Brief History of the West Yorkshire RMPA
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Historically,
the Royal Military Police and its predecessor, the Corps of Military
Police has been one of the Army's smaller units. During the two world
wars however, the Military Police was expanded greatly in order to be
able to cope with the increased requirements of discipline, crime investigation
and traffic control demanded by the increase in size of the Army. |
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After
WW II it was felt that the many men and women who had served in
the Corps should have the opportunity to maintain their links with
the Corps and former colleagues. As a result, the Royal Military
Police Association was formed from former Old Comrades Associations.
Between 1945 and 1959 the ranks of the RMPA were swelled by the
numerous former National Servicemen who served in the RMP during
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and who saw
action in the many 'Emergencies' and 'Police Actions' such as Korea,
Malaya, Cyprus and Suez. Originally,
many of the larger towns and cities of the old West Riding of Yorkshire,
including Leeds, Sheffield and Bradford had individual Branches of the
Association, providing social gatherings, comradeship and welfare facilities
to serving and former Military Policemen and women. |
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However, due to the gradual ageing of the
members leading to declining membership, the former Bradford and Leeds
Branches amalgamated in the late 1970's to form the West Yorkshire Branch. Our members range from W.W.II veterans to those who served with the Corps in more recent times in Germany, the Middle East, Cyprus, the Far East, and Northern Ireland. |
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We meet at 1930 hours on the first Thursday of each month at the Royal British Legion Club, Robin Lane, Pudsey West Yorkshire, LS28 7BR. The Branch has over 30 members. , and our busy social calendar includes lunches in pleasant country pubs, either as a Branch or with our friends from the RAF Police Association, and visits to places of interest.Recent events have included tours of Wakefield and Leeds prisons, a 'Behind the scenes' look at one of West Yorkshire's busiest Police Stations and a visit to the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Mobilisation and Control Centre, followed by a buffet supper. Visits have also been made to breweries and local Television Stations. Our guest speakers, have included the then CO of 156 Provost Company, major (Now Lt. Colonel) D. Neal, RMP talking about the deployment of the company to Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick, and a talk on the work of the Army Legal Services by Major N. Bashir. |
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Other talks have included the experiences of an RMP officer on deployment in the Balkans, and from Branch members and civilian visitors, a historic criminal investigation of the 1850's and the Policing of West Yorkshire in the 1960's and 70's.
Additionally, our Annual Dinner is held in March every year, and we attend joint events with other RMPA branches, and ex-Service Associations locally and nationwide, send contingents to the Annual Veteran's Day celebrations locally and at Eden Camp Museum at Malton in September and October, and attend the Remembrance Day Parades at Pudsey and in London. |
We welcome new members, from among serving and former RMP officers and NCO's to share their experiences and friendship with us. Former soldiers of REME and ACC attached to the Corps are also welcome as honorary members, as are former members of the RAF Police, Royal Navy Regulating Branch and Royal Marines Police.
Come and join us-we look forward to getting to know you ! |
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Branch Officials
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Derek W. Dyson
MELF and Kenya 1945-1948
"President of RMPA West Yorkshire...- " To his surprise, Hitler and Tojo having been defeated in May and August 1945, Derek was called up for military service in September of that year...".
After initial training with the Green Howards, Derek was accepted into the then CMP, and did his GPD training at Gatton Park Barracks, Surrey, in Squad 39. He was then posted to 201 Pro. Coy. in Cairo, where he was instrumental in forming the 'Bar None' motor cycle club, composed mostly of CMP and Royal Signals personnel. The club performed various events in Cairo, including speedway, trials and hill climbs, and were a valued source of entertainment to the Cairo garrison, including patients from the military hospital. As a resourceful CMP NCO, Derek was able to build his own trials bike, and took it with him when posted to Palestine during the last days of the British Mandate. Unfortunately, Derek was unable to bring the bike home, and we are reliably informed that it now forms the foundations of a motorway in Beersheba! Derek's' last posting was to Kenya, and he was demobbed in 1948. Since demobilisation, Derek has served with 'Z' Reserve in 165 Pro. Coy., Manchester, and the Army Emergency Reserve 1951-56 in 241 and 242 GHQ Pro. Coy, where he attained the rank of MT Sergeant. Since leaving the Army Derek has been involved with the Transport industry, eventually going into business for himself. He is also a life member of the Military Vehicle Preservation Group, and in his time has owned, amongst others, 8 Daimler Dingo scout cars and 21 military motor cycles, three of which he still owns and intends to bequeath to his grandsons..
A widower, Derek has a son and daughter, both of whom take part in Branch activities |
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Eric Boddy
227 Pro.Coy. Cyprus, 1955-1957.
Born in Leeds, Eric was called up in 1957, and after 14 weeks basic military training transferred to RMP, becoming part of 499 Squad at Inkerman Barracks. After training, Eric was posted to 227 Pro. Coy. based in Cyprus. At that time, in an attempt to gain ‘enosis’ (union)
with Greece, the Greek-Cypriot EOKA terrorist movement led by George
Grivas was mounting attacks on British forces. Consequently, Eric was
engaged in operations against EOKA for most of his time in Cyprus as
well as performing security duties in various parts of the island over
the following 18 months.
After
demobilisation, Eric returned to his former trade of lithographic printer
until his retirement in 2001. Eric enjoys hill-walking, crossword puzzles
and art appreciation, and has given over 40 years service to the Scout
movement in various roles in West Leeds, in which he is still serving.
Eric has been married to Molly for 47 years. They have two children
1 son and 1 daughter and four grandchildren. |
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David C. Bentley David has recently been appointed the Branch Vice-Chairman. Born in 1934, David was called up in 1952 originally into the Royal Artillery, then transferred to RMP. After training at Inkerman Barracks, David served with MELF, originally in the Canal Zone but with a short attachment to Cyprus Provost Company.
David assures everybody that it wasn't him who upset Archbishop Makarios and George Grivas!
David and May have one son and two grandchildren, who live in New Zealand |
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Clive Smith BAOR, 1952-1955
Clive was called up in 1952 and did his training at Inkerman Barracks.
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George Prince.
5 Dog Company RMP, Singapore, 1959-1961. George was called up for National Service in 1959, and originally posted to the Royal Signals at Catterick.
However, after two weeks, George was told that he was being transferred to RMP and was sent to Inkerman Barracks, where he met the amazing CSM ‘Freddy’ Fletcher! After passing out of Inkerman, George was sent to the RAVC Dog Training School at Melton Mowbray, and from there to 5 Dog Company, RMP Mowbray Camp, Ulu Pandan, Singapore, followed by a posting ‘up-country’ into Malaya.
After Army service George returned to his trade as an electrician, retiring in 1994. George has been married to Wendy since 1959-indeed he married her before embarking for Singapore. Children 1 son and 1 daughter.
Interests: bowls, 10-pin bowling, and travelling. |
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Publicity Officer / Standard
Bearer / RMP Journal Correspondent. Alan Walsh, LL.B (Hons) MA. LL.M TAVR, 1970-1973.
Standard Bearer, Publicity Officer and RMPA Journal Correspondent. Alan Walsh, LL.B (Hons), MA RMP (TA) 1970-73. Alan served with 1 Port Task Force Provost Company (V) from 1970 to 1973, based at RHQ Chichester, reaching the dizzy height of Lance Corporal. He remembers his time in the RMP with affection, including learning some descriptive Hibernian sayings from the then PSI, S/Sgt. Eddie Ferguson, and a proposal for a unique use for the Staff's pace stick when making a faux pas marching on the square at Chichester! Alan served with the City of Bradford Police from 1970-until its amalgamation into the West Yorkshire Police in 1974. To his regret, this signalled the end of his TA engagement, as West Yorkshire made it known that they were not willing to allow military leave for TA purposes. Alan gained the rank of Sergeant in the West Yorkshire Force, and passed the examinations for inspector. He gained an Honours degree in Law in 1989 and an MA in Criminology in 2000. In September 2003 Alan gained a Master of Law degree. Alan is married to Frances. They have no children. |
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Vacant
Due to ill-health, Len Hey has retired as Welfare Officer, and Derek
Dyson has now assumed this role in addition to his Presidential duties. |
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Vacant
The Rev Alan Kitchen was our Chaplain from Dec 2000 to Jan 2002. Sadly he died and the position is now vacant. He was a good friend to all in the branch, and will never be forgotten. RIP. |
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| For further information about the Branch please contact us via e-mail at redcapswy@hotmail.com or by phone on 01274-532306 or 0113-2579217 | |
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The RMP Internet Contact Links
| Thanks
to Robert Peedle MBE TD former editor of the Royal Military Police Journal,
acknowledging his permission
in allowing us to reproduce the photographs for display on our site. |
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Many thanks to Awards for Yorkshire and the Humber, for their advice, assistance and guidance. with out which this web site would not have been possible. |
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For many years, Gurkha soldiers have given loyal and dedicated service to the British Crown, and their bravery and sacrifices in time of war are unsurpassed. For these reasons, West Yorkshire Branch of the Royal Military Police Association support the desire of serving and former Gurkha soldiers to be granted residence in Great Britain on completion of their service |
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Grateful thanks to Frances Walsh who donated this
webspace, and to Stephen Kitchen, without whose technical knowledge this website
would not have been possible.
RMPA West Yorkshire Branch Disclaimer
This web site is compiled and maintained by the West Yorkshire RMPA. It does not reflect the policy or views of the Royal Military Police, Adjutant General Corps, or the Ministry of Defence in any way whatsoever.
