Young P.C. Tony Laughton
Served from 1973-1980
 

We recently heard from Tony Laughton who has sent us some photos taken while he was here in Bermuda.  Tony also sent a photo of himself and Steve Rollin after we had enquired about Steve’s condition following major surgery. We were delighted to hear from Tony that Steve is doing well and often gets together with Tony for a walk.

He has promised faithfully to write about himself for our Then and Now column but in the meantime we can tell you that Tony was born and raised in Derbyshire, and he served in the Derby Country and Borough Police for over 7 years before joining the Bermuda Police in May 1973. 

While here in Bermuda he served in Central (Uniform) for 12 months and had various stints in the Murder Room, but spent most of his service in Operations (Traffic) and in MCPS.

Tony has very fond memories of Bermuda and sent us the photos posted below.  In his own words:-

Here goes with my first offering - starting in early 1974. The previous website item on our Tug-of-war team caught my eye a year or so ago, as I was a member in the mid-70's and as the item proudly states: Unbeaten!  And we were pitted against top sports and military teams from many parts of the world.  The attached photos are of the team at The Agricultural Show, Saturday 27th April 1974.  I will stand correction on some of the names:

    1. (nearest the middle of the rope)  Pete Swann.  2. Dave Kerr.  3. Tony Laughton.  4. Roger Brydon. 5. Paul Deans.  6. Mick Richardson.  7. Alex Arnfield.  8. Anchor, of course, Eddie “Boxhead” Foggo. 

Police Tug o' War Team winning again at Agricultural Show - April 1974
(r-l) Pete Swann, Davie Kerr, Tony Laughton, Roger Brydon, Paul Deans,
Mick Richardson, Alex Armfield, and Eddie "Boxhead" Foggo
 

I well remember our training on the PRC field, Pat McBride in charge!  We attached the Tug-of-war rope to the tow-bar of a long-wheelbase landrover and with it in gear and brakes on, we dragged it round the field.  A few weeks before competition day, we put one, then two telephone poles behind the back wheels and dragged it over those!  At the end of a training session, the rope was hung in a tree and we had to jump up and hang on, dead-weight, for at least a minute. That doesn't sound very long, but after a training session, it was agony.  

The Winning Team -  Botanical Gardens 1974
 

I think this was to improve our grip, so that we could give that bit more on the big day.  Does my memory serve me correctly or is this story embellished a little in the telling? 

When we were hanging from the rope, Pat McBride would stand with a pin under our buttocks and threaten us thus, " If ye drop doon too soon, this pin goes in yer **** !"  And I think it did.

This next group of photos are from a PRC New Years Day Sherry party, 1975 I think.  Great pics of: Ernie Moniz, Eddie 'Boxhead' Foggo guarding the drinks, Barrie Meade, Bob McDonagh, Ray and Debbie Bell,  Steve Peterson, 'Tinker' Taylor, Dave Lunn, Big Mike Parris, Carol Royer, there's one of Frankie Thom with Bruce Bingley and I think it's Mike Hale on the left, not crying over spilt sherry hopefully.

Annual Sherry Party at PRC - 1975
Frank Thom, Bruce Bingley, and possibly Mick Hale who may be upset
about having to drink sherry out of a paper cup!
 
What a Group!
(l-r) Jimmy "The Wop" Costello,  "Big Mike" Parris, Cyril Plant, & Brian Parkin
 
Carol Royer flashes her famous smile
Perhaps Davie Kerr can identify PC 217 from his shoulder number!
 
(l-r) Steve Peterson, Tony "Tinker" Taylor, Dave Lunn, and Winnie Taylor
 
Eddie "Boxhead" Foggo guards the booze!
 
Inspector Ernie Moniz
and who is the lady on the left?
 
Bob McDonagh with the beard, and Reg "Buster" Brown with
moustache and cigarette.  Who is the uniform officer on the right?
 
Ray and Debbie Bell
 
Barrie Meade (centre). On left are Gerry Lyons, Big Mike Parris and Cyril Plant, and
on the right is Jim McMaster. Can anyone identify the guy wearing the black leather jacket?
 

Some of my memories of those just mentioned:  Ernie Moniz was one of the best senior officers I ever had.  There was an official hurricane warning out.  Ernie was just strolling round Ops. yard, saying, "Everybody is flapping and panicking.  I've got my shark-oil in my office and there's not going to be any hurricane."   There wasn't. 

Eddie “Boxhead” Foggo generated a huge amount of respect in me.  I'd arrived in Bermuda with only 7 years of UK experience and looking back, admittedly still a bit of a hot-head.  I might be flattering myself thinking I was 'gung-ho' and wanting to give the bad guys a hard time, but Boxhead calmed me down, showed me the right way to conduct myself. 

When I was on Traffic, I was often crewed with Barry Higham, it was Barry who was also a maturing influence on me.  Bob McDonagh (can't believe he's no longer with us) his nickname was 'Parts', as his body proportions looked like spare-parts, a long back and very short legs.  It was really funny to ride behind him on his Police motorcycle, looking very tall in the saddle, but his legs went straight down to the foot-pegs, not bent at the knee at all! 

That’s all for now.  My next offering will be of Gerry Harmer's wedding, Roger's henchmen (“B” Watch Traffic),  some members of which also had a great 'influence' on me.  After meeting them, I drank more!  Also coming up, is an entertainment evening at PRC, with Buster Brown dressed as a woman and Nobby Clarke singing with Dave Parsons.

Hope the editors pencil isn't given too much work to do, all the best to all.”        

Regards, 
Tony Laughton.  

Editors note – We look forward to hearing more from Tony and receiving his photos.


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Davie Kerr
On looking closely at the "Buster or Bumbly" picture, I can't say for sure that it's Terry "Bumbly" Allebone, but I can say that it's definitely not Buster! I'm rather kicking myself for not picking up on that sooner.Editors note - Thanks Davie. Terry Cabral also confirms it was Terry Allebone. On the subject of "kicking" yourself, I realise you played many sports but I don't recall you ever playing football so kicking might not be one of your strong points!
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Terry
Bob Porter said :
Sorry guys but I think someone has it wrong. I'm sure the chap between Bob McDonagh and Mick Hale is not my old mate Buster but another ex-Sussex man,Terry Allebone.Editors note - I would have thought it was "Buster" but Bob seems to be quite sure that it's Terry Allebone. Can anyone else confirm or otherwise?
Yup.Have to agree with Bob on this one.Similar in features Busters 'tash' was red/erGood call Captain Outward Bound.Editors note - Thanks Terry. To be honest I couldn't recall Terry Allebone well, and Bob seemed to be sure it was Terry - the other Terry!

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Bob Porter
Sorry guys but I think someone has it wrong. I'm sure the chap between Bob McDonagh and Mick Hale is not my old mate Buster but another ex-Sussex man,Terry Allebone.Editors note - I would have thought it was "Buster" but Bob seems to be quite sure that it's Terry Allebone. Can anyone else confirm or otherwise?
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Steve Peterson
So in the Ernie Moniz pic (What a lovely man) in the background do I see John McConnie (spelling! ) and behind him Keith Cassidy?Editors note - I see you still have excellent eyesight Steve. Yes, the guy lighting up a cigarette is John McConnie (your spelling was correct). Not sure about Keith Cassidy, but I believe the guy on the right is Jan Pearce. And the woman standing next to Ernie is Marion Willams according to Mike Cherry and I'm sure he is correct. Great to hear from you.
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Terry
I never argued with any one.It was a mere opinion that it appeared to me that it was Rex.Paid no attention to the shoulder number. It was just an observation on my part.Think I will just stop posting because according to here; I don't know crap.Shalom.Editors note - Don't feel too badly Terry. I thought for a moment that the photo of the guy to the right of Carol Royer might have been ME until I checked his number - 217 - and had no idea who that was until Davie put name to number.
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Davie Kerr
I'm sure that Rex was PC 197, but maybe someone could check that by simply asking him?Just to confuse things, we also had a Gary Osborne who was 198!Editors note - Have just spoken directly with Rex, and he confirms that, as usual, when it comes to numbers, Davie is ALWAYS right! Rex's number was indeed PC 197. Had been trying to contact him for a few days but Rex had been in the UK to celebrate his mother's 100th birthday. Will post an entry on "Keeping in Touch"
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Terry
So what was Rex's number before 52.He was a Sergeant from birth?Editors note - Good point Terry. Unfortunately, the list I checked just gave the number 52 in a column next to his joining date, but it is clearly too low to be his PC's number. Will ask him to let us know. My only other source for old numbers is our good friend Davie. Without him we would be completely lost!
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mike cherry
The lady in photo with Ernie Moniz I feel sure is Marion Williams sister of Bill Williams of Ski School fame. Marion worked at Watlington and Conyers Travel for a number of years bur sadly passed away after a short illness some years ago.Mike.Editors note - Many thanks Mike. I knew she looked familiar and I'm sure you are correct.
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Terry
Davie Kerr said :
The Sherry Party photo with 217. It LOOKS like Doug Docherty, but shouldn't be as he was 268: I don't suppose it could actually be Dale Thornton (317), could it?I admit it does look like Rex in Pic 7, but he was 197: why is he wearing a tunic with 288 on it? Mick Hale was 288.And I'll go with Wayne P in the last pic.Editors note - Anyone want to challenge Davie's memory on numbers?!! I think not. Anyone know how we can get in touch with Mick Hale?
Well you have to reflect and answer your own statements Davie.How can one be and the other not.Only had one number.Have a rum mee lad.And yes that is Rex in the statement I made.Lots of blondes back then.Have a double.20th August 2014Editors note - After the healthy debate about the identity of these blonde young PC’s I managed to get in touch with Mick Hale by email and asked him if the PC standing next to “Spare Parts” McDonagh could be him. Here is his reply:-“Gosh this catching up thing is great. I did look at the photo's posted by Tony and I wouldn't recognise myself from behind but my good lady wife, Isabel, said Yes that's you. So there I was, 288, that much I do remember and the unknown in the photo is now known - it is me.Yes I am on Facebook under Mike Hale (rather than Mick). I'm not well conversant with the medium but I have seen a couple of posts from Davie Kerr and am friended to both Davie and Bob Porritt.Hope this can help you do a little more re connecting me.My thanksMick”I also did a little research and discovered that P.C. 217 is definitely not Rex Osborne. His number was 52. 217 was assigned to P.C. John Wilkins who joined the BPS on 14th May 1969 and left on 11 September 1975.Hopefully – case closed

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Davie Kerr
The Sherry Party photo with 217. It LOOKS like Doug Docherty, but shouldn't be as he was 268: I don't suppose it could actually be Dale Thornton (317), could it?I admit it does look like Rex in Pic 7, but he was 197: why is he wearing a tunic with 288 on it? Mick Hale was 288.And I'll go with Wayne P in the last pic.Editors note - Anyone want to challenge Davie's memory on numbers?!! I think not. Anyone know how we can get in touch with Mick Hale?

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