redcaps - rmp world

Transcription

redcaps - rmp world

REDCAPS
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Official Newsletter of
RMPA Western Australia Branch
Jan,Feb,Mar.
2012
Editors Comments
First let me say Happy
New Year to all our
readers.
We are starting the new
year with Three new
members and two
overseas visitors.
Volume 7
Issue 1
ANZAC DAY PARADE
WELCOME.
You may remember one
of the visitors
A Mr. Al Smith from the
first issue in 2011.
Our second visitor is
Mr. Les Fryer HBM
From the UK.
EXEMPLO DUCEMUS
Points of Interest

Chairman's
Corner

UK Report

AGC
Did You Know
 New Members
Profile


Fun Facts

DMZ
The Anzac Day Parade is of
course on the 25th April
2012.
Members wishing to march or attend the Luncheon following please
let Eric Heath know . His phone number is on the back page of this
newsletter.
The Luncheon is being held in “My Place Restaurant” on Pier Street
in the city. Ample parking is nearly always available in the Pier Street
car park opposite.
Our Chairman has asked for a good attendance to welcome overseas
visitors to our branch, to participate in the march and the luncheon.
Lets give them a worthy reception.
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W E S T E R N A U ST R A L I A
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF
R M P A W E S T E R N A U S T R AL I A B R AN C H
Page 2
The Chairman’s Corner
Dear members
Our year commenced with the tragic news of the sudden passing of Jean Morrison who had died instantly
from injuries received in a road traffic accident in January. Jean was married to our late inaugural Branch
Standard Bearer, David, who had passed away after a long illness in 2007.
It was a great shock to all who knew Jean.
On a more positive note, I am pleased to see we have three new local members recently join our branch.
It has given me great pleasure welcoming aboard Gareth Winstanley, Harry Horne and Taff Sims. I am
sure our new members will enjoy the camaraderie of our group and settle in well. Please take the time to
make our new members feel at home and get to know them.
We have two functions on the near horizon, the first being the United Kingdom Combined Ex-Services
Federation annual lunch on Saturday 21 April 2012, and the second being the Anzac Day parade on
Wednesday 25 April 2012 and RMPA/BESA lunch after the parade at the ‘My Place Restaurant’.
I am also looking forward to welcoming two overseas visitors during this period who have confirmed they
will be joining us on the parade. They are Al Smith from RMPA North America branch and Les Fryer who
is already a branch member and lives in the UK.
I would like to acknowledge in this column the excellent work done by Ron Warden in representing our
branch in South Australia. Members following the ‘Lonely Anzac’ story last year will also be aware of the
tenacity and commitment shown by Ron in ensuring a fitting end to the story was made by locating the
relatives of the deceased soldier and providing them detailed information and photographs including the
background story of the memorial in Peterborough UK. Ron and Yvonne have visited WA on different
occasions and have always provided great support to our branch. Sadly, Ron and Yvonne have now to
return to the UK to live. However, I am pleased to confirm they wish to remain part of our branch, even if
only from afar.
I would like to flag that this year’s AGM will see the appointment of a Branch Management Committee for
the next two years. Whilst this is still a long way off, I ask local members to please give consideration in
nominating for office.
I note there are still a few members who have overlooked paying their 2012 branch membership fees. If
you may have overlooked paying your fees, a gentle reminder that they are now overdue.
I look forward at seeing members at our forthcoming functions.
Thank you and kind regards…………..
Brian Griffiths
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If the wind will not serve, take to the Oars.
Destitutus ventis, remos adhibe.
Latin Proverb
Since I first produced the first Newsletter in May 2006, I have never until the last quarter of 2011,
been so disappointed in the failure to not going to print because of insufficient copy.
The Branch has gone from strength to strength in membership, and camaraderie, during this time,
and yet attendances have been falling off at the branch meetings and events that have been planned.
The biggest disappointment to me was the lack of response for the annual picnic day. Which always
resulted in a great donation to the “Help for Heroes “ charity.
That with the depleting attendance at branch luncheons, makes me think of another Latin saying I
use.
Nil Desparandum Illigitimo Carbarundum.
I will not let the fellows let me down, instead, I appeal to you all
Please attend lunches and meetings as arranged and posted by round robin for all to see.
Please reconsider the reinstating of the Picnic day out.
Reiterating my opening sentence of insufficient copy, please submit by text, phone, or email, any
subject or story you would like to share with your fellow members.
Bryan Edwards
21 April 2012
(Saturday)
UK Combined Ex Services Federation annual
lunch, RAAFA Club, Bull Creek (Main Room).
25 April 2012
Perth.
(Wednesday) ANZAC Day Parade & lunch at My Place Restaurant,
28 June 2012
(Thursday)
RMPA Lunch RAAFA Club, Bull Creek (Sun Room).
23 August 2012
(Thursday)
RMPA Lunch RAAFA Club, Bull Creek (Sun Room).
12 October 2012
(Friday)
RMPA Dinner RAAFA Club, Bull Creek (Wings Room).
11 November 2012 (Sunday)
UK Combined Ex Services Federation - Remembrance
Sunday parade & service, St Georges Cathedral. Lunch at My Place Restaurant, Perth
25 November 2012 (Sunday)
RMPA WA Branch AGM & election of office bearers 2013 & 2014 (members only - lunch provided). 44 Grove Rd, Walliston.
*Our branch will be hosting two overseas visitors for the ANZAC Day parade, Al Smith
from RMPA North America Branch and Les Fryer (HBM) from the UK.
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NEWS FROM OUR ROVING REPORTER IN
THE UK
T
his time of the year is the hardest. Sometimes - in fact quite often, I can’t help sneaking
down to the bottom of the garden for a little fix no, not that sort! But to visit the veggie
patch. Now that spring is here there is much to do! This year, after a short spell in
hospital I needed fresh air and a little help in the form of my son-in-law, who displays
muscles as large as Atlas and runs marathons twice a week!! Sure enough he knuckled to
and made short work of what would have taken me a couple of days, he even distributed the
rotting manure, consequently my finger nails look as if I have just
returned from the local nail parlour! Yes, my name is Peter and I grow
my own vegetables. It started just over a year ago in the West of
Surrey UK, after removing a jungle of brambles, thistles and bonfire
ash (subsequently dug-in); we said good-bye to the local supermarket,
reduced the housekeeping allowance and were almost self-sufficient
with the veggies for the whole year. Thanks to Dave, he’s the giant
who did the digging; we are ready to start planting the crops and pray
for a good summer ahead with few slugs and no poachers!
The London Mayor Boris is up for election in May, it should be an eventful
(Fun) year.
We are well into the Olympics, preparations are almost complete and the
Torch Bearers practicing their art. London is alive with activity. The
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations and members of the Royal Family
are making their presence felt in many provincial towns throughout the
country. The Duke of Edinburgh, at the age of 91 spent time in hospital having a stent
inserted in his heart. I tried to hire his room in Papworth Hospital but it was a little
expensive. When my own stent became blocked (occluded in medical terms); they tried a
`Reaming Job’ which was unsuccessful so it looks likely that I will have to put up with the
problem and survive on medication.
The Magnificent Seven
I couldn’t help picking up this story of The Magnificent Seven – Bomber Command veterans
who recently stood before a vintage Lancaster bomber as part of the campaign to fund the
spectacular memorial to their 55,000 lost comrades, currently being built in Green Park in
the centre of London. The veterans who were joined by two Woman’s Auxiliary Air Force,
could have formed a full crew. Between them the seven defied all the odds to fly over 200
missions during the Second World War. They met at the RAF Museum in Hendon to
highlight the publication of the launch of the commemorative book: The Bomber Command
Memorial - `We Will Remember Them’. The stunning memorial is expected to be unveiled
by H.M. The Queen at the end of June. Over £6million has been raised by the people of
Great Britain; over £1.5million is still to be raised to maintain the memorial. The beautifully
illustrated book details the history of Bomber Command and is available on the internet
www.fighting high.com/memorial-book.htm. A proportion of every sale will be donated to
the campaign.
RMPA Annual Reunion
Anyone visiting the UK this year may wish to be advised of the RMPA Annual Reunion. It is
to be held at the Royal Court Hotel, Coventry. Reunion packages are available from one
night, £48, two nights £93 and three nights £133 per person. Dinner is £28 to be booked by
Saturday, 5th May 2012.
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Did you know?
The Adjutant General’s Corps is a corps in the British Army responsible for many of its general
administrative services. As of 2002 the AGC had a staff of 7,000 people. It was formed on April 6 th 1992
through the amalgamation of several separate services:
Army Legal Corps.
Corps of Royal Military Police.
Military Provost Staff Corps.
Royal Army Education Corps.
Royal Army Pay Corps.
Woman’s Royal Army Corps.
The AGC is organised into four branches:
The Staff & Personnel Support (SPS) Branch is the largest branch of the Adjutant General’s Corps
(AGC) and provides specialist HR, Finance, Accounting and ICT support to the British Army, during
peacetime and on operations. Its personnel serve alongside and administer every unit in the
British Army.
The AGC (SPS) was formed from the Royal Army Pay Corps and Woman’s Royal Army Corps, as well as the
staff clerks of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps followed by the All Arm’s Clerks from the remainder of the
British Army. Responsible for finance and personnel management, it also provides staff clerks to all
sections of the Army, multinational formations, British Embassies and High Commissions in nearly every
country of the world.
The Provost (AGC Pro) Branch unifies two former services which, while no longer independent, retain
their identities and cap badges. The Royal Military Police (RMP) is the Army’s police force, while
the Military Provost Staff (MPS) provides guards for military prisons. The newly formed Military
Provost Guard Service (MPGS) is also part of this branch.
The Educational and Training Services (ETS) Branch has the responsibilities of the Royal Army
Educational Corps; it is an all Officer branch with around 400 serving members.
The Army Legal Services (ALS) Branch provides legal advice to all levels of the Army. It retains the cap
badge of the former Army Legal Corps.
• The Provost Branch (MPGS). The Provost Branch, commanded by the Provost Marshal (Army),
comprises approximately 4,300 Regular and Territorial soldiers and consists of 3 different organisations,
all with their own Cap Badge and identity. These organisations are:
o Royal Military Police (RMP). RMP carry out the day to day policing and investigative work carried out
within the Army and when required work closely with their civilian counterparts around the world.
o Military Provost Staff (MPS). MPS, formerly known as the Military Provost Staff Corps (MPSC),
provide the professional expertise required with regard to the custody and detention of military
personnel at unit level and the Military Corrective Training Centre (MCTC) Colchester. It also provides
the same level of support for the handling and custody of Prisoners of War.
Peter J Poole
Spring 2012
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Did You Know?
More on the workings of WWW (The World Wide Web)
Information available on the Internet...Skype
Skype is a medium of voice communication which can be used with the aid
of the Internet. Skype has been designed based on the Kazaa file sharing
program. The headquarters of Skype is in Luxembourg and France. It also
has offices in many other parts of Europe, Asia as well as the United States
of America. In October 2005, Skype was taken over by eBay.
There are two main kinds of machines which will be used as a part of the
Skype network. One is known as the ordinary host or the Skype client while
the other is the super node or SN. Any normal person who is making use of
Skype will be considered as an ordinary host which has been connected to
the super node. These super nodes are the names which have been given to
the various servers of Skype which can be found in many different parts of
the world. However the Skype client should also be aware of the server to
which the connection needs to be established.
Every Skype client will have a table which will contain the IP addresses and
port numbers of all the super nodes which are available. This is also known
as the host cache and it will be found in the windows registry of the Skype
client. Every time, a user logs into Skype from his computer, the data from
the host cache will be read first and the first IP port will be selected. Then
the Skype client will connect to that super node.
It is not possible to conduct a trace of a Skype client very easily. However if
a policeman or a law enforcement officer has managed to obtain a court
order then the people working at Skype will be forced to reveal details
which can be obtained from their logs starting from the name and address
of the user to the time at which the call has been made.
A lot of people decide to make use of vouchers in order to make Skype
payments. But some people will provide a false name and address when
they are making these voucher payments on Skype. But these false names
and addresses will definitely appear on the Skype logs. It is also possible
for law enforcement people to obtain a court order and ask the Internet
service provider to provide the name and address of the specific person who
is being investigated. It is not possible to trace a Skype user who has
provided a false name and address in order to create a Skype id and paid
using a voucher. He/she can make a Skype call from an Internet cafe which
has the facility of Wi-Fi.
Skype is a proprietary voice-over-Internet Protocol service and software
application originally created by Niklas Zennström, and owned by Microsoft since 2011.
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The service allows users to communicate with peers by voice, video, and instant
messaging over the Internet. Phone calls may be placed to recipients on the traditional
telephone networks. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free of charge, while
calls to landline telephones and mobile phones are charged via a debit-based user
account system. Skype has also become popular for its additional features, including file
transfer, and videoconferencing.
Skype has 663 million registered users as of September 2011.The network is operated
by Microsoft, which has its Skype division headquarters in Luxembourg. Most of the
development team and 44% of the overall employees of the division are situated in the
offices of Tallinn and Tartu, Estonia.
Registered users of Skype are identified by a unique Skype Name, and may be listed in the
Skype directory. Skype allows these registered users to communicate through both
instant messaging and voice chat. Voice chat allows telephone callsbetween pairs of
users and conference calling, and uses a proprietary audio codec. Skype's text chat client
allows group chats, emoticons, storing chat history and editing of previous messages.
Offline messages were implemented in version 5, but removed after a few weeks without
notification. The usual features familiar to instant messaging users — user profiles, online
status indicators, and so on — are also included.
The Online Number, a.k.a. SkypeIn, service allows Skype users to receive calls on their
computers dialed by conventional phone subscribers to a local Skype phone number;
local numbers are available for Australia, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, the
Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland,
Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden,
Switzerland, Turkey, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. A Skype
user can have local numbers in any of these countries, with calls to the number charged
at the same rate as calls to fixed lines in the country.
Video conferencing between two users was introduced in January 2006 for
the Windows and Mac OS X platform clients. Skype 2.0 for Linux, released on 13 March
2008, also features support for video conferencing. Version 5 beta 1 for Windows,
released 13 May 2010, offers free video conferencing with up to five people.
Skype for Windows, starting with version 3.6.0.216, supports "High Quality Video" with
quality and features, e.g., full-screen and screen-in-screen modes, similar to those of
midrange videoconferencing systems. Skype audio conferences currently support up to
25 people at a time, including the host.
Skype does not provide the ability to call emergency numbers such as 911 in the United
States and Canada, 999 in the United Kingdom and many other countries, 111 in New
Zealand, 000 in Australia, or 112 in Europe. The U.S. Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) has ruled that, for the purposes of section 255 of
the Telecommunications Act, Skype is not an "interconnected VoIP provider". As a result,
the U.S. National Emergency Number Association recommends that all VoIP users have an
analog line available as a backup.
In 2011, Skype partnered with Comcast to bring its video chat service to Comcast
subscribers via their HDTV sets.
Skype is used by many members and help on the subject can be obtained from
the Editor
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Member Profile No 1
23251680 L/Cpl Trevor George Margetson
My ambition to join the Police Force led my headmaster at Sudbury Grammar School into
suggesting that, in the light of the approaching prospect of National Service, I consider joining
The Royal Military Police. To ensure that I would be a 'Direct Entrant” it was preferable to join as
a regular.
My visit to the recruiting office in Cambridge was somewhat of a shambles as my best mate
came with me and we had plans to join together. After interviews, medicals and an earlier
interview at Colchester, I had signed up for the three years but Ted hadn't been accepted for
RMP and came out having joined the RASC. He wrote a couple of times but I never saw him
again.
In September 1955 I arrived at Woking Railway Station and sat on the top deck of the bus to
Knaphill filled with apprehension and this was not lessened when I laid eyes on that institution
Inkerman Barracks.
After the arrival of five other DE's we were kitted out and the transformation of our lives began. A
regime of polishing, scrubbing and cleaning became the norm.
After a few days, more Probationers, as we were called, arrived from various regiments and we
became 527 Squad. Our SI was Sgt. Terry Prouse and he made his memorable statement “I'm
going to break you so I can rebuild you the way I want you”. He didn't lie about that. Each day we
waited for the bit when he would start putting us back together again.
Going through the system at Inkerman during winter months was no picnic. The assault course
was frozen and it made for a sad life if you were the one to break
the ice and haul yourself out like a drowned puppy. Motor Cycle training led to many spills on the
icy roads and guard duty meant a long night in the cold.
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All of us can recall the strenuous training, endless lectures and marching around that square.
Towards the end of our preparation to become perfect Sgt. Prouse would yell out “I've made you
the best – now bloody look like it”!!
The light at the end of the tunnel had been switched on and requests for postings were
entertained. Another little joke – I had applied for Cyprus as that was where the action was.
Wrong – I hadn't attained that magic age of eighteen by a few weeks and active service was out
of the question. I was horrified when a half a dozen of us were given Salisbury Plain. It didn't
make sense to us as we had all done well on the course and didn't consider Stonehenge
deserved our specialized attention.
A brief leave after pass out and there we were at Figsbury Barracks, Winterbourne Gunner. We
were inducted into 1st Inf. Div. Pro Coy and shortly after transferred to Chiseldon Camp, near
Swindon with 3rd Brigade. Our time there was nothing short of bliss. We patrolled Swindon with
R.A.F. Police, U.S.A.F and civil police. There were many duties and exercises back on Salisbury
Plain and Savernake Forest. I was selected to represent our unit in competitions with Sten guns
and the trusty Webley 38. Our motor bike training at Inkerman was put to full use and we thought
it was Christmas to have Matchless 350's with telescopic forks.
You know the feeling – just when things are perfect, someone comes along and stuffs it up. We
were summoned back to Salisbury and tried to guess why but we were never even close.
Each of us were interviewed by an Irish Officer who seemed, with our files on his desk, to know
all he needed to know but at the conclusion of the interview handed me a duster and ordered me
to dust the table in the corner of the room. He apparently did this with each of us and finally
called a few back in and dismissed the rest. Apparently only those of us that had dusted the
table including the rails, legs and edges passed a test of thoroughness and we were told we were
moving to Northern Command. There was no mention of why or where but it was going to be
quick.
On arrival at Catterick we were housed with 150 Pro. Coy. until our quarters at Barnard Castle
were ready. We were then told we were being trained for a new brigade - 24th Ind. Inf. Bde. Pro.
Coy. which was to become a new Rapid Response unit. Whilst at Catterick I met my wife Shirley
who was with W.R.A.C. and we married after only a short engagement. The rapid response
mentality was catching on. We enjoyed 53 years together before she passed away in 2009.
Travelling daily to train at Barnard Castle and returning at night to Catterick was tough and long
hours endured. The training was intense, fitness courses, riot training, selecting and preparing
landing strips for light aircraft, loading vehicles and equipment onto an aircraft fuselage which
was mounted on brick pillars.
We were not allowed to return for the day to Catterick until satisfactory results against the
stopwatch were achieved. Other advanced training was at R.A.F. Dishforth where we loaded and
flew in Blackburn Beverley's.
We were reluctant to take down our 1st Div. triangle flash as it was replaced with a stylised
printed flash which looked atrocious and we became known as the 'Flying Kippers' even the
local cafe in Barnard Castle, called the Silver Slipper took on the name as the Flying Kipper.
Eventually sense prevailed and a new embroidered flash was issued and we could wear the red
wings with pride as recompense for the intense training programme we endured.
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We patrolled the Barnard Castle area as our Brigade was stretched over three camps, Deerbolt,
Humbleton and Westwick.
I spent many hours during the Suez Crisis as DR escorting large convoys of army vehicles,
including Bren carriers, halftracks and ammunition trucks etc. down the A1 and handing over at
Bawtry. We made two trips each day.
We always had two sets of kit, one under the bed, which was mainly suitable for hot climate and
in November '56 we understood the meaning of rapid response. Within hours we were on our
way with other units in the brigade by rail and we spent the night at Woolwich on straw
palliasses. In the morning we took off from Blackbushe and spent the next night at Marseilles
Hotel Continental before going on to Algiers, Kano in Nigeria, Bangui in French Equatorial Africa,
Entebbe and then to Aden. Our camp here was in tents and thankfully our stay was relatively
brief before moving up to Sharjah. A detachment was sent to Bahrain. There was little leave but
short breaks of a few hours were by trips in 3 tonners over the sand dunes to Dubai which was a
collection of mud brick buildings. You might say we had arrived fifty years too early. Our duties
there were completed in Feb '57 when reinforcements arrived and we began our return to U.K.
via Lake Habinniya in Iraq, Cyprus (See, I made it there in the end), Malta, France and home.
Although we may have thought we knew it all, more training ensued and the emphasis was on
riot control. We were sent to Tripoli next at a time of their local elections and we were able to put
our riot training to use.
The Army insisted we would know it all and we spent a few weeks in Hamsterley Forest for jungle
training and another session in Northumberland digging nuclear shelters.
Our last trip was just to London to assist with security at Lancaster House for the Baghdad Pact
Conference and this seemed a fitting end to an exciting three years which may never have come
about if I hadn't dusted that table so well.
On leaving the R.M.P. I joined the Bedfordshire Police in '59 and emigrated with my family to
Perth in September '67 to take up a job selling accounting systems. In 1971 I set up business
with my wife in printing and office products before transferring the business to Adelaide. We ran
this successfully for 31 years and retired back in W.A.
I have much to thank RMP and Inkerman for in showing me what I was capable of and the
enjoyment of a great bunch of mates who covered each others' backs in the tough times. There
seems to be a special bond among the Inkermans or is that Inkermen?
Trevor Margetson
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Member Profile No 2
Page 11
22504674 L/Cpl Harry Horne
As promised, here’s a potted history (very sketchy) of a National Serviceman’s life in CRMP. The only
date in the following tragi-comedy which I actually remember, is my birthday!! All else comes from my
Army Records.
Born London Henry Horne (prefer Harry) on 9/6/1933 to father who always wanted to be a copper but
never did.
Left Grammar School worked for the BBC as humble tea-boy.
Called up 5/7/51 Number 22504674, sent to 5 Training Battalion RASC
Oudenarde barracks Aldershot. One week prior to joining I had thrown
my puny freckled body down in the sun at Twickenham Baths, got badly
sunburned and could not wear a shirt for the first week of basic training.
Narrowly escaped a 252 on my first day in for self-inflicted injury! Did
basic training, had hair severely cut and learned that greatcoats need
not be blancoed!
(Well who knew? They said blanco your kit).
I had requested joining the Corps as I intended to join civil police after demob and believed the
experience would prove valuable (which it did)
Arrived at Inkerman on 20/7/51.
We got down from the 3 tonner on the road outside and going
through the arch were confronted by the square full of highly
polished red, black, khaki and white incredibly smart figures
taking part in a passing-out parade rehearsal to the sound of
CSM Saxby screaming “ Get up” as he dressed the front rank.
I wondered what I had let myself in for and whether I could
possibly ever be that disciplined and smart.
I found out that I could once our SI Sgt. Lindop got hold of us.
As I think most did, I hated him to begin with but gradually
realised that he had our best interests at heart and, by passing
out, thought of him as a father figure. I remember him fondly.
I have no recollections at all of the ensuing 18 weeks! Apart from creeping in to our darkened spider
after a 24 hour pass ( I lived at Kew Gardens, a short train ride away) to find the bumper and broom
across my path, my bed pushed half way in and all my kit falling on me from the wall. We finally left the
spiders and went in to Holding Company in the main building which was as cold as a mausoleum.
A few weeks later we were asked if anyone spoke French, to which I responded saying I’d learned it at
school.
So to my next move.........
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On 9/1/52 I was posted to SHAPE Provost Company which
I recall was called a “mobile” company. In those days
there were no CRMP officers and all were seconded from
other regiments. Our OC was a captain from one of the
County Regiments and his 2 i/c was Scots Guards
Lieutenant (both as mad as hatters!!} HQ was located at
Rocquencourt, the barracks for which was then, Camp-Des-Loges in the forest near
Saint Germaine-en-Laye west of Paris. The camp was still littered with signs in German which the
French had not yet
replaced. I assumed, at that time, that the barracks were built for the German
occupying forces and found out only 3 years ago when I visited, that they date from Napoleon’s time
and are still in use by the French Army. The ablutions were so filthy I think I went for several (winter)
weeks without a shower!
Our CSM Topliss was a large man who spoke in a high falsetto voice and delighted in making our lives a
misery. We worked security at HQ for 8 hours and were then supposed to be off duty but he would
have us drilling at all hours and all weathers including with 5 inches of snow on the ground. He was
universally disliked and we were delighted when he was replaced by (I think) CSM Boucher an admin
man who left us alone to get on with our security work.
You have had several SHAPEians give some details of the conditions in which we worked. In my time
our Webley revolvers were loaded with live ammo but (since there is no safety) the first chamber was
empty. We worked with the American Military Police and with the Gendarmerie National which was
the French equivalent. All the Gendarmes had served in French Indo China and were hard men. I was
lucky to work with one such who had also been a New York policeman. He spoke English with a French/
Brooklyn accent! and was very helpful in my effort to learn better French. Sorry, I digressed, the Yanks
and Frogs were very happy to examine each others weapons ( Remington and Beretta Automatics )
when we worked together but neither would touch our ‘dangerous’ Webley’s.
The boss cocky at the time, SACEUR I think was his title, Was Eisenhower with Montgomery as his 2 i/c.
Both had offices at the rear of HQ accessible by a special door (Generals’ door) the security was done by
one RMP and one Snowdrop. When Ike came in we would salute smartly and Ike would return it saying
“Hi” and go into his office. Monty on the other hand would inspect us! There was one incident when
he’s alleged to have pulled our L/Cpl’s back belt buckle down to see if the rear was polished! (what a
job for a Field Marshal! )
In time new modern barracks were built for us. These were luxurious with bedside rugs and tables and
underfloor heating.
By this time De Gaulle was back in power and decided that armed foreign troops were not allowed on
the streets. Because of this rule, our security reliefs (with loaded pistols) had to be driven from barracks
to HQ and back instead of marching the short distance between the two. I was duty driver on that run
for my last six months of service.
One anecdote.....sometime in 52 I think, we were due for a Provost Marshal’s inspection and our NAAFI
had run out of green blanco. We found out that the NAAFI at SHAEF, Monty’s HQ at Fontainebleau had
some and I was despatched by motorcycle to get it. I loaded the saddlebags with the paper wrapped
round blocks which shook to pieces on the journey and were reduced to green dust by the time I got
back to barracks! Everyone had to report for a blanco and brown paper cocktail issue, mugs at the
ready!
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Page 13
A week or so after watching the Coronation on TV in Barracks I
returned to UK for demob and did my TA service with the East
Surrey Regiment based at Kingston.
I applied for the Met but was rejected on medical grounds. The
MO didn’t like the shape of my little toes and said that if I had
them surgically removed I’d be accepted! I politely declined and
joined the Port of London Police which managed to bore me to
snores within a year and I left.
I later re-applied to the Met and was accepted in 1957.
Migrated to Perth in late 1966 but wasn’t tempted to join the
WA police. Did various jobs until 1987 when I became a self employed Personal Injury/Fatal Accident
Investigator (Liability Assessor) until I retired 14 years ago.
Hobby is Music, playing in Jazz Band and Concert Band.
Harry Horne
MEMBERS WANTED..PHONE GEOFF HARLAND
SECRETARY..9276 7958
RMPA WESTERN AUSTRALIA
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Page 14
Member Profile No 3
24807869 SSGT GD WINSTANLEY AGC (RMP).
I entered the Royal Military Police Training School at Chichester on the 4 Dec 88 with approximately 35
other hopefuls and commenced my basic training. All training at this time was conducted at Chichester
under the watchful eye of instructors who had been selected from within the Corps. To say you hit the
ground running was an understatement, everything was done at 100 miles an hour, haircuts, kit issued,
do’s and don’ts, let the fun begin. A fair amount of those who arrived at the same time as myself fell to
the wayside in quick succession, as the instructors weeded out those who they believed did not have
the necessary acumen to join the Corps. I personally survived an injury scare that nearly got me
discharged but for the intervention of a civilian physio (David Fevre, formerly of Manchester United)
who re-evaluated my injury and wrote to the Army on my behalf, allowed me to continue my training
albeit with a new squad some 4 weeks later.
The remainder of basic training was a mere blur, once I came to understand that it was all a game to
see just who really wanted the red beret, I actually enjoyed the beastings, show parades and discipline
that was administered and in no time at all, in the first weeks of July 1989, I marched off the square of
Roussillon Barracks as a card carrying member of the Corps. A month of security duties at Chichester
followed before I finally departed Roussillon Barracks on route to Northern Ireland to commence my
first posting.
I spent the best part of the next 4 years serving in Northern Ireland, initially at 176 Pro Coy in Londonderry and latterly at 172 Pro Coy in Armagh. I was employed in a variety of roles during which I
gathered valuable experience that would serve me well as my career progressed. As a member of a foot
patrol, we conducted patrols of the notorious areas of both Londonderry and Armagh, spent protracted
periods of time on the border crossing points in Londonderry and Fermanagh. In essence, we conducted
the same duties as an infantry soldier would. I met a variety of people during this time, excellent
comrades, committed terrorists, brave civilians, all who left their mark in one way or the other.
In Jan 93 I left Northern Ireland and was posted to 247 Pro Coy at Stadium Barracks in Berlin. After the
operational role in NI, I was finally in a policing environment conducting a purely policing role.
I thoroughly enjoyed the history of Berlin and the added freedom it brought after the security
restrictions of NI. Policing was low key which enabled me to hone my skills and catch up, having not
conducted any real investigations since leaving the School. Unfortunately, Berlin was being drawn
down and the Company was being disbanded so approximately 20 months after I arrived, I found
myself posted ‘up the zone’ to Gutersloh Det, 110 Pro Coy.
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Page 15
During this posting to Gutersloh, I got a full and frank view of policing a large Garrison. With 4
Regiments located within a small town, to say we were busy would be an understatement. I
encountered the whole spectrum of crime whilst in Gutersloh, from murder and drugs to serious
assaults and fatal traffic accidents. But from a policing point of view I was never happier, we were a
small team, working 80 hour weeks and achieving great results. I was quite sad when in August of 1997
I returned to
England for the first time in 8 years when I was posted to Leconfield Police Post, 150
Pro Coy at the
Defence School of Transport near Beverley in Humberside.
Policing a UK based Military Unit is quite unique, due to the amount of agencies that could be involved.
Unlike Germany were the RMP are recognised as a primary police force, we are not afforded the same
status within the UK. Offences could be investigated by the Civil Police, the MOD police or RMP
depending on the nature and location of offence. Whilst this can be useful in inter agency cooperation,
it can lead to extended quiet periods which can be mind numbing having just left a busy Garrison in
Germany. However; I made the most of my time at Leconfield, completing my HGV licenses and coach
licenses at the Army’s expense. It was during this time that I won the RMP lottery. The chicken bones
were cast and I was selected for promotion to Sgt. The downside of this was I would have to move to
the home of 150 Pro Coy at Catterick. I was fortunate that following my promotion, I managed to swap
a posting with an old friend and found myself posted back to Londonderry.
I returned to Londonderry to find a completely different unit from one that I had left some 8 years
earlier. The Good Friday agreement and other ministerial enquiries had curtailed the requirement for a
large force within the Province and draw down procedures were being implemented. Shortly after
arrival, I was informed that Clooney Base was ear marked for closure and that all troops would be more
than likely returned to UK Provost Units. Having just left England and having no real desire to return, I
managed to wangle a posting to Lisburn and then following a series of interviews and selection tests, I
made the jump to the Weapons Intelligence Section (WIS) based in Omagh, County Tyrone where I
assumed the appointment of SNCO in charge.
WIS are a plain clothes unit acting independently of the RMP command and working in the intelligence
community. Our primary role was the investigation of terrorist incidents within the Fermanagh and
Tyrone areas which on occasions was supplemented by the teaching and instructing on terrorist
threats, methods of attack and different weapon systems to a variety of different Police Agencies.
I arrived at WIS in the aftermath of the Omagh Bombing, the singular most devastating attack in the
history of the troubles, which only served to confirm that a very real and deadly terrorist threat still
remained in Northern Ireland. I enjoyed the two years with WIS immensely, being fortunate to work
with a good group of lads and some fearlessly brave bomb disposal experts, some of whom sadly, are
no longer with us.
I left WIS in October 2001 having managed to obtain a posting to the Cyprus Joint Police Unit in spite of
my career management officer telling me that it would be detrimental to my career. Failing to heed the
advice lead me to the 2 worst years of my military career. Whilst the island of Cyprus is a great tourist
destination, I found the role of RMP on the island frustrating and dysfunctional with most seeing the
posting as two years holiday with work a very distant second place. Maybe this was due to the
attitudes of the command hierarchy towards policing or me being used to a faster tempo, I don’t know,
but I was glad to leave in Oct 2003 when I was posted to 111 Pro Coy in Hohne.
REDCAPS
Page 16
I only stayed with 111 Pro Coy for 6 months as a frank difference of opinions with certain higher
ranking and humourless individuals saw me posted under the proverbial rain cloud to 110 Pro Coy at
Sennelager. Having previously only seen 110 Pro Coy from a distance, when it was the parent Company
of Gutersloh Det, I could understand the old joke of ‘Sennelager, possibly the worst Lager in the world’.
However, for the next 18 months I was pleased to be proved wrong, not only meeting some fantastic
people but also serving with some true Corps legends of the day. We constantly had the wagons in a
circle, but as I pointed out to most JNCO’s, if you can police and survive here, everywhere else is a walk
in the park. As we approached the latter end of 2005 and almost giving up hope of being promoted, I
finally was promoted to SSgt and posted a short ride up the autobahn, back to Gutersloh.
Gutersloh Det was going to be restructured and was about to become a provost Company in its own
right due to the impending changes to the Army in Germany and the reduction in troop numbers. Upon
the establishment of 114 Pro Coy, I attended the dining out of a friend who I had known since my first
days in Londonderry as a young LCpl. It was at this time that I realised that my own career was coming
to an end, and whilst still a couple of years away, I was unlikely to climb further up the ladder. Having
accepted this, I enjoyed a couple of superb years as a crusty old SSgt and had the pleasure of serving
under a mildly insane Australian Company Commander , who shall remain nameless at this time.
My career ended in Dec 2010 and whilst I could have extended it by 2 years, the time was right for me
to move on to pastures new. I have purposely not mentioned individuals, as there would be to many to
include likewise I have not mentioned operational tours, they are jobs that were done, but not
something I feel comfortable to remark upon. I have the medals to show, and I will leave it at that.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Corps and yes, I would do it all again given the chance. Whilst the
changes over the years have been significant and the biggest threat to the Corps at present is the
British Government, I was glad to see that when I left, the young JNCO’s of today are just as keen as I
was when I started out, therefore I believe the future of the corps is in good hands.
GD WINSTANLEY
REDCAPS
Page 17
Fun Facts About Australia
Australian Fun Facts And Funny Stories From Australia
The following kindly reproduced from the web pages of Mz Birgit Bradtke
A must site for all who love the outback and seek adventure.
Newest Australian Fun Facts:
Apparently the first European settlers in Australia drank more alcohol per
person than any other community in the history of mankind.
Australian mines (one of our most important industries, which accounts for
15% of Australia's GDP) cover 0.02% of Australia's land mass. More land is
occupied by pubs. (Can't find any statistics on the GDP here. My guess is:
substantial)
In 1954 Bob Hawke made it into the Guinness Record Book: he sculled 2.5
pints of beer in 11 seconds. Bob Hawke went on to become the Prime
Minister of Australia.
Fun Facts About Australia - The Latest Stories
Crocodile Slams Into Tree
Who do you think was more scared? The Australian family camping in
Kakadu National Park who woke up when a three metre crocodile tried
climbing up on their tent? Or the crocodile, when the family started
screaming?
The poor croc turned straight around and raced back towards the water,
unfortunately overlooking the tree in its way. The tree lost a fair bit of bark
and there were two big wet circles where the croc's nose had slammed into
the tree...
I Can't Find Uluru
A tourist from New South Wales had to stop another vehicle to ask for
directions to Ayers Rock. Nothing strange or funny about it?
Well, Ayers Rock is huge (348 metres high), is the only significant feature
along the only road in the area, and he was right in front of the rock with
his headlights shining on it! You'd think you'd notice, wouldn't you?
Nope. He pulled over the next car coming along, to ask for directions. The
car looked like a ranger's vehicle to him. Well, they were cops instead and
they immediately whipped out their breathalyser... 0.116. Too bad...
REDCAPS
Page 18
Fun Facts About Australia - Animals
There are 1500 species of Australian spiders.
If you read about our spiders you might not like this: the average
person swallows three spiders a year.
We have over 6000 species of flies, about 4000 species of ants, and
there are about 350 species of termites in Australia.
The combined mass of all termites in the world is more than ten times
the mass of all people.
Termites are also called white ants, but they're not ants, in fact not
even closely related to ants.
Australia has the world's largest population of wild camels with one
hump.
The Tasmanian Devil does exist, and it has the jaw strength of a
crocodile.
Sharks are immune to all known diseases.
There are more than 150 million sheep in Australia, and only some 20
million people.
Fun Facts About Australia - Geography
No part of Australia is more than 1000 km from the ocean and abeach.
(The point in the world that's the furthest from any ocean would be
in China.)
Australia has the world's largest cattle station (ranch). At 30,028
km2 it is almost the same size as Belgium.
Population density in Australia is usually calculated in km2 per person,
not people per km2.
Australians have 380,000 m2 per person available. Yet well over 90%
are cramming into our coastal cities. (Don't ask me why, I sure
prefer it here in the Outback.)
We call Australian's from Queensland "banana benders", and people
from Western Australia "sandgropers".
Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world.
The Great Barrier Reef has a mailbox. You can ferry out there and send
a postcard, stamped with the only Great Barrier Reef stamp.
The Australian Alps, or Snowy Mountains as they are also known,
receive more snow than Switzerland.
Melbourne has the second largest Greek population in the world, after
Athens.
Other Miscellaneous Australian Fun Facts
Imagine the fully welded rails of the Ghan train track weren't restrained
properly: on a hot Outback desert day they would expand at 200km/hour
and at the Darwin end they'd stick out 1.1 km into the ocean.
Star gazing: under ideal viewing conditions, like in the Australian Outback,
the naked eye can detect about 5,780 stars.
REDCAPS
Page 19
Other Miscellaneous Australian Fun Facts
The Sydney Opera House roof weighs more than 161,000 tons.
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest organic construction on earth.
Termite mounds are the tallest non-human constructions on earth.
ULURU AYERS ROCK
Thanks again to Mz B Bradtke for her permission to reproduce some of
her adventure details and Fun Facts.
It would be appreciated if you further your reading to visit the sites she
has on the web as below
www.KimberleyAustralia.com
www.TheOutbackGuide.com
The Editor.
REDCAPS
Page 20
The Poplar Tree at the DMZ
By Kevin M. Hymel
The Americans and their South Korean allies simply wanted to trim a tree. A 40-foot-tall Normandy poplar growing
near the thoroughfare between North and South at Panmunjom - known to the Americans as the “Bridge of No
Return" - was blocking their view and needed to be cut back. What started out as a small chore would soon explode
into an international incident.
On the morning of August 18, 1976. A jeep carrying U.S. Captain Arthur Bonifas, Lieutenant Mark Barrett and
Republic of Korea Anny Captain. Kim Moon Kwan, headed toward the tree followed by a half-ton truck carrying five
Korean Service Corps workers and seven guards armed with pickaxe handles. The officers were armed only with
pistols.
No sooner had the workers leaned their ladders against the tree and began sawing and hacking away at the
offending limbs than several jeeps bearing North Koreans sped over the bridge. Their leader, Senior Lt. Pak Chun.
stormed over to Kim and demanded.”What are you doing”
Kim told him they were just cutting a few limbs off the tree, not cutting it down. ''Good," was Pak's only reply.
But a few minutes later the North Korean became agitated. He demanded the work be stopped and threatened the
work party, telling them, "The branches that are cut will be of no use, just as you will be after you die."
The officers chose to ignore the fuming lieutenant and continued directing the efforts of their nervous workers.
Within minutes a North Korean truck pulled up and some 20 soldiers wielding pipes and axe handles jumped out.
Captain Bonifas, who was deliberately keeping his back to Pak, did not have time to react when the North Korean
yelled, "Chukyo!" ("Kill!"), and karate-chopped Bonifas in the back of the neck.
Bonifas went down as the North Koreans charged the work party and their guards. It became a free-for-all as the
North Koreans clubbed and beat the outnumbered South Koreans and Americans. Lieutenant Barrett broke free of
the fracas, but the North Koreans caught up with him near a ditch and beat him to death. Six North Koreans
surrounded Bonifas, already on the ground, and swung at him with clubs and axe handles, crushing his skull.
Within minutes the one-sided fight was over, two Americans lay dead and nine of their party injured. There was an
immediate reaction in the United States. President Gerald R. Ford condemned the action as "brutal and cowardly."
All U.S. military personnel on leave in South Korea were ordered to return to their units. The carrier USS Midway left
its position off Japan and headed toward Korea, and a squadron of McDonnell F-4 Phantoms in Okinawa was also
dispatched, as was a squadron of General Dynamics F-Ill fighter-bombers stationed in Idaho. The U.S. forces in South
Korea were all placed on increased alert status.
Three days after the incident, a dump truck carrying 13 engineers, each wielding a chain saw approached the poplar
tree. Behind them were 140 armed and ready troops. Behind the troops was artillery, zeroed onto the area. The air
above buzzed with seven Bell AH-l Cobra gunships, and three Boeing B-52 bombers circled even higher. The
engineers sawed down the tree in front of a crowd of North Korean soldiers who watched but did not intervene. The
task was completed in 45 minutes without incident, and the tree was hauled off to South Korea to be cut into
swagger sticks.
Back in the United States the show of force meant little to Marcia Bonifas. A11 she cared about was that her
husband was dead. She had been planning to greet him at the airport when he arrived home from Korea. Now she
was on hand when his casket arrived, on its way to burial at West Point. Captain Bonifas had been killed with only
three days left in his Korean tour of duty.
Source: Military History magazine, October 1999.
With permission from KVAA / Publication “The Voice”
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Page 21
On the morning of August 18, 1976, a group of United Nations personnel attempted he to trim the
branches of a poplar tree in the DMZ that was obstructing the view from a U.N. guard post.
North Korean soldiers attempted to block the operation then attacked the U.N. personnel with axes.
Capt. Arthur G. Bonifas (honoured as Major post-mortem), Lieutenant Mark T. Barrett, and 4 Korean
soldiers were killed, and as many US soldiers were wounded.
The UNC finally achieved 'Operation Paul Bunyan' and cut the offending poplar tree on August 21, 1976.
Since that time, security guards of either side have been prohibited from crossing the Military
Demarcation Line to the other side.
The United Nations Command forces have jurisdiction over Panmunjom.
The forces stay in Camp Bonifas (named in honour of the late Capt. Arthur G. Bonifas who was killed in
the 'ax murder incident' in Panmunjom on August 18, 1976).
The U.N. Command guard forces were established with 5 officers and 10 soldiers in
May 1952 and have conducted their duty to support the Military Armistice
Commission conferences. By the time the Korean War was over, the number of
soldiers numbered about 1,900. These days, about 400 soldiers, including ROK
and U.S. soldiers, conduct their duty to guard Panmunjom.
The UNC guard forces have four important duties:
first, to guard the Panmunjom JSA;
second, to guard and support the Military Armistice Commission;
third, to conduct the administration of Daeseong-dong (Freedom Village);
fourth, to secure visitors of Panmunjom and conduct tours.
The above information from public domain
www.lifeinkorea.com
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Page 22
OLD COMRADES LINK-UP
"There have been many notable successes of our members using the RMP Old Comrades
Linkup, a complimentary service most excellently run by Bob EGGELTON in Portsmouth.
If you are not already listed and wish to avail yourself of this service to renew old
friendships, please use the following application form".
ROYAL MILITARY POLICE
OLD COMRADES LINK-UP
Enrolment Form
Surname:
Forename(s):
Service Number:
Rank on Discharge:
Squad Number:
Full Address:
Telephone Number:
E-mail Address:
Dates of Service: From
to
Units Served With (Please Include dates if known):
Name and details of any particular person sought:
Please delete as necessary:
1.
2.
I agree that the details I have provided may be given to other members of the Link-Up
and may be published in The Corps Journal
I do not wish for my contact details to be released without further reference to me.
Signed:
Date:
Please return to:
Mr RL Eggelton
3 Blakesley Lane
Portsmouth
Hants
PO3 5UG
UK
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Page 23
Vale
Jane (Jean) Morrison
Jean Morrison was the wife of our late inaugural Branch Standard Bearer, David Morrison. Jean
had died from her injuries at the scene of a road traffic accident in Rockingham on Monday 23
January 2012.
David and Jean were amongst the first of our small local group of former Redcaps to meet regularly for lunch seven years ago and had attended many of our meetings, both before and after the
formal creation of our branch.
A community news article published shortly after Jean’s death brought back fond memories of the
zest and perfect combination of kindred spirits David and Jean had.
It has been a great privilege for our members to have known two great, genuine and lovely people.
As with David who passed away after a long illness in 2007, Jean will be greatly missed.
The condolences of all members, wives and partners of RMPA Western Australia Branch have
been extended to their son Steven and his family.
The funeral of Jean Morrison was held on Friday 3 February 2012 at Fremantle Cemetery.
Lest we forget……
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Page 24
New Member No4
We welcome to the branch
Taff Sims
To late for this issue, but hoping to include profile of
Taff in the next issue.
Below is an extract from the 1953 edition of the RMP
recruitment book. Anyone recognise the rider?
EXEMPLO DUCEMUS
RMPA
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
BRANCH
CONTACT NUMBERS
OFFICE BEARERS
Chairman:
Brian Griffiths
9300 1551
Secretary:
Geoff Harland
9276 7958
Treasurer:
Steve O Connor
9401 2716
Welfare Officer: Eric Heath
9291 8962
Standard Bearer: Bill Dodds
9581 6619
______________
______________
Newsletter Editor: Bryan Edwards
Mobile:
Email:
6161 8511
0401 821 792
redcaps@optusnet.com.au
Branch notice
The United Kingdom Combined Ex-Services Federation annual lunch will be held on Saturday 21 April
2012 at 12.00hrs for 12.30hrs at RAAFA Club, Bullcreek. The cost will be $40 per head, which includes
wine and soft drinks and dance music.
Music by EX-PO-ZAY
This year there will be a door prize and also a Special ladies prize along with the raffle.
Please send your cheque or money order, made payable to UK Combined Ex Services Federation, to the
President, Gordon Norton, PO Box 52, RSL Memorial Caravan Park,
Rockingham WA 6968.
REDCAPS

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