Here is another little story from my days
as a RMP.
Whilst at Bodmin, one of my duties which I had to carry
out if it was my turn, ( We Did take it in turn cos there
was only 2 of us on the RMP Staff at this time) was to escort
an Officer from Victoria Barracks, to a Bank in Bodmin,
where he would make a withdrawl to pay all and sundry at
the Barracks for that week, In other words we went to collect
the payroll.
Now I cannot remember what Bank we went too,
its a long time ago, but whichever one of us performed this
duty we always went tooled up. On receiving the call to
the Guardroom that the duty driver would arrive with the
Officer at 1030hrs at the main gate, which in fact is where
the Guardroom was situated,then whichever one of us was
performing this task would go to the Armoury draw a SMG
and 6 live rounds, return to the Guardroom and await the
arrival of the vehicle and occupants. ( It was never earlier
than 1030hrs, I dont think that Banks opened much earlier
than that in those days) anyway, once they arrived then
off we went.
My instructions for this venture was that
the SMG was to be cocked with 1 round in the breach and
the safety catch on.(That could have spelt disaster for
a lesser man so it was a good job I was a pencil marksman
twiceover) On arrival at the Bank, I would enter in company
with the Officer, whilst the driver remained in the vehicle
outside the front door, with the engine running, ready for
a fast getaway I suppose if they made a mistake and handed
over too much cash. My position in the Bank was to the sidewall
near the exit door, so that I had full view of the Officer
and all other customers either entering or leaving, my finger
of course was close to the safety catch, well you never
knew what was likely to happen in a wild town like Bodmin.
On leaving the Bank, I would exit first, then keep watch
whilst the Officer came out and got back into the vehicle,
I then got aboard and off we went back to Barracks where
I would see him back into the office and then return the
weapon and rounds back to the Armoury.
Nothing ever seemed to go wrong with this
paticular duty, it was a well rehearsed procedure, obviously
it had taken this course for many years, neither the Bank
staff or members of the public seemed to take any notice
of someone carrying a weapon. There was one occasion though
when something other than norm happened with a member of
the public. I had adopted my usual position by the sidewall
in the Bank, when this fellow who was wearing a raincoat
with the collar turned up and a trilby hat, (It was a wet
day) sidled up to me and said " What would you do if
I attacked your Officer ". I replied " Shoot you
". He said " Would you Honestly ". I said
" I would'nt think twice ". He made some unmentionable
comment and left the Bank. When we leave I 'm doubly vigilant
just in case he's waiting outside to try his luck, but all
is calm and peaceful and we make it back to Barracks safely.
Well he must have noticed I was a double marksman.
Copyright text & Images: Lawrie Hodges
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