Who remembers khaki uniforms?
This photo is featured in the Hall of Fame article on the Late Oliver “Chief” Trott (CLICK HERE to view article) and was kindly provided to us by his widow, Mrs “Girlie” Trott, who sadly just passed. “Chief“ Trott was obviously in CID when this photo was taken. We knew it was taken in the late 1950’s and that most of our readers don’t go back quite that far, but we wanted to give some of our older colleagues an opportunity to test their memories and tell us when it was taken, what was the occasion, and who is in it.
We are assured by Peter Stubbs, who is the photo, that it was taken in June 1958 at the time of a Refresher Course held at Prospect. Peter was able to identify most of those in the photo which included Course attendees along with Senior Officers and the Overseas Instructor who’s name we do not know.
With some additional assistance from retired Inspector Mike Burke, we believe we have now identified everyone in this photo except the Overseas Instructor. The only person we are not absolutely sure of is Brian Lay. Can anyone else confirm his identity?
Mike advises that the man top left on the back row is Mike Stavely, known at the St. George’s Mess as “The Red Snapper”. Mike also recalls that John Pyefinch once found a GOAT in his room after coming off duty, which caused much alarm! Pyefinch apparently used to keep a cage full of budgies in his room which turned up one day on Joe Colton’s bed. Needless to say, Joe was very angry because the birds dropped what birds drop all over Joe’s bed covers. The culprit of course wasn’t John Pyefinch!
Editors note - To the best of our knowledge it was a disciplinary offence to have "birds" in barrack rooms! Refresher Course
Middle Row - Brian Malpas, John D. Pyefinch, Brian Lay, Roy Thomas,
Front Row - Jim McNiven, Oliver Trott, Joe Nixon, COP Henderson, Overseas Instructor?,