City of London Police Pensioners - Spring 2015

SPRING 2015 www.citypensioners.co.uk

THE

Image courtesy of James Barker at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Welcome Chairman’s message

2 2-3

In Memoriam

4

Keith Thomasson

5

Owen Kelly QPM

6

Victor Wright

7

Alan Francis OBE

8-9

Moorgate Tube Disaster

9-10

Goodbye Mister Chips

11

Captain Cook

12-13

The Detective’s Diary

14

Harry Rafferty

15-16

Phil Young

17

Allan Kemp

18

God and Science

19-20

City Slickers Part 4

21

Pension Matters

22-23

Going for Gold

24

Help!

25

Ron Bowler

26-27

Bill Watson

28

The Senior Brigade

29-32

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Welcome to the 2015 Spring Newsletter. As we head towards brighter and sunnier days sad news of friends and former colleagues passing is still a regular event. As we get older, we of course seem to know more and more of the names of those who pass away (many far too young), but maybe strive a bit harder to picture or recall much more about them. Details are published in the ‘In Memoriam’ section but there is not always much detail of our former colleagues’ lives and service that is available to help remember them. Please see details of Alan MacLennan’s ‘Help Wanted’ on page 25 and if you think this is a good idea, contact him. You will see that in this issue we have printed some memories of those who have recently passed away and I think it helps to remember those officers as real people and characters rather than just a name and number.

Once again I would like to thank all those who have contributed to this newsletter. Please keep sending photos and stories to me. It helps to keep the newsletter going.

Take care and best wishes to all.

Chris Pearson (Guest Editor)

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE It is always a good feeling to get the dark and dismal days of January and February behind us and the thoughts of spring and summer ahead certainly lift my spirits. March is also the time of the annual general meeting for our Pensioners Association and the City Branch of the National Association of Retired Police Officers which was held at Wood Street on 12 th March. My thanks go to the Commissioner for allowing us to hold the meeting on police premises once again. One thing that I have learnt since being Chairman is that not all pensioner associations have such a good and strong relationship with their police force as we do.

I would like to thank all those that attended the AGM. I appreciate that for some getting to the City is not always that easy but I hope that those who got there thought it worthwhile and enjoyed meeting up with friends and colleagues. One of the concerning things for me that came out of the AGM is the fact that we have not had any new members over the last year. Obviously, this isn’t because of a lack of retirees but probably due to a lack of knowledge about the association. It may even be that some believe they automatically become members by receiving a pension. So my plea is that if you know of someone who has recently retired, please do try and encourage them to become members of both the City Police Pensioners Association and of NARPO. There are many benefits to being a member and if nothing else you will discover that the travel insurance offered through NARPO is beyond compare, as Old Father Time relentlessly marches on for all of us.

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Having tried to use the financial benefits to encourage our former colleagues to join the associations, there is a more important reason for joining and that is for the fellowship that being a member can offer. I believe it to be very true that you never really leave the police. We may no longer receive a salary but policing will always remain part of us. As the events of the Hillsborough Inquest have shown, our actions whilst serving can affect us and others for many years to come and this is not easily understood by those who have not been part of it. Hopefully few of us will find ourselves in a similar situation to David Duckenfield but having the opportunity to discuss and reminisce about less dramatic events in our own careers does have its benefits.

In recent years there have been efforts made to make the AGM as much a social occasion as anything else. Changes at Wood Street and the demise of the Federation bar has encouraged us to look for a different, more sociable, venue for next year. We will also try to ensure that the date is more widely advertised than it appeared to be this year. So watch this space for the announcement of date and venue around this time next year.

Finally, my thanks to Phil Gilbert, Ron Friend and the other members of the Committee for their continuing support over the last year; to Chris Thornborrow for volunteering to join the Committee at the last AGM and to Chris Pearson for his excellent editorship of the Newsletter and for keeping us all so well informed through his regular messages.

With all best wishes Alex Robertson Chairman NARPO (City Branch) and City of London Police Pensioners’ Association.

Who owes you a beer?

November 2014 lottery winners. £1000 ticket number 1944 - PC Andy Payne £300 ticket number 4345 - PC Kev Carter £200 ticket number 2343 - Tom Pittaway £100 ticket number 1287 - PC Dave Clark £100 ticket number 880 - PS Abdul Salik

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In Memoriam Colleagues who have passed away since the last newsletter.

Ex PC 165E

John Carrington

19th November 2014

John joined the force in 1962 and spent most of his service as a traffic officer. John was 73 years old and leaves his wife, Alice.

Ex PS 71

Joseph Allen

9th January

2015

Joe served at both Snow Hill and Bishopsgate police stations, his number was B220 as a constable at Snow Hill, and C71 as a sergeant at Bishopsgate.

Ex DS

Bill Watson

29th January 2015

Marg Cooper

3rd February 2015

See ‘Memories of Bill’ page 28

Marg was the wife of ex PC ‘Trog’ Cooper.

Ex PS

Keith Thomasson

13th February 2015

Alan Kemp

1st March 2015

See ‘Memories’ page 5

Ex PC 407E See Eulogy on page 18

Page 5

Ex Insp

Harry (Chips) Rafferty

16th March 2015

See ‘Memories of Harry’ page 11 and ‘Obituary’ page 15

Kathy Pepperell

5th March 2015

Kathy was the wife of ex DC Dave Pepperell.

Ex DI

Ron Bowler

10th March 2015

See obituary on page 26

R.I.P.

Memories of ex Police Sergeant Keith Thomasson

George My condolences to Keith's family. We served together as Sgts at Cloak Lane and often travelled up together from Eltham. Keith had a marvellous sense of humour deliberately hidden behind a deadpan expression and pulled off some fantastic practical jokes on unsuspecting colleagues. He was an excellent sergeant (could easily have progressed further if he had wanted to) much respected. He was also a very keen long distance walker.

Tim Sorry to hear about this. Keith looked after me in my probation and was probably the best Sgt I had.

Another of the City Police gentlemen.

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Abuse of process?

Many years ago I was the officer in a case at Inner London Sessions (tells you how old this is) when a mate of the accused was called as a witness for the defence. He was a typical yob of the period and swaggered into the court room with a defiant facial expression, hands deep in his trouser pockets and very overtly chewing gum.

He stepped up into the witness box, still hands in pockets and chewing away. Over his spectacles the judge studied him for a moment then said: "Would you kindly stop masticating?".

At this the yob said: "Sorry!" and hurriedly withdrew his hands from his pockets...... but went on chewing.

Owen Kelly Q.P.M.

Many thanks to former City, Met and Grenadier Guardsman, Chris (Donny Osmund) Sharpe for sending in the (above and left) advertisements from the 1955-56 ‘Household Brigade Magazine’

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City Donation The late Victor James Wright (ex PS 100E), who passed away last September, very kindly donated a legacy of £1,000 to the City of London Police Pensioners' Association.

Victor Wright was the model for the silver police statue that is presented to officers who retire after completing 30 years police service. He joined the force on the 23rd November 1953. At the time he was the minimum height and weight to join the City and he remembered that everyone seemed to tower above him. When he was detailed for cycle patrol he had to lower the saddle so that he could reach the pedals, because of this he always carried a spanner with him when on duty. Before joining the force, Victor spent two years National Service in the Royal Navy starting as an Ordinary Seaman, and ending up as a sub lieutenant.

Victor served for fifteen years at ‘C’ Division and on promotion to Sergeant, was transferred to the Registry at Headquarters, 26 Old Jewry; to replace the retiring sergeant. He retired 23 rd November 1983.

Below, is a personal memory of Victor’s service in the City, that he emailed to me last year.

Memories – Victor Wright One very hot summer – (I think I had just completed my probationary two years). I mustered for duty at 10:45pm and was detailed to patrol the north Bascule Arch and approach of Tower Bridge, taken as usual together with the officer detailed for the Southside by van. It was extremely warm but there was a slight breeze to be found when standing on the northern bascule. The water level of the Thames was very high and there were many tugs, barges and smaller steam vessels passing under the bridge in both directions, I found it quite interesting to see how they navigated, there being so much movement on the river.

Usually at about 1am the duty patrolling inspector and/or sergeant drove to the bridge to see if all was well and the driver gave us the tip by dipping his lights on approach. This morning, however, they had walked up. I went up to meet them, saluted and reported “Northside all correct sir." The Inspector then said, “Who are you?" I replied PC481C sir." He then asked for my name, I give my full name, he then enquired as to what police force was I attached, how long I had been in the police, how long was I staying on the bridge and where was I going at the end of my tour. I explained I had been in the force two years and would be relieved of my post at 2am and together with the officer on the Southside would be taken back to the station for a break. By this time I was beginning to sweat. He then asked if I meant, Liverpool Street Railway Station and to whom would I report. I replied it would Bishopsgate Police Station. He responded, “Well in that case when you return to Bishopsgate you must report to the front office.”

At 2am the van collected us and I duly reported myself to the station officer who immediately started to question me again. After about ten minutes he gave me instructions to go to the washroom and look in the mirror before going to the canteen or mess room. I obeyed and upon looking in the mirror I saw a perfectly black face and ears reflected, only my eyes and teeth were white. I had been blackened by the smoke issuing from the funnels of the many vessels passing under the bridge – much to everyone’s amusement.

I look back rather proud to have served in the City of London Police and reflect on the comradeship and friendship I experienced during my service.

Victor Wright - City of London Police 1953 to 1983

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Reminiscing

by Alan Francis O.B.E. Until it was accidentally recycled last Christmas I had at home an original 3 rd September, 1939, edition of The Times ‘The day war broke out’. It pictured two City of London Policemen on traffic duty at Ludgate Circus, one sitting-in and operating the old traffic-light control box, the other on foot and both wearing steel helmets. I’ve just checked on The Times website and there are no copies left. To buy the Pictorial (now The Mirror) of the same date would cost £54. I regret the recycling...I shouldn’t have left it out!

In the six years of WW2 the City of London, need I say, was to be very severely damaged. The first bomb to fall in the UK was in the Autumn of 1939 in the Shetland Islands and the last to fall, a V2 Rocket, killed a lady in Orpington in March 1945. She has a military headstone. In Westminster Abbey the Roll of Honour records 60,000 civilian deaths, of which over 19,000 were in London.

In 1945 I recall coming out of Aldersgate Street station (now Barbican) to be amazed at the extent of the damage, for one could look across continuous sites of dereliction almost to Moorgate. Luckily the Fire Station and Golden Lane Theatre were still standing, for at the latter I was heading to see the City of London Police Concert Party, Sir Hugh Turnbull, Commissioner, in the audience.

Moor Lane Police Station, ‘A’ Division, was no more, having been demolished in an air raid, just across the road from where the first bomb in London had fallen Bomb damage in Aldersgate Street (Fore Street) in WW2. The ‘Old Moor Laners’ used to meet annually in Wood Street, among them C.H. Rolph (Cecil Hewitt) whom the Hall is now named after.

With WW2 fourteen years over, the new London Wall (‘Route 11’) was opened by the Duchess of Kent in 1959, then Barbican was built (1960s) and with a steady transformation all round, the scars of bomb damage were being eradicated.

I was invited by the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden to the opening of their ‘London Transport in War’ exhibition. (I had helped them with some background stories). About 200 people attended this opening, including the Mayors of Coventry and Dresden and the Ambassador of the German Embassy (who had a very important-sounding name). Boris Johnson spoke. He welcomed the Mayor of Dresden, German representatives and other guests saying that but for the German war contribution we would have had difficulty coping with car-parking in the City! Laughable but true. Boris Johnson could get away with it. Just think of National Car Parks, pre-Barbican, easing the demand for car-spaces. Barbican area was a series of large National Car Parks!

Travelling via the Strand to Fleet Street there used to be no doubt when the boundary had been crossed for clearly visible were City policemen on point duties and patrols, as I recall at: Chancery lane, Fetter Lane, Ludgate Circus (2), Old Bailey/Ludgate Hill, St. Pauls, Godliman Street then round the back to Newgate East and so on to Bank junction.

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These points, now efficiently operated by traffic lights, do not need a break, get a cold or get called away to an incident. This situation, repeated across the City, unfortunately has made the City Police less visible - like the wartime steel helmets. Thankfully wardens and the parking tickets have taken some of the routine strain off the streets to be replaced by other pressures.

Apart from general security, very important, who could have foreseen the additional vast increase in internet and bank fraud - only two generations since expertise to spot lame horses was helpful!

Times have changed.

Just to digress and finish reminiscing, a relation (who was first posted to Bridewell Police Station, Parish of St. Brides) was on duty in uniform ‘holding the line’ in the street Old Bailey during the 1919 trial of suffragettes, when a suffragette stuck her head through his legs from behind to throw him backwards over her head. I’ve missed out on that experience as no doubt have most of the NL readers. He was a heavy fellow.

The ladies got their vote and it could be argued they may have since progressively started to run the show nationally? We’ve had a lady Prime Minister, Speaker of the House of Commons, Director of Public Prosecutions, and two lady Lord Mayors of the City of London.

‘Watch this space’.

The Moorgate Tube Disaster Bob Cotterill has written in to remind everyone that this year was the 40th anniversary of the Moorgate Tube disaster.

It is 40 years ago (28 February 1975) since the Moorgate Tube Disaster. 43 people died and 74 were injured. WPC Margaret Liles from Wood Street was trapped in the wreckage and sustained serious injuries.

I believe that the BBC intend to produce a radio programme about the crash to include members of the emergency services and hospital staff who were engaged at the scene in the rescue. I am sure there are many pensioners who were involved either in the rescue or at the hospitals and mortuaries documenting the dead and injured.

I have attached an article from the CoLP "150 years of Service" brochure produced in 1989 for information.

Regards, Bob

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Memories of ex Inspector Harry ‘Chips’ Rafferty Wayne Chips. Was F Grp Guvnor CP4 1978.One of his pet hates was dirty buses...use to get the group to "Stick on" all the dirty buses. On one occasion when there was a "round up " of all "The Scats" on the ground he wouldn't have them in the nick, took a desk out the front of CP4 and completed the paperwork outside.

Dave Late turn, a 1/2 pint as you did, sometimes more, accidently spilt all over chips, "that will cost you PC xxxxxxx........... one pint of Lager please"

Chris A Chips he was my Sgt. When I first joined lovely bloke and a real character.

Chris B He caught me and another late turn person having a swift half in a downstairs bar in Fleet Street once. He was duty guvnor. Took his hat off and bought us a round. A Lovely man .

Chris C My first ever guvnor on F group 81/82. Took me out one night duty and said there was a pub opposite St. Paul's having regular lock ins that needed sorting. We bowled in, in full uniform and stayed locked in till he got the van to take me, comatose back to the section house .

Debbie He was a lovely guy and nothing fazed him. Took it all in his stride .

Steve Over Christmas one year he got a scat (tramp) out of the cells and brought him up to the bar in CP4. He'd been nicked for Drunk and Incapable too.

N It’s a shame when the good guys go to rest but 'Chips' was more than that. He was what Policing was all about. Knowing when to be firm and when to be compassionate, he could have taught the modern officer a thing or two. Goodbye ‘Mr Chips' I have many fond memories of you during my service.

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65th Birthday Adventure

By Mick Trebilcook Part Three Sunday 5th January 2014 continued…

We returned to our car and thanked our new best friend who had stayed close by the whole time and we drove off to find our B&B. The time now was 11pm and we had only just found the B&B. We just hoped the owner would be waiting up for us. I rang the bell and he opened the front door to give us both a hug and seemed forever shaking my hand. He smelled very much like the camels did and then we realised that he was one of the Three Kings. He showed us to our room which was very nice and with a comfortable bed too. The ‘King’ asked what time we would like breakfast and seemed surprise when we said that ten o’clock would be fine.

Monday 6th January 2014.

A good night’s sleep in a bed that didn’t move in time with the sea as we had on the ferries was very welcome. Breakfast was at a table outside in the courtyard and already in hot sunshine. It was a real feast and we surely wouldn’t need any more food that day. We were joined by a German couple who informed us they were documentary film makers and they were covering the making, ‘Exodus’ which was being filmed on the island and directed by Ridley Scott. We were also told that every camel in the Canaries had been ‘recruited’ to be in the film and Ridley Scott had ‘released’ these five camels so they could take part in the Three Kings ceremony.

We left the Rural B&B to find our ‘villa’ which, we were told, was on the edge of a golf course. There being only one golf course in Fuerteventura it wasn’t too difficult to find as the ‘King’ had told us it was in the middle and on the east side of the island in the area of Caletta de Fuste. Half an hour later we arrived outside our villa. It was on the edge of the golf course and at the rear of the Elba Palace Golf Hotel.

We looked around our new home and unloaded the Jimny before changing into our ‘holiday’ clothes. We received a phone call from our German film maker friends, Max and Verena, who asked where our villa was and also, invited us for dinner at a German restaurant in Moro Jablo.

When we told them where the villa was they were disappointed for us and said that was probably the worse place on the island! We knew nothing of the island and the villa would be used only as a base so it really didn’t matter to us. We intended seeing the whole island as well as some of the other islands of the Canaries. Having sorted ourselves out, we drove the fifty or so miles to Moro Jablo and met up with Max and Verena.

We enjoyed a really good evening with our German hosts and got back to our villa at two in the morning! There is a zero alcohol limit for drivers in Spain and the Canaries as well as a zero tolerance by the Guadia Civil and the Local Police. That was fine for me. I enjoyed the agua con gas! We met up with Max and Verena for the following two nights having delicious food and a lot of fun and each time and creeping into our villa at gone 2am. During the day we were exploring every part of the island and also enjoying the relaxation by either reading, walking or simply people watching whilst enjoying a nice coffee.

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18th January 2014 My 65th Birthday….. I checked my emails and opened up the birthday cards Lynda had packed away for me. A lazy morning and at lunchtime we walked to a restaurant with the eating area overlooking the golden sandy beach at Castillo.

In the warm sunshine I had a very welcome and very nice, ice cold beer. It was a long way to travel for this drink but it was an adventure not to be missed. I was suddenly very pleasantly surprised when Benito, a Canarian police friend and his wife Mercedes walked in to join us in the open air restaurant. Benito and Mercedes had flown in from Gran Canaria where they live and work to be with us on my birthday. Benito was carrying a box that contained a typical Gran Canarian birthday cake complete with one candle. I had first met Benito when he stayed at the section house having been sent to London by his police chief on behalf of the Spanish government. I enjoyed a wonderful birthday meal with my wife, our Gran Canarian police friends and our friends Pam and her husband Jim, a retired Governor of HMP Durham, who, by coincidence were holidaying in Fuerteventura and had been invited to the meal by Lynda.

The Canary Islands truly are beautiful and the longer we were there the more we loved being there. I truly could write so much more of my Birthday Adventure but shall save it for another time. The next ten weeks passed much too quickly. Our trip back to the UK was also part of our adventure and with one particular incident in Seville that is very worthy of another page in the Pensioner’s Newsletter.

If anyone fancies taking on a similar adventure and needs a little assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Best wishes, Mike

Who skimped on your Christmas present?

December 2014 lottery winners.

Special Christmas Draw—Daily winners.

11/12/15 £200 DS Donna Murdoch 12/12/15 £200 DC Dave Strike 15/12/15 £200 DC Mark Yellop 16/12/15 £300 Sylvia Edwards 17/12/15 £300 PC Richie Fullbrook 18/12/15 £300 DC David Bryan 19/12/15 £1000 Sue Straker

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Detective’s Diary The Ex-CID Association kicked off the New Year with a Members Lunch at the Old Doctor Butler’s Head in Masons Avenue. The ground floor bar was pretty full with merry members before all ascended the old wooden stairs to the function room on the top floor – thankfully no oxygen was needed and everyone made it, albeit a bit out of puff! Chairman Dick Keating kept the Lunch in good order and although no dress code was specified, they were a pretty smart lot, always exceptions of course and the more senior retired detectives thought it was a ‘dress down day’ and all they required were slippers to match their outfits, don’t like to mention names but Messrs Friend, Stewart, Hooley and Wade need to do better next time.

Mention must go to Harry Hammet who was (as always) immaculate in a grey pin-striped suit, silk tie and stylish shoes, someone suggested that he might just be on his way to the Old Bailey to give evidence………if he could find his way there! Late afternoon with appetites sated the expedition downstairs was successfully accomplished and everyone journeyed safely home to return another day.

Back in November over 50 members and their families attended the Tower of London for a private tour of the Tower expertly conducted by the Master Raven Keeper, finishing up in the Yeoman Warders Club for Chicken Curry and Banoffee Pie (served separately!)……and a few glasses.

The evening rounded off with the Ceremony of the Keys, with a pitch perfect playing of the Last Post. The members also raised £380 in a raffle for Yeoman Warder Charities.

Some of our senior members are not always able to attend events in London, so the Association decided to organise a Lunch nearer their homes. The first of these was held in February at the George Inn at Trottiscliffe near West Malling where a dozen members sat down with Bill Webster and Les Hollet and enjoyed a really good meal and lots of good stories. We hope to continue with this in future.

The Annual Reunion Lunch is on Monday 26th October 2015. This year the Lunch is being held at the Cutlers' Hall in Warwick Lane. The Lunch at the Drapers' Hall was a great success, but there are so many wonderful Livery Halls in the City and having been at the Drapers' Hall for 2 years we have decided to try them all out!

Jim Jolly

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Obituary Ex Inspector Harry ‘Chips’ Rafferty

Harry was born in Colchester on 20th March 1931 to Olive and Harry Rafferty. Later his parents gave him a brother Michael and a sister Margaret. His father was in the army and so they lived in a number of different places depending on where his father was posted. Harry was very close to his mother during his childhood. As a young man he had played the trombone in a band and he and a couple of his pals borrowed their instruments to play in a group. But they were discovered and promptly chucked out of the Silver band. Harry went to Grammar school at Ossett in Yorkshire and finished his schooling at Chatham House Grammar School at Ramsgate. By this time his family were living in Margate.

On leaving school he worked in Margate police station as a clerk where he worked for a year before signing up for his national service and he joined the RAF. He was stationed at RAF Hucknall and spent his time in the RAF police.

On leaving the RAF he joined the Kent Police force and was based in Chatham. He worked for a time in Chatham before transferring to the City of London police where he worked for the rest of his working life and rose through the ranks to become a Police Inspector, known as a Governor.

During his career as a Police officer he was well respected by his colleagues and he would often say that talking and smiling solved more than aggression.

Harry had a very hands on approach to policing. When he was a clerk PC at Snow Hill he rewrote the junctions which were to be policed as he knew some were a waste of time. Everyone presumed that they were orders from on high and so were accepted and became the rule. On another occasion he created a sit down roster so that the police officers could comfortably write down their notes before going out on patrol. Harry realised it was impossible to write down their notes when standing up. Again this became the norm within the station. He would sometimes keep the police officers in if it was pouring with rain, instead of sending them out on patrol, and he had a little card school going as a result.

He was known as Chips Rafferty both when in the RAF and also in the Police and he got this nickname from the Australian film star of the same name. He was well respected by his peers and retired on 1st September 1985 aged 55.

He met his future wife Barbara at Chatham police station; she was working there in an admin role. They became friends and their friendship blossomed to the extent they were married at Chatham register office on 17th August 1957. Following their marriage they lived in many different flats in Chatham but when he was transferred to the City of London police they lived in a Police house before buying their own home at 16 Reed Avenue in Orpington where they lived for 29 years. In the early days he used to cycle 13 miles into the City and 13 miles back to Orpington until he was promoted to Sergeant and then he could afford the train. They moved to Heron Road in Oakham on 1st June 1994 having fallen in love with the area after visiting it on a number of occasions. And they immediately made friends with all their neighbours.

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Harry was very interested in London buses and trams and he did a lot of research into them as well as photographing them. In his younger days he also made models of buses from scratch out of balsawood. He enjoyed swing music played by the big bands and he loved to watch Laurel and Hardy films and Morecambe and Wise. He had a very dry sense of humour. His grandchildren now love Morecambe and Wise as a result of their Grandfather introducing them to the show. On one particularly memorable occasion Andrew fell off the sofa laughing at one of their routines. They learnt the Wishing Well routine off by heart and could still remember it to this day.

Harry enjoyed his garden he grew flowers and vegetables and particularly enjoyed growing tomatoes. When they lived in Orpington they had a large garden and an allotment. For holidays they loved going to Switzerland; they went twice by car across Europe in a VW beetle. Harry had three VW beetles. They stayed in hotels but didn't do much walking as he'd had quite enough walking at work. He once walked the whole City of London on his own as he was the only senior officer on that evening.

Harry hated hospitals in fact a few years back he quite literally escaped from Leicester General Hospital; he left without his shoes or discharge letter and fled down the fire escape. It was only when Barbara got him home and the hospital phoned to ask if he was with him that she realised that he should still have been in the hospital. He was told in no uncertain terms he was not allowed to discharge himself on his final visit. However Harry was a very good patient, he never complained all the time he was in hospital and the nurses commented on what a very nice man he was.

Harry was very proud of his family, they meant the world to him and he was proud of all their achievements including his daughter-in-law Dawn who he treated like a daughter. Harrys Irish ancestry came out in his attitude to life he would often say “Always put off till tomorrow what you could've done today because there is no rush”.

Harry had a little King Charles Cavalier Spaniel called Freddie and he loved him to bits. Freddie was an outrageous flirt with little girls, he was a charming little dog who had a lot of character.

Harry was really very upset when Freddie died in 2001. Harry’s love for Freddie has been clearly shown by the fact that Freddie’s casket is in the coffin with Harry and he will be cremated with his loving master today.

Harry got on very well with his son Paul, and Barbara said that she was relieved when they finally got a female Cat to redress the balance.

Harry was a loving and devoted husband to Barbara, they were not only soulmates, they were the very best of friends. He was also a loving and devoted father and pappa and I'm sure all here would agree he was a very special man who will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

Harry’s Civil Funeral Service was held at Peterborough Crematorium on March 26 th 2015

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Eulogy Ex PC 164E Allan Kemp

by Chris Wheeler I first met Allan some 45 years ago, I was a young officer stationed at Snow Hill.

Allan and my dad (George) worked together. They were traffic officers and between them had begun the ‘vehicle examination team’, tasked with providing expertise in vehicle and traffic law to the force. John Carrington, Mike Robinson, Roy Davies, Graham Taylor, Terry Williams, Andy Bowyer and I all served under their guidance at different times, and I am sure that there are several others that will remember those days.

Allan had joined the job in 1963, at the completion of his National Service. He had served in the RMP, so joining the job seemed an obvious choice. He was posted to Bishopsgate, where he served with the likes of Brian Platt, Derrick Payne, John Cox and Keith Faulkener. He subsequently moved on attachment to the Garage, which at the time was at the rear of Bishopsgate. He worked his way up through being a motor cyclist to being a 1 st Class Driver, regularly crewing the then famed “Alpha 7”.

It never ceased to amaze that even at those early encounters, Allan ALWAYS looked smart in his uniform, even if he had just appeared from the underside of a mucky tipper lorry! He had a style that was his own, and which he never lost. [He never lost on the toss of a coin either, and that usually meant buying the tea or the coffee, all of the time!]

He had a tremendous eye for detail, whether it was Construction and Use Regulations or rebuilding a gearbox from scratch. On one occasion he actually found a defect on the Commissioner’s own car and ‘reported him for the offence’. He took great delight in being the only officer ever to do so!

He excelled at what he enjoyed, and with his police career he developed a reputation around vehicle law, technical engineering, and accident investigation which was absolutely second to none. He became THE subject matter expert and he thoroughly enjoyed the kudos that this brought.

He had Chief Superintendents asking him for advice, and he would give evidence at court as an ‘expert in his field’. He liked that..

He set his own standards, and he kept to them, and he would not suffer either a lack of effort or of fools. And although benevolent and good natured, (most of the time), you always knew who was the boss in the traffic car!

A former colleague who crewed the traffic car with him for some years, recalls “I worked with Allan in the late 1960’s, I enjoyed his company, his enthusiasm was infectious, and he was a pleasure to work with”

He retired after 30 years’ service and worked briefly for the Corporation Road Safety department before becoming the Head of Enforcement at Camden Council.

Sadly departed, but not forgotten.

Page 19

God and Science.

I became a Christian on April the first 2001(Goes to show that even GOD has got a sense of humour) he made me far from an “April Fool” but filled me full of his Wisdom through the words in the Bible; I have never looked back. Since becoming a Christian is that it’s all that it says on the packet, it is the Way the Truth & the Life and I have freedom as regards my belief in Jesus Christ as my Saviour and my Redeemer. Through Jesus we can communicate we GOD directly through prayer in Jesus’s name . I have also conquered the fear of Death which no longer phases me, every day we are getting closer to meeting our maker as we age on this Earth, death is one of life’s certainties and I know through my faith in GOD and Jesus Christ I will dwell in Heaven and have Eternal Life through Jesus. The wisdom in the Bible is amazing and a great guide to living our lives and benefiting from the Love of GOD demonstrated in his word, the Peace that his word gives to us & and the Joy God has given me and is there for us all. So often people who don’t know or acknowledge the existence of God in their lives try to Intellectualise their way out of believing in God and Jesus Christ.

It is there for all of us, he wants us to be his children. The word “Gospel” in Greek means “Good News” and that good News is for all who have Ears to Hear and Eyes to See. I hope you don’t write me off as a “Religious Nut” I would like to qualify the fact that “ I am NOT Religious” but I am a Christian and there is a big difference. We hold a small church in our house basement with fellowship of other Christians. All I do is try and lead my life and deal with others in a way that Christ when he walked this Earth would have done. I have failed many times to do this but that is because we are flawed as human beings and born to Sin. The big but though is that I try my very best to ask myself in worldly situations with other people, “How would Jesus deal with this or what would he say or do”. Being a Christian is far from a “cop out” so to speak (pun on words, cop out get it?) Jesus is a very hard act to follow but he is worth it.

In the following Article“ HAS SCIENCE DISCOVERED GOD”, very eminent Scientists are beginning to realise, now the Hubble Telescope is finding out more and more by the day about the endless Universe, that there is a “Super Intelligence” out there that created the Universe.

Also the uniqueness of Planet Earth for how it provides an absolutely perfect atmospheric environment for all mankind’s needs and what a fantastic scientific phenomena the creation Planet Earth really is; even Scientifically totally Impossible to be re- created by sheer chance of the so called “Big Bang Theory”.

They failed two years ago to create the “Atoms for Life “in a multi- billion Pound Scientific Project in Switzerland by building and using a massive cyclotron and this failed after many years of building it ; together with many hours of eminent Scientists from all over the world focusing their brain power for many years on this. The conclusion was that they had created a “GOD Particle” , a very Interesting use of the English Language especially by the Scientific Community.

God Bless, Doug Docherty

Has Science Discovered God? Einstein didn’t believe it was possible. Stephen Hawking said it might be the greatest scientific discovery of all time. What discovery has baffled the greatest scientific minds of the past century, and why has it caused them to rethink the origin of our universe? New, more powerful, telescopes have revealed mysteries about our universe that have raised new questions about the origin of life. Has science discovered God?

Page 20

But wait a minute! Hasn’t science proven we don’t need God to explain the universe? Lightning, earthquakes and even babies used to be explained as acts of God. But now we know better.

What is it about this discovery that is so fundamentally different, and why has it stunned the scientific world? This discovery and what molecular biologists have learned about the sophisticated coding within DNA have many scientists now admitting that the universe appears to be part of a grand design. One cosmologist put it this way: “Many scientists, when they admit their views, incline toward the teleological or design argument.”

Surprisingly, many scientists who are talking about God have no religious belief whatsoever.

So, what are these stunning discoveries that have scientists suddenly speaking of God? Three revolutionary discoveries from the fields of astronomy and molecular biology stand out: 1. The universe had a beginning

2. The universe is just right for life 3. DNA coding reveals intelligence The statements leading scientists have made about these discoveries may shock you. Let’s take a look.

1.

The universe had a beginning

Everything from Nothing Science is unable to tell us what or who caused the universe to begin. But some believe it clearly points to a Creator. “British theorist, Edward Milne, wrote a mathematical treatise on relativity which concluded by saying, ‘As to the first cause of the Universe, in the context of expansion, that is left for the reader to insert, but our picture is incomplete without Him.’” [6] Another British scientist, Edmund Whittaker attributed the beginning of our universe to “Divine will constituting Nature from nothingness.” [7] Many scientists were struck by the parallel of a one-time creation event from nothing with the biblical creation account in Genesis 1:1. [8] Prior to this discovery, many scientists regarded the biblical account of creation from nothing as unscientific.

Although he called himself an agnostic, Jastrow was compelled by the evidence to admit, “Now we see how the astronomical evidence leads to a biblical view of the origin of the world.” [9] Another agnostic, George Smoot, the Nobel Prize winning scientist in charge of the COBE experiment, also admits to the parallel. “There is no doubt that a parallel exists between the big bang as an event and the Christian notion of creation from nothing.”[10] Scientists, who used to scoff at the Bible as a book of fairy tales, are now admitting that the biblical concept of creation from nothing has been right all along.

Cosmologists, who specialize in the study of the universe and its origins, soon realized that a chance cosmic explosion could never bring about life any more than a nuclear bomb would— unless it was precisely engineered to do so. And that meant a designer must have planned it.

They began using words like, “Super-intellect,” “Creator,” and even “Supreme Being” to describe this designer.

To be continued

Page 21

CITY SLICKERS Part 4

Part four of Steve Gibbs account of a charity cycle ride from Lands End to John O Groats undertaken by DCI Richard Jack, his brother Bob and with retired Met Officer Gerry Roos as the support driver. They raised several thousand pounds for the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and the CoLP Children’s Charity. They called themselves the ‘City Slickers’.

Day 4 – "You’ll thank me for this route" Monday March 24th We were dropped at the start of the old Seventh Bridge at 8.30am and cycled over it with the new Seventh Bridge over to our right. Entering Wales, we bypassed Chepstow and headed up the very picturesque Wye Valley, past Tintern Abbey. It was a lovely undulating route following the River Wye and looking down on it. We passed through Monmouth and made excellent time reaching Hereford after 39 miles. We were in Shropshire.

There was an endless hill to climb (Hill 21) before hail and sleet blew around us. The latter half of the day to Shrewsbury was flat but windy. We gobbled up the miles following the fast main A49 road and were ahead of schedule by the time we stopped. Rich was very pleased that his cunning route had paid off and shaved off some miles. Steve was eating so much food during the breaks that he was nicknamed ‘Scooby Doo’ with his non stop Scooby Snacks.

Gerry drove us to Newport where we stayed with an old friend and his family who made us feel very welcome and fed us until we were ready to burst. It was nice to have some home comforts.

What you (don’t) need to know: Distance covered: 89 miles Total distance so far: 337 miles Place reached: Shrewsbury.

Cycling time: 7 hrs 50 min Number of hills climbed: 36 Fastest speed: 38. mph Average speed: 11 mph Calories burnt: 6382 Most common moan "Steve - stop eating!"

Weather: Rain, hail, wind Accommodation: Friend Roadkill spotted: Rat, Pheasant, Rook Steve Gibbs

Page 22

Pension matters! from Ned Pullin & Tonky Taylor I'm not too sure if some of you are aware of this as it has only just been brought to my attention by an ex Met friend.

It concerns those who retired between 1998 and Dec 2006 where there is a case going on that a fireman has challenged the Government Actuaries Dept over the calculation of the lump sum payment to officers who retired in this period. Although the case is being bought by a fire officer it affects Police officers too. The issue can be viewed on this website. https://www.pensions-ombudsman.org.uk/…/police-and-firefigh….

The letter printed below was written to a local MP by an Ex Met Insp who sets out his case and calculates that he was underpaid by £30,000 (this was based on his rank and length of service) The minister who is fighting this cause, MP John McDonnell. The Early Day Motion being put forward by him is below http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2014-15/768%e2%80%9d Letter from a retired Met officer.

Read this if you retired between 1998 and December 2006.

I am writing to you to seek your assistance in righting an injustice that has been perpetrated on me and several thousand ex-police officers and firefighters.

First allow me to introduce myself. I am a retired Police Inspector residing at the above address within your constituency. I retired from the Metropolitan Police on 11 September 2005 having completed an unblemished 30 years of pensionable service. Just prior to retirement I relocated to this part of Dorset with my family.

When I retired I chose to commute 25% of my police pension in exchange for a lump sum. This was the maximum permitted by HMRC and was in accordance with the rules of the Police Pension Scheme. The lump sum, or commutation, that I received was a multiple of the annual amount of pension that I surrendered. This was calculated using tables provided by the Government Actuaries Department (GAD).

At that time I had no reason to suppose anything was amiss and trusted that the Home Office (HO) was ensuring that my pension scheme was being properly managed. The calculation of the commutation factors is a complex matter and depends on a number of factors including then current average life expectancy and long term interest rates. It is a statutory obligation that rates are reviewed on a regular basis. In 1998 GAD was entrusted with carrying out this function on behalf of the HO and a review (albeit believed flawed) was carried out then. I now know that following this there was a complete breakdown in this process with no further reviews being undertaken until 2006.

The breakdown or dislocation seems to have occurred as a result of internal government re-organisation whereby, because of new funding arrangements, GAD could only carry out this function in relation to police and firefighters pensions if it was commissioned to so do. The Home Office, as administrators for the Police Pension Scheme, and the DCLG as administrators for the Fire Service Scheme, failed to commission any review of the commutation tables for many years. Evidence has become available that the HO repeatedly ignored advice from GAD that it needed to initiate these reviews.

New tables were in fact not published until 2006. At this time the review was carried out for the principal purpose of equalizing commutation rates for male and female officers. Notwithstanding this the new calculations embraced changes in annuity rates and life expectancies over the period 1998 to 2006. This highlighted the fact that no reviews had taken place in the intervening years. The actual outcome was a very considerable uplift in commutation rates with commutation pay outs increased by 30% or thereabouts. The HO accepted the revisions but then sought to make the new awards effective only from 1 October 2007.

Following the outcome of a judicial review instigated by the Police Federation of England & Wales the Home Office was forced to backdate the award to 1st December 2006 for police officers.

Page 23

This represented the date that the new tables became available to the Home Office. It is important to note that the judicial review did not address the failure by GAD and the Home Office to update the tables between 1998 and 2006 and apply these accordingly. The result was that many thousands of police officers and firefighters who retired during the period 1999 to 2007 were awarded lump sum payments calculated on the outdated tables produced by GAD in 1998.

The precise impact on any individual is dependent on their age, rank, length of service and the exact date of retirement. I believe that the “loss” to me personally was of the order of £30,000. This is the extra amount that I would actually have got had I delayed my retirement by just over a year. This was open to me without restriction as I had not reached the normal police retirement age of 55 years at that time.

I have attached a copy of a response by GAD to a request under the Freedom of Information Act in which it clearly acknowledges the error made in not providing tables for that period. However GAD and the Home Office have used every challenge open to them to avoid the HO obligation to redress this and to act fairly in the interests of all of its pensioners.

The Pensions Ombudsman (PO) has had to fight a number of legal battles on behalf of those individuals (known to be over 1000) who have made formal complaints to that body. GAD has claimed variously that the complaints are out of time, that the PO has no jurisdiction over it and that it cannot be held to account for maladministration as it was not its fault that there was no mechanism in place following the reorganisation.

Fortunately this “I was only obeying orders approach” has been firmly knocked down by all of the Court rulings that the PO has obtained to date. It is crystal clear that the Home Office has deliberately delayed and prevaricated in this matter in the hope that it will go away. This ploy has undoubtedly worked up until now with a number of those disadvantaged having already died without becoming aware of the injustice done to them. At this point in time I am waiting, with my affected colleagues, for the PO to make for its determination in a number of test cases that are before it.

I am unable to lodge an individual complaint as the PO will not accept further complaints unless these are materially different in substance to those already under consideration. It is worth noting that the Fire Brigades Union has taken the lead in pursuing this for its retired members. Unfortunately The Police Federation seems to have taken the view that, as it does not affect serving police officers, it is not of any concern to them.

We have every reason to believe that the PO will make a ruling that is favourable to our case. The latest indication is that this determination will be made within the next few months. This should trigger automatic pay-outs to those affected. However we are concerned that the HO and GAD will continue to attempt to evade the issue by mounting further legal challenges to the PO. I trust that once you have had the opportunity to check that my assertions are grounded in fact you will fully appreciate the injustice involved and the sense of betrayal that we have.

We believe that The Pension Ombudsman has acted correctly and honourably throughout this saga. All that I ask is that you use your offices and influence to ensure that the Home Secretary accepts the Ombudsman’s decision and that the HO is not allowed to prevaricate and delay resolution any further.

Thank you for your attention.

Tonky says I along with others have joined the FB site 'Police and Fire Service fairer Commutation Campaign'. It is a closed site and you have to be accepted to join, it has a lot of info with a FAQ section. I know many are anti FB but this really is a good site which those affected may wish to visit.

Page 24

City Olympians from Dick Pelling I have just turned off the Antiques Road show from “Chepstow.” Two Ladies (the daughters) appeared with the photos of 3 brothers in the City of London Police and Olympic Medals won during the early 1900s. This info was probably not available or perhaps not recorded in the City Police History when JC put together his book “100 Years of Heroes”. I’m sure City records could add to this story.

They were the Humphries brothers serving in the City of London Police together in the 1900s.

The focus was on Fredrick Humphries who was a champion international Wrestler, who then competed in Tug of War with his brothers.

In the 1908 London Olympics they won Gold in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, Silver in the 1920 Olympics and in Antwerp it was Gold again.

Quite a few of the family competed at an international level for a number of years.

The City Humphries

The 1908 Olympics were held in London the purpose-built stadium at The White City, Shepherd's Bush. These were the first Olympics to see the now traditional gold, silver and bronze medal awards.

The Tug of war event saw tug of war teams comprise of 8 pulling members Fredrick Humphries for the first time. As with the USA teams in 1904; 1908 saw the Great Britain teams dominate the proceedings, entering three teams, and winning the gold, silver and bronze medals.

The 1908 Olympic Tug of War Team

The team represented by the Liverpool Police won the bronze medal against Sweden, with the London Police Forces of the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police both getting their teams to the final. The gold medal was won by the Great Britain team represented by the City of London Police, with the Metropolitan Police winning the silver medal for Great Britain.

The City Police jointly with the Metropolitan Police won silver to the Swedish Police team's gold in 1912. In 1920, the City Police again fielded Great Britain's team and were victorious, not losing one single pull during the competition.

As Tug-of-War has not featured as an Olympic event since 1920, the City of London Police remain reigning champions!

Page 25

Help Wanted

By Alan MacLennan

This is about my idea for a commemoration section on the Pensioners’ website where we can all see the Police and/or Armed Forces records of those officers whom we might have served with or at least known of and who have pre-deceased us. I had intended to write of time spent in talking to anyone who would listen and getting them to back this project, plenty said they would but far fewer actually did anything about it.

Eventually I thought I was getting somewhere, Chris Pearson gave me his blessing and said he and James would assist as much as possible. The City Archives were very positive and helpful too much as it happens because they were instrumental in involving Citpol Human Resources Office who perceived an infringement of the Data Protection Act and stopped any research of the Personnel files. So I was going to explain all about this and to that end for the last 4 days I sat at the computer compiling my article - crossing all the T's, dotting all the I’s (it was supposed to be a rush job to make the deadline for the next Newsletter), when all of a sudden I hit some button or other and lost the whole bloody lot. AII that work, nowhere to be found on my computer, it must be hanging around on some icloud or other, so this is necessarily a shortened version.

Did I hear someone say “Oh good job, he does bang on a bit doesn't he"? The purpose is actually twofold, firstly to tell you about my experiences trying to set this up - no time for all that now and secondly to tell you about our new strategy.

Chris and I thought we might ask family members if they were willing to supply us with the service history of their loved ones and use the information they supplied to make up the individual record sheets and thereby start the ball rolling. Once we have a good nucleus we can make representation to HR, hopefully obtain a meeting to demonstrate our well-meaning intentions and also show them the workings and security of the Pensioners’ website, which I believe is one of their main concerns.

We would also like to ask each and every one of you, if you see any merit in this memorial idea, to consider sending us your own details and we can make up a sheet on you. The "deceased" section can be left blank or, as shown in the accompanying sheets, 'In transit lounge" or whatever and believe me, we won't complete them until absolutely necessary.

Remember when we were told that the City of London Police was unique and always at the forefront in innovation? Let's help make it even more unique by being the first British Police force to have a searchable record of all who served in it.

I wish to acknowledge the help and information given by Barbara and family Gallafent, Sheila Wilson, Margaret Horey, Geoff Ashton, Tom Simpson and Bill Lynd - thanks people !!

Alan Mac

Page 26

Obituary Ex Detective Inspector Ron Bowler

Ron was born in Dunfermline, Fife in June 1943 to parents Bill & Doris. The happy family unit was completed 2 years later when his sister Eleanor arrived. Ron & Eleanor and their two families remained very close throughout his life, coming together for lots of special occasions and holidays.

Ron joined the police in Scotland when he left school but, having seen a bit of the world when the family had lived in Singapore, he decided to join the RAF. Posted to Aldergrove in Northern Ireland he met Josie Taggart and they fell in love. He was later posted to Kenya and when he was asked to stay there for 2 years he wrote to Josie asking her to come out to Nairobi and they were then married on 3rd December 1964. Patricia was born in Nairobi hospital in October 1965 and Ron always spoke fondly of their time in Kenya. They returned first to Ireland and then to Dunfermline where they lived with Bill and Doris, later getting their own place. Believing

the streets of London were paved with gold Ron was going to join the Metropolitan police but by chance the City of London police were on a nationwide recruitment campaign and he easily met their selection criteria as he was 6ft 2"! Having been signed up, the family moved down to London and lived in West Norwood where Maureen was born in December 1967. They moved to Houston Road in Forest Hill a few years later where they lived happily for over 30 years. In March 1972 Anne-Marie was born and the family were complete; despite having boy's names picked for each girl Ron lived a great life surrounded by his girls! The years passed happily with lots of wonderful family memories, holidays in Ireland and Scotland and at Pontin's holiday camps!

As a young man Ron was a great sportsman, playing all types of sport and he was particularly good at swimming. He was offered a place as a goalie at Dunfermline Athletic when the late great Jock Stein was manager but he decided against it as footballers didn't earn enough money! As the years passed he spent many happy hours watching sport and going to football matches (following Tottenham in the '80s and '90s) race days, athletics, cricket and Grand Prix.

Ron would often tell you he had been up all night watching sport of some description! He would have been your 'phone a friend' for many subjects but definitely sports questions and he came first in the sports quiz at Pontins on more than one occasion!

Page 27

He loved his job, rising to the rank of Detective Inspector; as with all things in his life Ron gave 110% and he was very well respected. A letter the family received following his death talked of a "first class Detective," he made so many good friends and shared many stories of his time in The City. The City was also where he met his friend "Yorkie" Michael Jacques and they enjoyed a great friendship that lasted for many years.

In 1995 Ron's first grandchild, Kerry-Anne, was born; she was very ill but he hardly left her side, watching over her until she was well enough to come home. Ron worked for a year after Kerry-Anne was born but he had been diagnosed with diabetes and made the decision to retire after 28 years' service. He took on a new role of "super grandad' in 1997 with the arrival of Holly

in March and Ryan in October (finally a boy!). The next few years saw many happy times in Ron & Josie's fun crèche at Houston Road, Grandchildren were guaranteed to have a good time and the sign on the wall said "if I knew Grandchildren were this much fun I would have had them first." 2001 saw the arrival of Darcy, born in June and then Grace joined the family in September 2003.

In 2002 Ron & Josie sold the house at Forest Hill, returning to rebuild Josie's family home in Tyrone but they kept their chalet at Allhallows in Kent so they could travel back and forward, keeping in close contact with the family. Sadly Josie passed away in April 2003 after 38 years of happy marriage. Ron, who loved Ireland, did not want to sell the house so continued to commute between Tattymulmona and Allhallows and all his Grandchildren loved going to the house in Ireland. His grandchildren kept him going, especially with the arrival of Grace in September 2003, they gave him a reason to continue following his loss and he enjoyed life as he watched them grow into lovely young adults.

Ron's love of sport extended to Gaelic football and he followed Josie's team, Tyrone. She had never seen them win an all Ireland final but the year she died Tyrone reached the final. Having made sure Grace had arrived safe and well, Ron travelled to Croke Park with his son-in-law Vince, his brother-in-law Mickey and many of Josie's family. They watched Tyrone beat Armagh

and bring home the Sam Maguire cup. The party lasted a long time in Tyrone, the celebrations went on in every town and village and an emotional Ron, Vince and Mickey took a Tyrone flag from the game and placed it on Josie's grave.

Ron must have lost count of the school runs he did, he was a well known figure in the playground of all his Grandchildren's schools; he also attended many school plays, nativities, choir recitals, ballet shows, dance shows and football matches!

He will leave a very large gap in all our lives and will be sorely missed; rest in peace Ron Bowler, reunited with your lovely Josie xxx

Page 28

Memories of Bill.

EX Detective Sergeant Bill Watson Mark Bill, a vanished breed of Old Style Detective, there was a good story about him on the train home after a few.

Tom

Every train ride of Bill's was an adventure.

Chris I remember the late Barry Holmes telling me the story of when he and Bill called round someone's house on an investigation and the woman at the door told them to 'F‌ off'' Did they really think that she was stupid enough to believe that Watson and Holmes had been sent to Investigate!

Roger With a completely straight, if not funereal face, Bill once walked the entire length of Fleet Street at noon...with a very loud laughing bag beneath his helmet .

Andy Like so many, had many good times and memories of Bill. Condolences to his family .

N This is very sad news indeed, I have many fond memories of Bill and most of the stories cannot be repeated as they would make your hair curl - especially when he was with us on the Surveillance team. RIP my friend and my condolences to all his family.

Page 29

‘ T H E S E N I O R B R I GA D E ’

80 or over on 31st October 2014

Age

Pensioned

Rank

Philip

Coppack

93

30/05/78

Det Chief Supt

George

Fell

91

04/10/82

PC 172B

Cyril

Breeze

90

17/09/79

PC 658D

Stanley

Geale

90

01/07/77

Insp

Kenneth

Short

90

10/05/76

Ch/Supt

John

Aitken

89

23/12/76

PC 274B

Ernest

Jordan

89

03/09/79

PC 678D

Marcus

Kirkwood

88

21/11/84

Det Ch/Supt

John

Leppard

88

01/11/82

Det Ch/Insp

Donald

Bull

87

01/03/78

Insp

Gordon

Muffett

87

13/06/83

PS 104C

John

Thacker

87

04/07/77

PC 477B

Charles

Torrance

87

06/02/78

PC 606D

Gerald

Wallace

87

06/02/87

Det Insp

Leslie

Hollett

87

03/09/79

DC 458E

William

Webster

87

21/02/77

DS 912E

Ronald

Enston

87

17/08/83

DS 921E

Ronald

Scriven

86

05/11/73

PS 78E

David

Pronger

86

05/09/83

PC 644E

Ernest

Jones

86

01/03/78

PS 108E

Donald

Smith

86

29/02/84

Ch/Supt

Robert

Wilson

86

18/02/84

PC 445E

Leonard

Wilson

86

28/02/83

DS 904E

Andrew

Graham

86

05/10/83

PC 420C

Page 30

‘ T H E S E N I O R B R I GA D E ’

80 or over on 31st October 2014

Age

Pensioned

Rank

Albert

Garry

85

22/12/84

PC 237E

Edward

Hughes

85

14/09/83

PS 94D

Stanley

Roberts

85

01/09/83

PC 453E

Peter

Emeny

85

01/12/82

DS 939E

Michael

Golden

85

28/01/85

DC

James

Miller

85

28/01/85

PS 61E

Ronald

Westgate

85

29/10/84

PC 192E

Douglas

Cooper

84

01/10/87

PC 411E

Roy

Barron

84

24/09/84

PS 99C

Brian

Cramp

84

23/07/84

PC 452E

Ron

Buckland

84

14/11/83

Ch/Insp

Alan

Francis O.B.E.

84

01/02/78

Ch/Supt

Anthony

Batson

84

01/10/76

DC 429E

Royston

Elsey

84

18/03/85

D/Supt

Roland

Gilbert

84

10/06/85

DC 640E

Eric

Newton

84

01/07/78

Insp

Terrance

Sandy

84

05/09/83

Ch/Insp

Lionel

Seymour

84

06/08/82

PC 125C

Eric

Gladman

83

23/02/87

Insp

Roy

Bender

83

05/09/83

Ch/Insp

Brian

Fisher M.B.E.

83

08/09/80

Supt

Alan

Holverson

83

16/08/82

Insp

Clive

Jackson

83

02/08/82

Det Supt

James

Mason

83

30/01/86

PC 386E

Page 31

‘ T H E S E N I O R B R I GA D E ’

80 or over on 31st October 2014

Age

Pensioned

Rank

Francis

McAfee

83

01/04/85

PC 238E

Thomas

Morgan

83

03/09/84

DC 175E

David

Wallace

83

30/07/84.

.Det Insp

Jack

White

83

06/09/82

PC 166B

Thomas

Simpson

83

25/01/82

PS 33C

David

Sparkes

83

07/11/83

Ch/Supt

Joseph

Heathorn

83

08/05/84

A/PS 361C

.Dennis

Rouse

83

06/09/82

PC 698D

Ralph

Harrison

82

02/12/85

PS 82

Bernard

Townsend

82

03/09/84

Supt

Harold

Minshull

82

03/09/79

Insp

Allingson

Webber

82

30/01/84

PC 418B

Peter

Rowe

82

10/12/79

Supt

Thomas

Bevan

82

27/04/87

DC 435E

Anthony

Brady

82

28/02/83

DS 902E

Alan

De’cort

82

05/10/87

PC

Owen

Kelly

82

08/12/93

Commissioner

Frank

Wood

82

01/04/89

PC 398C

Peter

Ray

82

17/04/78

PC 160B

Raymond

Holland

82

14/05/84

DC 447E

Dennis

Harrison

82

25/02/85

DC 652E

Hywell

Williams

82

09/06/85

Insp

Page 32

‘ T H E S E N I O R B R I GA D E ’

80 or over on 31st October 2014

Age

Pensioned

Rank

Frederick

Jolley

81

.10/09/80

.DC 465E

Wallace

Unitt

81

19/04/82

PC 732D

Robert

Fowlie

81

04/07/88

Ch/Supt

Chester

Hawkes

81

23/03/87

PC 615B

Robert

Barnes

81

07/10/81

PS 73

George

Murrell

81

01/09/81

Insp

Michael

Owen

81

04/06/84

PC 158E

Brian

Platt

81

25/07/83

Det Ch/Insp

Alistair

Ross

81

07/01/85

DC 428E

Kenneth

Sivell

81

17/06/85

PC 412B

John

Lancaster

81

24/03/85

PC 712C

Brian

Cluney

81

04/08/85

PS 632D

Robin

Francis

81

01/02/87

Det Ch/Supt

Andy

Quick

81

1957

PC 522B

John

Rew

81

22/12/90

PS 38C

Stanley

Wiseman

81

1986

PC 227B

EDITORS NOTE. The City of London Police Pension’s office will now only supply information that you are still alive and drawing your pension. In order to keep the Senior Brigade list accurate please inform me of any changes necessary.

Thank you, Chris Pearson (cpearson74a@gmail.com)

Page 33

NARPO & COLPPA Your Committee (NARPO & COLPPA) for 2014/2015 is: Alex Robertson( Chairman)

alexdrobertson3@gmail.com

Ron Friend (Vice Chairman)

ron.rsfriend@btinternet.com

Phil Gilbert (Secretary)

phillip.a.gilbert@btopenworld.com

John Lancaster

johnplancaster@tinyworld.co.uk

Harry Bastable

harry@bastable7.freeserve.co.uk

John Rew

johnrew35@hotmail.co.uk

Derek Coster

tin90der@btinternet.com

Vic Benson

vic.benson@talktalk.net

Lionel Seymour

daphne.seymour@tiscali.co.uk

Anne Lancaster

a.lancaster25@btinternet.com

Ken Dodsworth

kendodsworth713@btinternet.com

John MacLean

johnmaclean719@yahoo.co.uk

Suzie Webb

suzypwebb@aol.com

Dennis Bryan

bardenbryan@talktalk.net

Mick Lee

michael.lee466@ntlworld.com

Andy Odell

andy.odell999@btinternet.com

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY From Anne Lancaster Social Secretary

Thursday 9th April 2015 Lunch ** 12.30 p.m. – Metropolitan Police Sports Centre, Wickham Suite, The Warren, Croydon Road, Hayes, BR2 7AL

Page 34

Wednesday 13th May 2015 Afternoon Tea ** 2.30 p.m. Bosworths, The Green, Finchingfield, Essex, CM7 4JX Tuesday 2nd June 2015 Snow Hill Lunch Club ** 12.00 noon – Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, 145 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2BU. Saturday 20th June 2015 Summer Luncheon (by invitation only)12.30 p.m. – Apothecaries Hall, Blackfriars Lane, London EC4V 6EJ Thursday 13th August 2015 (tbc) NARPO/COLPPA meeting 6.30 p.m. – venue to be advised Tuesday 1st September 2015 Snow Hill Lunch Club ** 12.00 noon – Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, 145 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2BU. Tuesday 15th September 2015 Lunch ** 12.30 p.m. - Metropolitan Police Sports Centre, High Road, Chigwell, IG7 6BD Thursday 8th October 2015 Afternoon Tea ** 2.30 p.m. Sands Bistro, Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1EE Saturday 14th November 2015 Lord Mayor’s Show 10.30 a.m. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, 145 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2BU. Tickets will be issued for those requiring lunch (£7 per head) and further details on booking will be advised in the August Newsletter.

Monday 16 November 2015 Cloak Lane Association AGM starting at 1430 at the Crosse Keys pub in Gracechurch St. Tuesday 1st December 2015 Snow Hill Lunch Club ** 12.00 noon – Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, 145 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2BU. Monday 8th December 2015 CID pre-Christmas get-together at the Crosse Keys in Gracechurch Street on from 12 noon. As usual there is no need to book for this, just turn up if you can, it usually turns out to be a good fun gathering Please note events marked with ** must be pre-booked in advance. A reminder will be emailed and listed on the COLPP website. However, for those not on email, please contact the organiser listed below to book your place 4-8 weeks in advance.

Contacts: Cloak Lane Association – Cliff Rowlinson cliff.rowlinson@hib.uk.com tel. 07949 858731 Ex-CID Association – Jim Jolly jimjolly@btinternet.com Snow Hill Lunch Club - Stephanie Whitfield - stephanie.whitfield@hotmail.co.uk tel.

07910257992 All other events - Anne Lancaster a.lancaster25@btinternet.com tel. 020 8777 0618 2015 newsletters will be distributed in April, August and December. Deadline for copy to be included is 15th of previous month.

Page 35

And finally…

More of life's winners!

Force lottery

January 2015 £1000 ticket number 3530 - PC Patrick Mathiot £300 ticket number 1346 - DS Chris Coghill £200 ticket number 2064 - Lesley McKenzie £100 ticket number 1163 - DC Paul Kirk £100 ticket number 5077 - DCI Dave Wood

February 2015 £1000 ticket number 2143 - DC Fred Crawley £300 ticket number 4933 - Nadia Head £200 ticket number 1302 - David Foy £100 ticket number 4914 - A/Supt Hector Mckoy (Bishopsgate Police Station) £100 ticket number 2980 - PC Tony Gough

PRESS RELEASE...

N A R P O RE A C TI O N TO T H E CH A N C E L L O R S B U D G E T ANNOUNCEMENT

O N PO LI C E W ID O W S P E N S I O N S NARPO note with interest the Chancellors statement in yesterday’s Budget that: “The government will ensure that all widows, widowers and civil partners of police officers and firefighters who are killed on duty will no longer lose their survivor benefits if they remarry, cohabit, or form a civil partnership.”

- See more at: http://www.narpo.org/index.php/press-releases.html#sthash.uD3GTHLx.dpuf

Page 36

CONTACT SHEET PLEASE COMPLETE OR USE TO UPDATE YOUR DETAILS

Completed form to be returned to Anne Lancaster, 88 Woodland Way, West Wickham, Kent BR4 9LT (or by email to a.lancaster25@btinternet.com)

Full name ..............................................................................

Address .................................................................................... ................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................

Postcode....................................................................................

Email address............................................................................

Telephone no. Including mobile.................................................. ...................................................................................................

Next of kin.........................................................

Date of yours or spouse’s joining City Police (if known)............................................

Date of retirement ...................................................................................

Date of birth...................................................................................

Other retired members ask us for contact details of retired colleagues/friends. Please select ‘NO’ if you do not want your details provided to a third party....................YES/NO Do you wish to receive the City of London Police Pensioners’ Association newsletter YES/NO (if you have email, the newsletter will be emailed to you to save costs)