In 1986/7, I was serving as the ANPM at the Royal Naval Provost HQ in HMS NELSON. From the many enquiries I received from serving and ex serving members of the Branch, I identified there could possibly be a desire for the formation of a Branch Association based on the Royal Naval Association’s principles of Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism and Comradeship.

To test viability, I organised a simple social evening in Barham Block HMS NELSON for Regulating Staff from the Portsmouth Command and extended an invitation to Branch Veterans via communication means then possible including an advertisement in The Navy News, word of mouth and jungle drums. This initial event, primarily to foster a sense of belonging and comradeship, was a success and the next year’s reunion, again held in HMS NELSON, engendered further interest and proved even more of a success. It was at this stage that I planned to create an organisation which I named, quite naturally, “The Regulating Branch Association”. My vision came to fruition with the support, counsel and kind cooperation of the then incumbent Naval Provost Marshal , Portsmouth, Lt Cdr Bob Bloomfield, Royal Navy.

The resultant burgeoning administration fell solely on my shoulders and I needed more help, initially to write a constitution and establish at least a quorum to take the fledgling Association to the next step of inauguration. However, I was unsuccessful in recruiting suitable assistance and plans for forward thrust were placed in abeyance. Over time, the organisation as was, suffered from lack of motivation and interest and so, regrettably, fell into stagnation.

It was in late 1991 that ex Fleet Master at Arms Peter Robertson came on to the scene and all but exploded into determined action to fan the embers of my dying organisation into flames. He positively gushed with fresh ideas and initiatives to reform the Association but, under a new banner. He was supremely confident that he could take the ailing Association forward to a new, vibrant and successful future. He had, by then, successfully identified and recruited a similarly motivated number of Regulator veterans to form a working committee. I subsequently handed Peter all the organisation’s paperwork I had generated over the past few years. These documents formed the basis for the resurrection of the Association which was aptly named by Peter as “Operation Phoenix”.

In 1993, under the chairmanship of ex Master at Arms Darby Allon, with Peter Robertson as his Vice Chairman, the newly structured Regulating Branch Association was successfully launched. It now had the addendum of “93” to the title in order to quite rightly distance this new organisation from the one which I had conceived some years earlier.

After retiring from the Royal Navy, I re-joined the Regulating Branch Association 93 in 1995 as Peter Robertson’s Vice Chairman and then had the honour and privilege of serving as its Chairman from 2000 to 2006.

During these appointments on the committee and my subsequent prized roles as the Hon. Life Vice President, and final accolade as President, I would like to think that the present Association continues to foster a deep sense of comradeship from the youngest recruit to the Royal Navy Police Specialisation to the oldest veteran. Additionally, it is with humility, pride and satisfaction to witness that members offer unconditional friendship and support to one another. They care – They share moments – They share life.

The philosophy of Regulating Branch and Royal Navy Police Association, was, and remains, to principally foster comradeship, loyalty and compassion in a personalised way among members. It is a caring and vibrant organisation which is much more than having access to membership. It is about access to a society which has the deepest sense of care at its heart and it reflects the philosophy of having been a member of the Regulating Branch or a serving or veteran of the Royal Navy Police Specialisation.

Our Members are justifiably proud of their service to their country. They are friends who care in fun, comradeship and need.