Young P.C. David Hobbs

Several weeks ago we had word that former P.C. David Hobbs, who served here from December 1977 – September 1979 would be arriving at the Royal Naval Dockyard on a Norwegian line cruise ship, "Aqua" on a 7 day trip from New York, staying in Bermuda from 1st June until 5th June, and his wife Donna had written to the Bermuda Police to ask if there was any way she could surprise her husband by maybe organizing a visit to Hamilton Police Station during their stay.  Robin Simmons  of BPS Corporate Communications had received the email and he duly set about arranging  a visit to HPS and he asked if we might be able to put Donna in touch with any of his former colleagues.  

At short notice we managed to contact Mike Shaw and Bob Railton both of whom were on Training Course #22 with Dave and who remembered him well.  He had been posted to Eastern Division (St. George’s)  after graduating from training school, and Mike remembered that he enjoyed playing tennis. 

A scheme was hatched for Donna to take Dave, along with their son Jack, to Hamilton Police Station for the tour, and for Mike Shaw to pick them up afterwards and bring them to Divots for a drink and chat where they would be joined by Bob Railton.  We understand that Dave had decided he wanted to head off down to Crystal Caves on the appointed day, but Donna “stuck to her guns” and insisted they take a walk through Hamilton and she managed to get them to the Police Station at the appointed time where they enjoyed an interesting tour of the Station accompanied by Constable Roseann ‘Buffy’ Mienzer (retired), Constable (retired Inspector) Kuhn Evans, and Acting Sergeant Christopher Douglas.

The weather tried its best to interfere with Donna’s plans because the heavens opened up after they left the Station but they were transported safely by Mike Shaw to Divots restaurant at Belmont Hills Golf Club and spent a most enjoyable afternoon catching up with Mike, and with Bob Railton reminiscing over a few beers about the good old days in the late 1970’s in Bermuda, with the 1977 riots not to be forgotten.  Amongst the guys on their course who were mentioned  - Wally Lumb was said to be living somewhere in the US, "Shoes" Needham is retired and living back in the UK,  Doug Docherty retired about 2 years ago and left the Island heading for new adventures; Steven Darrell is a minister in Humble, Texas, and sadly, Keith Foggo passed away in 2016.  

Torrential rain – more than an inch and a half fell during the day  -  failed to dampen spirits  - and a very enjoyable  time was had by all.  We were advised that David was buzzing all evening after the days adventures, despite the fact their taxi broke down on the way back to the ship in that torrential rain!  

David has promised to write more about what he's been doing since leaving Bermuda for our "Then and Now"column.