redcaps - rmp world
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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. REDCAPS 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 REDCAPS 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 3 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. REDCAPS 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 4 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. REDCAPS 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 5 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 REDCAPS 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 6 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. REDCAPS 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 7 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 REDCAPS 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 8 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. REDCAPS 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 9 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. REDCAPS 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 10 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 REDCAPS 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 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......... REDCAPS 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 12 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! REDCAPS 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 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 REDCAPS 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 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. REDCAPS 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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” REDCAPS 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 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 REDCAPS 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 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 REDCAPS 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 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…… REDCAPS 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 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 [email protected] 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 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