Robbie Silk was born on 21 April 1950 and joined the Army on 3 January 1967 as an RMP Junior Leader at JTR Rhyl, at the ripe old age of 16 before joining the regular Army in 1968.  He completed RMP training at Chichester, passing out as the best male recruit, following which he was posted as a JNCO to 20 Armd Bde Pro Unit in Detmold, Germany and then to Korbecke with 6 Bde Pro Unit.

 He served his SIB attachment at Munster Det SIB in 1972 and on successful transfer to the SIB role and promotion to Sgt in 1973, he joined Bielefeld Det SIB BAOR.  Whilst in the ranks he served in many units as an SIB investigator in Germany, Cyprus, Northern Ireland and England. In 1985 while serving as the RSM with SIB Detmold, he was commissioned into RMP.

 As a Lieutenant he returned briefly to GPD and took up the appointment of Ops Officer 175 Pro Coy RMP in Northern Ireland.  Thereafter on promotion to Captain, he set up and commanded the first Drugs Intelligence Team at Bulford, for which he was awarded the MBE.  In 1988 he was appointed OC SIB Werl, and on promotion to Major he was posted as the Region Commander to Aldershot SIB, then moving rapidly back to  Bielefeld during 1992 at the OC Eastern Region SIB BAOR.

 In 1993, as a result of BAOR Drawdown, his post was transferred to Hereford, where he was appointed SO2 Pro (Inv) with Pro Branch HQ 1 (UK) Armd Div/1 RMP, also commanding the regiment for 11 months. After some four years and after ensuring that his post was transferred back to Bielefeld, in 1998 he moved to Colchester as OC 156 Pro Coy RMP.  He then joined the staff at HQ PM(A) as the SO2 Police/Law at Upavon, before escaping during September 2001 on promotion to Lt Col as the CO Joint Provost Unit and Provost Marshal, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces on loan service (aptly named Op Silkman).  In December 2002 he returned to HQ PM(A) as the SO1 Police/Law, and on 3 November 2003 he realised his life long ambition and was appointed CO SIB Germany.

Robbie completed his military career on 20 March 2006, some months short of 40 years service. Married to Lyn with two sons who have since flown the nest, he has now moved back to his house in Offton, Suffolk with two ageing cats where he is actively looking for something else to do!

Branch Chairman:  Bill Pomeroy

Bill first joined the Corps as a National Serviceman in 1950 and trained at Inkerman Barracks in Squad 164.

Following this 2 year period he spent some time in the C.I.D. of Malta Dockyard Police and in June 1956 re-enlisted locally in the RMP Malta.  He remained in the Corps for a total of 23 years during which time he served in 170 Pro Coy Edinburgh. Berlin. Malta. Germany. Yorkshire and finally 156 Pro Coy Colchester from where he retired, with the rank of WO2,  in 1977.

In September 1977 he was successful in his application for the post of Security Manager with the Colchester and East Essex Co-operative Society where he remained until his retirement at the age of 65 years.

Bill served for many years as Chairman of this Branch until deciding to stand down.  A ploy that worked only for a limited period as he has found that his knowledge and expertise are still in demand and he was voted back onto the Committee recently.

Vice-Chairman:  Brian Drake

Brian served in the Corps from 1957-1960.  On leaving Inkerman Barracks his first posting was to the Mounted Troop at Aldershot on completion of his training period he transferred back to 158 Provost Company from where he was posted to 200 Provost Company, Singapore.

On leaving the Corps he joined Essex Police where he served for 10 years before resigning to become self employed.  Since that time he has worked in a variety of businesses until retiring at the age of 56 years.

Tony joined the Army in 1958 and remained with the colours for the full 22 years.  He served his first 2 years in the Rifle Brigade (Green Jackets) and transferred to the RMP in 1960.  He trained at Inkerman Barracks in Squad 769 ( Instructor, Sgt. K Balmer).  After training he was posted to 192 Pro. Coy. Chatham which was later disbanded to become a section of 156 Pro. Coy. Colchester.  

He has also served in BAOR (Twice), Belgium, Hong Kong, Northern Ireland, London District and Cyprus.  Finally returning to 156 Pro. Coy. Colchester in 1977.  He retired from the Corps in 1980 .

Following his army career he obtained employment as a Housing Manager for Colchester Borough Council where he worked until taking early retirement in 1998.  

His interests include the RMPA , Fishing and 'bombing around the country' in his Camper Van.

Hon. Secretary:  Allan (Jock) Adam

Allan joined the Corps in September 1975 and retired with the rank of Staff Sergeant in June 1998.

During his service he served  in a total of 12 units including periods in Hong Kong, Germany, Holland, North Ireland and Bosnia.

Whilst in the Corps, Allan was a keen sportsman winning almost 100 trophies.  He played Football, Rugby, Basketball, Cricket and Golf for the Royal Military Police and Basketball and Volleyball for the Army.

Allan now works, as a civilian, for Essex Police as the Controlled Drugs Liaison Officer.

Allan married his wife Wendy in August 1977 and they have one son, Antony, who is 27years old.

Ron was first introduced to the Army as a National Serviceman in February 1951, when he was posted to the Royal Army Service Corps.  He  transferred to the Royal Military Police in March of the same year and carried out his training at Inkerman Barracks as a member of Squad 215 (Instructor, Sgt. Ron Sheldrake).  On completion of training he was posted to 6th Armoured Div. Pro.Coy. where he remained until his demob in February 1953.

On leaving the Corps he joined Middlesex Fire Service for a period of approximately 2 years when he resigned to join British Telecom as a Research Technician.  He retired from this position in 1992.

Ron has been involved with the RMPA for about 20 years and at present serves on the branch committee as the Welfare Officer & Branch Correspondent with the responsibility for overseeing the welfare of Members and  compiling and submitting reports for the Corps Journal.