'Wonderful' parade and Duchess of Gloucester visit celebrates Corps of Military Police 100th anniversary
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Personnel in their famous red peaked caps welcomed the Duchess of Gloucester on what was a “historic moment”
Proud personnel welcomed a special visitor from the Royal family to mark a historic centenary.
Dedicated soldiers in the Royal Military Police (RMP) conducted an emotional parade to signify 100 years since the formation of the Corps of Military Police (CMP). Wearing their famous red berets and peaked caps, they marched in front of veterans and distinguished guests at their Regimental Headquarters in Southwick Park this morning (June 11).
This preceded the arrival of the Duchess of Gloucester, who as the Colonel-in-Chief of the Adjutant General's Corps, acts as their ceremonial leader and oversees their interests. Among the attendees was 106-year-old Owen Filer.
The Cwmbran native previously joined the Royal Welsh Regiment before contracting meningitis and transferring to the CMP during the Second World War. He told The News: “It’s wonderful. I’ve never been to a gathering like this and it’s nice to see the boys. I’m incredibly proud of my service.”
“It was an experience”
The veteran is the last surviving member of CMP India, and was demobbed in 1946. Owen recalls riding a motorbike in a field in North Wales and being put through various drills by superiors. “He didn’t know if I could drive or not,” he added. “I was enjoying it, and he said ‘right, you’ll do’.”
Owen remembers one of his first duties being to guard a bank in Plymouth after the city was bombed, with money strewn all over the ground. His service took him all over the world, with the memories flooding back during the parade.
“They’ve got a lot to learn,” he joked. “I can march better than that if I didn’t have a bad leg. There’s so much modern living and gadgetry now. I finished up in Bombay and it was wonderful. It was an education to see India. I stepped off the boat and thought I was going to see Jesus walking down the street. Everything was so opposite to what I was used to. It was an experience.”
“At their best when nobody notices”
The commemorations started with musicians marching and performing for the visitors. Soldiers lined up in front of Southwick House, where the movements of the Normandy landings were planned in 1944. Ceremonial coins were handed to Lance Corporal Trigo, the most junior of the RMP, and Pete Vorburg of the Royal Military Police Association (RMPA).
Today also marked 80 years since the CMP received the Royal Prefix. Speaking to the crowd, Lieutenant General Matthew Jones OBE said King George VI granted this honour in 1946, which was earned through “professionalism, courage, discipline, and service under the most demanding circumstances imaginable”.
He added: “Anniversaries are not about dates, they’re about the people who give those dates meaning. We honour those who deploy quietly, professionally, and often without recognition, whose contribution is essential to operational success. It’s our responsibility to uphold standards, act with integrity, maintain trust, and ensure that professionalism continues to define us today.
“The Royal Military Police are often at their best when nobody notices. When a convoy arrives safely, when a difficult investigation is conducted professionally, when a commander has confidence in the information before them, when standards are maintained, and when trust is preserved. These moments rarely attract attention, but they matter enormously. They’re one of the reasons why the Army is stronger.”
“A historic moment”
During her visit, the Duchess of Gloucester spoke to various veterans and serving personnel during a tour of Southwick Park. Her Royal Highness was escorted through the time tunnel before proceeding to Southwick House’s map room. Southwick House was chosen to be the headquarters of the Supreme Allied Commander by General Dwight Eisenhower, the focal point for the planning of Operation Overlord,
The Duchess of Gloucester’s visit culminated in a portrait of her likeness being unveiled. Before pulling the chord, she said: “Thank you all for welcoming me here and kindly asking me to play my small part in the celebrations. I hope you and your families have a very enjoyable day. I much enjoyed looking around the exhibits and seeing quite a lot of the history behind these 100 years.”
Head of the RMP, Provost Marshal Brigadier Sarah Pringle-Smith, said the celebrations meant a lot to her personally, as very few people lead their organisation through “such a historic moment”. “To have her Royal Highness here is a recognition of the service and commitment of generations of Royal Military Police personnel,” she added.
“I’m sure this’ll be a memorable moment in many people’s lives. We prevent, detect, deter, and investigate crime. We do it anywhere where the Army is deployed. We protect our people and underpin discipline.”
The Provost Marshal said the changes in the force have been profound. She added: “I’m immensely proud of the RMP and to have led the organisation over the past three years. The Army and military policing continues to modernise. A soldier from 1946 will recognise the standards we continue to uphold, but they might not recognise the technology and the changing environment in which we operate. We enable the Army wherever it serves.”
“The world was my oyster”
Lance Corporal Ronald Short, aged 101, served in the Corps between 1944 and 1947. He conducted duties across the world - including in Italy and Bulgaria - and said the service unearthed memories from eighty years ago.
This included collecting three of General Montgomery’s caravans that he used in North Africa, and escorting General Harding’s wife to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa - something which he described as “an honour”. He said: “It’s surprising what I did at that age , and sometimes you think ‘did I actually do that’?
“I was a trained gunner on a Vickers machine gun, and once I joined the police, everything happened. I found the police better and went to so many places. The world was my oyster. Living in the Royal Palace in Italy before the King went into exile was an experience. It was exceptional and I’m so proud of my service.”
Warrant Officer 2 Andy Yates, of Farnborough, has served in the RMP for 23 years after being part of the British Army on tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. He said he has “thoroughly enjoyed” his military career and transferring to the RMP transformed him.
He added: “When you police abroad, you’re policing civilians, civil servants, and dependents, as well as the Army. Your policing skills go through the roof and you’re dealing with everything from serious crime to volume crime like thefts and assaults. It has broadened my horizons and it’s a big responsibility.
“People are coming to us in their time of need. That’s a vital skill to have the care and attention of the victim, while understanding the needs of the suspect. We need to modernise with the times, but our values and standards won’t change. Whether we’ll have jetpacks and other weird and wonderful stuff, I couldn’t tell you, but I hope it doesn’t change too much.”
Corporal Holly Ballard has served for three years after leaving her old council job during the Covid-19 pandemic, after believing she wasn’t making a difference. She primarily deals with home-based policing, organising operations involving drugs and other matters while also covering major events. this includes anything from bike thefts to more serious offences that have led to a court martial.
She said the “big jump” changing her career was “a massive shock to the system”. “I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Cpl Ballard added. “I love where I am now. We’re treated well through the school and taught how to deal with things.
“You take ownership of things, and when you get to your unit, you know that responsibility is there and given opportunities. We deal with so much. No two days are the same, and you grow into it. The Duchess’ visit is a great opportunity. We’re a small corps and don’t often get opportunities like this. It’s great she’s here and shows we’re thought about at a higher level.”
Captain Dan Shapland, who has served for five and a half years, said speaking to the veterans made him reflect on how far he has come in his short career. He added: “When I passed out of Sandhurst, I never thought I would be protecting high-profile people very early on in my career, and commanding such a great group of individuals. While I was an officer cadet in training, I did not think I would be where I am today. It’ll be an exciting future and we’ll be at the centre of everything across the world.”