Chris Bowerman

We recently heard from Chris Bowerman who served here in the Bermuda Police for just over a year, having arrived here in October 1973.  Chris had served in the British Transport Police for 3 years prior to arriving in Bermuda along with a contingment of new recruits, all of whom had previous police experience. They were Colin Hopkins, Chris Pearce, Frank Donald, Paul Deans, Dave Lunn, Martin Connor, George Readings, Paul Davis, Robert “Bob: Kinnon, Ian Graham, Damian Wilcocks, Frank Wood, and Donald Grant.

He was initially posted to Central Division, Hamilton, and was transferred to Western (Somerset)  but never really settled in Bermuda and left the Island in November 1974.  

Chris initiually wrote to say that he continues to keep an eye on our ExPo website to keep uip with happenings, and he’s also viewed the Island on Google Earth and sees lots if changes since he was here. Chris says it’s very unlikely he will return to Bermuda but he wonders about some of his former colleagues for whom he has fond memories, inlcuding Mike Phillips and  Dave Barber (both if whom are in the photo of Chris and the West End gang taking part in the annual Non-Mariners “Race” in 1974, which also includes Dai Thomas, Brian Malpas and Bill Buchanan.

Non-Mariners Race in Mangrove Bay - 1974

Chris was asked to send us some of his recollections of Bemuda, and also let us know what he’s being doing since leaving the Island in late 1974.   He promptly did so and here’s what he’s written:- 

"I am afraid my life since Bermuda makes for dull reading compared with the adventures and exploits of some former members travels previously placed on the site.

I returned to UK basically, with the benefit  of age and hindsight, now think Island happy and homesick.

I had several years service in BTP previously but had the massive advantage of living at home. Spoilt rotten by my Mother who brought me up single handed due to being widowed when I was still in very short trousers, things such as laundry, ironing, cooking, and even I am ashamed to say making the bed.

Bermuda Barracks were a culture shock to me and when several moved out (or walked out back home) Macbeath block seemed like a slum to me.

I  gave leaving a  some very serious thought, then, out of the blue half asleep from night shift a knock on my door asked ,"will you go to Western? They have posted my mate and we want to stay together."

Well they had joined as pals from somewhere north of Hadrian's wall, travelled almost half way round the world so who was I to stand in their way, and  conditions at Western couldn't be any worse than where I was.

Several hours later I was taking root above The Dew Drop Inn where I spent far too much time and made many friends, problem being too many were in bottles (a not uncommon Bermudian pastime!)

My shortcomings were abruptly pointed out to me by a new recruit and his words hit home. Neville Phillips tried hard to talk me into staying but as I say, probably island  happy and quite likely homesick I left. That was November.

Upon returning to the UK I took the long way round home eager to see the beutiful vista across Morecambe Bay to the Lake District, a stunning view comparable to many of the worlds best. 

OMG it was grey, sea was black,dark clouds over the bay and raining.

Got the same feeling as I did arriving to at Macbeath. Block.

Horseshoe Beach and South Shore road it was not.

Got home and into my beloved MGB which had been lovingly restored by one of me friends and went to fill up. Ouch!  Petrol had doubled. Everything had and my savings were not going to last long . 

I was mulling over trying Australia or Canada, didn't fancy foot patrol around an East Lancashire Mill Town, but  knowing the length of recruitment times and being told get here and apply I was looking for an alternate path.

Walking past the Fire Station in Lancaster I saw a  poster “Wanted. Join now.”

By December 16th I was in, followed by training from January. Training was somewhat harder than Bruche and the accommodation was on a par with Macbeath without the advantage of your own room.

I survived and spent twenty one and a half very happy years managing to gain several promotions until a nasty little accident at work floored me in 1994. After some recovery and a lot of effort I returned to work carrying the injury until in 1996 my GP simply said change your job or buy a wheelchair, you are going to need it if you don't, and gave me a twelve month ticket.

It took the Brigade about two weeks to tell me I was of no use if I wasn't fit and a medical discharge rapidly followed.

It took a couple of years to get off incapacity benefit and a long list of in and out of work jobs followed including some for the Prison Service, NHS, and numerous  other small companies. Always the same, fine for a while, then  sneeze or trip or bend wrong and the old back said stop.

On returning home I visited my old haunts to look up pals, they had all vanished from the old haunts and taken to travelling out of town to a country Inn which I did eventually find.

Whilst in one of my original waterering holes I bumped into a girl I had known for years, she was with her sister in law and her cousin. Her cousin and I have recently had our 48th wedding anniversary and we live about a mile from the country Inn. Two daughter and four grand daughters.

I missed the recent 50th ExPo Gathering due to medical problems -  cancer. I am told it has been removed and my blood, lymph nodes etc are clear. Just left with  a couple of ongoing problems, not life threatening but lifestyle changing. I am still breathing, and always say don't reckon much to this growing old, but it beats the hell out of the alternative!