25
anniversary
th
RAF Police
Association
1984 - 2009
Page 2
25
2009
Stained Glass window, RAF Halton
30th October 2004
25th Anniversary
Page 3
Preface
25
2009
RAF Police Association
August 1984 – August 2009
The first 25 years….
After several previous attempts to organise an Association for RAF Police
personnel, the Association, as we know it today was formed at RAF Newton on
the 11th August 1984 with an annual membership subscription fee of £5. Any
person who was serving or had served in the RAF Police, Provost Branch,
RAFP Auxiliaries, Kennel-maids & assistants were entitled to join. Every
member would receive free copies of the Provost Parade.
It was decided that a committee comprising a Chairman, Secretary and
Treasurer be elected by the membership to administer the overall running of the
Association and a
President (in post
Provost
Marshal)
would be by invitation.
The Association had a
slight hiccup in 1990,
there was no AGM. The
explanation in the 1991
AGM minutes was ‘Due
to
circumstances
beyond the control of
the Association’. Unknown to the membership there wasn’t a Secretary and
there had been problems keeping everything running smoothly. Fortunately Sgt.
Len Hillman, an instructor at the School, who was not a member of the
Association, helped maintain things on tickover until David Brookman took on
the Secretary’s mantle. At the 1994 AGM a new improved Constitution was
adopted and a Vice Chair created with four Trustees voted in. Shortly after this
AGM the NW Branch was founded by Alan Rusling.
Up until 1995 there had been minimum activity with only two events per annum,
the evening prior to the AGM at the Police School and one held at the Victory
Services Club. Distance and age were limiting factors and kept numbers to a
minimum. A proposal to actively pursue additional membership and to create
regional branches were carried and over the next 12 months and membership
25th Anniversary
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25
2009
was greatly increased. Over the next three years seven regional branches, East
Midlands, West Midlands, Hants & Dorset, North West England, South Wales,
East Anglia and Essex & Suffolk were formed with arrangements well underway
to form a Scotland & Northern Ireland branch.
In 2002 trials were authorised to wear ‘white berets’ and they made an
appearance on Remembrance Day Parade, in Edinburgh, spotted on Sky News,
the legend was born.
At the 2003 AGM a new Association badge and Standard were authorised. As
the year came to a close, membership was healthy and the number of Branches
had grown to 15. In 2004 the Association Standard was dedicated at a short
service held at St.George’s Church, RAF Halton.
On November 13th 2004 the Association Standard was paraded at the Albert
Hall during the RBL Festival of Remembrance and the following day the ‘white
berets’ joined in the ‘march past’ at the Cenotaph.
In March 2005, the Scotland & Northern Ireland Branch had their Standard
dedicated in the War Memorial Chapel. On September 24th 2005 a stained
glass window was dedicated in St.George’s Church. The window had been
jointly commissioned by the RAF Police and RAFP Association.
On April 5th 2006 Association members and serving members of the RAF Police
gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas and planted four
thousand snowdrop bulbs. This was in preparation for the siting of a Memorial
Stone. This memorable ceremony was held on Saturday 23red June 2007.
2007 saw H & D and E.M. Branches witnessing the dedications of their
Standards and other dedications followed over the next 18 months. Other
Standards are in the pipeline and eventually it is hoped that all Branches will
have their own Standard.
On Armistice Day, some 3000 people braved terrible inclement weather at the
recently opened NMA Alrewas to pay their respects to the 1,600 personnel killed
in action or died in service since 1945.
In April 2008 another stained glass window, similar in design to the one at RAF
Halton, commissioned by the Provost Marshal, was fitted into the Defence
Police College, Southwick Park shortly before a ceremony to celebrate the 90th
Anniversary of the RAF and RAF Police. This was also a significant date as the
RAFP Museum was officially opened by A.C.M. Sir John Cheshire at it’s new
location in Southwick Park.
25th Anniversary
Honour Board
Page 5
2009
2.
3.
4.
1.
Association
Honorary Presidents
1. Air Commodore A E G Hales
1984 - 1986
2. Air Commodore G E Winch
1986 - 1989
3. Air Commodore A C P Seymour 1989 - 1993
5.
7.
4. Air Commodore J L Uprichard
1993 - 1998
5. Air Commodore R McConnell
1998 - 2000
6. Air Commodore C R Morgan
2000 - 2004
7. Air Commodore P J Drissell
2004 - 2007
8. Air Commodore S Abbott
2007 -
Association Honorary
Vice Presidents
6.
8.
1. Air Commodore H M Shepherd 1984 - 1994
2. Group Captain E J Scaplehorn
2005 - 2006
3. Group Captain G D Horscroft
2006 - 2009
4. Group Captain J Whitmell
2009 -
3.
25
4.
1.
2.
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Page 6
Executive Officers 1984 to 2009
2009
Chairman
Treasurer
Secretary
1984
R. Harding
P.Brough
C.Crossan
1985
R. Harding
P.Brough
C.Crossan
1986
R. Harding
P.Brough
C.Crossan
1987
R.Harding
P.Brough
C.Crossan
1988
R.Harding
P.Brough
B.Dryden
1989
R.Harding
P.Brough
B.Dryden
1990
R.Harding
P.Brough
1991
J.Wood
P.Brough
D Brookman
1992
J.Wood
N.Rusling
D.Boxall
1993
J.Wood
N.Rusling
D.Boxall
1994
l
1995
J.Wood
N.Rusling
D.Boxall
S.Cattell
N.Rusling
D.Boxall
1996
D.Boxall
N.Rusling
C.Bew
1997
S.Cattell
N.Rusling
C.Bew
1998
S.Cattell
N.Rusling
1999
S.Cattell
N.Rusling
2000
S.Cattell
N.Rusling
2001
T.Simpson
N.Gardiner
2002
T.Simpson
N.Gardiner
2003
T.Simpson
B.Whitaker
2004
B.Lamb
B.Whitaker
2005
B.Lamb
B.Whitaker
2006
B.Lamb
B.Whitaker
2007
J.Walton
B.Whitaker
D.Wardell
2008
J.Walton
A.Lake
D.Wardell
2009
B. Flinn
A.Lake
D.Wardell
25
25th Anniversary
D.Wardell
D.Wardell
D.Wardell
D.Wardell
D.Wardell
D.Wardell
D.Wardell
D.Wardell
D.Wardell
Branch Inaugural Start Dates
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2009
No.
Branch Name
Inaugural Meeting
Own Standard
1.
North West Branch
17th August 1994
No
2.
Midlands
November 1995
No
3.
Ess and Suffolk Branch
September 1996
No.
4.
East Midlands Branch
August 1996
Yes
5.
West Anglia Branch
September 1996
No
6.
Western Region Branch
February 1997
No
7.
Hants.Dorset & I.O.W
May 1997
Yes
8.
Mid South Wales Branch
June 1997
now defunct
9.
Scotland & N.I.
11th October 1997
Yes
10.
South West Area Branch
24th March 1999
Yes
11.
Norfolk Branch
25th May 1999
No
12
London Home Counties
7th June 1999
No
14.
Yorkshire South Branch
1st March 2000
No
15.
North Yorkshire Branch
12th December 2000
Yes
16.
North East Branch
4th October
No
17.
South Downs Branch
22nd May 2008
Yes
Record of AGM’s
1984 – 1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
All held at RAF Newton
RAF Finningley
The Grand St.Ledger Hotel, Doncaster
University, Nottingham
Hotel Erlsmere , Westcliffe
Westminster Hotel , Nottingham
East Anglia Hotel, Bournemouth
The Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa
Victoria Hotel, Torquay
Best Western, Ripon
Marriott Hotel,Grantham
Marriott Hotel,Grantham
Erskine Bridge Hotel, Glasgow
Durley Hall Hotel, Bournemouth
Falcon Hotel, Stratford on Avon
Victoria Hotel, Torquay
25th Anniversary
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25
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2009
Pioneers Portrait
Gallery
David Boxall
David Brookman
Alan Rusling
John Wood
Charlie Crossan
Colin Bew
Neil Rusling
Tucker Simpson
Steve Cattell
25th Anniversary
Communications
25
Page 9
2009
Up until 1994, communicating with the membership was by letter or telephone, not
unusual for that period. In 1995 David Boxall produced a 2 page newsletter with a 4
page letter concerning matters from 1994 to early 1996. In September 1996
Newsletter No. 2, entitled The Griff, edited by Steve Lamacraft, was circulated to the
membership. In 1998 editorship changed and Neil Rusling took over the reins, Thro’
2000 the editors chair was vacant until January 2001 when Les Fox assumed the
responsibility. By January 2002 another change had taken place and Mitch O’Neill
became the incumbent editor and is still in position to date. Over the whole period
the ‘Newsletter’ has evolved into a magazine of 24 pages, with colour facilities and
published three times a year. It has a duty to publish all information relevant to the
membership as well as other articles and photographs of interest. As the electronic
age progresses it is now possible for the membership to receive their copies of The
Griff electronically.
As and when the Membership approve, Supplements are produced to celebrate
significant events such as the 90th Anniversary of the RAF Police and the 50th UK
Dog Trials.
These Supplements are meant to provide an overview of the occasion, if more
information is required there are a number of titles available (Author Steve Davies)
directly from Woodfield Publishing Ltd., Babsham Lane, Bognor Regis, West Sussex,
PO21 5EL or Tel.No.01243 821757 that should provide all information you require.
If any member wishes to trace a person or event that happened some time ago,
there is also an archive, researched and initiated by John Curtis and maintained by
him. All archived documents, photographs and memorabilia is available for
members of the RAFPA/RAFP to view on the RAFPA1 web-site. Access is gained
through the webmaster ( see below). A copy of the archive contents may be
requested through John Curtis on [email protected] or on Tel No.01159
612662.
Each member receives a Directory on joining, it was formatted by Colin Bew in 1995,
originally A5 size, then A4 to accommodate increase in membership. In 1997 Neil
Rusling took on the Directory and has continued to edit the publication. He also
introduced an electronic version distributed to approximately 200 members along
with an electronic e-mail directory through a mass mailing program called ‘Vallen’.
Membership cards were introduced in 1992 a red/black /white laminated effort that
was redesigned fairly quickly when the production costs were realised.The web-site
was set up in 1997 initially on Geocities, a free facility, until it was agreed to pay for
the domain www.rafpa.com Nearly 400,000 hits have been registered since its set
up and appears at the top of a Google search for RAF Police/RAFP Association.
There is also a Yahoo Group which allows a method of speedy communication
between members with one simple e mail. The webmaster, the person who initially
set the scheme up and continues to oversee the operation of the site and group is
Steve Cattell.
25th Anniversary
Stained Glass Windows
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2009
On Saturday September 24th 2005 a stained glass window ( see page 2)
was dedicated in St. George’s Church, RAF Halton. The window was jointly
commissioned by the RAF Police and the RAFP Association. The service was led by
AO RAF Police Peter Drissell, the Provost Marshal Gp. Capt. Ted Scapelhorn and
Chairman of the RAFPA Bernard Lamb.
In April 2008 another stained glass window, similar in design to the one at RAF
Halton, commissioned by the Provost Marshal Group. Capt. Gary Horscroft was
fitted into the Defence Police College, Southwick Park shortly before a
ceremony to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the RAF and RAF Police. The
window was commissioned to be transportable so that should the ‘School’ be
re-located, the window could be moved as well. This date was also significant as
the RAF Police Museum was officially opened at Southwick Park on this day, a
parade was led by Brian Flinn, Vice Chairman, RAFPA and the salute was by ACM
Sir John Cheshire who later opened the Museum.
ACM Sir John Cheshire
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Workman installing window
25th Anniversary
RAF Police Memorial
At the Association executive Council Meeting at RAF Henlow in October 2005, a RAF
Police Memorial Project Committee was formed. Along with Chairman John Walton,
were Treasurer Brian Whitaker, expert mason Ray Orgill and Trustee Alan Shaw.
The purpose was to work jointly with the RAF Police Memorial Project Officer, Sqn
Ldr Christa Lawrence, followed by Sqn Ldr Girvan Stewart to establish a permanent
memorial to the RAF Police in the RAF wing of the National Memorial Arboretum
(NMA) at Alrewas, Staffordshire.
After nearly 2 years the project came to fruition on 23 June 2007, when over 600
serving and former RAF Police, wives, children and friends attended the Memorial
Dedication service at the NMA. Part of the project included a 10 years maintenance
contract and left in the Memorial Fund is approximately £15,000.
The Dedication Service is commemorated each year on 23 June and already two
such events have taken place.
In early 2007, Bernard Lamb
and John Curtis led a team of
volunteers from the Midlands
and E. Midlands Branches,
the object being to plant
thousands of snowdrops at
the memorial site. Sqd Ldr.
Girvan Stewart assisted with
the first planting of the first
4000 snowdropsThis event is
also repeated every year in
a joint service with the RMP
Association.
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25th Anniversary
RAF Police Memorial
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25th Anniversary
RAF Police Memorial
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Social
Page 15
Activities
2009
Menin Gate
The Branches tend to organise
gatherings, events and trips for
their own membership, although
on occasion combine with other
Branches to plan something more
adventurous. Over the years,
trips have been made to WW1
battlefield sites, the D-day
Beaches of WW2, the very
emotional ceremony at the Menin
Gate, various operational RAF
Camps including RAF Lyneham,
RAF Brize Norton and RAF
Lakenheath.
The venues are many and varied
and attempt to cover all the various
interests and hobbies of the
membership, their wives, partners
and friends. With the National
AGM, the locations of the Branch
AGM’s, reunions of
various
disciplines and other Associations,
it’s safe to say that the social
calendar of the Association is full,
varied and caters for most tastes.
Jumble sale for Charity
Riverboat Treat!
25th Anniversary
Remembrance Sundays
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2009
November 11th, 1918, WW1 stopped and is known as Armistice Day . At this time
we should stop and remember our fallen comrades who paid the supreme sacrifice
so that we might be free. They must not be forgotten, we must remember
them………..
Nowadays this event is honoured on the Sunday closest to that date. The
Association attend in significant numbers but with the appearance of the ‘white
beret’ and Association Standard, followed quite quickly by several Branch
Standards, emphasis has been concentrated on the London Cenotaph, Edinburgh,
the National Memorial Arboretum and Defence College Southwick Park with their
Branch Standards proudly flying , with‘white berets’ flashing and medals glistening
in full array. However at
many other locations
around the UK members
have
promoted the ideals of the
Association by donning
their ‘white berets’ and
attending services in many
different locations including, Thetford, Kettering,
Bailiff
Bridge
and
Blackpool. The numbers
Flt. Sgt. Bill Veazey offering
last minute advise
might be smaller, but just
as proudly, members pay
homage to their departed
comrades and as far away as
Goulburn,in Australia an
Association member pays
tribute.
The Associations intention is
to parade at the Arboretum
on the 11th November every
year regardless of which day
of the week it falls on.
Jack Batchelor patiently waiting.
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2009
Mel Price paying respects at Bailiff Bridge.
S & NI Branch at Stone of Rembrance.
Alex Oliver Remembrance Sunday,
Goulburn, Australia.
Maurice Haynes at Kettering.
remember
John Paice laying wreath at Southwick.
25th Anniversary
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Wootton Bassett..........
Page 18
Repatriation
2009
Since April 2007 military personnel who have died on operations in Iraq and
Afghanistan are repatriated to RAF Lyneham and then by road to the John Radcliffe
Hospital in Oxford. The cortege always passes through Wootton Bassett, a small
Wiltshire town.
Initially the cortege
Flag draped coffins pass silent watchers
passed
through
almost
unnoticed
except for a small
number of locals who
stood and paid their
respects, but soon the
Royal British Legion
became involved and
has served as the
focal
point
for
the
spontaneous
ceremony that now
takes place on every occasion. Ray Voysey, who sadly died in March this year, was
the first of our members to attend and up to his death he did not miss one except
during a short spell in hospital.
On recent occasions the numbers attending can be counted in thousands and
include both serving and retired members of the armed forces. The assortment of
Standards, berets and hat badges is quite amazing and the off white beret of the
RAF Police Association is always present in the High Street on these occasions. We
have also had the SWAB Standard on parade.
Members of RAFPA pay their respects
Unable to make the journey to Wootten
Bassett every time, several members
gather at the gates of the John Radcliffe
Hospital to pay their respects to the
cortege. Brian Flinn and Tony Lake keep
the Association informed of the dates
and times of the ceremonies at Wootten
Bassett and during the past year many
members have attended travelling from
Scotland, Wales and throughout
England.
25th Anniversary
The Royal
Page 19
Review
2009
On Friday September 5th, 2008, HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex carried out a
Royal Review of the RAF Police at RAF Henlow. The Association did not take part in
the actual Review but were invited guests, with 10 lucky members dining with the
Royal Party in the Officers Mess. There was an opportunity later when several
members discussed the
outline organisation of the
Association, including the
dispersal of the Branches and
the various functions where
the Association Standards
have been paraded.
The last Royal Review of
the RAF Police was at RAF
Debden in 1973. Although the
present Review was smaller
than
35
years
ago,
nevertheless it was another memorable occasion in the history of the RAFP and
RAFP Association.
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HRH Prince Edward meets members of the RAFPA.
25th Anniversary
The Royal
Page 20
Review cont:
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The Griff
Page 22
The RAF Police
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Golden UK Dog Trials
It’s likely that at least 20 percent of the Association is comprised of ex ‘Dog
Handlers’,so this particular event was very popular, so much so that at the 2007
AGM it was agreed that a ‘one
off’ trophy be awarded to the
overall winner of the trials and it
was further agreed that there
should be an annual RAFPA
award
to
promote
the
Association. Presentation of the
award was made by Bev
Stapleton, who earlier that year
had received a posthumous
Bev Stapleton presents the “One off” Golden Trials Trophy
Dickin Medal (Animal VC) from
to Cpl. Helen Strange
the PDSA, at the Imperial War
Museum, for the exploits of his RAF Police Dog Lucky, in Malaya.
The overall winner of the ‘One off, Golden Trials Trophy’ was Cpl. Helen Strange
with AD Harry. A worthy team and a first class display.
At the next UK Dog Trials 2008, the first winner and
recipient of the RAFPA Trophy was Cpl. Ginger with
AD Alfie.
Cpl. Strange puts AD Harry through his paces.
First Winner of RAFPA Trophy
Cpl. Ginger and AD Alfie.
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comfort boxes
Page 21
2009
Since about June 2007, RAFPA members, wives, partners and friends have been
sending ‘Comfort Boxes’ ( usually shoe boxes) to Afghanistan and Iraq. The boxes
contain a variety of goods including, sweets, magazines, toiletries, etc., to help make
life a little easier in those unpleasant, hostile conditions. The boxes are definitely
appreciated as letters from SNCO’s, FS Pat Richardson, FS Stew Coppard FS Phil
Rodd and Sgt. Max Tate have attested to.
Any member who would like more information should contact Chairman Brian Flinn
on tel. 01249 460318 or their Branch Secretary.
Alan King applies the finishing touches.
Jim Gunn and ladies wrapping boxes.
Bernard Lamb and members of the EMB parcel packing.
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2009
25
Air Commodore Steven Abbott, Air Officer RAFP and Group Captain Gary Horscroft Provost Marshal
with members at the Golden Dog Trials.
Executive members take a break from Committee meeting.
25th Anniversary
25thanniversary
So the first 25 years have seen the RAFPA grow in numbers. Minor changes to the
Constitution and rules have helped define and refine the general administration and
membership numbers have met it’s optimistic forcasts. Hopefully we appear set for
the next 25 years. The outgoing Honorary Vice President, Group Captain Gary
Horscroft, has helped, encouraged and motivated the membership and hands over
the reins to the new Honorary Vice President, Group Captain John Whitmell to guide
the RAFPA with a steadying hand into the immediate future.
25th Anniversary