Royal visit celebrates Corps of Military Police 100th anniversary

Proud military personnel welcomed a special visitor from the Royal family to mark a historic centenary.

- by Freddie Webb

Members of the Royal Military Police (RMP) conducted a 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 yesterday morning.

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'."

The commemorations kicked off with a marching band while 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).