‘You may already be aware but I saw this on Face Book posted by another RMP member Mike Carr. As I also live in Thailand and every year make the journey to Kanchanaburi for the Remembrance Parade I also know Mick Newbatt well and know this honour is so well deserved. Mick not only takes care of the two cemeteries with his team of Thai workers but is a key liaison person between the Thai military and police in that area speaking the Thai language fluently. He has assisted visiting British soldiers on training exercises including the and others. Anyone here who knows Mick including all the top Embassy personnel know how highly valued Mick is by the Thai Military, local Police and many other locals in the area including a few bars of course. One thing that was not mention and is a little strange is that it is the USA that has given this award to Mick. However during WW2 just over 130 US POW soldiers died on the Burma railway and were initially buried in the cemeteries at Kanchanaburi. Then a little after the end of the war those bodies were exhumed and repatriated back to the USA so today there are no US service men interred there. Still every year senior US officials from the US Embassy still attend the Remembrance service on the actual day, 11th November along with many other Commonwealth, Dutch, Australian, New Zealand Embassy personnel and ex-military service people now living here in Thailand. Through Mick Newbatt’s work the Thai army provide their buglers for the Last Post and top brass for the Thai Army and Police attend as well. It seems a very slight pity the Yanks got there first with a splendid award richly deserved by an ex Corporal of the RMP before our own government recognised his efforts.’ Mike Carr posted the following on Face Book: As many will know, Thailand has military cemeteries run by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission connected with the infamous "Bridge on the River Kwai" at Kanchanaburi. I don't think anyone of a military mind-set will be unaware of the horrors that occurred there during WW2 and what the prisoners had to endure. It's only fitting that we hold their memory to the highest standards - and CWGC Kanchanaburi demonstrates this admirably. What some may not know is that the man responsible for keeping the cemeteries in such excellent order (along with his hardworking local workforce) is a Redcap - and someone I'm proud to call a friend from our days in back in the mid-'80s. In recognition of his hard work and commitment, Mick Newbatt has recently been honoured by the US Secretary of Defense (US spelling ) and awarded the Joint Service Achievement Medal. I'm sure members will join me in wishing Mick the heartiest of congratulations. Well done, mate, and keep up the excellent work -ooOoo-

William Hughes sent in the photograph on the left and said, ‘the person on the left is Jimmy James one of the interpreters of Munster Detachment 112 Pro Coy RMP. He was mentioned in your newsletter a couple of issues ago. The others are guys I served with at the time and whose names I have forgotten. Looks like we were out drinking. Must be around 1972/73.’

Mike Hewitt sent in a photograph of Squad 7101B. He said, ‘I have been going through some boxes of personal things since I lost Phyllis and I found my old Training Squad Passing out photo and as you see It is was taken 50 years ago on the 28th July 1971. Squad Instructor. Sgt Stopforth. Front Row left to right: LCpl Cowie, LCpl Stevenson, Sgt Hayward, Sgt Masek, WO2 Allwood, Sgt Stopforth, LCpl Bridgeman and LCpl Cooper. Back Row: LCpl Graves, LCpl Skelding, LCpl Wright, LCpl Sanderson, LCpl Morris.

LCpl Evans, myself and LCpl Pipe. At the beginning of training we were split into two Squads and if my memory serves me right that Squad Instructor was Sgt West. Just shows how time moves on and things that have happened in between. I was posted to 3 Div Pro Coy RMP and was hoping to go on the NATO Exercises however in November 1971 I and Cpl Metcalf were on the train and ferry to Belfast. The rest is history so lads of the old Squad who are still in this world, where are you now but I pay a very sincere respect here to those who are not so I hope no offence is taken. Thank you all for the support given after the loss of Phyllis.’ .

We have all got our views on re-actment groups and I have, like you, seen good and bad. Denis Darmanin is one of the pioneers of re-enactment in Malta, and possibly one of the oldest. His interests in military history and collectibles go back some 40 years, which led to re-enactment in the mid-1990s. He interpreted the role of various ranks of the Victorian Royal Malta Fencible Artillery and of the , and was with the first Maltese to participate in re-enactment overseas; in the Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee in the UK in 1997. In 2013, he took up re-enactment once more, this time as a WW2 Maltese soldier with WW2 Living History Group (2006) The group re-creates and interprets the Maltese soldiers who served during the Second World War, not only for the enjoyment of the activity by its own members but to educate the public through re-enactment. Malta Command primarily interprets the two Maltese that served in the British Army: The Royal Malta Artillery and The King’s Own Malta Regiment, but recently, elements from the , the Malta Home Guard, 1st Bn. the Border Regiment, (Malta) and the Long Range Desert Group have also been interpreted. Various members of MC have also attended commemorations and participated in events overseas. Denis participates in most events and in various roles, but his favourites are of an RAF WO and of a member of the 226 Provost Company, Corps of Military Police, who were in Malta during WW2. His role was further boosted by former CMP/RMP member and friend Dan Cowley, to whom he owes much. Following the lifting of certain Covid-19 restrictions, Malta Command had recently conducted a photo-shoot of some of its members in various uniforms and it was obvious that Denis would prefer to be CMP. Unfortunately, his biggest worry is that due to his age, he cannot look much like a young WW2 Squaddie! Some years ago, Denis conducted a guided tour of the Corradino Detention Barracks to a group for members and former members of the Corps. Denis has done a great deal of research and informs me that at the outbreak of the War there were just 13 members of the CMP on the Island which rose to about 57 by the end of the War, He also compiled the following tribute to those of our Corps that gave their lives in Malta during the War.

-ooOoo- Colin Breward followed up on the subject of Opel Kapitains. ‘I was fortunate to be in 101 Coy when 4 Opel Kapitain cars were delivered to Hindenburg Barracks, they were ordinary saloons. It was not to escort Princess Margaret but because of her. A while before we had escorted her using company Jeeps. During the escort the car in which she was travelling pulled out and overtook the escort Jeeps Captain Hall RMP who was OC of the duty was furious and on our return to company told the OC Maj Richards so and that’s how we got the Opels. No one was going to leave us behind again. They were sent back to Opel and when they returned to us they were totally different cars the tops had been removed and instead of 4 doors only 2. The paint job was a gold colour lots of chrome and white walled tyres seating was a cream leather. I was fortunate to be one of the first to ride in one. Several escorts were done whilst I was there and I took part in all of them. The longest escort that I did was from Krefeld to Helmstadt to meet up with Gen Grechov who was CinC Russian forces East Germany. The escort was from GHQ British Forces BAOR and back to Helmstadt over the course of two days One of the cars was slightly damaged when on a training run a large six wheeled German lorry backed out of a factory and clipped it Shortly after that I went on Demob so what happened after I do not know.’

The subject of football raised its head recently and Jerry Weeks reminded me of years long ago. ‘Like many, I watched England playing football against Germany. It brought back memories of the match in 1966, when I was stationed in Hamlin. A couple of us were on Town Patrol following the end of the match. I seem to remember seeing very few locals on the streets and even fewer soldiers. It came as a bit of a surprise as l think we were expecting a more pronounced celebration, no matter who had won. Thanks for your efforts, to keep all up to date with the news.’ Ed: I remember the day well. Crying into a pint of lager having watched in the Corporals’ Mess, Bielefeld. We had the match on a German (black and white of course) with an English commentary provided by BFBS via a small radio. Joy was in our MSQ bouncing our very young son around as the tension mounted.

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From football to 152 Provost Company RMP. Alan Sims contacted me. ‘Recently, I was just browsing the internet when I typed in as many names of former members of 152 Provost Company RMP that I could remember (1959/1960). Heaven alone knows how that information reached you! Names that came to mind included: Nigel Hoppett, John Howard, George Stokes, Len Provan, John Waring, Mike Bevis, Brian Evans, Brian Corns, Terry Parsons, John Gordon, Mike Jolly, Reg Clark and Burt Palmer. However, having myself reached the age of 82 years, I reflected on past times and wondered how life had panned out for those I once knew.

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I received a telephone call from Evelyn Fitz-Patrick. Her father, former 23931116 Gordon Price (rank not known) is turning 80 on the 25th July and she would like, if possible any photographs of his time in Osnabruck with 2 Div Pro Unit where he was stationed in the mid-60s. He also saw service in Singapore and came to in the late 60s. She said, “The photo attached is of him on the left motorcycle so you may recognise the others in the picture? He has fond memories of his time in Osnabruck, where he also met my mum and I would love to be able to show him some other photos of his time there.’ If you can help please contact Evelyn at: [email protected]

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David Heaney contacted me with the following story, one I was familiar with as references to the person named on a number of occasions.

“The 23rd August 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the murder, in Blackpool, of police hero Superintendent Gerald Irving Richardson, known universally as “Gerry”, while attempting to arrest armed gangsters who had robbed Preston’s Jewellers in The Strand of that town. For this deed Gerry was posthumously awarded the George Cross. He was the most senior police officer murdered on duty since the Chief of Brighton in 1844. During the years you’ve been publishing the Newsletter there’ve been several references to Gerry, the most recent by my former colleague Bob Holt. That Gerry should be called a hero is entirely appropriate, unlike footballers given the same description for kicking a ball straight and winning games.

Gerry was born in Blackpool on 2 January 1932 and attended Blackpool Grammar School where he matriculated in 7 subjects. On leaving school in 1949 he became a police cadet in Blackpool County Borough Police before being called for National Service.

For 2 years, from 15.2.51 to 8.3.53 Gerry did his National Service in the RMP as L/Cpl 22439001, serving at Catterick, D&TE Inkerman Barracks Woking (Squad 216) and SHAPE Provost Company, (where I also served some years later). He returned to Blackpool Police where he rapidly earned promotion, becoming Superintendent in 1968 at the very young age, for a small Borough Police Force, of 36. On the way there he served on foot patrol, as Traffic Officer, in CID as a detective and as a prosecutor.

I met Gerry in 1960 when I left the Corps and joined Blackpool Police. Soon after this Gerry was promoted Sergeant, the youngest in the Force, at the age of 28. It was clear to all that he was an outstanding as a person and as a Police Officer. He came top in his promotion and CID course exams, was the captain of the football team, captain at cricket and was known as “a copper’s copper” and a great leader. If it had been a public school Gerry would have been Victor Ludorum and Head Boy as well. He was also a leader locally in raising charity funds through his Rotary Club for the benefit of young people. There’s such a charity in his name to this day.

I benefitted from the quality of his leadership in the following incident. One day while I was in my first 2 years as a probationer I was on early turn from 6 till 2, due to parade at 5.30am. I was keen and disciplined, being from a military family and having not long before completed 3 years in the RMP. On this day, for some now-forgotten reason, I awoke an hour late and arrived at the police station at 6.30. I knew that the Duty Inspector would “do” me for being late on parade. He was an unpopular, inflexible and narrow-minded officer, with no military experience. When I walked into the station, in fear and dread of being bollocked and disciplined, I found the Inspector and Duty Sergeant Gerry Richardson in the Charge Office Sergeant’s office. Gerry immediately pointed at me and said, “I gave you an hour off, didn’t I?” He hadn’t given me an hour off but he probably realised I didn’t deserve to be disciplined which could have affected the outcome of my probation.

The incident that led to Gerry’s death concerned the armed robbery mentioned above which was disturbed by Police officers. There was a vehicle chase in the North Shore area of the town eventually involving 9 officers. Gerry went to the scene to take command, closed with the gang leader, Frederick Arthur Sewell, and was shot twice in the stomach. He died later the same day in hospital. While he was grievously injured in the ambulance he had the presence of mind and concern for his officers to ask if any others had been hurt. Two others had been shot and survived. At his trial, Sewell said of Gerry, “He was too brave. He kept coming”. Two George Crosses, 3 George Medals, 2 BEMs for gallantry and 1 Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct were later awarded, apparently the greatest number of bravery awards for any police incident ever in the UK.

One hundred thousand people lined the streets and hundreds of police officers paraded outside St John’s Church for Gerry’s funeral, the church where he had married his wife Maureen 15 years earlier. The church was full of Chief , senior officers and other potentates. It was probably the largest event ever held in a town already accustomed to large crowds. Sadly, Maureen Richardson, whom I knew well, died aged 86 in 2019.

169 PROVOST COMPANY

169 Provost Company CMP is another of the Home Command units established during the Second World War. The only fact that I have been able to establish is that it was based in Edinburgh in 1941. At a guess I would think it was either disbanded or amalgamated with 170 Provost Company at some stage. CAN YOU HELP?

Sylvia Adams asks, ‘Do you have any information on an ex-RMP guy called Paul Blackman. He would be about 68-72 if still alive. He went through depot in 1974 and was ex guardsman. Recall him being at Londist in ‘70s and married a WRAC provost called Jayne Phillips. They had a daughter called Emma born about 1978. I would really like to find Jayne and/or “Blackie” as he was known.’ Ed: Any info to me please.

Chris Sturley contacted me. ‘Dear Mr Eggelton, I have been given your name by Richard Callaghan at the RMP Museum as someone who may be able to help me with an old contact. In about 1988, I was helping to run the Shell UK Manchester Fraud Squad courses. During one of these I met and became friends with one of the attendees, John (I think) Beynon whom I believe was with the SIB. I am sorry to be so vague about his first name, but it is a while ago. I would be interested to know of his whereabouts. He invited me to the RMP Museum when it was at , but unfortunately I was never able to make it. I lost contact when I moved to Plymouth in the early 1990s. With thanks for any help you can give.’ If you have any information please contact Chris at: [email protected]

I was contacted by a Pauline Snowden at [email protected] who is trying to get in touch with Alma and Chris Noble. She said, ‘I served in Rheindahlen Germany with Alma then she met Chris. Alma's maiden name was Nye before she married. She was a dear friend to me while we served and a lovely lady.’

DEATHS

BROOK Former 24006610 Corporal Graham Brook passed away at the Nightingale Unit of the Royal Derby Hospital on 29th June 2021. Graham served between 1964 - 1986 and he was in one of the first squads to complete training in Chichester. He completed his career at 150 Pro Coy RMP in Catterick.

GRANT 100 year old John Grant died on Friday the 18th June 2021. I do not have any further details of his service at this stage.

TAYLOR Lieutenant Graham Taylor passed away on Saturday 17th July 2021. At the time of his death Graham was the President of the South Wales Branch of the Association. A full obituary will be issued by Regimental Headquarters.

STANSMORE On the 8th July news reached the Association that former 14565240 Lance-Corporal (Rank not confirmed) Noah Charles Stansmore had passed away. He joined the Army on the 18th March 1943

STEVENSON On the 9th July news reached the Association that former 14937266 Lance-Corporal Cyril Stevenson had passed away at the age of 95 years. It would appear that he enlisted on the the 1st March 1945 into the Service Corps and later, on the 13th April of that year transferred to the Corps of Military Police. He was discharged on the 16th March 1948 and served in the before transferring to the Corps on the 29th December 1947. He served in Germany and was discharged on the 23rd June 1947. -ooOoo-

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