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ROYAL MILITARY POLICE
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NEWSLETTER #89 NOVEMBER 2014
NEW CONTACTS
HAY
24031772 Cpl Ronald Hay, Squad, Squad 70. Ron served from 1965 until 1971 with 12 Inf Bde Pro
Unit and 19 Bde Pro Unit seeing duties in Malaya, Singapore and Northern Ireland.
LAWSON
22469722 LCpl Norman Lawson, Squad 221. Norman completed National Service between March
1951 and March 1953. During that time he served in 2 Inf Div Pro Coy at Dusseldorf and Hilden. He
later went on to serve in the civilian police and retired in the rank of D Supt. He would love to hear
from anyone who remembers him from 2 Div.
LEWIS-WALKER
22499520 Sgt John Lewis-Walker, Squad 250. John first went into the Royal Artillery in June 1951 but
three months later transferred to the RMP and got his knees brown with 512 SMPS, Fayid, Egypt. In
1952 he attended SIB Course No.96 and went on to serve with 2 Sec SIB Fayid and then with SIB
Southern Command, Salisbury until his discharge in 1956.
YOUR CORRESPONDENCE
I received the following message from Hughie Grant ‘Hi Bob still producing some very good reading
and memories. We are leaving Turkey (it isn’t what it was like a couple of years ago and İ don't think it
is going to get better!!) and moving to Stourbridge at the end of March '15. İ keep reading all your
new members CVs and postings, you never got mine - so a little self indulgence and İ am sending you
mine :- Joined 1965 RMPTC Sqds 75/76 24046214 (LCpl) 200 Singapore, 3 Div Tidworth (LCpl/Cpl)
Dets Cyprus and 173 NI, 16 Para Pro Aldershot and NI tour, 173/177 Pro NI, 16 AYT Northampton
(Cpl/Sgt), 113 Pro Bielefeld, 177 Pro NI, RMPTC CP Wing Longmoor (SSgt/WO2) Dets 14 Int and
FandCO, 101 Pro Dusseldorf, 174 Pro Tidworth (WO1) and Det FCO. All the best. There is a
monsoon type rain here at present’. Ed: Another pint
won as I did publish his ‘CV’ in Newsletter #71. See
you next year Hughie for that pint! Meet me in
Portsmouth at the RMPA Reunion in May.
A ‘Billy No Mates’, right, was found on the Internet by
one of my readers. Looks like one of the ‘Heavies’
from 175 Pro Coy RMP. Can anyone identify him?
Trying to find just
the correct sized
photo
or
small
article to fit into a
corner
normally
causes a problem,
but on this occasion
former LCpl Cedric
Heys provided the
solution.
It is a
photograph of him
being inspected by
the Provost Marshal
at
Fontainbleau,
France in 1961.
SPONSORED ZIP WIRE FLIGHT
By In Pensioner Michael Allen
In August 2014 I was on holiday in North Wales. I made a visit to the Slate Quarry at Blaenau
Ffestiniog where I saw a Zip Wire attraction. It ran from the top of the quarry in three stages and
participants sit in a cradle and ride down. I thought I would try it and queued to buy a ride.
Unfortunately all flights for that day were booked. Whilst talking to the young lady taking the bookings
I casually mentioned that it looked a bit tame. The young lady smiled and said “we have another at
Bethesda. Would you like to try that” Of course I will says I.
The Zip Wire at Bethesda is the highest and longest in Europe. It starts at 1500 feet up a mountain
and goes in a straight line across a lake back down to the bottom of a valley. The distance is
approximately one mile and speeds of 100mph are reached. I therefore made a booking for a flight on
the 8th October 2014. I suddenly realised that this would be an opportunity to raise some funds for the
Royal Hospital and decided to obtain sponsorship. With wonderful help and enthusiasm from the
Events Department and my good friend Sarah Ralphs, a Just Giving page was created. With the use
of Social Media – Facebook and Twitter – and of course e-mail, I contacted all my friends worldwide
and my Regimental Association who spread the word amongst the RMPA asking them to sponsor me.
I also put the word out amongst my fellow In Pensioners although many comments were made
regarding my mental stability coupled with
many pledges of support.
Arrangements were made with a photographer
friend of mine, Victor Ho, and he agreed to
accompany me and photograph and film the
whole event. He even obtained a Garmin
helmet camera for me to wear so the whole trip
could be recorded. The Events Department
contacted our PR Agency and Jo Strange
arranged for various Press and TV coverage.
All was set. Hotels, train times and vehicle
travel all sorted. Nerves were beginning to
show slightly and offers of extra strength
underwear were starting to seem like a good
idea. All in place – nothing could go wrong except I fall off half way down. One In Pensioner had
already offered 50p for me to fall off.
Monday evening, 6th October, a message was received from Zip World stating that due to extreme
weather conditions being forecast my flight was cancelled. Frantic phone calls and e- mails flew and I
was offered a flight the next day at either 1000 or 1430 hours. Could I make it with everyone else? Of
course I could, come hell or high winds. I was determined to do this. Couple of small details to
overcome. I was near Bristol and my friend Victor was in London. He left London at 0500 hours on the
Tuesday morning and we picked him up from Bristol Parkway at 0715 hours. We then headed for
North Wales.
Weather conditions were appalling until we reached Betswy Coed when the sun came out. We were
thinking that this was going to be a wasted journey but we made it with about an hour to spare. The
staff at Zip World were charming. Only one or two local papers had managed to be there but BBC
Wales and ITV were unable to change dates. The time came. I was taken off and weighed and kitted
up in red jump suit, safety harness and helmet. Cameras were attached and the photo shoot started.
Normally groups of 16 travel up the mountain in old 4 ton trucks but I was given VIP treatment and
was taken up by Land Rover together with Sarah who was to photograph the launch. Really she
wanted to push me off the mountain.
On reaching the top I looked down to my destination in the far distance. Wow, whose bright idea was
this I exclaimed? With the expert aid of the staff I was put onto three steps overlooking the quarry in a
press up position. My head and hands on the bottom step and my feet on the top step behind me. My
safety harness was attached to the pulley on the Zip Wire and I hung there, held by two hooks, over
the edge for what seemed an eternity but in fact was 4 minutes whilst the safety checks were carried
out. Not knowing what was going on behind me, I started to ask questions. What’s happening? Is
there a problem? And other such useless phrases. I heard a young lady’s voice say 3-2-1 and I was
off.
At great speed I hurtled head first towards rocks and appeared to just skim over them and suddenly
the ground dropped away and I was hurtling through the air with nothing below me and nothing but a
thin wire holding me. It was terrifying. Suddenly I was over a lake several hundred feet below and all I
could see was a little black dot skimming over the lake. It was my shadow. By this time I had reached
maximum speed of 107mph and was starting to slow down. The Zip Wire flight was over. The most
frightening thing I had ever done in my life but probably the most exhilarating.
I raised the sum of £3315.54 for the Royal Hospital. About half of that came from staff and
Pensioners. I cannot thank you all enough for your generosity and support. Thank you.’
I was delighted to hear that Adrian Wilson who is
a member of the RMPA Depot Branch and also
the President of the RBL Selsey was recently
awarded a medal for his 30 years devoted service
as Poppy Appeal Organiser. It was a bit of a
surprise for him as, in his capacity as President,
had just presented an award to his daughter Tina
for her 25 years as a Poppy Collector. Adrian is
seen with his daughters, Tina on the left and Kim
who received her 25 year award two years ago.
One of my regular contacts from the Malaya Vets
is Gordon Chick who sent the follow message and photographs. ‘As usual your newsletters are
always good reading. Your last letter had an
item from Jack Duncan, which caused me to
get the photo album out. His photo of The
Britannia Club must have been taken from
almost the same spot as mine although I think
there was less traffic in my
day. The photograph of the
swimming pool, is The Nuffield
Pool, at the rear of the club.
The third photograph is one
showing my accommodation
card for our stay in Singapore.
Keep up the good work, as I
know how your great effort put
into
the
newsletters,
is
appreciated by everyone that I
talk to. Wishing you and Joy a Very Happy Christmas.’
I was also pleased to receive a message from Andrea Smith who is at present residing in Cyprus. In
her message she said, ‘David died just 5 years ago, which of course has been devastating. He was
mainly in 200 Provost Company, Singapore in 1975. We had a wonderful time there with the ANZUK
Force. David left in 1976 in order to settle into Civvy Street as we were starting a family. We came to
Cyprus 7 years ago with the prospect of a job which never materialised, but he, with others, became
directors of a security company for the BBC at Zigi. We had a good social life with the RMP here.’
Andrea went on to say that she would like to hear from anyone who remembers her or David and is
thinking of moving to Spain and would like to hear from anyone in Spain who can offer advice. She
concluded by saying, ‘I discovered cruising last March, and went on a Far East cruise from here to
Singapore; I was amazed, and pleased to see that the flat we lived in was still there, although
everything else has changed, and is wonderful.’ Ed: If you would like to contact Andrea then please
do so through me.
The following was sent to me by Tanky Walker in Northern Ireland. ‘Former Auxiliary Territorial
Service (Provost) and Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Sergeant Maud Musselwhite BEM
(Gallantry). Maud Musselwhite BEM who died on 10th June aged 92, has a special place in the
history of policing in Northern Ireland. On 24 May 1957, just over six-months after the outbreak of an
IRA campaign that was to last almost six-years, Sergeant Musselwhite became the first policewoman
in the Province to be decorated for gallantry. However, before joining the Royal Ulster Constabulary,
Maud Musselwhite had served in the ATS (Provost). Volunteering for the ATS in 1940 aged 19, she
served in the Provost Branch in which she attained the rank of Sergeant. The nature of her wartime
military service helped her gravitate towards the police in the post-war years and in January 1948,
she entered the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) Depot at Enniskillen, becoming Policewoman ‘29’.
At a time when promotion was relatively slow in a small force, with an even smaller Women’s Branch,
Maud was promoted to sergeant by the mid-1950s and posted to Victoria police station in
Londonderry. In December 1956, the IRA began a campaign of bombing and shooting – the so-called
Operation Harvest – that was aimed mainly at border areas but also included targets in Londonderry,
then a major naval base. The city’s electricity generating station was also close to the docks and was
a target for the IRA. On the night of 24 May 1957, Sergeant Musselwhite was on plain-clothes duty in
the Queen’s Quay area of Londonderry Port, accompanied by Constable Alex Forsythe. Their task
was to look out for anyone behaving suspiciously in the locality. At about 11.00pm they spotted three
suspicious individuals approaching an electric rectifier. One of them was carrying a parcel. Sergeant
Musselwhite alerted the nearby police headquarters while Forsythe followed the men, two of whom
went behind the rectifier. The officers arrested the terrorists and defused the bomb they had been
carrying. Leaving Constable Forsythe to guard the prisoners, Sergeant Musselwhite searched the
area for any more suspicious individuals. As she re-joined her colleague, there was a ‘terrific
explosion’ and all lights nearby went out. Sergeant Musselwhite continued her search until a patrol car
arrived for the prisoners whose bomb had contained 15lbs of gelignite. Constable Forsythe was
awarded the George Medal and Sergeant Musselwhite the British Empire Medal for gallantry. She
thus became the first policewoman to be decorated for gallantry in Northern Ireland. In fact, she has
the distinction of being the first policewoman in Ireland to be as decorated as the Garda Síochána in
the Republic of Ireland had no female police officers until 1959. At a time when there were no
permanent female staff at the RUC Depot, women sergeants were drafted to Enniskillen whenever a
recruit squad of women was in training. Those who had the benefit of Sergeant Musselwhite’s
instructional skills never forgot their mentor, nor her beautiful singing voice as she entertained her
protégées. Her reputation as an instructor was of the highest as was her willingness to assist and
guide young officers. Maud served in the RUC GC until 1973, giving a quarter century of service to
the force and the Province. Having lived in London for some years, she returned to spend her later
years in Northern Ireland, close to her family and friends. A truly remarkable lady, Maud Musselwhite
was born in Belfast on 16th June 1921, and died on the 10th June 2014. She was buried at
Glendermott Parish Church, Londonderry.
Mike Llewellyn-Jones has been in touch and said, ‘Many thanks for yet another excellent Newsletter
#87 Bob, and thank you for posting those photographs I sent you; I’ve already received a few
comments, not least from Paul Jones, also late of 247 Provost Company. Paul pointed out that the
person standing to my right in the 247 cross country team photograph, who I had thought was ‘Griff’,
was in fact John Helly. The very young looking chap bottom left he believed was Steve Ansell, and
finally, the chap bottom right who I thought was a 2Lt, was in fact 2Lt Paul Morpuss. Paul remembers
2Lt Morpuss as a smashing bloke who he heard had gone to Africa when he left the Army. Intrigued I
did a little research on Paul Morpuss and discovered an article on the Rhodesian Light Infantry
Regimental Association website: http://www.therli.com/C_RollofHonour_Vale_Morpus.asp This is
what it says:
Paul was born in 1952 in Worcester England. He went to Sandhurst in about 1970, served 5 years in
the British Army then joined the Rhodesian Army in 1975 to 1978. Served in 1 Cdo then after being
wounded (February 28th 1976), was transferred CDT in Inkomo Barracks as the training Officer. After
he finished in the Rhodesian Army, Paul worked for several years for an oil company, looking at
potential sites around the world before settling down in Israel and worked on a kibbutz. Here he got
married to a Jewish girl and had one daughter, who is now (2010) doing her national service in the
army there. Paul was killed during his call up in the Israeli Army in 1992.
The full report of the action in which Lt Morpuss was wounded can be found at:
http://www.therli.com/Battle_of_ChibaraHills.asp ‘
The Cyprus Vets have been
out on the town again this
year.
They held their
annual reunion on the 11th
October and from what I can
gather a good time was had
by all. No change there as
they always put on a good
show.
RMPA NEWS
I had a message from former Cpl Brian ‘Taff’ Andrews now residing in Elmshom, which is about 40
kms north of Hamburg. He posed the question as to why there was not a branch of the Association in
Germany. I know there are a number of you living in Germany so how about it, is anyone going to
start the ball rolling?
Jim McIntosh got in touch and said, ‘I had the privilege on
Sunday of marching past the Cenotaph with the RMP
contingent, a truly splendid and memorable experience.
Afterwards I made a nostalgic visit to The Clarence, a pub
on Whitehall which, for many years, was the 'Tac HQ' for
HQ SIB UK, which was located just around the corner in
Great Scotland Yard. Whenever anyone in the Branch
visited HQ from anywhere in the world, they were always
treated
to
a
pint in The Clarence. My visit revived many
memories of many people and the proof is in the
photo!
I am sure that a great number of you were out and
about during Remembrance Sunday and Armistice
Day and I the photograph on the right shows
Trevor Lidster, Slim Redfearn, Bill
Jordan and ‘Dickie’ Bird on parade in
Chichester. Also present on the day
were Reg Cartwright and John
Simmnet.
SICK PARADE
Tom Lamont would like to pass on this message, ‘John O'Donnell only met my wife fleetingly in 1965
In Minden and I cannot think of any other occasion other than that, despite that when he found out
about Beth's illnesses he was so supportive with continuous messages of prayer and thoughts for
Beth, which I have to say was overwhelming and he continued on a daily basis to help us get through
a very traumatic period with e mails full of humour which made us laugh on a daily basis. Now he and
his family need our support to help them through this period and I for one will pray for him on a daily
basis, the Man just for me epitomised out Corps Motto. Get well soon O'D.’ Ed: If you have a
message for John please pass through me.
CAN YOU HELP
Dan Cowley wants to test your minds. ‘In the early 1980's I was within a unit’s clothing store as
a NCO IC Store supervisor, within the publications that passed through the clothing part of that store
a No 1 Dress Cap was reputed to be trialled. The intention was to introduce a new 'Green' No. 1
Dress cap one of the Units to trial this cap I remember was a Provost (RMP) Unit with a "Green Cap
but with the customary Red top." This was to include a dark Green Jacket matching the Caps colour,
but that to be trialled by another arm's Unit. Can any person remember the RMP Unit involved and
can any person remember taking part; if so can they please record what they remember of the trial
and its outcome? The trial was not a success and nothing was introduced.’ Ed: I do recall the ‘Green’
uniform being sent out for trial but for the life of me I cannot place the time. I am sure it was better
than the present uniform!
This is a long shot and really concerns anyone who served in Hong Kong or has knowledge of the
former Colony. Stephen Davies works at the University in Hong Kong and sent the following message
about armaments that were unearthed during excavations where the old SIB Offices were situated in
Victoria Barracks. He said, ‘Bob, the four weapons were medium/heavy artillery guns from a 1797
long 32pdr (bored up from a 24) through to an 1885 Mk V 6” breech loader. They were neatly lined
up, as in a gun park, about 1m beneath the road/pavement immediately outside the old GG Block in
Victoria Barracks. I’ve been asked by the present ‘owners’ of the site and buildings (the GG Block
and the old Explosives Magazine) to sort out the history of their buildings and the question of how the
guns got to be where they are. I’ve got some working hypotheses, but as far as the RMP are
concerned, I’m chasing answers to two questions.
The minor question is about the GG Block. Here in HK there is some doubt as to whether it was built
immediately pre-war or just post-war - the balance of view seems to favour the late 1940s. By the
1950s/60s and, I believe, through until Victoria Barracks was decommissioned in 1979, the Block was
used as the HK offices of the RMP’s Special Investigation Branch. So what I’m chasing is any
possible memory of the block and its history amongst the RMP personnel who worked there.
A much longer shot is the second question, which has to do with the guns. Given that we’re talking of
a total of some ten tonnes of metal, getting them to where they were found must have been a
dockyard job. So again, I’m wondering if there was any sort of scuttlebutt about pre-GG block days
and what that site had been used for. As I say, a really long shot and not likely to get an answer, but
who knows.
No worries if this draws a blank, but it would be great if anyone can come up with any memories of
working in the GG Block since the folk I’m doing this for are interested in as much history of their
buildings as they can muster.’ Stephen can be contacted at the following addresses should you have
any relevant information [email protected] or [email protected]
NOTICES AND INFORMATION
Every month I received returned messages from Inboxes that are full, or as it is displayed ‘over
quota’. It is in your interest that you delete old messages as you are not getting the newsletters.
Bob Leadbetter sent in the following call for former members of 6 Armd Div and 2 Div Pro Coys. ‘In
April 2015 there will a reunion of former members of the 6th Armoured Div Pro Coy and 2 Div Pro Coy
and their wives/partners. This will be held at the Puckrup Hall Hotel Tewkesbury and is organised by
Bob Leadbeater.
If anyone is interested in attending can they please contact Bob at:
[email protected]
Following a conversation with Alec Hayton I asked his son, Bill to
contact me regarding a book which he has written and which may
be of interest to some readers. Bill said that his book, ‘Is an ‘all
you need to know’ explanation of the disputes in the South China
Sea which now involve China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia,
Brunei, Indonesia and - increasingly - the United States. The
Economist called it ‘a splendid book’ in a review in September. It
looks at the past, present and future of the South China Sea with
stories about the archaeologists, sailors, soldiers, oil tycoons,
diplomats and fishermen who have discovered, sailed and fought
over it. Anyone who served in Hong Kong, Borneo, Brunei,
Singapore or even elsewhere might find it a good read.’
The Economist’s review is here:
http://www.economist.com/news/books-and-arts/21616880-newbook-dips-toxic-waters-around-asia-waves-trouble
The staffing situation at RHQ has not improved and during this time of austerity and cut backs there is
little hope of any immediate changes to staffing levels. In view of this please ensure that any
telephone calls or e-mails are directed to the correct person as shown below.
Regimental matters only to the Regt Sec 02392284206 [email protected]
General enquiries to Shereen* 02392284564 [email protected]
All RMPA matters initially to either Col John Baber [email protected] or to me as Vice
Chairman (you all know where I am). Joy, the Hon Sec does not as yet have an e-mail
address at RHQ, this is work in progress.
Requests for historical information or searches for ancestors etc are to be directed to the
museum staff, Richard Callaghan or Matt Wood at [email protected] or on
02392284372
That leaves the shop, where Pauline will deal with your requests between 1000 and 1600 hrs
Mon to Fri. Pauline can be contacted at [email protected] or on 02392284651.
Two other appointments which need mentioning are Allan Barley the NEC at
[email protected] and the Editor of the Corps Journal, Lt Col (Rtd) S
McLean at [email protected]
Of course you can keep up to date by going to www.rhqrmp.org
*Please note that Shereen is available only on Tues to Thurs.
Please try and help the staff at RHQ who are under pressure. So, if you really want to upset the Regt
Sec ring him at 0830 hrs on a Monday morning and ask him if he has any size 67/8 berets in the
shop!
DEATHS
WELSH
Former 25225662 Cpl Brian Hugh Samuel Welsh died just short of his 27th Birthday after a brief
illness. Brian served with RMP from January 2007 until his discharge whilst serving in Lisburn, in
2013. He then worked in the Security Industry and at the time of his premature death he was the
Operations Manager for a Security Company based in County Antrim. His coffin was preceded from
his house by the Standard and members of Northern Ireland Branch RMPA and a piper, before his
interment at Carnmoney Cemetery, Belfast.
PELHAM
Former 25063899 LCpl Andrew Pelham died on the 6 th October 2014. Andrew enlisted in 1996 and
passed-out with Squad 9703 before serving for a short, but intense time with RMP. His last posting
was with 156 Pro Coy RMP before leaving the Army in 2001 in order to join the Metropolitan Police
where he saw service at Forest Gate in the London Borough of Newham.
WEST
Former 22360529 SSgt Brian West passed away at St.
Helena’s Hospice, Colchester, Essex, on the 17th July 2014.
Brian completed his Colour Service RMP in 1980, after 22
years.
His funeral was held at St Theresa's Church,
Colchester and burial at Colchester Cemetery. A Guard of
Honour was formed by members of the Colchester and East
Anglia Branch RMPA and two members of 156 Pro Coy RMP,
Brian’s last Unit, together with other former-comrades. He will
be hugely missed by his wife Theresa and his daughter
Francis (a retired Lt Col RMP), his son Richard and all his
many friends.
FLETCHER
5391522 LCpl Joseph Fletcher passed away on Monday the 10th November 2014. He was born on
the 27th April 1922 in Whitehaven and in 1941 enlisted into the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry and
later transferred to The Durham Light Infantry; he also spent a few months with The Gordon
Highlanders before transferring to CMP in 1945. It is believed that Joe completed his CMP training in
Bournemouth. Whilst serving with the DLI Joe was part of the “Second Wave” to go ashore on the
beaches of France on D Day, he fought on with his regiment through France and Germany, he had
also seen service in North Africa and Italy as part of the “Desert Rats” (7 Armd Bde). After his demob
in 1946 Joe became a Carpenter and stayed with the profession until his retirement. Joe married
and had one son, who also married and had a son. Joe’s wife passed away some years ago and Joe
lived alone in Coventry, he joined The Coventry and Warwickshire on its formation, some 10 years
ago, and has been an active member attending both functions and meetings on a regular basis.
Recently Joe’s healthy started to deteriorate and he was unable to attend meetings, though members
of the branch did keep in touch and some even visited Joe both at home and at times in hospital.
MAIN
24585364 Cpl Kevin Main passed away on the 7th November 2014. Kevin enlisted in 1981 and
served for thirteen years seeing service in Northern Ireland, Germany, Gibraltar and Iraq.
CHAPMAN
19040851 WO2 Roy Chapman RMP passed away on Wednesday the 19th November 2014 at the
Salisbury District Hospital. Roy joined the military on the 24th February 1947 in Maidstone and
enlisted into the General Service Corps and later that year the RAC. In 1948, he joined the Royal
Military Police serving in Germany, Tripoli, Malaya, Hong Kong and across the U.K. He was awarded
the GSM62 with Clasp Malay Peninsula. Roy was discharged from service on the 2 nd March 1969
after completing 22 years and 7 days of service.
The funeral service for Roy will be held at Salisbury Crematorium on the 2nd December at 1130 hrs.
It would be very much appreciated by family and friends if anyone would be willing to wish farewell
and stand easy to a mischievous, but well respected veteran.
-ooOooThe following words were spoken by the Rev Peter Newsom during the service at the Garden of
Remembrance, Westminster Abbey.
Buried in the Great Abbey behind me is a Saint, 18 or so monarchs and various consorts, admirals
and generals and poets and actors, politicians and nobles, musicians and clergy. Today is not their
day. Today we remember other dead, buried far from here. We remember not so much the glorious
dead as the ordinary dead, the people like us; born in another time we might have been among them.
And we remember, too, the victims of more recent conflicts, the colleagues and the loved ones of
people standing here today.
I’m going to take you back almost 100 years into the world of one of those ordinary dead, a man who
was taken from a quiet, peaceful and predictable world to a place of deep horror, and there he and
millions like him tried to cling on to some vestige of humanity. A priest used to preaching the Gospel
of peace he suddenly found himself surrounded by dying men, and dying boys.
-ooOooThe following is a short verse which I noticed in a 1954 Corps Journal and it is entitled “Reflection”
Though the war went on in jungles, amid rocks and desert sands,
You could always find a “Redcap” waiting there to lend a hand,
In the deepest, densest jungles, on the beach of alien shores,
We may each of us remember, fallen comrades of the Corps,
Now, as we’re gathered here together and the sad, sad bugle calls,
Once again we’re reunited. As the mourning silence falls.
Compiled by Bob Eggelton.
02392693437
07913997233
[email protected]
Skype: pompeybob65