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NARPO - The voice of retired police officers |
Website last updated: 22/01/19 |
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(News items will normally be archived or deleted after 14 days, or if a dated item on the day after the event)
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If anyone has any comments or suggestions for the website please let us know.
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21/01/19 Sir Percy Sillitoe
Charlie Parkes sent me the below message regarding Percy Sillitoe. He found the literature an interesting read and if anyone would like to borrow it he is happy to lend it to them.
Came across pic of Percy Sillitoe. I lived at 712 Brookside Chesterfield an old large semi which had bell pushes and servant quarters. Father was Supt at C and said Percy lived there and sorted out the gangs in Sheffield. About three years ago I drove past and thought I would look up Sillitoe. I have a locally published booklet and a biography which I found very interesting. His early career was in Africa fighting the Germans on Lake Tanganika in WW1 until he became unwell or subject of a witch doctors curse. Chesterfield was his first job in charge of police and fire hence the structure of Beetwell st nick/firestation. The house was built for him. He went on to tackle gangs in Sheffield and Glasgow, introduce radio, forensics and the chequered band the Sillitoe tartan.
CC in Kent ready for D Day. Head of MI5 at time of Burgess and McLean and then targeted diamond smugglers in Africa.
What is not well known and not in the early version of the biography nor his autobiography is that he had a young teenage mistress in Africa which he seemed to have kept well hidden.
The books tell you a lot about Chesterfield and his police innovations, intelligence gathering, using extreme force on gangs etc. I found them very interesting and a good read. Lovely story from West Bar Sheffield where two of Sillitoe's big officers came across Razor Murphy who had a razor up his sleeve tied to a piece of string. "An altercation ensued....." Custody sergeant refused to accept Murphy and he was sent to hospital. In court next day he was charged with assault police. In looking at his client and the unscathed officers the solicitor said "It should have been attempt suicide."
Sean Murphy (Secretary)
Charlie Parkes sent me the below message regarding Percy Sillitoe. He found the literature an interesting read and if anyone would like to borrow it he is happy to lend it to them.
Came across pic of Percy Sillitoe. I lived at 712 Brookside Chesterfield an old large semi which had bell pushes and servant quarters. Father was Supt at C and said Percy lived there and sorted out the gangs in Sheffield. About three years ago I drove past and thought I would look up Sillitoe. I have a locally published booklet and a biography which I found very interesting. His early career was in Africa fighting the Germans on Lake Tanganika in WW1 until he became unwell or subject of a witch doctors curse. Chesterfield was his first job in charge of police and fire hence the structure of Beetwell st nick/firestation. The house was built for him. He went on to tackle gangs in Sheffield and Glasgow, introduce radio, forensics and the chequered band the Sillitoe tartan.
CC in Kent ready for D Day. Head of MI5 at time of Burgess and McLean and then targeted diamond smugglers in Africa.
What is not well known and not in the early version of the biography nor his autobiography is that he had a young teenage mistress in Africa which he seemed to have kept well hidden.
The books tell you a lot about Chesterfield and his police innovations, intelligence gathering, using extreme force on gangs etc. I found them very interesting and a good read. Lovely story from West Bar Sheffield where two of Sillitoe's big officers came across Razor Murphy who had a razor up his sleeve tied to a piece of string. "An altercation ensued....." Custody sergeant refused to accept Murphy and he was sent to hospital. In court next day he was charged with assault police. In looking at his client and the unscathed officers the solicitor said "It should have been attempt suicide."
Sean Murphy (Secretary)
18/01/19 D-Day 75: Call Out to Normandy Veterans
Please see below message from the Royal British Legion which may be of interest to some members or their relatives.
You might be aware that in response to a reported shortage of appropriate accommodation in Normandy over the period of the D-Day 75 commemorations, The Royal British Legion recently announced that they have chartered a ship via our travel provider Arena Travel, the MV Boudicca, to provide a fully funded tour for 300 Normandy Veterans; each with one carer.
We are respectfully asking ex-Service Associations to help us communicate this opportunity to their respective memberships. Our aim is not to compete with previously arranged travel plans but rather to ensure that every Normandy Veteran is aware of the opportunity to utilise the Legion’s fully-funded travel and accommodation option that includes travel insurance. Ideally, we seek to provide every Normandy Veteran with the opportunity to travel and share time with erstwhile comrades whilst attending major commemorative events marking the 75th anniversary of D-Day on both sides of The Channel.
A comprehensive transport plan has been designed offering the collection of individuals from their respective homes to the Port of Dover and subsequent return at the completion of the tour. Following embarkation in Dover on Sunday 2 June 2019, the MV Boudicca will set sail on the itinerary outlined below, returning to Dover on Sunday 9 June 2019. A programme of activities specific to the Normandy Veterans has been designed that includes attendance at national level commemorative events, visits, demonstrations at-sea by the Royal Navy as well as historical briefings.
There are significant on-board medical facilities and the Legion will provide a cadre of additional, qualified care staff to support those travelling with us. The vessel’s itinerary allows sufficient time for the on-board veterans to take full advantage of what we hope will be a memorable experience for each of them and provide sufficient time for rest and times for reflection.
Please see here for itinerary and how to apply. Applications close 4th February 2019.
Alan Lees (Deputy Chief Exec NARPO)
Please see below message from the Royal British Legion which may be of interest to some members or their relatives.
You might be aware that in response to a reported shortage of appropriate accommodation in Normandy over the period of the D-Day 75 commemorations, The Royal British Legion recently announced that they have chartered a ship via our travel provider Arena Travel, the MV Boudicca, to provide a fully funded tour for 300 Normandy Veterans; each with one carer.
We are respectfully asking ex-Service Associations to help us communicate this opportunity to their respective memberships. Our aim is not to compete with previously arranged travel plans but rather to ensure that every Normandy Veteran is aware of the opportunity to utilise the Legion’s fully-funded travel and accommodation option that includes travel insurance. Ideally, we seek to provide every Normandy Veteran with the opportunity to travel and share time with erstwhile comrades whilst attending major commemorative events marking the 75th anniversary of D-Day on both sides of The Channel.
A comprehensive transport plan has been designed offering the collection of individuals from their respective homes to the Port of Dover and subsequent return at the completion of the tour. Following embarkation in Dover on Sunday 2 June 2019, the MV Boudicca will set sail on the itinerary outlined below, returning to Dover on Sunday 9 June 2019. A programme of activities specific to the Normandy Veterans has been designed that includes attendance at national level commemorative events, visits, demonstrations at-sea by the Royal Navy as well as historical briefings.
There are significant on-board medical facilities and the Legion will provide a cadre of additional, qualified care staff to support those travelling with us. The vessel’s itinerary allows sufficient time for the on-board veterans to take full advantage of what we hope will be a memorable experience for each of them and provide sufficient time for rest and times for reflection.
Please see here for itinerary and how to apply. Applications close 4th February 2019.
Alan Lees (Deputy Chief Exec NARPO)
17/01/19 Obituary - updated
It is with sadness that I have to inform you of the death today (17th January 2019) after a long illness of ex Sgt John Brian SLACK, 78 years. His next of kin is his wife Joyce Slack. Brian as he was always known, served as a D/Sgt at Chesterfield Police Station and the Crime Squad He retired in about 1990 when he became the Enquiry Clerk at Bakewell Police Station for 13 years.
His funeral will be held at 12.00 noon on Friday 8th February 2019 at Bakewell Parish Church, South Church Street, Bakewell DE45 1FD followed by interment at Bakewell Cemetery, Yeld Road, Bakewell DE45 1FJ. Everyone is invited to join the family at The Manners, Haddon Road, Bakewell DE45 1EP.
Sean Murphy (Secretary)
It is with sadness that I have to inform you of the death today (17th January 2019) after a long illness of ex Sgt John Brian SLACK, 78 years. His next of kin is his wife Joyce Slack. Brian as he was always known, served as a D/Sgt at Chesterfield Police Station and the Crime Squad He retired in about 1990 when he became the Enquiry Clerk at Bakewell Police Station for 13 years.
His funeral will be held at 12.00 noon on Friday 8th February 2019 at Bakewell Parish Church, South Church Street, Bakewell DE45 1FD followed by interment at Bakewell Cemetery, Yeld Road, Bakewell DE45 1FJ. Everyone is invited to join the family at The Manners, Haddon Road, Bakewell DE45 1EP.
Sean Murphy (Secretary)
15/01/19 - Waddesden Manor Trip - amended price
Please note the price for entry to Waddesden Manor for non National Trust menbers is £18, not £14.50 as previously stated.
Sean Murphy (Secretary)
Please note the price for entry to Waddesden Manor for non National Trust menbers is £18, not £14.50 as previously stated.
Sean Murphy (Secretary)
12/01/19 Sports Club Lottery - December 2018
Winners of the December lottery as follows:- G M Chappell and Arthur Greatorex. Our congratulations to them.
Sean Murphy (Secretary)
Winners of the December lottery as follows:- G M Chappell and Arthur Greatorex. Our congratulations to them.
Sean Murphy (Secretary)
05/01/19 Obituary
It is with sadness that I have to inform you of the death on the 2nd January, 2019 of ex Sgt Graham RASON, 83 years. His next of kin is his wife Julia Rason. Graham retired in 1984 as Station Sergeant at Chesterfield PS. Before that he was D/Sgt on the Sheffield Crime Squad based at Renishaw.
His funeral will be held at 12.50pm on Tuesday 22nd January 2019 at Chesterfield Crematorium, Chesterfield Road, Brimington, Chesterfield S43 1AU.
Sean Murphy (Secretary)
It is with sadness that I have to inform you of the death on the 2nd January, 2019 of ex Sgt Graham RASON, 83 years. His next of kin is his wife Julia Rason. Graham retired in 1984 as Station Sergeant at Chesterfield PS. Before that he was D/Sgt on the Sheffield Crime Squad based at Renishaw.
His funeral will be held at 12.50pm on Tuesday 22nd January 2019 at Chesterfield Crematorium, Chesterfield Road, Brimington, Chesterfield S43 1AU.
Sean Murphy (Secretary)