Aerodrome Policing

[IJDALLINGER]

Can anyone help me with the method or units that may have been involved in guarding/policing aerodromes before the establishment of the RMP/RAFP

[stephen p nunn]

Can anyone help me with the method or units that may have been involved in guarding/policing aerodromes before the establishment of the RMP/RAFP

Hello Ivor. I had always assumed that they kept it in house with their own RFC personnel by way of "picket duty". Did you have another idea - army?

How are things at Stow nowadays?

SPN

Maldon

[IJDALLINGER]

Hello Ivor. I had always assumed that they kept it in house with their own RFC personnel by way of "picket duty". Did you have another idea - army?

How are things at Stow nowadays?

SPN

Maldon

I dont really know? I suppose they could have their own, similar to the regimental Police. Just not sure.

Stow is ok, we are working on the museum at the mo' but have a look at the website, Russell has unfortunately found he has a health problem. We are very optomistic though.

[RobL]

Sorry to hear about Russell - best wishes to him.

For policing an aerodrome, i've seen a photograph but can't remember where (a trawl through the IWM database would probably bring it up though, or might be in the Osprey 'British Air Forces 1914-18 1' book, of an RFC OR with webbing on, an 08 webbing pouch on one side for the .303 rifle and a pistol in holster on the other side, armed with an SMLE rifle. If you find the photo or others i'd be interested in seeing it so I can do the same with my webbing pouch for something a bit different

[stephen p nunn]

I dont really know? I suppose they could have their own, similar to the regimental Police. Just not sure.

Stow is ok, we are working on the museum at the mo' but have a look at the website, Russell has unfortunately found he has a health problem. We are very optomistic though.

Thanks Ivor - yes I heard that Russell was unwell. Give him my best regards.

My book - 'Maldon, Heybridge and the Great War (1914-1918)' is due out shortly (in a couple of weeks). One chapter is all about 37 Squadron at Goldhanger.

SPN

Maldon

[per ardua per mare per terram]

The Military Mounted Police (MMP) and Military Foot Police (MFP) were in existance in WWI. "An enormous expansion of the MMP and the MFP role saw the number of troops engaged on Provost related tasks increased to about 25,000 all ranks by the end of the First World War, where the Military Police had began to be employed on operational tasks: route control; host-nation liaison; and straggler control."

http://www.army.mod.uk/agc/provost/13307.aspx

[tony paley]

Stow Curator.

the Policing and security was provided by the Army Provost Marshal through the Military Police. When the RAF. was formed in April 1918 the first RAF.Police were stationed at Halton and Blandford (ex RFC camps.) These units had been Policed by RFC Regimental Police who on 1st April 1918 became the first RAF.Police it wasn't until 1919 that an RAF Provost Marshal was appointed, although there had been a gradual transference of duties from Army to the RAF. Personel were trained and transferred into the new RAF provost and Security service. Initially the Brassard (Armband) consisted of the initials S.P.for Service Police. The White webbing and cap covers would not appear until late in WW2. So I would say that guard duties would be carried out by RFC personel detailed for such work, supervised by RFC. Regimental Police This system would continue into the new service in 1918 and would be formalised in 1919.

Tony P

[IJDALLINGER]

Stow Curator.

the Policing and security was provided by the Army Provost Marshal through the Military Police. When the RAF. was formed in April 1918 the first RAF.Police were stationed at Halton and Blandford (ex RFC camps.) These units had been Policed by RFC Regimental Police who on 1st April 1918 became the first RAF.Police it wasn't until 1919 that an RAF Provost Marshal was appointed, although there had been a gradual transference of duties from Army to the RAF. Personel were trained and transferred into the new RAF provost and Security service. Initially the Brassard (Armband) consisted of the initials S.P.for Service Police. The White webbing and cap covers would not appear until late in WW2. So I would say that guard duties would be carried out by RFC personel detailed for such work, supervised by RFC. Regimental Police This system would continue into the new service in 1918 and would be formalised in 1919.

Tony P

Thank you very much Tony. Any idea as to what colours the armband was?

[tony paley]

Stow Curator,

Not the original. Apparently the first brassard was worn on the cuff with 'Unit Police' shown, this was movede further up the arm and very quickly displayed SP. as stated on my previous post,and in fact the term SP was still being used into fairly recent times, despite the change to RAFP in the 40s. The latter armbands were Black and Red. I have seen old armbands black with white lettering'and black with red letters with the old SP brqassards. I still have my armband on the shelf above me as a type this.

Tony P