Smart Escorts

There were no prizes for guessing which department these smart young men were working in when these photos were taken, but we asked if you could identify them, estimate the date when they were taken, and perhaps even tell us exactly what they were doing that day?

There was no problem identifying everyone in the photo, as listed in the caption below. No-one remembers if there was a special escort that day or just one of the many carried out by MCPS. As for the date, I checked available recordds and saw that John Instone worked in MCPS from July 1970 - March 1973; Norrell Hull did indeed work in MCPS from November 1971 - March 1973, and Steve Petty was there from July 1970 - July 1972. I have a copy of part of Russ Paynter's Police Register file but it doesn't list has transfers and posting, and I don't have either Sid Gordon or Willy Hart's files. So by my reckoning this photo must have been taken sometime in the 9 months between November 1971 and July 1972. Sad to say Russ Paynter and John Instone are no longer with us.

Members of MCPS circa 1971-1972

(l-r) Russell Paynter, John Instone, Norrell Hull, Will Hart, Stephen Petty and kneeling Sid Gordon

Steve Petty

Terry 6 years 4 months

Terry said :

Funny thing is no one has mentioned Box Head........................Who was IC then Boxy or Ian Scotty.........Editors note - I suspect that no-one mentiond either 'Boxhead' or Ian Scotland because neither of them were in the photo.

That was not my point as a matter of commentary more relevant to original members et al.That's all.Shalom.

Don Urquhart said :

Whoever he is next to the bike with rego 3606, it looks like he is having a quick smoke! It was never like that when I was in MCPS! Just kidding!

Stephen Petty of course..We all did it back then and then one day we got old.Shalom.

Don Urquhart 6 years 4 months

Davie Kerr 6 years 4 months

Not sure that Norrell Hull was ever in MCPS, but this pic could easily prove me wrong, and I've no idea who else it might be.And I have a sneaky feeling that the bloke kneeling could be Sid Gordon.....I agree with Russ, John, Willie & Steve.Editors note - This is definitely Norrell Hull. According to his file in the Police Register Norrell served in Cycle Squad from 8th November 1971 to 11th March 1973.

Could be a skinny Sid Gordon...........................Editors note - This was also confirmed by Steve Petty

stephen petty 6 years 4 months

"other guy" is Sid Gordon.Editors note - Many thanks Steve. Any idea what year this was taken and what escort had you beeen doing?

Early 70's and probably an escort.Russell Paynter, John Instone, Willy Hart, Stephen Petty, could be Norrell Hull, and the other guy I forgot his name but it begins with 'B'.Editors note - Good start Terry. I'm sure it's Norrell Hull but will write and get him to confirm. Not sure about the "other guy". Many thanks.