I spotted this site while searching for
something else and was pleased to see a few old muckers on the site and that
there is a Bruggen reunion next year. I hope to be able to make that but I am
still serving in Staffordshire Police after leaving the RAFP in 1991 and in a
role where I will be used for the Olympics and Jubilee, so I may not be able to
make it.
However, I have attached a picture of the Dog
section in 1990 when we were asked to form a guard of honour for 17F squadron at
RAF Bruggen for their 75th anniversary. Would you be able to pop it
on the site for those of us that remember?
102 Military Working Dog (MWD)
Squadron has recently taken over the vital role of commanding the Theatre
Military Working Dog Support Unit in Afghanistan on Operation HERRICK
15.
Private Chris Lush with his arms and explosives search dog,
Charlie [Picture: Sergeant Steve Blake RLC, Crown Copyright/MOD
2011]
The squadron is responsible for the deployment, care and welfare of over 80
military working dogs.
The dogs provide security at operating bases and help with the detection of
improvised explosive devices, allowing troops the freedom of movement to conduct
counter-insurgency operations.
The benefits of military working dogs are widely recognised across Defence,
with 102 MWD Squadron being responsible for training and deploying a two-fold
increase in detection dog capability for Op HERRICK 15.
Normally handled by the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC) and Royal Air
Force Police, 102 MWD Squadron will be the first squadron responsible for
commanding infantry soldiers that have been specially selected and trained to
handle IED detection dogs.
The Officer Commanding 102 MWD Squadron, Major Eddie Thompson, Royal
Engineers, said:
"It's a proud and honoured time for both the 1st Military Working Dog
Regiment and the squadron, who will see the introduction of embedded dog
handlers, providing the infantry companies with a life- and limb-saving
capability.
"These specialist dog teams will be providing an added level of detection
against the IED threats that they face daily here in Helmand."
The dogs and handlers have undergone a comprehensive training and fitness
programme in preparation for the Afghan environment which will be consolidated
in Camp Bastion in a new state-of-the-art IED detection dog training
facility.
Private Laura March with her improvised explosive device
detection dog, Max [Picture: Sergeant Steve Blake RLC, Crown Copyright/MOD
2011]
Private Laura March, RAVC, who works with Max, a black labrador, said:
"He and I are inseparable; he has boundless energy and with the fantastic
facilities here in Camp Bastion the dogs are more than prepared.
"The dogs' fitness is not an issue with the preparation they've had. I must
admit I found it hard at first carrying all the weight, but since completing
over six months' training and the time we have spent in theatre acclimatising
I am now used to it."
The dogs' needs have been well catered for in Helmand, with an uplift of
conditioned ISO (freight container) kennels and the procurement of tactical
field and 'forward operating base' kennels specifically designed to maximise dog
comfort, cleanliness and safety.
The operational kennels ensure the dogs have the best possible environment to
rest and recuperate in between patrols.
The dogs are procured from all over the world and are of various breeds
including Cocker and Springer spaniels, German and Belgian Shepherds (Malinois),
and labrador retrievers.
Lance Corporal Kevin Anderson, from 102 MWD Squadron based in Sennelager,
Germany, works with an 18-month-old male Belgian Malinois called Fridjtof. He
said:
"Working with Fridjtof has been absolutely brilliant; he is a search dog
and incredibly hardworking. He copes well with the hot conditions here as we
have been training in a similar climate prior to coming to Afghanistan.
"We bonded in a couple of weeks and he is a pleasure to work
with."
Lance Corporal Anderson is in Afghanistan for the second time, Fridjtof is
there for the first time. They will share a close working relationship over the
coming months in what is possibly the most austere environment any dog handler
could encounter.
The squadron provides vehicle search dogs which search all vehicles entering
Camp Bastion, preventing the entry of illegal contraband - primarily arms and
explosives.
Corporal 'Fozzy' Foster, Royal Air Force Police, with his
vehicle search dog, Mac [Picture: Sergeant Steve Blake RLC, Crown
Copyright/MOD 2011]
Corporal 'Fozzy' Foster is in the Royal Air Force Police and
works at Camp Bastion with his black labrador, Mac. He said:
"Mac is playful, but when it comes to doing his job he is focused and
thorough.
"It is hot work so I keep him hydrated and in the shade where I can. You
grow to know your dog very well. I always reward him with a treat or a bit of
playtime with his ball after work.
"New or updated equipment to make life easier and safer for ourselves and
the dogs is arriving all the time. Recent additions include operational
harnesses, para-shades, control lines and hydration packs.
"The dogs play an important part of daily life in Afghanistan and provide
that extra feeling of safety and security to the humans they work with. They
have no agenda and the work is just an extension of their natural instincts,
proving to be a daily life-saver."
Facing the same dangers that the environment in Afghanistan brings to
coalition forces and the Afghan National Security Forces, the dogs are on the
ground daily and have been pre-selected for their steadiness and appreciation of
the environment.
The IED training area allows the dogs to become accustomed to the unusual
noises of helicopters, mortar and gun fire and also allows the teams to
familiarise themselves with the various forms of transport they may come
across.
Working with a search dog is Lance Corporal Lou Robinson, who works with a
female Belgian Malinois called Hiha. The dog is two-and-a-half years old and has
worked in Afghanistan before.
Lance Corporal Robinson said:
"I have worked with Hiha for about two weeks and she is awesome; I
have also served in Afghanistan before in 2009. Working with the dogs is great
and Hiha has a really good temperament.
"We have the dogs' welfare at the forefront of our minds and when
not working we have plunge pools and conditioned kennels where the dogs can
recover."
Lance Corporal Lou Robinson with her high assurance search dog,
Hiha [Picture: Sergeant Steve Blake RLC, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]
Also in the working dog section is Private Chris Lush. He is in Afghanistan
for the first time and is working with Charlie, a two-and-a-half-year-old
Springer spaniel who is a different type of search dog. Private Lush said:
"I have the utmost trust in Charlie; he does a brilliant job and is one of
the best dogs in the section. It is hard work and we are carrying a lot of
equipment, plus extra gear for the dog to do its job.
"I was a bit nervous at first working out here, but we, as a team of
handlers, work well together. The dogs all get on with each other and they are
well looked after.
"I have always loved dogs; I studied animal management at Sparsholt College
near Winchester before I joined up. Diet for the dogs is important and we feed
them 'Eukanuba', a high performance dry food that keeps them in peak
condition."
The operations that the Theatre Military Working Dog Support Unit carry out
in Afghanistan are vital to the operational effort. The bond between dogs and
their handlers is plain to see.
The different breeds ensure specific functions are covered and the training
they receive ensures they are in total harmony with their handlers.
The equipment they use in Afghanistan has been designed to withstand the
environment. 102 MWD Squadron will remain in Afghanistan for six months when, at
the end of HERRICK 15, they will return to Sennelager, Germany.
By their very nature the dogs bring smiles and a touch of normal life to
those they protect. They are by no means domestic pets, but do enjoy a cuddle, a
pat, or a rough of the neck now and again. They are in fact still 'man's best
friend' in Afghanistan.
LAST POST AT NEWTON - THE LIFE OF ROYAL AIR FORCE
NEWTON.
This book takes you on a journey from construction in the late 1930s
through to the ultimate closure in 2001. Along the way, read about the wartime
years, the rescue of a Wellington Bomber crew from the ice cold North Sea, the
post-war missile training era, the Vulcan landing and Josef Warchal's amazing
jorney from Poland across war torn Europe to RAF Newton.
First (collectors) edition was published in November 2008. Second (revised)
edition published in August 2009 and the Third (revised) edition published in
September 2010.
Hardback (size 175 x 245mm)
Colour throughout
Over 200 illustrations, photographs, paintings and pen drawings.
288 pages
Foreward by Group Captain C B Sid Adcock (Ret'd) the Last Station
Commander, RAF Newton 1993-1995.
Introduction by Group Captain Hugh F O'Neil (Ret'd) No 12 Group HQ, Newton
1947-1950.
I am able to negotiate a reduced price on this book which normally sells at
£25 + £5.50 postage. The author Tim wishes to support me in my fund raising for
Help for Heroes (Charity No 1120920). The Royal Air Force Police Dog Handlers'
charity Project has raised money at all of the QPD Reunions held in 2008, 2009
& 2011. We have been granted Charity of the Year status by Help for Heroes.
This means I am fund raising from September 2011 - September 2012. (This will be
renewed each year). I have been working on numerous exciting initiatives which
will enable me to offer all the RAF Police Family a range of items donated by
businesses large and small at attractive rates. This will give the businesses
and more importantly Help for Heroes an income stream.
If you are interested in the RAF Newton book please email me or call 0116
2740443. The price I am to sell the book at is £20 + £2.50 postage. (It is hoped
based on interest shown to be less). The Author has a book about the history of
RAF Syerston coming out approximately February 2012. I will keep you informed
when published.
Tim is also a member of The Guild of Aviation Artists, please look at his
website as I am also in negotiations to be able to sell his prints at very
attractive prices.
Air Dog Buster is retiring after braving bombs
and bullets on five operational tours /RAF
Wednesday October 5,2011
By John
Ingham
SITTING proudly to attention, displaying a row of campaign
medals on his chest, this RAF veteran is a military hero.
But now Air Dog Buster is retiring after braving bombs and
bullets on five operational tours.
The nine-year-old English springer spaniel saw active service
on two tours of Bosnia and two of Afghanistan, fitting in a few months in Iraq
in between.
The arms and explosives sniffer dog lives with his handler,
RAF Police Sergeant Michael “Will” Barrow, 45, and his wife, Tracy.
RAF Police Sergeant Will Barrow
with Buster during service in Iraq /Chris Davison/RAF
But he is not turning his back on military life – Buster will
be the RAF Police mascot and already has the ceremonial black and red coat.
The nine-year-old English springer spaniel saw
active service on two tours of Bosnia and two of Afghanistan
During service in Bosnia he made significant finds of illegal
weapons and explosives and in Afghanistan’s Helmand province Buster saved
countless lives by sniffing out explosive vests which led to the arrest of two
suicide bombers.
He also repeatedly went out on foot patrols through the poppy
fields hunting for insurgents and the Taliban weapon of choice: improvised
explosive devices. Will said: “During one foot patrol we came under attack from
the enemy.
“Although the contact was short-lived, it was extremely
noisy. But Buster remained calmly by my side, totally unfazed by the actions
going on around him. After the event, the patrol continued and Buster carried on
his work, wondering what the fuss was about.”
He said this happened on several occasions, adding: “Each
time, Buster waited calmly for the action to cease, then carried on his search
for improvised explosive devices, and keeping the patrols safe.
Buster enjoys his retirement from
active duty as an armament and explosive search dog /PeterCorns
At night, sleep was constantly interrupted with the loud boom
of mortars. Although I was often woken in a state of panic, Buster remained his
calm and collected self, not batting an eyelid.”
Buster also served with the Coldstream Guards in Kabul,
searching Jalalabad Road – the most bombed road in the world.
Buster
enjoying a quieter life with his playmates Bradley and Josh Barrie-Marklow
/PeterCorns
Now he is at home in Cranwell, Lincolnshire, with Will and
Tracy, who is also in the RAF Police, and their two dogs – another springer
spaniel and a German shepherd.
Will, who is based at nearby RAF Waddington, said: “We had to
teach Buster to play with the other dogs. When he was a working dog he only got
toys when he made a find.
Buster is enjoying being at home
with his family after his RAF duty /PeterCorns
And when he came home he collected up all the dogs’ toys and
became very protective of them.”
Buster is also popular with the children of Will’s colleagues
– such as seven-year-old Josh Barrie-Marklow. Will said: “He is certainly in the
top three of the dogs I have worked with.
Despite his medals, Buster like
any dog is at home on the sofa with a cuddly toy /PeterCorns
“I had one in Bosnia which has the record for the number of
finds by a military working dog and another who was the best search dog. But
Buster is right up there.”
Now he
is retired Buster has plenty of time to frolic in the fields
/PeterCorns
Buster, right, with some pals
/PeterCorns
Hi,
Our esteemed friend and collegue, Dave
Rem, died on 31/5/11, with a whole host of ex doggy lads attending his
cremation in Darlington. I was with Dave on the day he passed away and he had a
long standing ambition which he has passed on to me to
fulfill.
Dave had, over the years, collected and had written
down a few hilarious stories surrounding the RAF P Dog world as he had known
it.
His intention was to have these memoirs
published. After his death, I began trying to knock into
shape the stories he had written and had left behind in a carrier bag for
me.
However, as I have advised his daughter, Sarah,
there really is insufficient material to compile a book as such; as had Dave
wished in our conversations together over the years.
Could I extend a request through the RAFP web site
for ex dog lads to supply Dave`s book with any funny stories they can remember
happening that involved our dogs, handlers, instructors etc.
The tales do not have to necessarly include Dave
himself. Just give me the story facts and I will fit them in. I promise that the
GUILTY shall no way be HIDDEN from being named.
I have already received some from Mick Chidgey and
Jack Johnstone and a couple from myself. however, this is Dave`s book and not
mine. Please send me your tales, Guys.
Buster is making a special appearance at the front of the shopping mall at
Springfields Outlet Shopping in Spalding with members of the Springfields
Charity of the Year, The Royal British Legion on Sunday 14th August. RAF
Police dogs provide an essential force protection component to military
operations worldwide. Since 1945, RAF Police dogs have been employed in the
protection of airfields and military assets, the recovery of evidence, public
order, the detection of drugs and anti-terrorist operations. On an
operational front, RAF Police dogs have served or are currently serving in
Singapore, Aden, Hong Kong, Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands, Bosnia,
Kosovo, Gibraltar, Cyprus, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Air
dog Buster, an arms and explosives search dog, has five operational tours under
his collar. He joined the military in September 2005 and after training started
duties in Scotland. In September 2006, he deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina in his
first operational role. His duties here included searching for illegally held
weapons & explosives within the local populous. He had a number of
significant finds, thus helping to make this volatile country a safer
place. In September 2007, Buster was deployed to Afghanistan with his
handler, Sgt Michael Barrow, where after a few days they were sent to the now
infamous Helmand Province. They went on many missions including both foot &
armoured vehicle patrols of the area in search of insurgents. Next Buster
went to the Capital City of Kabul & teamed up with the Coldstream Guards.
Although not as intense as Helmand in terms of shooting incidents, one of
Busters tasks was to search the Jalalahbad road, often described as 'the most
bombed road in the world' & where the threat of suicide bombs is very real.
Although a very tense situation for soldiers, Buster once again carried out his
tasks with great professionalism. Buster was then sent to Iraq in March 2009
where he was needed immediately to ensure that the convoys leaving Basrah for
Kuwait had a safe passage. This he did until the withdrawal of British Troops in
May 2009. Once again, Buster faced 6 Months in Cyprus, but during this time,
he was once again required to step up to the mark, when one of his K9 colleagues
failed to make the grade in Afghanistan. He was flown out & teamed with
another handler, Corporal Simon Pound, & carried out five months searching
the thousands of vehicles entering Camp Bastion. A vital task ensuring that
insurgents do not have the opportunity to place a large explosive device amongst
the thousands of troops & mission critical equipment that are housed
there. Buster once again returned to Cyprus and finally arrived back on home
soil in June 2010
Canine VIP visits Spalding
Buster
Published on Thursday 11 August 2011
16:00
BUSTER the arms and explosives sniffer dog, a decorated veteran of four
overseas campaigns, will be meeting and greeting at Springfields Outlet Shopping
Centre, Spalding this weekend.
Buster will be at the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal tombola stall from
noon until 2pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
After joining up and receiving extensive training in 2005, Buster was
deployed first to Bosnia, then to Afghanistan for a first tour in 2007 before
ensuring the safety of departing British Army convoys from Basrah, Iraq in
2009.
Buster’s final mission was with the RAF Police for his second visit to
Afghanistan.
The Poppy Appeal stall is at Springfields for the next three
weekends
8 August 2011 I have been informed that
there will be NO RAFP Dog Trials this year due to work
commitment
Operational Dog
Training
02 August 2011
Corporal
Robert Smith, Royal Air Force Police Dog Handler, and Air Dog Billy from RAF
Marham take part in a training exercise on Salisbury Plain.
Designed to
prepare Army troops heading for Afghanistan, Cpl Smith talks about the role of
the RAF Police on Operation HERRICK and his work alongside colleagues from other
Services.
Photography: Sergeant Adrian Harlen/Andrew Linnett/MOD Crown
Copyright 2011.
Top dogs keep Air Tattoo safe
A QUARTET of black Labradors from the RAF Police are
doing their bit to keep the Royal International Air Tattoo safe.
The canine crew, complete with RAF Police Dog Handlers, are working at this
weekend's airshow at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, carrying out search duties
of the venue and the VIP areas, and also being used in vehicle searches as
visitors enter the public car parks.
Cpl Adrian Dickson from RAF Lyneham, who's teamed with Airdog Louise, says:
"I came here as a visitor many years ago but this is the first time I've
officially worked here. The team arrived on the Sunday and we've been busy for
the last few days."
He adds: "Louise is a Vehicle Search Dog, while the other three – Airdog Zoom
with Cpl Ian Short from RAF Brize Norton; Airdog Kudos with Cpl Marc Shakespeare
from RAF Northolt; and Airdog Hugo with Cpl Dave Tansley from RAF Lyneham – are
Arms Explosive Search Dogs, but we work together in all areas of the
showground."
To date Cpl Dickson reports that everything's looking good for the weekend
show, and visitors can rest assured that this quartet of Top Dogs (and their
handlers) will be doing their best to ensure the event stays safe and
spectacular.
Gone to the Dogs
Gone to the Dogs
Gone to the Dogs. Proving that he remains at the sharp end – Group Captain
Johnston, Station Commander RAF Kinloss volunteered to be at the receiving end
of some RAF Police Dog Training in return for Station personnel donating lots of
cash for the Royal British Legion.
The Station Commander said: “This was rather daunting but all in a good cause
and I’m extremely grateful to all who donated money and came out to support this
event. It is wonderful that even during drawdown Station personnel are so
willing to both think of and give for others.”
Left to right: Station Commander and Airdog Cato.
Sgt Calum Macaskill; Cpl Kat Sullivan and Airdog Cato; Group Captain JJ
Johnston and Cpl Tony Rowe.
Corporal relishes role with special dog unit
10:10am Friday 24th June 2011
AN AMMANFORD soldier based in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province has been talking
about his work with sniffer dogs trained to detect potentially lethal roadside
bombs.
Corporal James Royffe, 25, serves at Camp Bastion, Helmand, where he is part
of the Theatre Military Working Dogs Support Unit (TMWDSU).
The former Amman Valley Comprehensive schoolboy joined
the RAF Police in 2007.
"I always wanted to combine police work with dog
handling and the RAF has given me the perfect platform to do this," he said.
Before joining James worked as an administrator at
Swansea prison and his father Ron and sister Samantha still live locally. "My
job here along with my dog Si Yu is to work with the Royal Engineers to help
find Improvised Explosive Devices. I get a lot of satisfaction from my job as I
am helping to save lives."
"The RAF has given me the chance to go trapeezing,
abseiling, rock climbing and so much more. I have also had the opportunity to
play football for the Military Working Dog Regiment.
One of his most memorable experiences was in 2008 during
the 90th Anniversary of the RAF.
"I had the chance to march in front of the Queen along
with 800 other people, which was one of the largest parades the RAF has
participated in," he recalled.
The Cenotaph –
13th November 2011
At the Cenotaph this year there will be a noticeable
addition to the dress of some of our marchers. This will be as a mark of respect
for those Dog Handlers, and their dogs that, whilst serving in previous and on
going war zones under very dangerous conditions, have died or been seriously
injured, be they from Army Dog Units or from the RAF Police Dog Units. Those of
our registered members, who were former Dog Handlers
and who wish to do so, will wear the approved service Rope Lead over their
shoulder during the parade. WO Bill Veazey will ensure uniformity should this be
needed. John Walton, who has organised each Cenotaph parade to date, will add
this news to the notes he submits to the organising committee and which is
normally handed on to the BBC.
It is believed that this sensitive and emotive act will be
readily understood and appreciated by all service personnel and the general
public. So, setting aside the well-known banter we have heard and enjoyed
amongst the various specialisations in our trade group, let us give our
wholehearted support to our QPD colleagues, old and new, along with all RAF
Police wherever they are serving in these troubled times.
Ted Hellewell
National Chairman
Flintshire
firm Wagtail UK on the trail of bats in Portugal
A DETECTION dog company has joined forces with a
Portuguese bio-technology firm to help solve a mystery.
Holywell-based Wagtail UK used six-year-old springer
spaniel, Twister, to see if wind turbines are inadvertently destroying bat
populations on the other side of the Mediterranean.
Wagtail was working with Bio3, based in Almeida, near
Lisbon, which has developed a system for accurately estimating the impact of
windfarms on colonies of protected species of bats.
But first it needed to find if bats are dying where
windfarms are sited – and Twister has been trained to find their bodies.
Louise Wilson, a director of Wagtail UK and head of
training, said: “We need to establish whether bats are dying at windfarms, and
Twister can do that.
“If there are dead bats there, Twister will find
them.”
Bio3 scientists are now keen to promote and support the
work Wagtail is doing.
Miguel Mascarenhas and colleague, Hugo Costa, visited the
UK to explain the company’s methods to the energy industry.
They also hope to use Wagtail’s expertise in Europe. “We
have been very impressed with what we have seen at Wagtail,” said Mr Costa.
“Their methods and facilities are excellent and we know
they can train dogs to find bats or anything else.
“We would be happy to work with them and recommend them
to the energy industry.”
With the growth in wind technology Louise, 28, sees the
use of dogs as the way forward for wildlife surveys.
She said: “Wind farms have to run surveys to show that
bats and birds aren’t being killed and Twister is available here in the UK and
he’s quicker, cheaper and much more efficient than using people.”
Wagtail was founded by ex-RAF police dog handler Collin
Singer in 2003 and trains dogs for a range of duties, including work with the UK
Border Agency.
The company also trains dogs in drug and explosive
detection and has been widely used by police forces in England and Wales.
For more information about Wagtail and the use of
conservation dogs within the UK, contact Louise Wilson on info@wagtailuk.com or
go to www.wagtailuk.com.
LEADING LIGHTS: Some of the RAF dogs on the
parade ground in Hull after the Second World War. Brenda is second left with
RonaldShipp.
kindly sent by the Hull Daily Mail,
photographer, Nigel Fisher
The RAF paid proper
and lasting tribute to “The Few” – brave fighter pilots in their Hurricanes and
Spitfires, who staved off invasion of Britain by seeing off Germany’s
much-vaunted Luftwaffe in 1940, chiefly over the skies of southern England and
the Home Counties.
However, following
the defeat of Hitler’s Nazi regime in 1945, the RAF paid a second tribute to
“The Few” – and this time it took place in Hull.
Honoured with
a march through the city, certificates and a high-profile presentation ceremony
were the faithful patrol dogs of the RAF
Police.
One of those
certificates has survived down the years and was brought in to Flashback by
reader Alan Shipp.
His father, Ronald,
was a warrant officer in the RAF and is seen in today’s main picture, second
left, with his patrol dog Brenda during the city centre parade in
1946.
The certificate was
awarded in grateful recognition of Brenda’s loyal and faithful service.
She showed tireless
effort and constant devotion to duty “willingly rendered to Britain and all the
free peoples of the world in time of war” – according to the top brass in
Whitehall.
The certificate
carries the signature of the Provost Marshall, Chief of Royal Air Force
Police.
With Brenda’s
certificate came a covering letter from the officer commanding, based at the Air
Ministry in London.
It said: “Although
the work done by these animals has been mentioned publicly from time to time,
few people who were not actually in touch with them know of the extraordinarily
valuable service which they performed.
“Night after night,
over a period of years, vital RAF property and equipment in isolated situations
was safeguarded by them and their handlers in a manner, and with efficiency and
economy in manpower, which would have been impossible by any other means.
“Theirs was one of
those essential jobs which had to be carried out in terms of long, arduous,
sometimes boring, often exacting, duties which, even though they may not have
come within the public eye so much as others, were none the less an important
and positive contribution to winning the war.”
The Provost
Marshall, who carried the rank of air commodore, said the handlers could take
great satisfaction that their dogs had done splendidly and helped in the success
of the guard dog scheme within the RAF.
But where exactly
did these dedicated police dogs serve?
RAF Sutton on Hull
seems certain to have been one of their bases.
Flashback’s thanks
go to Hans Houterman, who oversees specialist website www.rafweb.org
containing details about RAF officers.
We were unable to
make out the Provost Marshall’s signature on either document, but Hans soon
identified him as Air Commodore O W de Putron.
A First World War
veteran, he became Provost Marshal in 1942 and held the post for almost 10
years.
He introduced dogs
into the RAF Police in 1943 and succeeded in having the investigation into the
execution of 50 RAF prisoners-of-war following the breakout from Stalag Luft
III, taken over by the RAF Police.
After the war he
became Aide-De-Camp to King George VI.
Lance Corporal Liam Tasker remembered
at parade
Col Neil Smith presents a campaign medal to Jane Duffy,
the mother of L/Cpl Liam Tasker
Published on Thursday 7 April 2011 07:00
THE mother of a soldier killed in Afghanistan was
presented with a medal yesterday alongside his colleagues.
Troops from 104 Military Working Dog Squadron, based at
St George’s Barracks in North Luffenham, who were presented with their service
medals yesterday following their six month tour in Afghanistan.
The soldiers remembered their colleague and friend L/Cpl
Liam Tasker, who was killed while on foot patrol near Camp Bastion on March 1.
His Springer Spaniel cross Theo died of a seizure the same day.
Prior to the parade, there was a private service at Edith
Weston Church in memory of L/Cpl Tasker.
The 45 troops and four RAF police dog handlers, who
arrived back on British soil last Tuesday, marched out shortly after 11.30am.
They were led by the band of the parachute regiment, onto a bright parade
square. They were flanked by four Springer Spaniels on each corner, who walked
to heel.
Crowds of family and friends gathered at the edge of the
square in Army green marquees.
L/Cpl Tasker’s family, including his mother Jane Duffy,
were among the crowds.
The head of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps Col Neil
Smith was led along the three rows, shaking the soldiers’ hands and clipping the
medals to their jackets.
He was then led to L/Cpl Tasker’s family, where Col Smith
pinned the medal to Mrs Duffy’s jacket. The rest of the family hugged and there
were tears from the watching crowds.
At the podium Col Smith praised the troops for an
“arduous but successful tour”.
He said: “Every one of you should be so proud today,
knowing you really delivered.
“It is a day with great sadness. L/Cpl Liam Tasker was a
real star, and together with Theo, exemplified the capabilities of this
squadron.”
Army dog handlers receive
Afghanistan medals
7 Apr 11
Soldiers from 104 Military
Working Dog Squadron, part of the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, were
honoured in front of proud families and friends on Wednesday 6 April 2011, when
they were presented with their Op HERRICK campaign medals.
The family of Lance Corporal Liam Tasker, a member of the
squadron who was tragically killed in Afghanistan, were presented with his medal
alongside his colleagues at St George's Barracks, North Luffenham.
Lance Corporal Tasker was taking part in a patrol with
his dog, Theo, when they were engaged by small arms fire, during which he was
struck and died from the injuries he sustained. And sadly, on returning to Camp
Bastion, Theo suffered a seizure and died.
The squadron and four RAF Police dog handlers deployed to
Afghanistan in support of 16 Air Assault Brigade.
Together with their military working dogs the squadron's
role was to provide protection and search capabilities as well as helping to
clear routes, buildings and vehicles.
The highly-trained dogs and their handlers carried out
tasks that included patrolling the bases where fellow British soldiers were
based, searching vehicles at checkpoints and going out on patrols on the front
line to search for weapons, ammunition and explosives.
Colonel Neil Smith, the head of the Royal Army Veterinary
Corps, who presented the campaign medals, paid tribute to Lance Corporal Tasker
and congratulated the dog handlers on an arduous but successful tour. He
said:
"Lance Corporal Liam Tasker was a real star and
together with Theo exemplified the ethos, character and capability of Royal
Army Veterinary Corps handlers and their dogs.
"Every one of you can be very, very proud of what you
have achieved in the last six months. Because of what you did, and I certainly
include Lance Corporal Tasker in this, there are people, soldiers, who are
alive today.
"There are people, soldiers, Afghan security forces and
Afghan civilians who owe their lives and lack of injury to what you and your
dogs have achieved."
The squadron was also presented with a commendation from
Commander of Joint Force Support (Afghanistan), Brigadier Alister Davis, for its
distinguished service in support of Op HERRICK.
Officer Commanding, Major Caroline Emmett, who received
the commendation on behalf of the squadron, said:
"All the soldiers can be proud of what they have
achieved; they have demonstrated professional skill and courage and are a
credit to themselves and the Army."
104 Military Working Dog Squadron is one of five
squadrons that together form the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment. The
regimental headquarters and three of its squadrons are based in Sennelager. The
regiment also has a squadron in Aldershot.
The regiment comprises 284 soldiers and officers and
about 200 dogs.
In the company of...Collin Singer,
MD of Wagtail in Holywell
COLLIN SINGER can sniff out a business opportunity a mile
away. It was a combination of compassion and expertise gained during a career
spanning almost 25 years in the Royal Air Force as an operational explosive dog
handler that led to him setting-up Wagtail UK eight years ago.
Since then, he and his 22-strong team have been training
and supplying canines for the detection of firearms, explosives and drugs from
the firm’s base in Flintshire.
Specialist dogs trained at the company’s headquarters
near Holywell have been put to work in countries including Iraq and Saudi
Arabia, where the animals are typically used to search vehicles entering
construction compounds to prevent terrorists smuggling in and detonating
bombs.
And he is now branching out into more exotic species,
with Wagtail recently sent to South Africa to search out cheetah excrement.
The 49-year-old, from Deeside, is married to Margaret and
has a 21-year-old son, Paul.
A keen Evertonian, he planned on a career in the Toffees’
midfield but soon decided a more business-related path was suited to him.
“I left Connah’s Quay High School at 16, worked for two
years as a carpet fitter and then left because I had to work on Saturdays and
couldn’t get to see Everton play,” Collin told Business Post.
“I joined the RAF police and never got to see them, but I
did want to work with dogs and trained as a police dog handler. That said, I
never thought at that stage about starting my own business.”
It was the truly horrific images of the World Trade
Centre’s collapse at the hands of terrorists that made Collin sit up and take
notice of how and why Wagtail might be a good idea.
“I left the RAF in June 2003 and started the company, but
I had a plan in mind since September 11 2001,” he said.
“That was the game-changer because I was an explosives
dog handler and realised then that the RAF had given me the skills and that
terrorism was going to be a major threat, and drugs weren’t going to go away
either.”
After a hands-on period on the front line Collin now goes
to work in a suit and spends more of his time at meetings than getting his hands
dirty.
The switch has enabled him to significantly grow the
company at home and abroad.
Collin said: “I am the managing director and because the
business has become more successful in the last two years I have less of a
hands-on role now.
“I spend more time overseeing the operation and wearing a
suit liaising with clients.
“There are very few average days because I could be in
France or London or I could be out with the dogs training.”
He added: “The last 12 months have seen us continue to
provide detection dogs for the Channel ports in northern France, searching for
illegal immigrants on lorries and in containers and we have also done some high
profile security work at venues like Wembley, Lord’s cricket ground and for the
police.
“However, we are also developing dogs to work in the
‘green’ sector, finding evidence of endangered species both at home and
abroad.
“My co-director Louise Wilson has twice been to South
Africa to train dogs to find cheetah poo.”
Because of the sensitive nature of Wagtail’s work, they
won’t disclose exactly where its base is.
However, Collin would admit they are always on the
lookout for additional training areas such as warehouses, cinemas, theatres,
shops, sports arenas and HGV vehicle compounds.
Two years ago the workforce was made up of Louise and
himself, but he now employs eight people in North Wales and 14 in northern
France, with plans to take on more staff in the future.
For Collin, success is not measured in profits and
balance sheets, it’s the joy of making a go of the company in the first place
that brings him so much satisfaction.
“And there is also the thrill of taking a dog that could
have come from rescue kennels and might have been put to sleep and training it
so that it could save people’s lives,” he said.
But there have been low points.
“About five years into the business when we were
struggling and I was paying for Christmas on our credit cards maybe some people
might have let Louise go, but it was a question of believing in what we were
doing and Louise played a massive part in that,” added Collin.
“I’ve made mistakes and there are things I would do
differently.
“When I left the RAF I knew I could train dogs but I’d
never run a business before and it was a steep learning curve but you learn from
your mistakes.
“We’ve survived by sticking to our principles, but our
core business involves drugs, terrorism, explosives and detecting illegal
immigrants. Fortunately, the recession doesn’t seem to affect them.”
He added: “I love every minute of what I do, I really
love my job. You just can’t beat the satisfaction of training the dogs.
“When I was in the RAF I thought my job as an operational
explosives dog handler was the best possible and now I sit here as MD of Wagtail
UK and I still think I’ve got the best job I could possibly have.
“I’m proud of what we’ve achieved and of Louise because
I’m not sure the business would have survived without her and the staff we have
and the job we do.”
Long walkies to Lyneham
7:00am Sunday 3rd April 2011
A team of RAF Police officers, based at Lyneham,
completed a 37-mile march for charity, along with their trusty working dogs.
They raised £14,000 and their task was all the more
impressive as they did the whole hike wearing 20kg rucksacks and carrying
replica rifles.
Their route took them from Tidworth to Lyneham, via
Salisbury Plain and Wootton Bassett and the money raised was split between Help
for Heroes and Children's Hospice South West.
The team consisted of Corporals Gareth Scutt, Chris
Archard, Adele Roberts and Gary Blair along with air dogs Zeus, Jack and
Campbell.
Cpl Archard said: “People have been very generous and the
walk has been a bit of a rollercoaster.
“The hills seemed to be growing as we were walking up
them and going through Marlborough was particularly tough.”
RIP
10 March 2011
RAF Dog Handlers Pay Respect
Royal Air Force dog handlers from RAF Lyneham and RAF Brize
Norton line part of the route at RAF Lyneham as the body of Lance Corporal Liam
Tasker, 26, from the Royal Army Veterinary Corps passes by.
He served with the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment as an
Arms and Explosives Search Dog handler and was attached to the 1st Battalion
Irish Guards. Lance Corporal Tasker, who came from Kirkcaldy in Fife, Scotland
was killed in Afghanistan on Tuesday 1 March 2011 when he and his search dog,
Theo, were engaged by small arms fire. On return to Camp Bastion his dog, Theo,
suffered a seizure and died.
Body of Fife soldier
Lance Corporal Liam Tasker is brought back to Britain
The body of a Fife so ldier who was killed in Afghanistan
earlier this month has been flown back to Britain, along with the ashes of his
loyal dog who died just hours after him.
Lance Corporal Liam Tasker (26), from the Royal
Army Veterinary Corps, 1st Military Working Dog Regiment,
became the 358th British soldier to die in Afghanistan since 2001, after he
was shot on March 1 while he and his springer spaniel, Theo, were on patrol in
Helmand Province.
While Theo initially survived the attack, he died on
return to the British base at Camp Bastion.
The pair, deemed "inseparable" by colleagues, were flown
to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire from Afghanistan on
Thursday.
Although L/Cpl Tasker was born in Kirkcaldy, he was not educated in
the area because his parents were both in the RAF and moved from place to
place.
His parents — Jane Duffy and Ian Tasker, who, although
separated, live in Belgium — said they wish to lay their son to rest in a
military funeral at Tayport, where many of his family still live.
His uncle Billy McCord travelled from the Fife town to join his sister Jane
and Mr Tasker at the Chapel of Rest at the RAF base in Wiltshire, where they
attended a private memorial service.
Following the ceremony the cortege then passed through Wootton Bassett on its way to the
John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Hundreds of mourners and
well-wishers lined the High Street to pay their respects.
Veterans — including members of the Royal British Legion — also stood
at the side of the road to pay their respects.
Retired servicemen and women from the Royal Airforce Police Association
(RAPA) also turned out as the cortege left the motorway to enter Oxford.
RAPA spokesman Mike Lester said, "We wanted to attend to
pay our respects to L/Cpl Tasker because we also have dog handlers in our association and
we felt it was the right thing to do.
"Our local priest very kindly allowed us to use the
church car park so we could stand by the side of the road and greet the cortege
as it arrived in Oxford."
Mr Lester added that standard bearers from the RAF Police Association and the Royal Military Police Association
laid a wreath in tribute to L/Cpl Tasker at the memorial of the army dog unit
Northern Ireland, Royal Army Veterinary Corp at the National Memorial Arboretum,
Alrewas, Staffordshire.
L/Cpl Tasker's family could not be contacted yesterday —
but his uncle Mr McCord recently paid tribute to his nephew, describing him as
"an incredibly likeable young laddie."
He said he was only four weeks away from finishing his
deployment and that his family were very excited about him returning home on
leave.
He also spoke of the love his nephew had for his dog,
saying he would have been happy to have Theo by his side.
"He actually said at one point that when he finished his
tour he was not sure what would happen to his dog, and that he could be
separated from his dog ... but they are not separated now."
L/Cpl Tasker was said to have a "natural empathy with
dogs" and was described as a "rising star" within the dog training group.
Theo's ashes will be presented to L/Cpl Tasker's family
in private.
The record-breaking springer spaniel had been praised by
the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for making 14 finds of hidden bombs and weapons
caches in just five months.
The 22-month-old dog, on his first tour of duty in
Afghanistan, had uncovered so many improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that his
time in the country was extended by a month.
Theo is the sixth British military dog killed in action
in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001.
An inseparable pair: dog collapses and dies after army
handler is killed
Tributes flow in
to the British soldier who worked with his dog to defuse bombs in
Afghanistan
Liam Tasker training his spaniel, Theo, last month at
Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. Photograph: Ministry of
Defence/PA
Colleagues said army dog handler
Liam Tasker was inseparable from his spaniel, Theo, and so it was to the end.
When Lance Corporal Tasker was shot dead in southern Afghanistan, his dog survived the
shooting only to suffer a fatal heart attack when it returned to the British
base at Camp Bastion.
Tasker, 26, was on patrol north of Nahr-e-Saraj in
Helmand province on Tuesday with the spaniel, which was trained to search for
arms and explosives, when they were caught in gunfire. He died from his
injuries.
He was described as having a "natural empathy with dogs".
His successful operations "undoubtedly saved many lives", the Ministry of
Defence said. The army has about 400 dogs trained to sniff out explosives and
weapons but the ministry declined to say how many were deployed in
Afghanistan.
Born in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Tasker joined the Royal Army
Veterinary Corps after starting his career as a vehicle mechanic. A member of
1st Military Working Dog Regiment, he was attached to 1st Battalion Irish Guards
in Afghanistan.
Major Alexander Turner, officer commanding 2 Company, 1st
Battalion Irish Guards, said: "He used to joke that Theo was impossible to
restrain but I would say the same about Lance Corporal Tasker. At the most
hazardous phase of an advance, he would be at the point of the spear, badgering
to get even further forward and work his dog. He met his fate in just such a
situation – leading the way that we might be safe."
His girlfriend, Leah Walters, said: "LT never met anyone
without touching their lives in some way. The amount of support both I and his
family have received in the last day alone pays testament to this."
His family said: "He died a hero doing a job he was
immensely passionate about. We are so proud of him and everything he's
achieved."
Among many tributes, Liam Fox, the defence secretary,
said: "From the accounts made by his military colleagues and his family, I
understand that he was a dedicated and highly capable soldier, whose skills in
handling dogs were second to none. He and his dog Theo had saved lives and for
this, we will be eternally grateful."
A total of 358 UK military personnel have died in
Afghanistan since 2001.
Hi, my name is Margaret and I'm one of
rafpa.com readers.
I'd like to
thank you for the excellent information I've foundon rafpa.com, It's always a
great pleasure to read your articles and I count to become a loyal reader.
I live in Chattanooga, TN where I
try to increase the awareness about dog training among my family and friends.
I figured you might be interested in
including a guest article for rafpa.com to help people recognize the top 10 pros
& cons of electronic collars for dog training.
With your support we can educate the public about the
dangers of some dog training methods and hopefully save some dog.
County canines play key role in keeping our troops safe
in Afghanistan
Freddy the springer spaniel, from RAF
Waddington, at work in Camp Bastion.
COUNTY dogs are working to keep British
troops in Afghanistan safe by sniffing out explosives.
Springer spaniel Freddy, who is based at RAF Waddington,
searches up to 40 vehicles a day at the British base at Camp Bastion to find evidence of bombs.
He has made several finds, including a Taliban anti-personnel mine that could have
killed and maimed British soldiers.
There is also a group of attack dogs, which protect the
base and bring down intruders. They are trained to incapacitate.
RAF Police Corporal Adam Casey, 25, also from Waddington,
works on the Bastion gates monitoring the people who pass on to the base.
He said: "The dogs are very important to the safety of
the camp. They can find any explosive component of an IED and anything that's
touched something to do with explosives."
This photo of Phil
Cracknell and some of the team. It's from the 1973 demonstration team taken at
RAF Debden. From the left should be Dick Lake but photo got wet and i lost him
off the edge. Back row Sgt Keith Kendall, Pilot Off.Mike Thornton, Cpl Howard
Hennon, Front row Cpl's Fred Hammond, George Robbins, Phil Cracknell, Graeme
Hudson, Kevin Fitzgerald.
On a Forum thread, someone asked for pictures of 8240 Air
Dog Kally at
Debden, 1974. Well, here she is !
She was a bit of a "sympathy" case in that I (the Dog Collector) could not bear to see her
remain chained in
filth in a "travellers" camp and decided that (if she displayed the slightest usable
trait) she was
bound for RAF Debden.
She displayed some qualitities which I believed justified
that she be given a chance. Kally was collected into
the Service on 9 July 1974. But I had not considered the
fact that she might be pregnant.
On 26 July 1974, she gave birth to 9 pups.
(As far as I am aware, she was the last ever "serving" Air
Dog to have
pups.)
After weaning her pups, Kally justified the fact
(that I gave her a chance) by completing training and being
posted as an operational RAF Police Dog.
Seperate subject as we now look at some pics taken
at RAF Newton in the Winter of 1979.
We manufacture and supply to Police Force’s
across Europe and USA the
innovative 'Road Refresher'(www.RoadRefresher.com ). This
Non Spill Pet water bowl which is also used by non other that President Obama,
has revolutionised it's sector and has become one of most popular pet products
of all time.
The Road Refresher™ is perfect for the Police Dog sections
because no matter how fast you drive it WILL NOT spill, which means that your
dogs will arrive refreshed and ready for
action. This is because the inner section of the bowl has a ‘false
floor’ eliminating all spills whilst limitingthe dog to only one mouthful at a time, reducing slobber by up to 90%.
The product has received
widespread media ('Dragons Den', 'Dragons Den - Where are they now?', 'BBC
Breakfast', 'GMTV', 'Send in the Dogs', 'Reuters News International') and
editorial coverage (‘The Sun’, ‘The Mirror’, ‘The Financial Times’) making it
the most successful and effective Non Spill dog bowl on the market.
The product is a rapidly
growing global brand and as well as being used by the UK Police Dogs,
it is now used in the USA by the search and rescue dogs used in the 911
disaster.
Please feel free to watch some of our
video footage of the Road Refresher.
http://www.humyo.com/F/34365827/EMBED We are more than happy
to supply your dogs at a discounted / Wholesale rate. If you are interested in
benefiting from the Road Refresher, please do not hesitate in giving me a
call.
Whilst I was on permanant days the NCO i/c Dog Section
RAF Steamer Point got me to cement up the cracks in the broken walls to deter
ticks between the spells of tracking excercises I was doing. I didn't have the
heart to tell him he didn't know what he was talking about. Mel Price
X Group Aden
1963-1965 Khornmaksar
Were you a doggie man at the above at anytime?
If so, please contact roy
buttle at rebuttle@hotmail.co.uk -
Handler to the infamous 4323A/D Rex
Many thanks in advance
Roy Buttle
Yours truly at the back (centre) and others in the
photo include (in no particular order ---- so, can you spot them ?) :-
Pete Somerville, Ken Hack, Terry McHaffie, Clive
Gilmour, Dave Remnant, Mal Crookston, Bill Booth, Fred Hammond, Iain Todd, Lyn
(Weed) Mandley, Dick Coulson, Denis Mew, Andy Turnbull, Phil Cracknell,
Adrian Tippett, Mick Freeman, George Pace, Norrie Lakie and Tosh Thomas.
Who else can be identified ?
And can anyone remember the circumstances of this gathering ? Chris Wyman
Cpl F Hammond with Air Dog Sam. April 1980
Air Dog Sam was the first springer spaniel to
successfully pass out of training on Cannabis only
Detection. We were trained by Sgt Bill Sanderson
and Cpl John Cooper (with never a dull day as those who know them will confirm)
at RAF Newton. A.D. Sam was passed out by the late Terry McCaffie and went on to
continue with Cpl Cooper in the detection of Heroin. This was synthetic
heroin which was a lovely shade of pink.
Sam had a love of woodland and if not kept an eye on
could disappear for ages. He had a lovely nature and was truly a lovable
but determined dog.
John Cooper was an instructor working with Customs and
Excise, training students to handle trained dogs. Sam went on to work with
an ex Royal Marine who joined Customs, also named Sam. Following pass out
they were both employed at Dover, where they had a very successful career
finding one of the largest concealment's in the early 80's.
Dog Handlers Reunion at RAF Netheravon in
1989.
Back Row Ken Huxtable – Frank Grimson – Jim Babb – Bev Stapleton –
Mick Chidgey – Geordie Jordison – Bill Sanderson – Ted Johnson – John
McWhirter John Wardley – Eddie Heal – Andrew Dane – Jim
Hogan – Harry Evans – Peter Trehane – Al Murray – John Field – Al Whitelaw – Ian
Soulsbury ???????-Clive Gilmore – Red Kennedy – Paddy
Lyons – Vic Jones – Dennis Cockerill – George Clapperton – Roy Jessup – Jim
Dishington – Jim Williamson – Daz Fry
Centre Row. Mel Price – Bill Booth – Dave Remnant – Mick Freeman – Bob
Pike – Mel Owen – Dick Findlay – Andy Hamilton – Dick Coulson – Geoff Rowe Ben Mason - Tom Crowley – Terry McHaffie - John Ancell
– Viv Ancell (nee Hart) – Sheila Gilmore – Johnson – Betty Heal –Eddie
Snailum Roy West – Bob Bruce – Dave Guthrie – Tony
Blakeham – Phil Andrews – Trev Figgins – Denis Mew – Andy Andrews.
Front Row Taff Davies – Cyril Mills - ???????? – Mrs Freeman - ???????
– Sue Findlay – Margaret Hamilton – Chris Coulson – Chris Rowe – Lil Wardley Betty Mason – Brenda Mew – Mr Fricker – Maggie Owens –
George Irvin – Cindy Davies (nee Rathbone) - ?????? – Mrs Snailum - ??????? Mrs Bruce – Jenny Guthrie – Rosemary Finbow
This is an incomplete photograph in the
Archives. Just a trip down memory lane for some but can
anyone complete the picture with the names of the missing marked with ????? Thanks in anticipation John
If you are the owner of one of those dangerous "FIGHTING
DOGS",
and you also have a small child running around the
house....
Please be warned!!!
NEVER, EVER leave the dog
alone with the child !!
Under no circumstances !!!
This owner left his child behind with the dog...only for a
short while...
and this is what happened.....
RAF Police Dog Handlers &
Kennelmaids Reunion
Souvenir CD.
Those of you that regularly enter the Forum on the Web Site,
may be aware that I have produced an Instrumental CD of music for the Dog
Handlers & Kennelmaids Reunion, on the12th June 2009.
All the Tracks on the CD where selected by members of the
RAFPA, except one which my wife chose. I Arranged all the tunes, Played them,
Recorded them, Mixed and Edited them all. One track, the last one, “QPD” I wrote
especially for this CD.
There are only a limited number for sale at the Reunion so it will be on a first come
first served bases. The price will be £10:00 with all the profits going to the
RAFPA Designated Charities.
If you are not attending the reunion and would like to
reserve a copy please e-mail me at the address below and I will send you details
of how to get one. You will receive it on the Reunion day. If you will be attending the Reunion, and
wish to reserve a copy just e-mail me and your copy can be collected at the
Reunion. The CD label
is white not pink as it looks
The Association was formed in October
last year and membership is open to those who were awarded the distinction of
being awarded their 2nd Cap Badge i.e. the Red
Paw which is only ¼ inch in size and is worn to the left and above the
holders ‘parent’ badge, and had been members of the unit.
The Cap Badge was authorised in 1974
by the then GOC NI to those Dog Handlers attached to the ADU NI.Although the basis
of the unit was RAVC staff they were very few in number and were not normally
‘Operational’it was down to the handlers from the 22 Regiments and Corps attached to
the unit, who were out on the ground.
The Association have started on the
1st January this year to raise funds for a
memorial plaque to those handlers who lost their lives whilst ‘Operational’ and
permission has been granted for it to be positioned at the National Arboretum,
and for it to be dedicated in October this year on the 2nd anniversary of the disbanding of the unit. If
you look at the Association website you will see that our own memorial features
as an example.
The
following link will take you to the Association website:
Came across this the other day,might be of interest to guys
who served at Roetgen Grant
Thorneycroft
Dave is
65 today (15/9/08) and has officially retired and is now an OAP. He used to work
in security for the Royal Bank of Scotland. I sent him a text this morning
saying- Breaking News Flash: The Royal Bank of Scotland
has gone into liquidation. From today all Scottish old aged pensioners will have
to go to England to get their Pensions. My wife
sent him a card that she made which had this photo on it.
A young Bill Allon having
won the trials in 68 From Mel Price
This is my 12 year
old bitch Penny at RAF Gutersloh in 1970 being taken for a ride by a young male
beau. I don't think he got anything out of her do you? - Mel Price
Resettlement - Detection Dog and Security Dog
Courses
We will deduct 10% off the course costs for RAFP. For
details please email or telephone us. Regards Collin Singer Wagtail UK
Hi Steve
thought the attached pictures might arouse some
interest.
The section at Heraklis consisted of
only five dogs ,and as can be seen we did rather well at the 63 Trials. George
Robertson
Please see attached photos one of
which is AD Gandalf recently mentioned on the message board. The photo includes
myself as was then, Cpl Merv Appleton and AD Gandalf, Sgt Norrie Lakie being
presented to The Princess Royal.
Came across this b&w photo, The
Princess Royal took a shining to Gandalph that's for
sure.
This photo is a 2 man attack at RAF
Gib c1978 during a charity display. I'm in the suit but I cannot recall the
names of the handlers.
RAF Police Dog Trails - Kai Tak and
Seletar - 1958 programme from Mitch
Hi Everybody,Your Secretary, Dave
Wardell and myself are in the process of compiling a colour supplement of
the 2007 Dog Trials. We probably have enough photographs, although we
wouldn't say no to anymore but we would like to ensure that the facts and
figures are correct.
In the official programme it showed
that 1963 and 1974 were blank years, no trials held. Well we
have established that there was a trial in 1963, we have the winners name,
dogs name and the unit they were serving on, but are still trying to establish
what happened or not in 1974.
If anybody remembers, or indeed knows
for sure what did or didn't happen to the trials in '74, or if you know somebody
who might know!!!!!! if you could let us know, asap please as the supplement
will be going out with The Griff. thanks in
anticipation, Mitch
John Porsch MBE, Chairman of the RMPA, Chichester is also
the owner of a specialist security company. He would like to talk to anybody who
might be interested in consultancy positions. He is very interested in talking
to people with specialist knowledge on dog training. If anyone is interested
please contact John on
I received a phone call today from George Clapperton about a
book he is writing. He asked me if I could contribute to it in any way from an
ex kennelmaids point of view. Apart from supplying him with photo's, I also said
I would post a wee note here to requesting any ex dog-handlers to get in touch
with George or e-mail me personally and I will pass any details they need to get
in touch with George. He told me he has wrote to a lot of people already (Jim
Henry being one of them) but hasn't got much so far from kennelmaids. I was a
kennelmaid from 1979 to 1986 and served at, apart from Newton, P & S.S.
Rheindahlen up to my discharge. If anyone can contribute towards George's book
it would be very much appreciated.
Finally, are there any kennelmaids in this group apart from
me?? Take care - Liz Rush (nee Waugh) Ljakrush@btinternet.com
You have got it wrong mate,the photo must be a provost
or Station policemans wife who wished she had married into the cream of
the RAF Police (Dog Branch) Sad but probably true.
Please forgive the intrusion ...my
name is Tom Newton and I though you may be interested to learn, that I'm about
to add an article on the history of the RAFs Police Dogs, kindly written for my
page, by your own Stephen Davies, for: K-9 History: The Dogs Of
War!
Below is the url for what will eventually become the new RAF
Police Dog history page, once it is published; I thought, that perhaps you may
wish to add a link to it on your page, for your former RAF K9
membership.
Oh, by the way, I was a former U.S.A.F. K-9 handler at Hahn
AB, West Germany, back in the early sixties.
Also, and I realize it is alot to ask, I would like to
please request the use of a few of your own K9 photos; Mr. Davies has use quite
a number of names within his article, that I believe match up with quite afew
of your own photographs.
I
have some current RAF dog photos, that I can use on the page, but it might be
nice to use some of your older ones to illustrate the piece; that is, if you
don't mind, I would apprecaite it.
Thank you for your consideration!
Best regards,
Tom
(Newton), USA ps: I realize, that you're Royal Air
Force, but by any chance do you know, if the Royal Marines are still using
canines today? I've spent hours on their official website, and heck if I could
find anything about their current use ...other than that
some British Army units do support them, but no mention of their own use of dogs
today.