SCROLL DOWN THE PAGE AND YOU WILL FIND MORE MEMORIES OF DAYS (and nights) SPENT AT CANNON ROW.
Send YOUR memories to alphadeltaplus@gmail.com

Served from arrival ex Training School in Oct 71 where I was soon under the wing of PC 557'A' Roy Norwood or 'Nobby' Wood learning beats.

Having just had my 29th birthday, I seemed to fare a little better as far as the probationer baiting went; remember the pigeon census at Trafalgar Square or water sampling from the lake in St.James Park? Like both Tony Poulter and Jim Irwin before me, I came from Cheltenham where, following my retirement after 31 years on 11th July 2002, I have now returned.

Just prior to finishing, I was still able to carry on an interest that blossomed at 'AD', namely the production of the 'GOALIE' or, Vehicle Registration Mark guide. This had only been at the testing stage by its creator when I first became a P.N.C.  (Police National Computer) operator, but later came into its own and was in use for almost thirty years.

I well remember one incident where when I was 'Comms' officer, I became a little muddled with the phonetic alphabet and an index mark being checked. It contained the letters WY in it, and when giving the officer on the street the reply, instead of saying over the radio  'W whiskey Y yankee' I called out 'W whisky Y w---ee' instead, much to the chortles of all and sundry, as 'talk through' was on.

Spent a lot of off duty time in 'The Cardinal' with such as 613 'Titch' Kenny, 723 Dean Allan, 846 Brian Watson, 700 'Animal' Graham Jones, 590 Jim Irwin, 324 'Muscles' Lewis, 226 'Nipper' Paul Genge etc.  Also have happy memories of the posting to the garage for about 6 months before it was amalgamated into ordinary relief duties latter end of '76.

Derek Smith Ex PC898'A'/162673

Email: mr_and_mrs_smith@hotmail.com

NUMBER ONE DRESS.
A bit of lets say 'trivia' that just maybe of interest to viewers. I was in a Matalan Shopping store yesterday. These stores have a wide range of goods including books at greatly reduced prices. I was looking through one called 'British Greats' a red covered hard back book that originally retailed at 20 pounds. In Matalan it was priced at 5 pounds. Every chapter has a different subject and a different author. One chapter was on 'Bobbies'. It didn't say much that we don't already know but the picture was very interesting. It was a very clear double page black and white spread. It is of police controlling crowds at a 'Royal Wedding' taken in Parliament Square in 1922. Even back then some of the officers were not necessarily 'A' division but someone out there may recognise family friends or relatives. The officers shown would now of course be in their nineties if still with us. They were all wearing back then 'as standard' what we had for a few years back in the late 50's/early 60's as 'ceremonial No. 1 dress'. Jackets buttoned up to the neck and trousers that felt like armour. How they wore it every day I don't know because I found it was like wearing a straight jacket. I would think it must have been as difficult to move quickly back then as wearing the current day 'body armour'. I wore No. 1's for one 'Trooping the Colour' and Princess Margaret's wedding to Anthony Armstrong Jones.
Regards Ian Champion
email: briultra@zoom.co.uk

DRUNKS AND FIREMAN'S LIFTS!

My first Saturday of solo night duty was also my first encounter with the ubiquitous George Garnham. My beat was around Westminster Abbey and by the time I had patrolled around Great College Street into Abingdon Street it was about 11.30 pm and the pubs and many places of entertainment were closing so there was increased activity in the streets. As I was getting closer towards St. Margaret's Street I started to hear the heavy braking of vehicles, the screeching of brakes and the sounding of horns. Unperturbed by the sounds I walked on towards Parliament Square. A short distance further along I was stopped by a couple who told me that a drunk was staggering all over the road and had been nearly run over by several vehicles. I carried on my way and the pedestrian crossing in St. Margaret's street outside the church came into view. I then saw a man staggering all over the crossing, falling down, picking himself up and alternating his direction of travel from one side of the road to the other and also swinging around the bollards on the island refuge. He had no sooner reached the church side of the road he swung around the belisha beacon and staggered back across the crossing back towards POW. As this was happening traffic flow was being disrupted in both directions. The drunk was an accident waiting to happen personified. It was obvious that I had to do some thing about the situation and I wasn't looking forward to filling out my first yellow peril. As I reached the crossing the drunk collapsed in a heap in the centre of the crossing on the POW side of the road, traffic came to an abrupt halt.

The drunk was dead weight so I dragged him to the pavement on the POW side of the road. There I was all alone, not a police helmet in sight and a comatose body lying on the ground. As I considered my options as what to do, the drunk started to crawl towards the road. I couldn't leave him there whilst I walked back to Cannon Row for assistance. The Training School instruction to summon assistance by flashing your torch in the direction of perceived assistance or blowing your whistle three times did not seem to be appropriate in the circumstances. A police issue torch and whistle would be of no effect against the light and sound of the activity at that time on a Saturday night. I asked a number of passers by if they would be kind enough to go to Cannon Row to get assistance for me, all requests were refused. I was unable to walk with the drunk because he was incapable of standing. I dragged him to the railings and wall by the POW, hauled him up onto his feet and propped against the railings. I then crouched down an pulled him down on my shoulders and did the fireman's lift. So there I was with a drunk draped over my shoulders, what a way to take a prisoner into the station.

I then headed off in the direction of Cannon Row, this spectacle drawing curious looks from pedestrians. As I walked around Parliament Square into Bridge Street I was confronted by a Police Inspector and Police Sergeant. I cannot remember the Inspector but the sergeant was none other than George Garnham. He bellowed out 'who do you think you are a f-----g coal man'? I replied 'no sergeant would you help me carry him to the station or go and get the van'. His reply was 'you have got this far just get there in double time'. He then walked out in the middle of Bridge Street stopped all the traffic and yelled 'well come on then'. I struggled across the road and down CANON ROW (note the correct spelling..... for further information on this subject and my first encounter with another sergeant at Cannon Row look in Eamons Corner). By the time I got to the station I was well and truly knackered.

My prisoner was charged with being drunk and incapable, released on bail on Sunday morning and failed to appear in Bow Street on the Monday morning. I applied for a warrant for non appearance and that was the last of my dealings with the prisoner but not the last of George Garnham.

Some days later he saw me and said 'did you like you weight lifting exercise on Saturday night? I've been checking up on you'.(Can you remember all your personal details including previous occupations and military service was kept on a form in a loose leaf binder in the front office at the police station for all to see and it went with you as you transferred. That was how George Garnham had found out that I had served in 3rd Bn The Parachute Regiment) I replied 'not particularly what would you have done'? He ignored the question and said 'Tell me why would anyone parachute out of a perfectly good Royal Air Force aeroplane'? I replied 'To check if the Royal Air Force had packed the parachute perfectly' (The Royal Air Force are responsible for parachute training and the packing of parachutes for all military personnel). He said 'you are a mad bugger I'll have to keep my eye on you', he then started to roar with laughter and walked away.

In my first week of walking the beat solo at Cannon Row I had arrested two drunks and on both occasions I had come into confrontation with two sergeants. Not the best of beginnings but definitely your first new experiences are experiences you never forget.

Dave Barrowcliffe
phone +61 7 389 98462
mobile 0412 245 246
fax +61 7 390 15438
email dave3para@optusnet.com.au



OZ CONNECTION
Through the agency of the Alphadeltaplus site I have been able to contact Adrian "Albert" Hall, ex PC A463, who also lives in Brisbane. You, no doubt remember him as we were all on the same relief in 63-64.

As a result of the contact Chris (my Wife) and I and Adrian and Jenny have got together twice and plan to continue the contact. Adrian's wife Jenny used to work at CO and eat in the AD canteen, so she remembers persons who served at AD (she picked out Danny Clarke from the Training School photo) and is possibly remembered by ex officers.

The reminiscences of our time in the Met was entertaining to say the least and that also caused us both to remember incidents and identities of the past. Some repeatable on the web and some not.

It appears that there are quite a number of ex Met police living down under and there has been a recent request from the Bow Street site for contact details of ex CB offices now living in Australia.
Perhaps there is a possibility of creating a loose network for all ex Met Police Officers living in Australia.
Both Adrian and I have emailed David "Russ" Conway, Ex PC 291A, without success so we are both wondering about his email details. I note that Russ Conway lives in Adelaide now and as I will be visiting my family in Adelaide later this year I would like to make contact with him.

I'm still trying to find out my old 'A' Division divisional number without success. I emailed CO through their web site and didn't receive an acknowledgement let alone a reply, so much for a 48hour response time, obviously a case of "corres lost on division", some things don't seem to change. Is there anyone who has any ideas how I could find out my old divisional number, personal representation is currently out of the question.

Are there any old 'A' Division neck ties still available, and if so how are they obtainable?

Regards,

Dave


Dave Barrowcliffe
phone +61 7 389 98462
mobile 0412 245 246
fax +61 7 390 15438
email dave3para@optusnet.com.au

A 'HAIRY' MEMORY from our Intrepid Reporter TERRY BROOKS.

I notice that there was an enquiry about Stewart Dean whom I taught beats and who was already an experienced officer having been in the Birkenhead Police previously.
Jock and Peter Phelan were posted to Buckingham Palace and whilst there, had a challenge as to who could grow the best beard. Someone, allegedly Jim Finegan, told the press that there was a revolt at the Palace and two men were growing beards to get sent back to Cannon Row. This caused Ch. Supt. Geoff Burgess to go down and order them to shave off the beards.
Pete complied, but Stewart declined, saying that it was an unlawful order. He finally went up before Assistant Commissioner Robertson who declared "Instant Dismissal."
On appeal to Sir John Nott-Bower the Commissioner, the verdict was upheld. Stewart appealed to the Home Secretary R.A.Butler, who reinstated him with full rateables. He was then posted to Southwark.
Stewart's father was Secretary of the Civil Service Union and lived in Edinburgh. This is where Stewart got his ability to argue his case and also his tenacity from.
Subsequently, Jock came fifth in the Sergeants exam and was posted to Bow Street. He was married to Jean and lived in Edward Henry House, Cornwall Road, Southwark. They had a son also called Stuart. Unfortunately, Jean ran up bills which Stewart had to declare that he would not be responsible for. This notice was published in the major press organs of London. They divorced and Jean I believe, went back to the Liverpool area with the son. Stewart resigned and went to Sydney, New South Wales, where he returned to his original trade as a journey man joiner. He was made foreman of a large Building firm on Housing Estates. He had to have a few fights with shoddy workmen to keep control. Whilst there, he met two school teachers, Marlene and her friend Jan Crawford. The three of them visited London whilst on a round the World trip. I met them at my flat 56 Edward Henry House. We had a nice reunion.
On return to N.S.W. Marlene and Stewart married and later had a very amusing daughter Helen. Stewart, Marlene and Helen came to London later on when I was living at 7 Swann House, Gloucester Circus, Greenwich. Another super reunion occurred. Jock was at that time a representative for Ewell Tools, a Black and Decker type professional tool company of Australia. He was exhibiting in Germany the U.K and France I believe.
On his return to N.S.W. he started a small company making school furniture and teaching aids. This took off and did very well. Unfortunately we have lost touch.
I hear that he has been over at least once since, but I was away in Spain. He was looking for me and I by now had bought a house in Sidcup, but was not resident. Later we moved to Chelsfield. Stewart and Marlene do not live at their old address, that I had.

Hope this helps

Terry Brooks 154A /138932.
SEE ALSO ANOTHER ITEM ON THE SAME SUBJECT IN 'POINTS of VIEW' (To view: 'SIGNPOST'/Alpha Delta Plus (4) / Points of View.)


FROM Ex 'AD' PC 152893 DAVE BARROWCLIFFE WHO NEEDS HELP WITH HIS OLD DIVISIONAL NUMBER

John,

I served on the same relief as you from November 1963 until May 1964 when I transferred to TL/XS, Southall when I got married.I lived in Gilmour House, the same as you and for my sins (big argument with a PS whose name I have forgotten, that incident would make for good reading on your site) I was moved to live at AH.From XS I was at XU and XW as an aide to CID/TDC.I got made DC in 1967 and transferred to CB until October 1968 when I migrated to Australia. I lived in Adelaide, South Australia until 1995 when I moved to Brisbane, Queensland.

The Alphadeltaplus site has jogged the memory of so many incidents and people and I have had a real good laugh. The thing that stands out about this site is that AD was different and so were the people from any other nick in the MPD and that still shows through. Its a great pity that the attitudes and camaraderie don't appear to exist any more in the Met. The other unique feature about AD was that people were remembered more by their divisional number than their name. When I transferred from AD names were used more than numbers. The only other nick that numbers were used more than names was CB but nowhere to the extent as AD.

Some of the names I remember are Danny Clark (we were in the same class at Hendon and went to AD on the same day), Tom Yearsley, Dave French, Mac Maclaren, John Venables and Bernie Burr. Bernie also lived at AH and we have remained very good friends and in contact with each other all these years. I stayed with him in '76, 87 and '90. and he visited us in '87 and is coming down under again in 2004.

In 1990 I visited the UK for the 50th Anniversary of Airborne Forces. That was a reunion and a half and marching through the City of London was an experience I shall never forget. A change, being in a procession and holding up traffic instead of holding up traffic for a procession.

I don't know how good your connections and contacts are as I have a request to make. I can remember my divisional number at Training School and at TL/XS however I cannot remember my divisional number at AD, I believe it started with a 3.Is there any way of finding out? My immediate thoughts are to archive Police Orders or is there any way of getting details of service and postings etc ? I believe that I was posted to AD about the 3rd week in November 1963. My warrant number was 152893.

How good is your memory for remembering names back to 1963? Can you fill in some of the gaps? I can remember George Garnham, Inspector Tenten and Horace Thorpe who had more pencils and rubbers on his person and more places to put them than any other person I have ever known. There was also a PS who spoke in a very strong slow drawling Irish accent who had great difficulty in pronouncing Valentino Tereshkova when she visited the UK and went to BP to meet the Queen.Who was Chief Superintendent, Superintendent, Chief Inspector and Inspectors when I was there any info would be appreciated.

What happened to your mini that was your pride and joy, to such an extent that I can remember you going to check it periodically whilst you were on duty.

Regards,

Dave

Dave Barrowcliffe (152893)
phone +61 7 389 98462
mobile 0412 245 246
fax +61 7 390 15438
email dave3para@optusnet.com.au


FROM Ex PC 504 'A'/143818 Victor Potter

Having spent 2 hours this morning (6/2/03) reading various entries to the AD+ site I feel stimulated to write some memories of POW!

I, personally, arrived at POW in January 1965, during Churchill's Lying-in-State week, in Westminster Hall. I came from Gerald Road (BG) nick where I had served since being posted there from Training School in 1956. My Warrant No: being 143818 and my Divisional Nos: 351'B' and 504 'A' after transfer.
Being the new boy I was immediately posted to 7pm to 7 am Night Duty, on St.Stephen's Flat, managing the large queue waiting to see Churchill's catafalque. The queue was many miles long, about four abreast! As I had just arrived at POW I still wore the Ceremonial Tunic with my 'B' Division numerals attached, not yet having been allocated 'A' Division ones! On the first nights duty, I was approached by a very tall, white haired, straight-backed gentleman, who was, it transpired, in his 90's.He came from the inner part of the building. He asked my name, why I was wearing 'B' on my tunic not 'A'. Realising that he was someone of importance, I did not give a facetious answer but told him I had just arrived that day! (He was, of course, the then Lord Great Chamberlain, the Marquis of Cholmondely pronounced Chumley, making his rounds.) Later, I would see, amongst others, General De Gaulle arrive to pay his respects. That month, January, in 1965 was extremely cold, especially after dusk and we were granted 'indulgence' (i.e. we were allowed a short break every hour) which included a small tot of brandy, in the Police Room, to restore some of ones warmth. A very rare event in the Met!

Our Ceremonial wear for men, consisted of a lined tunic, which had an upright collar and leather stock, and when worn with an open necked shirt under it, was quite warm. Trousers were of Melton cloth and a leather snake clasp belt was worn round the tunic together with white cotton gloves (beloved by Freemasons!) Unfortunately WPCs were obliged to wear a normal open V necked jacket, with white gloves! I remember one WPC was wearing a cardigan under her jacket, in an effort to keep warm, when she was spotted by a Senior ranking woman officer. She was being severely mauled, orally, by this person when the Inspector i/c POW, Insp. Blackmore bravely intervened. The Woman Senior Officer severely outranked him! He pointed out that in the precincts of Parliament - his word was law ! No more was apparently heard of the matter!

Thus my first week on Parliamentary Crossings was truly memorable; from the Polish ex-serviceman who was arrested after throwing a silk ribbon in the Polish National colours across the catafalque and later released after explaining that it was a mark of high respect in Poland; to the moment before the cleaners cleared up the Hall on the final Saturday morning and Police, who had been keeping the queue in order outside all night, were allowed to progress through the Hall to pay their own last respects if they wished. One of the very rare occasions I have seen grizzled, and 'seen it all' Police old timers crying openly!!



Now I shall forgo the pleasures of Parliamentary Crossing (do I hear a sigh of relief, John?) and speak of Palm Court and the Sessional Police. So called because they served at POW during the Parliamentary Session only, except for relieving the 'Permanent Staff' who served there all the time.

Palm Court Mess Room was, I understand, given its name by Inspector George Ridgewell, then i/c POW, in its early days when he visited it and commented that it was good enough to be 'Palm Court' , then a popular radio resort for an orchestra playing what is loosely known as 'tea' music.

It was a cellar under the St. Stephen's Flat of Westminster Hall, presumably built in the 19th century, to support the floor of the rebuilt St.Stephen's Flat, which had been the old entrance to the House of Commons, then (pre 1834) sitting in St. Stephen's Chapel, now occupied by the current St.Stephen's Hall. The cellar come Mess Room was a large rectangular area with two large pillars in the centre supporting the floor above. It had no windows. At the rear of the Mess it led into a large kitchen area, this had a small window looking out onto a sunken area at the side of Old Palace Yard, next to the entrance to the Crypt Chapel. There were no other exits from the kitchen. The walls were lined with small food lockers built in wood, to contain utensils, pots, cutlery and food. In the middle of the floor of the Mess Room was a large man-hole cover which had a tendency to lift, depositing all sorts of noxious matter over the floor of the Mess.
'PALM COURT' INDEED!

Not un-naturally a few anecdotes from the Palm Court Mess are stirred in my memory!

You may remember the scurrilous magazine 'The Palm Courtier' run by Roy McAuliffe and myself, which contained many articles and cartoons submitted by Officers serving at POW. The following is one I kept and I believe you may all consider it relevant to your own service. It was submitted by PC 762 'A' Peter Dickens, now living in the New Forest area, in 1977.

'We tried hard, but it seemed that every time we began to form into teams we would be re-organised. I was to learn later in life, that we tend to meet any new situation by re-organisation and what a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress whilst producing confusion, in-efficiency and de-moralisation.' Gaius Aurelius 200 AD.

(Plus ca change, plus ca meme chose)
For those who do not read French. 'The more it changes, the more it stays the same!'




An anecdote, which was also reported in the 'Palm Courtier' of the time was the story of a certain PC, who shall remain anonymous but be called 'Lucy' for the purpose of this narrative.

Apparently 'Lucy' found himself without the obligatory black socks to wear with his shoes. Instead of dashing along to the Army & Navy as most of us would have done, 'Lucy' decided to colour his feet and relevant areas with black shoe polish!

Another 'foot' anecdote, involved PC Winston Armstrong, now in Australia. Winston had a predilection for what are generally termed 'ammunition' boots. One day, whilst cooking in the Palm Court kitchen, Winston was confronted with one of the family of mice living there. Officers in the Mess Room heard a loud bang and 'Got you, you sod'. On rushing into the kitchen it was discovered the loud bang had been Winston's boot arriving on the mouse, which was suitably flattened!


On one occasion I had asked PC Ken Chilvers, now deceased, why he had left Palm Court Mess rather hurriedly and joined the C.P.A.Room Mess in the Lower Waiting Hall. I expected him to say that he had wanted to join his close friend PC Bob 'Murphy' Purcell when the opportunity arose; but he told me a different tale! Apparently, Ken had been sitting in Palm Court Mess one evening alone, when he saw a figure walk into the kitchen. Thinking it may be a 'Stranger' or perhaps a comrade arriving for an early break, he went into the kitchen. To his amazement there was no-one there, even though as mentioned the only entrance or exit to the kitchen was by the Mess Room! Of my 16 years at POW, 14 were spent in Palm Court Mess yet I never recall seeing Ken Chilvers there after dark! It would be difficult to imagine a person less likely to believe in ghosts than Ken Chilvers!


Now for two anecdotes involving the doyen of the AD+ Website, Terence Vivian Brooks ex PC 154 'A' (AD & POW). As they involve Terry you will NOT be surprised to learn they also involve food! He has, by the way, approved the use of these stories!

Terry was sitting in the Palm Court Mess one day eating his food, when someone (PC Adrian Collins) let off what everyone believed to be an extremely loud personal emission of 'wind'. Terry was outraged that this could occur whilst he was feeding and complained loudly that he could smell the malodorous emission. After a repeat performance, Terry had told Adrian that if he went further he, Terry, would re-design Adrian's features. (Terry could take anything, but did not tolerate any interference with his eating). At this point, Adrian explained that it was in fact a joke machine (a piece of cardboard between twisted strands of elastic, which when released made a loud 'whirring' sound similar to wind being broken.) He showed the 'machine' to all present, but Terry refused to believe it as he claimed to have smelt the proceeds, and chased Adrian from the Mess Room!

Terry was well known as a 'picker-up' of 'trifles'(ie any unwanted food). One occasion he saw a piece of Dundee fruit cake lying on the Mess Room table. 'What a lovely piece of cake' said our hero. To be told by that great sportsman PC Tony Creasey to eat it if he wished as it was 'going spare'. This Terry did with alacrity (that means fast, NOT with a sauce) before returning to his post in the Peer's Lobby, House of Lords.
Soon after arriving, he received a telephone call from PC Jack 'The Punch' Peregrine (so known because of a tendency to hit first and speak later!) 'Terry, said 'The Punch' 'you have eaten my fruit cake.' Terry thought fast. He then offered to buy Peregrine some fruit cake from Westminster Hall canteen as a replacement. This compromise was accepted. In due course, Terry went to the canteen and bought 3 slices of a rather dried-up Dundee fruit cake.
Meeting Peregrine in the Mess, Terry gave him 2 slices but was unable to resist eating the 3rd slice himself. 'Bloody Hell, Terry,'said Peregrine 'you have the gall to eat my dear wife's lovely Dundee cake an then buy 3 slices of dried up fruit cake in its place, of which you eat a slice yourself. I ought to give you one.' Luckily for Terry, Peregrine saw the humorous side and he got away with it!

One could write a book about anecdotes involving Terry Brooks alone. Perhaps one day I will add a couple of famous ones!

He will not thank me for this, but apart from food, he seems to have few vices!
Always happy and willing to see the optimistic side of things he will not only see good in almost everyone but even in those members of society we have all met, who seem beyond redemption. A truly lovely man!

Vic Potter Ex PC 504 'A'/143818
email: vic@thepottery102.freeserve.co.uk




CANNON ROW (AD)
Nov. 1959 to March 1962
From Martin Gosling Ex PC 405'A'/148123

Recalling times at AD is rather like opening Pandora's box - all sorts of odd fragments of memory come floating out.
When I arrived from Peel House I reported to the stores where PC 'Milky' Williams issued me with handfulls of metal numbers and several of the letter A, each with tiny threaded pins and little round nuts to secure them to the epaulettes of tunics and raincoats. Also number one tunic, a second helmet, a greatcoat, cape (with waterproof leggings) and all the rest of the gear. Milky confided that he had served with my father at City Road before the War - so I had better watch out!
I 'learned beats' with a huge, portly PC (name forgotten) who suppressed his boredom as we trundled round all the beats, traffic points, protection posts and patrols. He left me to my own devices directing traffic at the junction of Horse Guards Avenue and Whitehall. On my first stint an Army staff car drove slowly through my signal hoping to cut across the traffic and into Horse Guards itself. Full of trepidation and trying to appear officious, I approached the driver (a Military Police sergeant) who sat looking rigidly ahead as I gave him a rather meek telling off. The passenger in the back was a major-general with a purple face and becoming angrier by the second. Later that day a pedestrian had a heart attack and expired at my feet as he was crossing the road. A few weeks later I was on that point again when the Bank of England Picket marched out of Horse Guards on their way to the Embankment en route for the City. I was well briefed and had stopped the traffic with about five minutes to spare as I saw them coming. As they marched across Whitehall the subaltern commanding them gave them 'eyers right' and the guardsmen twisted their faces towards me as though in thanks for having stopped the traffic. It was only later that I realised that this was done as a sign of respect to the Cenotaph further down the road!
At around that time, Downing Street was being refurbished and the prime minister with his family and entourage moved into the Admiralty building - and the protection posts moved with them. During this period, especially on night duty, a good deal of close fraternising developed between the PCs there and the duty WRENS who would step out into the cobbled courtyard through the Georgian sash windows for a smoke and a chat every hour or so.
During that period there were protection posts in Horse Guards' Parade - to take care of the back of the Admiralty building. In the small hours, with nobody else around it was not uncommon for two PCs to discuss, in conversational tones, their most personal affairs including their recent amorous adventures. Because of this, the duty Inspector when parading the night relief at Cannon Row read out a message sent to the Superintendent on behalf the Prime Minister's wife (Lady Dorothy MacMillan) along the lines of '.....interesting though it is for Lady Dorothy to be privy to the lurid aspects of officers romantic encounters, would they please keep their voices down as her bedroom window is just above where they choose to stand on these occasions and she cannot get to sleep.'
One midnight, a cabby pulled up at the front of the Admiralty building and said to the two of us, ' Two of your mates look like getting a hiding off a crowd of soldiers - you'd better jump in.' We did and he drove like Fangio the wrong way round Trafalgar Square and into the Strand. About thirty men, mostly off duty Scots Guards, had had a heavy night and were in a very bad mood. One of them had been arrested by two CID who had him against the corner of a building opposite the entrance to Charing Cross Station. He had clearly resisted arrest as he had a bad gash across his forehead: blood was running down his face and off his chin like a tap. Our kind cabby dropped us off between the crowd and the arresting officers and drove off into the night. We were the only two police officers in uniform and had already drawn our sticks and put them up our sleeves. There were cries of 'bastards' and they moved forward, rather uncertainly and in a fog of whisky fumes. Just when I was beginning to wish I was back on the farm, the station van from Bow Street appeared, loaded with PCs and with a very decisive Inspector. The two plain clothes colleagues with their prisoner where thrust into the back and a Guards Sergeant, sober and in uniform, (he must have been summoned from Wellington Barracks) approached the Inspector and complained loudly that the prisoner had been mistreated. Without hesitation, the Inspector said 'Right, you'd better come too.' And he was bundled into the van as well. The doors were slammed and with bell ringing the vehicle disappeared and the crowd dispersed.
Later, when No. 10 was back in use, Downing St. was closed off to the public during a Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference. The was some public unrest at the time and some of us were given the task of preventing anyone entering Downing St. from the Whitehall end. (No iron gates then.) A dowdy old lady in a shabby raincoat and scuffed shoes pushed her way through the crowd and I gently restrained her as she tried to pass me. 'Sorry madam, Downing St. is closed to the public today.'
She pushed my hand from her shoulder. 'Let go of me at once. I'm Lady Dorothy!' Red faces all round...
Many more things come to mind. Lining the route for Princess Margaret's wedding and a wheel of her carriage going over my left foot. Giving evidence at Bow St. Court before the stipendiary magistrate, Sir Laurence Dunne (the ultimate laxative!) Walking away from traffic points on Parliament Square at midnight and hearing the shriek of brakes and the awful sound of tearing metal as cars collided at high speed before I had reached the nick.
My first arrest was that of a drunken Polish man who had gone to the West End to celebrate the anniversary of his country's liberation from the Nazis. He had gone to sleep in the bushes in St. James' Park. The next day he stood in the dock at Bow St. (drunk and incapable) and was fined 10 shillings or another day in custody. He was a decent bloke and became very tearful as he would lose his job at a factory in Peckham if he didn't get back. Naturally he had spent all his money. Perhaps feeling guilty myself (quite irrationally) a paid the fine for him. Our pay was only about 5 pounds a week then and I became the laughing stock of Cannon Row. But about a week later an envelope was pinned to the parade shed notice board marked 'PC 405' and sure enough, there was my ten bob with a note of thanks.
What seems strange now is to walk down Whitehall or to cross the Mall and into St. James' Park without sighting a single policeman. At the time I was there, officers were very much in eveidence - outside most of the Government buildings and areas such as Trafalgar Square. (How many sick pigeons handed to constables by worried tourists, have been quietly strangled in that little round police box on the bottom right hand corner of Trafalgar Square?)
Although rather over 6' 2" tall, I was often the shortest man to report for duty in the parade shed. And did we really all assemble in Richmond Terrace Mews to book off duty - and then march down Derby Gate?
Martin Gosling. 20/12/02
email: goslingmartin@hotmail.com



From Rod Bentley Ex PC393AD/165727

Alpha Delta Plus,

I joined A relief at AD after being posted from training school in September 1974. Until looking at your website (great idea) I've never really given too much thought to my days there. I've collected my thoughts now though, and have come up with the following ramblings.

On joining A relief I quickly realised that my immediate and only ambition was to avoid at all costs incurring the wrath of my relief inspector, the formidable Wally Ross, or big W as he was known to the troops. Big W had this tremendous talent for making probationers squirm and feel very uncomfortable. This he could do with nothing more than a glance in one's general direction. I think if all us probationers were truthful, we would admit to dreading that call over the PR. "Mr. Ross wants to see you in his office now". Great emphasis would be placed on the final word "now"! Such a message would very rapidly bring about a quickening of heart rate, lump in the throat, dry mouth and profuse sweating. The journey to big W's office would be occupied with frantic searching of memory of the last few days to see if one could work out where the cock up might be. After all forewarned is forearmed. Wally did have a something of a sense of humour though. I well recall him saying to me one day. "Hurry up with that application for traffic patrol will you, only I want to have the pleasure of tearing it up". I believe Wally ended up a Superintendent somewhere, I think it might even have been in traffic. Wally always gave me the impression that he was not overly impressed by any member of traffic division so how he would have got on working among them I don't know. Don't misunderstand me, I certainly don't seek to knock or criticise Wally he was a terrific bloke really and I have enormous respect for him, but as a 19 year old probationer I was utterly terrified of him.

Several months of learning some of the basic ropes and being lucky enough to fall over a few prisoners was enough to cause Wally to switch his gaze occasionally to some other poor hapless probationer, thus earning me a little breathing space. Anybody at AD with over 3 or more years service was an old sweat. The likes of Tom Renshaw, Mick Law, Jim Irwin and Shonks Thomas, well they were just about dinosaur material. Does anyone know if Tom still owns that old Vauxhall Victor? Tom was a cracking driver. I say that with some authority. Having risen to the dizzy heights of class one driver and motorcyclist myself by the early 80s I can appreciate some of the finer points of giving it supreme lash.


I very well remember doing a B.P. guard change one morning when I heard Alpha 1 approaching from The Mall at what sounded like a very respectable speed, en-route to a shout somewhere up near Hyde Park. Tom really had the bit between his teeth to the extent that there was not a lot of room left for his pipe! He had a nice clear run through the Wedding Cake and he played it to the hilt. Remember that lovely crisp rasping engine/exhaust note of the six pot PI Triumphs when being given some stick. The Wedding Cake was negotiated with a decent amount of tyre squeal, together with just a hint of daylight showing under the offside tyres. (Those PIs were pretty good at clinging on too). I can tell you now that the public were extremely impressed and there was even a small round of applause. Clearly, the indigenous population and tourists alike felt that they were getting good value for money!


I have two abiding memories of my postings to the front door of No 10. The first was on a three week night duty with Jim Griffin. Jim, I think had some previous experience in the motor trade. At that time I owned an old Cortina the windscreen of which leaked as if it wasn't there! I purchased a new rubber seal for it, but was not too confident of being able to fit it successfully. Jim suggested there was no reason why we couldn't do it the following night after it all died down a bit. By about 1am we had just got the thing out and neatly propped against the railings of No.10 when who should come striding round from Whitehall none other than big W with his sidekick for the night PS92A Derek Bunning. "Don't panic and act normal" whispered Jim. Wally stood foursquare in front of the car and we made a point of sticking our heads out of the side windows to talk to him. It is inconceivable to me that he failed to notice the absence of the windscreen, however there was no reaction. Perhaps he did smell a rat. The smelling of rats was one of his talents. The obvious was staring him in the face, perhaps it was too obvious. Derek Bunning who was standing a little behind Wally had noticed alright and was finding it difficult to contain himself. After a few moments of businesslike conversation, (Wally wasn't big on pleasantries) that felt like several hours, he and Derek disappeared down the steps to see if they could catch 4 & 5 protection on the back wall unawares. There was just the trace of a sideways smirk at us from Derek but a total deadpan from Wally as they marched off.


My other Front door memory was an early turn one summer. The PM. Of the day, Sunny Jim Callaghan was due out at any moment and so far all was well with the world. From out of nowhere, well Downing Street Steps actually, came a demo, complete with placards and angry demonstrators committed to giving Sunny Jim a verbal lambasting with both barrels, and delivered straight from the hip. The demonstrators were actually about 6 middle aged ladies, for who such actions really did go against all their normal beliefs and standards. However after enduring many years of what they saw as shoddy treatment by successive governments, they determined to depart from the normal channels, come to Downing Street, and bring their cause to the direct attention of the PM of the day. If he was about to emerge into the street where they could challenge him directly, then so much the better! These 6 were war widows, representing thousands of others in similar positions. The other half of the door was inside having a sly cuppa, so it was down to me.

These ladies were in no mood to be politely asked by a spotty faced, youthful policeman to go away and maybe comeback a bit later, or at least put those placards down and stop shouting, before somebody who matters notices! After all why should they parley with a mere boy who wasn't even born until 10 years after they had lost their husbands in war. A quick call on the PR brought not the duty officer as I had asked for, but within a few minutes the tall, militaristic figure of George Garnham. Complete with a chestful of medal ribbons he came marching proudly round the corner. George represented something these ladies could immediately identify with and respect. Within seconds he was gently guiding them, laughing and joking back to the nick for tea and a cozy chat about how they could stage their demo and petition. I felt pleased and proud that these ladies had been dealt with in such a way that their dignity and pride was untarnished... Where is Mr. Garnham now, is he still around?


My contemporaries were the likes of 360 Mark Parr, 845 Mick Lawlee, 348 Glen Pierce, 354 Martin Beard, 212 Ken Foot. Not to forget the ladies either 1001 and 1003 I think their names were Hazel and Pauline? I also recall a WPC named Pam I think, who used to wear lovely knee length boots! Where are they all now? There are loads of other names and numbers, too many to mention here. If any of them read this I would be delighted to hear from them again.


In an effort to sum up my days at AD I suppose I considered that there was always a feeling that ran right down the chain of command from dear old Ch. Superintendent Cyril Canham, to the more senior constables, that no matter what almighty cock up one made of it all, provided the intentions were half reasonable they would never actually leave you up the Swannee without a paddle. Shout, swear, rant and rave yes, but desert you, never. I suspect that feeling ran pretty well universally throughout the job. I hope today's probationers are as lucky as we were.


Rod Bentley
Ex 393A/ 165727
rodbentley@btinternet.com


FROM EX PC 112'A'JOHN BAILEY Via Ex Bucks Officer Len Woodley:

One of the stories told me by John concerns when he married and was found lodgings at Wimbledon. The local station was just around the corner but he still had to cycle to Cannon Row for duty. John purchased a motor assisted pedal cycle to help out. One day, during a rail strike he was on his way to Cannon Row he had just passed a number of Police Officers on traffic points when he came off his machine. When he had gathered his wits he looked about him for signs of some assistance. THERE WAS NOT A SINGLE COPPER TO BE SEEN!!!!!! I believe that John's disilluionment with 'The Job' set in from that moment on. However he eventually transferred to Bucks, to a little old country beat Police Station - something out of the 'wild west' he thought, became a photographer and assisted at the Great Train Robbery ....... by photographing it I mean, not aiding Biggs etc.
He is now in retirement with his lovely wife Joyce and he has asked me to write his biography.
I will obtain a photograph of him and send in due course.
Cheers for now,
Len Woodley.(On behalf of Ex PC 112'A' John Bailey)
email: len.woodley@btopenworld.com

Received from Ex PC 150'A'/138915 Harry Slipper to Terry Brooks Ex PC 154'A'
Terrence, Dear Boy
Having just discovered the AD web site and finding the 'Terrence Brooks' corner, I could not resist the urge to engage in cyber communication. I note that you are troubled with dodgy pins - I am sure that I warned you against engaging in nasty rough games as a young man. The mention of Bert Ryder brought back memories of yesteryear - I have not seen Bert for over thirty years - please give him my regards.
I retired from my second career with the Police Federation last year after 18 years of enjoying myself. I knew you had been with Ernst & Young because you dealt with the strange case of my Son's disappearing umbrella when he was with them. When he told me he had met you, I dug out my wedding video to show him you arriving late at St Margaret's.
Will be in touch again
Yours
Harry Slipper (if I must - PC 150A/138915)
email: harryslipper@btopenworld.com


JIM TITMUS
I am prompted to write as a result of arriving at the October page of this year's MP Friendly Society calendar. The calendar features photos from the MP archives and this month I looked at a well posed shot of the Met's answer to errant motorists in the nineteen-thirties. A three-wheeled 9hp Singer [I think] open top car about to leave the back gate of Rochester Row. [An escapee from the Sally-Ann is being required to await the exit of the car by what looks like the Duty Officer]
The figure behind the wheel, the passenger seat and most of the outside of the car, is the unmistakeable Jim Titmus PC 232A [?]
Jim was a well-known army and police heavyweight boxer pre-war. I knew him from the late nineteen-fifties when endeavouring to put my newly found skills as a class iv driver to use. Jim ran the drivers duties at AD and being allowed to actually drive was considered a privilege.
When on duty, Jim would relate tales of taking what he called, a motor bike with a steering wheel, down to brand new Kingston By-pass to 'see what it would do' - about 45 mph flat out!
I say 'when on duty' because Jim was usually shown on the drivers duty board as 'W/L' - this enabled him to fulfil his day job as stand-in Secretary of the Amateur Boxing Association at their offices in Victoria Street. On those rare occasions when he chose to appear he always insisted on being van-driver. If one was already so posted - tough - you found something else to drive. During one such appearance, we were required to attend Rochester Row to bring in a stolen car. We were greeted by a young Station Sergeant David Powis who lectured us of the forbidden evils of driving such cars into the station - they had to towed. Jim's only comment was, 'Is he new here' and proceeded to drop me off at the car before driving off saying 'you've got yer wire and clips, drive it in'.
It seemed more politic to agree with Jim than Powis.
After he retired properly, Jim took up black cabbing - I am not sure that he ever actually took the 'knowledge' - but he did have a lot of friends in the right places! Anyway, he only ever drove on Sundays because there was 'too much traffic about on other days'.
He was certainly one of Canon Row's unforgettable characters.

Harry Slipper.
Ex PC 150 'A'/138915
email: harryslipper@btopenworld.com




Email received from Mike Hudson, Editor, Law Enforcement Pages, Netscape Open Directory (www.dmoz.org):

This is to inform you that the website
http://www.alphadeltaplus.20m.com
has been designated a Cool Site in the Netscape Open Directory
Society/Law/Law_Enforcement/Personal_Pages
Congratulations. As editor for the category of 'Society: Law: Law Enforcement: Personal Pages' for DMOZ.org Open Directory Project, I have chosen your site as "cool". Only one site in each category is chosen to be "cool". Well Done.


A Fishy Tale

At the end of Ted Heath's reign as leader of the Conservative Party, The House's of Parliament Sea Angling Society, which had been in the doldrums, due to the paucity of fish stocks around our shores; requested Sir Edward, as he later became, to present the Parliamentary Sea Angling Championship Prize for that year. He was selected, as he was at that time and may well, still be, the Kent County record holder, for the biggest bag of Cod caught, by one man with rod and line, in one single event. i.e. 250 lbs. weight. This great catch was made off the North Forland Light near Ramsgate. Unfortunately for Mr Heath, the presentation was to be made in Dining Room A, by the Terrace, on the day that he lost the Leadership of the Party to Mrs Thatcher. I was to be the recipient of this prize, for catching a 12 3/4 ounce Dab off of Whitstable.

Due to the party election, a large number of journalists were present. As this was the only place, they knew for certain, they would be able to interview him. Even the Television Companies were in attendance. Like the true man he was Ted. went about his business in the proper manner, jovially warning me, not to show the weight inscription on the plaque to the cameras.

That night on the ITN news, Reg Bosanquet, announced that " On the day that Mr Heath lost the Leadership of The Conservative Party to Mrs Thatcher, he took time out to present the Parliamentary Sea Angling Championship prize, to police Constable Terence Brooks, for catching a 12 3/4 lb Dab. Not believing the teleprompter, so he substituted pounds for ounces, as he could not imagine, how such an emminent man, would turn out, for such a small fish.

There's more:- An old friend, Donny Rennie was in Altnaharra in Sutherlandshire, trying to sell a Scot Heat central heating system, when on the T.V. came the above item; along with pictures of us and the plaque. He said " Good God that's my old friend Terry Brooks he's caught a World Record Dab". With that the customer broke out the Scotch and signed on the dotted line.

The Angling Times and the Angler's Mail, rang me up at the House and asked; "What is this load of cobblers?" Also when I got home my local papers, The Kentish Independant and the Kentish Mercury, both asked if it was correct that I'd caught a World Record Dab. I told them the correct weight and that due to the French and other European Trawlers, darkened out at night, fishing our waters with much smaller mesh than our own trawlers used. Inshore fishing around the U.K., was in a poor state. This I had witnessed off Deal and again off Littlehampton, whilst night fishing. Very nearly getting run down, but for our radar reflector, we may well have been. On both occasions, we informed the Coast Guard, but could not distinguish the name or number of either trawler. I also explained how these angling prizes are awarded. i.e. The weight of the fish is expressed as a percentage of the British Rod Caught Record for that species. Therefore this small Dab was set at 36.12% of the record 2lb 3 oz. This beat at the time a 20lb 4 oz Cod. I also informed them that just three years earlier, I also won the same prize, for a 36lb Cod caught off Dover in Bill Solley's Ariel 2. This was Southern T.V's fish of the month I am told.

A year or so later, I was at our Regional Crime Squad Dinner and Dance, at the Grosvenor House Hotel, with Ginger Wyborn and our wives; when I noticed Reggie Bosanquet was at the bar, as guest of honour that night. I approached him and mentioned the above incident. he said " By gum did I get a b********g for that. There was no way I could imagine, Ted Heath on such a day, turning out for such a small fish". We all had a good laugh.

Later Reg's daughter Tiggy came to work as Secretary to Ernst & Young's Administrator, where I and Rodney Robson Ex A.D. and briefly POW also worked. I told her of the above and she remembered her dear old Dad telling her about it.
Cheers,
Terry Brooks, Ex PC 154 'A'



Alpha Delta Plus,
Many thanks for your reply I will be submitting some memories in due course. What does come across in the web site is the warmth and affection held between colleagues. I must admit that the camaraderie on our shift (at AD) was first class. I transferred to Southampton (1963) where again there was a team spirit. The amalgamations came in 1967 and to get anywhere the carrot of moving around the County of Hampshire was dangled. I chose to remain in the Southampton area protected by police regs. In the years that followed I experienced things like 200 sgts chasing 10 insp vacancies and 400 pcs chasing 15 sgt posts. This all led to jealousy of the type not experienced in the Met.I retired after 25 yrs service as a PS and for 15 years became a Town Planner. Regards,
Brian Berry Ex Pc 160 'A'/149658. (1960 - 1963).
email: brian@cunliffeberry.fsnet.co.uk


From Ex PC 600 'A' David Patrick:

Alpha Delta Plus,
Hi - I was 600AD (146907) from Jan 1959 until Dec 1963. Sammy Main put me onto the web site and I have just spent some time trawling the site and dredging the recesses of my memory.
I saw Sammy's email and his reference to Jock (George) Penman. George and I were aides together (another way to avoid BP and POW)and worked both AD and AR. Pickings were pretty thin on AD's ground I can assure you. George, however, never seemed to worry too much about the '4 bodies a month' rule and preferred to play snooker - something he did to good effect and a useful supplement to our wages at the time.
Many of the names are broadly familiar to me and I also have access to the LPP mag through my wife - she never served on 'Royal A' however.
Off the top of my head I recall, Duncan Campbell who was my tutor aide. He actually left to become a probation officer - that was quite worrying.
Thenthere were such stalwarts as Ken Earl - a leading light in the LPP letters page., Gerry Waygood, Ted Allan who retired as a Supt on Thames, Denis Hunt,Tony Kilkerr (Now on Victims Support) and a whole slew of others that are gradually working their way back into my psyche.
Station stalwarts during my time included Joe Cook of course, Wally Anstes,Milky Williams (station cyclist), Jim Titmus who, by then was 'excused
boots' and working full time on Federation matters, Bob Wilson.
Many years later (1982) I took work with a company known as Centuryan Security. The Chairman was one Bill McAllister who was a new sergeant at AD about the time I was a senior aide waiting to get made. I worked for Bill until his retirement about 10 years ago.Unhappily, he died about 6 years ago but his wife, Audrey, still lives in the family home in Sanderstead.
I stayed with Centuryan until a couple of years ago when I retired as HR Director.
I could go on....and on and................
Best regards
David Patrick
email: deepeez@lineone.net






From David 'Russ' Conway Ex PC 291 'A'

Alpha Delta Plus,
Does anyone other than me remember the night duty shift when several toilet bowls were chained to the gates of Pow whilst we were paying less than full attention?
Please note my new email address:
drconway@optusnet.com.au


Re email from Ex Pc 291 'A' David 'Russ' Conway.

Your host JH has to put his hands up to this one. I was posted Night Duty 'Members Entrance' Palace of Westminster.Around 5am one morning we were most surprised to see that there were approximately one dozen 'guzunders' (P*** Pots) chained (by padlock) to Carriage Gates. 'What has happened here Sir, Please????' was the cry. After deep discussion with my colleagues I made my way to Downing Street where I 'borrowed' the bolt cutters that were kept in the box at the entrance to The Foreign Office.The bolt cutters certainly did their job. The P*** Pots were delicately and surgically removed from Carriage Gates.
Now, what do we do with them?? A brilliant idea was forthcoming from all present......"Throw them in the Thames".
This was done,again very delicately (and surgically), via Speaker's Green.
To this day as far as I am aware no one has the slightest knowledge of this incident taking place. (Thank goodness).
Your Host, JH.
email: alphadeltaplus@btopenworld.com


FROM BOB FRIDAY, SON OF EX PC 163 'A" ASHLEY (BOB) FRIDAY

Alpha Delta Plus,
My late father, Ashley (known as Bob) Friday, ex PC 163A was stationed at the Palace of Westminster for many years prior to his retirement in early 1977. He never talked a lot about his duties or his colleagues but I know he spent considerable time at the St Stephen's Entrance.

Your article on page 37 of The LPP (Issue 102 Sept 01) has belatedly been brought to my attention. The photograph has lost a lot of detail in being scaled down for publication and I would be intrigued to learn if you knew my father and whether in fact he is in the photograph.

Bob Friday
email: friday4@tinyworld.co.uk



Dear Bob,

I knew your Dear old Dad very well. He worked in the Kent Brick fields as a boy and for the War, went into the Irish Guards, where he was captured at Anzio; because of a very cautious Yank General. He was first, for a short time, a Prisoner of War in Italy, then was moved to Checkoslovakia, where he was forced to work underground, in the Brown Coal fields. He would dig a small tunnel in the side of the shafts/galleries; put a charge in it. Then it would be bricked up and the Charge set off. Then they the prisoners had to get all the brown coal out of the area and up to the surface. After the War he joined the Met Police. After two years on the beat, he was to be an aid to CID at Rochester Row.

Then later he joined the Parliamentary Crossings Staff to facilitate the progress of MPs to the House. The progression is then to the Palace of Westminster itself. He was mostly on St. Stephens Entrance, where he ran the Lobbies & kept a log especially for the Sergeant at Arms, Admiral Gordon Lennox. Commander Lowndes demanded to see the list. Bob said he could not as it was privileged information. Lowndes got stroppy. Bob had a duplicate, but said to Lowndes who was by now out of his pram " There's your f****** List" tearing it up at the same time. Lowndes wanted Bob stuck on, but Vic Coventry our great Superintendent from Cannon Row had a lot of respect for Bob and persuaded Lowndes to accept an apology in writing. Bob absolutely refused. So Bill Gilbert our Chief Super wrote it out and forged Bob's signature and advised Mr Lowndes to leave it to him and his men.

One day on a lobby Bob came down for a 5 min cup of tea. He saw me and asked me to mimic an old Kent bloke who told strange yarns, which were funny. I got to the bit where it goes "An 'er nickies fell to the floor, 'an as she bent over to pick em up, I smacked her arse" This in Bob's & this old Jim's broad Kent accent. Then Inspector Ridgewell came in and said " Friday there's a lobby you should be upstairs". With that Bob threw his cup into the sink and said " Ridgewell there goes my bloody tea! If I see you go for a tea break, outside your rereshment time, I'll come down to the Canteen and Chuck you out" Bob swopped his post for one week with Doug Atherton and stood on St. Stephen's Flat, from where he could see the Canteen Entrance. Ridgewell had his tea in his room rather than be chucked out.

Another time I dropped Bob in it. Our next Inspector George Blackmore, who should have been on annual leave came around to Black Rod Green, where I was sitting in the box, helmet off, collar undone, tie off in the sweltering heat, when at 10 am the milk bottle I'd put in place to warn me of an approach fell over. Too late, I was caught undressed by Blackmore & Gerry Jerome our Sergeant. I said "it's a fair cop guv here's my pocket book. I thought you were annual leave and old Gerry should be opening up the line of route ( for tours by the public)". Blackmore went spare and said "Sergeant Jerome to you and put that pocket book back and get properly dressed, I'll not do you today Brooks, as I'm annual leave." "Thanks guv damned decent of you" . I said, where upon they made their way to Chancellors Gate, where Bob was posted. It was very hot and Bob too had his helmet off and was undoing his shirt to wipe his neck to get rid of the sweat, whilst sitting on the stool. This caused Blackmore to have a go at Bob; a big mistake " Don't you talk to me in your old Bookmakers suit. For a start, you are supposed to be annual leave, further more if you had been on duty; you ought to be at Cannon Row, as the Palace of Westminster Inspector is supposed to work there and not here, if you bothered to check the regulations on P.O.Ws duties" With that Bob was chasing the Inspector out of the gate into Old Palace Yard. On the Monday Blackmore came up to me in the Peers Lobby and said "who is on the Moses Room Committee this morning Brooks"? I replied Bob Friday Sir " Oh! Gor Blimey!" said he and left rapidly.

One night duty Bob and I were having a yarn at Chancellors Gate, discussing how difficult it was becoming for Bob to get a mortgage for a house, he wished to buy either in Bromley or Beckenham, when a very smart gentleman came out from a dinner party he'd been to, at the Lord Chancellors. Bob recognised him as Major (later Colonel) Oliver Chatterton. "Good night Sir!" said Bob where upon the man turned and recognised Bob from his days in the Guards. They had a long chat where upon Chatterton asked where Bob was living; which prompted Bob to mention mortgages. Oliver Chatterton was a Director of the Woolwich Equitable Building Society. He said Bob "I'll see you get a nice low fixed rate mortgage" Which is what happened.

Sometime later Bob's wife had invited the Vicar around to tea; having sent you boys in to the garden, as Bob was not too confident that something out of place might be said . Sure enough the strains of " Adolphe Hitlers only got one ball. Goebbles has got no balls at all". Came through the window. Bob rushed out and told you blokes to put a sock in it.

Bob, your Dad was a marvellous man; loved by all his colleagues. I went to see him in Bromley Hospital just before he died. I know I speak for all his A division mates when I say he is sadly missed. There are none like him in the Job today and there never will be. He was a one off.

Sincerely yours

Terry Brooks Ex PC154A Warrant Number 138932. tvbrooks@alphadeltaplus.20m.com or tvbrooks@pgen.net
PS One of Bobs CID pals Fred Lambert wrote a super yarn in the latest LPP.


Alpha Delta Plus,
Well, I started at AD and spent 5 and a half years there. 1979-1984. A bit of Royalty Protection, Beat Crimes and then on to other Districts. It was a bloody good time and such nice people.
George Palmer
email: georgepalmer999@hotmail.com





The email below refers to an item within the pages of 'Eamon's Corner' in Alpha Delta Plus (2) Click on the helmet image above then select Alpha Delta Plus (2)


Dear Ray,(via Alpha Delta Plus)

The men who I think you are referring to are Ken Sharland & Geoff Finlayson the former National Police Snooker Champion; who played in the days when Ray Reardon, former World Champion, was in the Job. This would be either 1953 or 1954. They went together to Toronto, as indeed you did in the first instance. Ken Sharland looked very like me and suffered as a result. I had deemed a bloke called John O'Conner, as he was worrying the Back Hall Inspector at New Scotland Yard; suggesting that he was controlled by a beam emitted from Sweden, which caused hin to do bad things. I was called for, & persuaded him to come to Cannon Row, where the Duly Authorised Officer attended and committed him to 14 days Observation in St Pancras Hospital Mental Wing. The ambulance arrived and the attendant offered to get in the back with me I said, "No matter he's ok." I wondered why he kept looking back at us. I found out when we arrived at the Hospital and two blokes came out in whites wearing what looked like protective leggings. John reared up and flew at these blokes, kicking and clawing at them. I and the Ambulance crew helped to get him in side and also to get him into a straight jacket. He was very strong and it took all of us to do it. Then they managed to get him away. I swear that I heard a padded cell door slam and they came back to us. A fortnight later Ken Sharland was standing out side the Whitehall Theatre; when suddenly he received a punch on the jaw, which luckily did not lay him out. Ted Mc Glassen saw what was happening and Ken he and another officer whose name I can not recall got him into Cannon Row, with the assistance of Jim Titmuss the former ABA & Eu Police Heavyweight Boxing Champion, who was our van driver; where dear John got deemed again. I never went alone in the back of an ambulance, with a person who I had had deemed of Unsound Mind and sent for 14 days Observation. I did have another three of these people later in my 31 years service.

I believe Ken and Geoff returned to England, though I have a suspicion that one or both of them along with Ken Yeldham who was on our relief later joined the Toronto Police.

By the way big head here, does not wish to be a bore; but I believe you will find it is St. Stephen's Rochester Row and not St Francis. The Rev. Reindorp became the Bishop of Guildford, amid a great deal of upset, as the people thought that the Cannon, who had done much Fund Raising, should have got the job. The new Bishop got the Bishopric through Harold MacMillan's Ecclesiastical Secretary who worshipped at St. Stephens. He was David Stepens, who as a result was posted to assistant Clerk of the Parliament, with a view that he would eventually replace Sir Victor Goodman, as Clerk of the Parliament, in lieu of the brilliant though rude Mr Perceval, who had been nicked for drunk in charge and therefore was not considered suitable. He was shortly to be Sir David Stephens. In the Civil Service if you are prominent and make a blunder, you never get the sack. You are moved sideways or promoted , as long as there is plenty of advice available from your minions. Mr. Perceval was not of a friendly disposition, luckily others were.

Cheers once again gentlemen,
Terry Brooks Ex PC 154'A'




Alpha Delta Plus,
It seems that no matter how long you had in ,and whether memories are good or bad the "Job"is always with us in some shape or another.......
sadly though,the management have utterly destroyed what was left of morale...its all very PC these days-no wind ups any more.
Well,the good old AD that was the fore-runner of the present day "CW"or Westminster......seemed a "real"nick in comparison
I was made up in 91 and went to AD (the new one)-I asked for up town after the old P and M districts-and the place was huge in comparison,but the operational bit was only the ground floor......the Commanders and DACs were on the 3 rd floor......it had become the 8 Area,then the 1 Area (Central)HQ by then with lots of scrambled egg and civvies everywhere.It was already in the throes of amalgamating with CB to become CX..CHARING CROSS DIVISION

The charge room in those days was at CB...AD had B11 prisoners quite often..so less than 8s came around now and again.

T Square-still a fixed post up until 94/5 ish,
PMs movements to POW,BP and Horseguards all that old stuff that probationers hated,but as someone who had come from scrote areas in the Job,it was all a pleasant change.
AD kept its own CAD room...or Reserve and so did CB.....new magic radios meant we could swap channels at any time.
Bulled boots,smart appearance,and politness still counted for a bit then with me as the Skipper.

QUICK STORIES:
(1)After a bomb scare,the Embankment etc are shut off.....NO GO.....the then
Home Sec ....with Prot Officer.....comes walking up to a cordon ..tries to blag it through
the PC says...just try it mate..you'll go on the sheet if you do......yes you can have my bloody job,I know you know the Commissioner,I do know who you are,so dont even bother OK...goddit.!
TOP STUFF until I got a visit from SB and heard it all again.!but the PC was right and the Prot Officer reluctantly took it on the chin.


(2)DOGBERRY type stuff........I was that Skipper....
T Square-Xmas week......PC permanently posted to guard the Swedish Xmas tree......but he's dislexic and stutters.........3 drunks have climbed up the
tree -totally pi***d out of their minds-up to the top and its swaying with the weight..the PC ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffinally manages to cccccccccccccccccccccccallfor some bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbback up and we all turn up..there they were.......right at the top giving us all the abuse as usual.....so Sargie shouts out "If you dont come down I'll send the dogs up to get you"....IT WORKED
OK Guv ,we'll come down.
Old sweat PC says"Skipper,I know we do some strange things up here,but flying f****ng job dogs Ive not seen,how do they train em to climb the trees then??"
Then it sunk in-he was right.....Dogberry here we come..the Fed mags "cock ups" section!
Yep,AD certainly had its fair share of fun over the years,tourists everywhere,but sadly it all died when CX opened in October 1992
AD just became a management site,with a few PCs using it for grub when posted to Central London Security....mind numbingly boring..but the experienced lads were quite happy to do it-better there than Stoke,or Peckham,or .............
There are some AD and CB memoribilia items on sale at CX these days.........next time Im in there I will get details and prices etc.....hopefully this week sometime.
I work for Westminster Council these days....LOADS of ex-Job there it's known as AV or Victoria Street Police Station.
Im in and out of nicks all week so,its handy to keep up to speed.
I only did 12 so Im a boy in the Job,but was caste in 98 after an RTA on a bike I still miss it even though its all LOB these days.....spineless managers instead of leaders we used to have,
Never mind,
6th of the month is nice ........!
Regards,
Eamon Maloney. Ex PS 47 (AD 1991 -1992) email: Ebikemad750@aol.com


Received from Ex PC.461 'A' /145076 (AD 1957-1966) Sammy Main
Alpha Delta Plus,
My history at Alpha Delta consisted of ; "AD", Xings & POW,(Anything to avoid BP), Sent back to AD for upsetting newspaper reporter(Robert Cameron I believe), then to "AW". I have had a quick scan through the site and seen so many familiar names. Terry Brooks memory is phenomenal. Enjoyed a reunion at POW this year along with Alan Baines who incidentally was also 635A. I see Alan quite often. Jim Masons name is also in there somewhere as somebodys best man. I don't know where he is now but he did leave the Met early transfering to Herts Const. The last time I saw him he had left police and was a Tesco trouble shooter, rescuing branches which were on the slide. It wasn't long before his marriage hit the rocks and he and Pauline divorced. They were actually my son's godparents. There is a bit more to this but I will keep it. That must be all of 30 years ago. Any news of him would be good. Anyone remember George(Jock) Penman? Another early leaver who disappeared somewhere into the depths of Wales where he and his lady ran a hotel. Don't know any more about him now but he has the honour of releasing a bullet from his Bereta inside No.1 Carlton House Terrace! I don't think the bullet was ever found. Does anyone remember the "jam sessions " we had in the custodians cubby hole opposite No. 10? H.Wilson was the PM and it all seemed to start when somebody produced a mouth-organ. Night duty of course and it wasn't long before more & more bodies, over a period of a week, crammed into the cubby hole. Armed with jews harps,kazoos,combs/paper and almost anything else that produced noise, we rivalled the 101 Club for jazz classics. Not to last though as Mary Wilson put the bubble in and the cubby hole was raided and put out of bounds. Who knows what heights in show business could have been attained. Memories keep coming but I will save some for later,especially at AW.
Regards,
Sammy Main.
Ex 461'A'/145076 email: samjoanmain@aol.com









Received form Ex PC. 548 'A' Tim Hodges:

Alpha Delta Plus
REMEMBER ME 548 A. THANKS FOR PUBLISHING THE CROSSINGS PHOTOGRAPH IN L.P.P. AND REMINDING ME OF VERY HAPPY TIMES. REMEMBER THE TOMMY COOPER IMPRESSIONS! I'VE NEVER FORGOTTEN IT, I CAN EVEN REMEMBER MOST OF THE JOKES! STILL INVOLVED IN THE RUGBY? BE VERY INTERESTED IN A GET TOGETHER, IS THERE ONE IN MIND? HOPE YOU'RE KEEPING WELL. LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU. SEE DANNY CLARKE OCCASIONALLY.
ALL THE BEST
TIM HODGES Ex PC 548 'A'.email: tg.hodges@talk21.com


Received from Ex 'A' Division PC Dave Cudlip's Ex Wife:
Alpha Delta Plus,
I am the ex-wife of Dave Cudlip who served with John Holley, based at Cannon Row and Wellington Arch. Still in touch with amongst others, Bob & Jenny Holden, John & Judy Lewis and Pete Butcher's ex-wife. Anyone know what happened to the Cavell brothers? Any other "old" Regency Street residents out there?
email scudlip@aol.com



Received from Tom Newman Ex Pc 112 & 117 'A'/144477
Alpha Delta Plus,
Read the new entries , in particular AH. I lived at the section house at AH in 1959, when a certain scottish gent used to practice blowing up a sheeps belly. Did any body else from 'A' live at Carter St. one of the original section houses I believe, when the bedrooms were stalls with a curtain for a wardrobe? keep up the good work, regards Tom Newman
email: thomasnewman@lineone.net