DEATH NOTICES AUGUST 2015
ALLSOP
Former 23247476 Warrant Officer Class 1 Peter Allsop who served
with the RMP from 1955 until 1977, passed away aged 78 years. ‘Passing-out’ with
Squad 519 he served variously with 160 Pro Coy (Shrewsbury), 5 Dog Coy RMP
(Singapore), 173 Pro Coy (Lisburn, Northern Ireland:), 165 Pro Coy (Chester), on
Active Service in support of 39th Infantry Brigade in the Radfan, the Royal Militray
police Training Centre (RMPTC) at Chichester with the Recruiting Team, Army
Careers and Information Office (ACIO) Glasgow, London District Pro Coy, 170 Pro
Coy (Edinburgh), again at the RMPTC, but this time in Research and Development,
HQ Rhine Area (Düsseldorf) and 158 Pro Coy (Bulford). At the end of his Colour
Service he joined Sussex Police serving at Bognor Regis Police Station for 15 years
both in uniform and with the CID.
BALL Former 22509103 Lance-Corporal John Ball, who served with 1st (British)
Corps Provost Company, died peacefully at his home in Cornwall on August 3rd,
2014, aged 81. Called up for National Service in 1951, and commencing military
training at Oswestry, Shropshire, after only 2-weeks he responded to a request for
volunteers to transfer to the RMP and completed his ‘trade’ training with 243 Squad
at Inkerman Barracks. A keen sportsman, playing football for his Squad, he was
unfortunate to break his wrist during a match played at the weekend immediately
prior to his embarkation to Egypt and he was unable to sail with his mates as he was
sent home on sick leave instead. Returning to Woking when fully fit, John was
posted to 1st “Brush” Corps Company then headquartered at Bad Rothenfelde, 12
miles southeast of the major British Army Garrison at Osnabruck. Carrying out
varied police duties over the following 21 months, he remembered particularly
providing an escort to the then Chief of the Imperial General Staff General Sir John
(later Field-Marshal and Lord) Harding. John continued to be involved in sporting
activities and represented the Company at both football and cricket. In civilian life he
was an avid rugby fan and a keen golfer. He is sadly missed by his wife Marlene,
sons Gary and Adrian and all of his friends in the Association.
BAKER
Former 23444534Lance-Corporal Eric Baker, a National Serviceman
after training in Squad 667 served from 1957 - 1959 with 200 Provost Company in
Singapore, died whilst in a Care Home in Worksop on June 8th 2015, At the time of
his death he was suffering from dementia. He was demobbed in 1960. His wife
predeceased him a few weeks before his death and he is survived by a daughter,
Jane who is also dependent on care. Eric was a member of South Yorkshire
Branch. His funeral was on June 23rd.
CAFFREY Former Lance-Corporal Harry Caffrey passed away on May 14th 2015,
having fought against cancer for some time. Harry trained with 538 Squad at
Inkerman Barracks and subsequently served with the SHAPE Provost Company for
the remainder of his two years’ service.
CHURCH
Former Warrant Officer Class 1 ‘Robbie’ Church BEM, Royal New
Zealand Military Police (RNZMP) died in May 2015. Robbie was a much respected
member of our allied Corps and will be greatly missed. Some of the past serving
members of RMP may remember Robbie for his days in the Special investigation
Branch (SIB) attached to 200 Provost Company Australian/New Zealand/UK
(ANZUK) Brigade responsible for overseeing all troop movement through the
Singapore Docks and for the military policing of the Island of Singapore.
COOKE
Former 24742436 Sergeant Stephen (‘Steve’) Cooke passed away
during the early hours of May 15th 2015, after a brief battle with cancer, having just
reached the age of 49. Steve served not only with RMP, but also with both Surrey
and South Yorkshire Constabularies. Completing training at Chichester with Squad
8505, Steve served with the RMP until 1998 RMP, serving widely in Catterick,
Germany, Belize, Cyprus, Northern Ireland, during the First Gulf War and with the
United Nations. He then joined Surrey Police in 1998 serving with the force until
2006, when he transferred to South Yorkshire Police reaching the substantive rank
of Police Sergeant, but acting as an Inspector on numerous occasions. He was
given a magnificent send off at Elsecar Church, with Mounted Police posting a
Guard-of-Honour at the Church Gate and an impressively full church with uniforms in
abundance and with two serving police officers proudly wearing their red berets and
former Red Caps including a veteran from the newly formed Republic of Ireland
branch and South Yorkshire Branch. The eulogy was read by Steve’s father-in-law,
who spoke of an honest, kind, caring husband, father and grandfather; of a
committed and loyal police officer; and all round great person, who when he found
out he had cancer admitted he had only ever wanted to die serving his Queen and
Country and whose passing leaves a huge gap in his families’ lives that will never be
filled.
DONNELLY Charles Donnelly died following the death of his wife Angela a few
weeks previously. Chralie served with the RMP in the 1960s with the SIB
particaulaly 70 Section in Celle. Charles' funeral took place on June 16th at Harwood
Park Crematorium in Stevenage. He leaves a son Mark.
DUNN
Former Lance-Corporal Dunn Women’s Royal Army Corps (Provost)
died December 13th 2014, in Perth, Australia aged 78 after a long illness. She first
joined the Birmingham City Police in 1957, before joining WRAC Provost in 1960.
She served in Aldershot and Catterick 1961-62. She met and married Corporal G.
Brien RMP in 1962. She leaves a husband of 52 years, a daughter and 2
grandchildren. Her ashes were returned to Birmingham for internment. She was a
longstanding member of RMPA Birmingham (Midland) Branch.
GOWARD Former 14458191 Sergeant Zachariah Kenneth Goward passed away
on April 18th 2015. He was born 06 April 1927. Having enlisted with the Royal
(Field) Artillery in January 1945, he transferred to the RMP in Egypt in 1946, initially
serving with 203 Provost Company Corps of Military Police (CMP), but transferring to
the SIB Roll in 1946, and then serving extensively throughout Egypt and the Canal
Zone and reportedly Palestine. He ended his service with RMP serving with the
British Element Trieste Force (BETFOR) in Italy, then under Allied military
administration, with 93 Special Investigation Section (SIS) CMP. He transferred
back to the Royal Artillery on May 5th 1950. His funeral was held at Weeley
Crematorium, near Clacton-on-Sea, on May 26th, with attendance from Colchester &
East Anglia Branch and members of 156 Pro Coy 4 RMP.
HAMPSHIRE
Former 25159266 Corporal Michael John (‘Mic’) Hampshire was
murdered by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber in Kabul when
protecting members of the European Union Police (EUPOL)
Training Mission to Afghanistan, as a Private Security Operative
with Hart International. He was 29. Joining the Army in 2002, Mic
trained at the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick, joining the newly
named Yorkshire Regiment’s 1st Battalion (formerly the Prince of
Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire). He transferred to the RMP in
the rank of Lance-Corporal in July 2006. He served subsequently
with 150 Pro Coy in Catterick and the Close Protection Unit as an
instructor. He saw service in Northern Ireland and the Former
Republic of Yugoslavia with the Infantry and in Iraq and Afghanistan
with the RMP. Having completed Close Protection training in 2008,
he packed in numerous tours top Afghanistan, Sudan and Mali in a
relatively short period before deciding to leave the Army voluntarily to join a Private
Security Company where he could be guaranteed employment in Close Protection
on a full-time basis. His funeral was held at St John’s Church, Golecar, near
Huddersfield and afterwards at Huddersfield Crematorium on June 5 th and was
attended by no fewer than 600 family, friends and RMPA members, many of whom
are serving members of the RMP, together with one of his former ‘principals’ MajorGeneral Felton whom he had protected in Afghanistan when still serving. The Wake
was held at Golecar Royal British Legion. As evidenced by the large numbers
attending his funeral Mic was a universally popular individual who was loyal, good
humoured and very professional in all that he did. Mic leaves behind his loving
parents Angela and Martin and his Fiancée Claire.
KILPATRICK
Former 23506515 Corporal Joseph (‘Joe’) Kilpatrick, of
Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on the
morning of May 30th 2015. Joe was a member of 631 Squad and served initially with
London District Provost Company before seeing Active Service in 1958-60, with 51
Brigade Provost Company, which was headquartered in Famagusta, Cyprus during
the Emergency. He was a very respected and generous member of the RMP
Cyprus Veterans’ Group. His funeral was held at the Presbyterian Church,
Enniskillen, on June 2nd.
McALLISTER
Former 23542384 Staff-Sergeant Edward Robert "Ted"
McAllister passed away on May 12th 2015, after a long illness. He was 77 and
became a Life Member (24488) of the RMPA, in September 1978. Joining the RMP
as a National Serviceman in November 1955, he was posted to 16 (Independent)
Parachute Brigade Provost Company and qualifying as a parachutist. Following
completion of his National Service he joined 44 Parachute Brigade Provost Company
(Territorial Army) at Shepherd's Bush and served with there until 1967. After a short
spell with the Military Provost Staff Corps (MPSC) Pool (TAVR) and Royal Army
Ordnance Corps (Volunteers) (RAOC(V)), he joined 1 Port Task Force Provost
Company (V) based at Central Volunteer Headquarters (CVHQ) and served there
with the Company, later re-designated as 164 Pro Coy (V), until 1982, leaving as the
CQMS and having completed 27 years 264 days, ‘he was very particular about the
264 days’, proudly sporting the Territorial Efficiency Medal and two bars. He
subsequently joined the Parachute Regiment Home Service Force in 1985-1987. He
also served simultaneously as a Special Constable with the City of London Police
and was awarded the Special Constabulary Long Service Medal. Extremely proud to
have served in the Corps, Ted was devoted to its history and for many years he
exhibited his extensive collection of Corps related uniforms and insignia at RMPA
functions and Corps weekends and the RMP Museum has a number of the uniforms
which were purchased through Lieutenant-Colonel ‘Dick’ Barton many years ago.
He is survived by his wife Marion, sons Robert and Paul and four grandchildren.
NUNN
Former 22425178 Corporal John Henry Nunn passed away aged 83 at
home on April 30th 2015, following an illness. Records show that he served initially
with the 8th Royal Tank Regiment at Catterick before being transferred to the Life
Guards and then again to the ‘Corps’ where he served with 160 Provost Company
then based at Bulford. Following his National Service, John became a member of
Bristol City Police, retiring after 20 years’ service in 1972, in the rank of Inspector.
SHAW
Former 24135040 Staff-Sergeant Brian (‘Geordie’) Shaw Brian passed
away this on June 1st after a brief illness. A Career-Soldier of 22 Years’ Service,
Geordie, as he was known universally, enlisted in 1966 and saw service in Cyprus
on a United Nations’ tour with the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) and then in Northern
Ireland and Malaysia with the newly named 2nd Battalion The Light Infantry that had
absorbed the DLI in the great rash of regimental amalgamations in 1968-69. He
transferred to the RMP in 1972 and saw service subsequently with 156 Pro Coy in
Colchester, 175 Pro Coy in Belfast, 101 Pro Coy Düsseldorf, 111 Pro Coy in Hohne,
176 Pro Coy in Londonderry, 247 Pro Coy in Berlin and finally back with 101 Pro Coy
in Düsseldorf. He leaves a widow Maureen, his children: Karen, Kay, Angela, Julie
and John and seven grandchildren.
STEELE
Former 14403299 Staff-Sergeant (CQMS) The
Reverend Charles Edward Ernest Steele Reverend Charles
Edward Ernest Steele died on March 16th h 2015, aged 90.
Charles enlisted in the Rifle Brigade in 1942, but he
transferred to the Corps of Military Police (CMP) in March
1944, and was posted to 110 Provost Company supporting 8th
Corps and saw service in Normandy, landing on D-Day and
then fighting throughout North-west Europe. In April 1945, he
returned to the CMP Depot at Mytchett for re-kitting and was then posted in May of
the same year to the reconstituted 28th Indian Division until May 1946, thence onto
the 5th Indian Division until February 1947 from there he went to Secunderabad in
Telangana Province, India, prior to his de-mobilisation in 1947. He then joined the
Birmingham Fire Brigade, serving for 22-years, before taking Holy Orders and being
ordained within the Church of England. He was parish priest in Minworth, Sutton
Coldfield and Washwood Heath, Birmingham until his eventual retirement he was
also the Birmingham (Central) Branch Chaplain. He leaves a widow Joan, a son and
daughter and a number of grandchildren.
STRANGWARD
Former 21037094 Lance-Corporal Albert Thomas (‘Taffy’)
Strangward passed away peacefully at The Royal Perth Hospital on March 1st 2015
after a long illness. Taffy enlisted with the RMP in 1947 and after training at Woking
and Aldershot was posted to 227 Provost Company in Trieste where he served until
his discharge in 1950. Taffy then saw many years of service in his civilian police
career firstly with the Birmingham City Police from 1950 to 1954, and on emigrating
to Australia, in the Western Australia Police Force from 1954 to 1987. He was a
founding member of Western Australia branch. Whilst health issues in past years
had often prevented Taffy from attending meetings, he maintained his interest in
branch activities and supported our fundraising efforts for UK ex-service and
Australasia-based community charitable causes. He is survived by his son David
and daughter Bronwyn.
THURSTON
Edward 'Ted' James Thurston died aged 90, on March 27th
2015, and was buried at the Holy Redeemer Church, Highcliffe,
Dorset on St George’s Day. Ted joined the Army in 1943,
serving with the Middlesex Regiment, the Highland Light
Infantry, the Royal Engineers and the Corps of Military Police.
He landed on JUNO Beach shortly after D-Day and was part of
the Unit that liberated the town of Cheux in the BasseNormandie region.
Ted was the holder of the Legion
D'Honneur and a founding member of Dorset Branch. His
funeral was attended by many members of the Normandy Veterans’ Association and
of Dorset and Salisbury Branches RMPA, together with the Mayor of Cheux and a
small entourage from France, who brought a small wreath of wild flowers picked from
the fields around their town.
WHITWORTH
Former 23752685 Lance-Corporal Roy Whitworth who was born
on May 9th 1938, joined the Army in Nairobi on June 30th 1960,
where his family had settled when Roy was a baby. So
determined was he to join the Army that he walked by himself
for many miles through the deserts and forests in order to signup and opted for the RMP and after training, he went on to
serve for 6 years including Active Service in Borneo. He finally
left the Army voluntarily in 1966, having met his wife and
wanted to give all his time and attention to his family and settle
down rather than have the nomadic life of a soldier, albeit he remained working for
the Ministry of Defence in a civil capacity. Roy was a good honest, loving, caring
and most devoted Husband, Father and Grandfather of whom a bad word was never
spoken and he will be missed greatly by all his family and all that knew him as he
touched so many people with his kindness, generosity and love.
OBITUARIES
Former Lance-Corporal John Knapp-Fisher
By Mr G A Woodall Secretary, Mounted Branch RMPA
L – R: LCpls Peter Morris, Les Bettinson & John Knapp-Fisher
at the RMP Mounted Section Stable Lines, Searchlight Military Tattoo,
White City, London, 1954.
John died in Withybush Hospital, Haverford West, Pembrokeshire, on February 21st
2015. Called up in 1953, John reported to the Royal Engineer’s Training Depot, at
Norton Camp, Worcestershire, following in the footsteps of his father (a Major) who
had served with the ‘Sappers’ during the Second World War. Becoming an Acting
Lance-Corporal almost immediately, it was during an interview with his Career’s
Officer, that he saw a poster displaying the RMP Mounted Section and as a result he
requested transfer to the RMP. To his surprise his application was accepted and he
was soon undertaking 6-weeks of Military Police training at Inkerman Barracks
before reporting to 158 Provost Company’s Mounted Section at Aldershot. John
enjoyed greatly his time with the Mounted Section, particularly when taking part in
public duties at the Search Light Military Tattoo at White City, London in 1954, and
the Military Mounted Police centennial celebrations and parade in 1955. Demobbed
in June of that year, his replacement with the Mounted Section was one LCpl George
Woodall and John and he were destined to become firm friends later in life. In 1950,
before being called-up, John had followed a passion for art by attending Maidstone
College of Art and later became a member of the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art.
His art is sought after by many who admire the touch he applied to his paintings of
his beloved Wales, particularly Pembrokeshire with its bleak tones and shadows cast
across the many houses, boats, ships, people and fields. John wrote a book entitled
‘John Knapp-Fisher’s Pembrokeshire’, which describes his love of that part of Wales
and what it was like as an artist working and living there and illustrates his 91 works
of art. In a second book entitled “John Knapp-Fisher My life - all the little things.”
John opens the door from his earliest childhood memories through to all the many
things in life that he aspired to and attained, his love of the sea and, the great
challenge in his single-handedly built seventeen foot half-decked fishing boat called
“Viking”. Through his many exhibitions of art throughout the UK and South Africa,
John led an active life befriending many and poets, artists, family and friends bade
their farewell at his funeral and readings of “A Pembrokeshire Artist” dedicated to
John by Tony Curtis and “John Knapp-Fisher” by Bill Payne, which describe John’s
full life and the sense of loss in those he leaves behind were read as a tribute. He
leaves his partner Gillian, a son Buzz and a daughter Lucy and very many friends.
Major (‘Bob’) Orville Dutton Robinson
By Mr G A Woodall Secretary Cheshire & North Wales Branch.
As our Branch Chairman of only 17 months, Bob died peacefully
at home on the evening February 28th 2015. He had been ill
since the previous November, and unable to attend Branch
meetings or the Christmas Luncheon. Bob reported to Depot
and Training Establishment Royal Military Police (D&TE RMP)
Woking in 1953, becoming 22932867 Probationer, and after
training he served with 165 Provost Company at Chester until
1956, before posting to 3 Ports Task Force RMP until his
discharge as a Sergeant in 1964.
Bob later gained a
Commission in the Territorial Army (TA) and eventual became
the Officer Commanding 23 Independent Armoured Brigade Provost Unit (TA). On
release from the Army, he joined the Cheshire Constabulary and worked in the
Traffic Branch, which involved him riding a motorcycle and driving vehicles
throughout the county’s highways and byways finally retiring after 27 years as a PC.
Bob became a Branch member in August 1998, and though he had a break in active
membership owing to is work as a Town Councillor, he returned 4 years later. In
May 2011 he became Vice-Chairman and though this appointment was of short
tenure it was extremely eventful, steering the reform of branch rules and ‘standing in’
as Chairman, when Major Brian Stopforth’s illness and subsequent death required
strong leadership in order to guide the branch through a sad period. He became
Branch Chairman in November 2013, bringing to the branch meetings a relaxed style
from the ‘Chair,’ which members valued immensely. Each Branch Chairman brings
their own personal touches of how they steer meetings and discussions and by their
leadership, earning the members’ respect and Bob, with years of experience as a
Councillor, was adept at ‘smoothing troubled waters’ and he brought unity and order
whenever disagreement arose. His skills of Chairmanship will be missed greatly.
Bob was a Northwich Town Councillor of 11 years standing and years was rightly
proud of his two periods as Mayor of Northwich and the Branch Standard led each of
his Mayoral Parades through the town. To Janine, Bob’s widow and her family we
extend our most sincere condolences.