Representing the best of the Royal Navy and Policing
We take a moment to reflect on some of the ordinary people who joined the Royal Navy and went on to do extraordinary things or live an extraordinary life.
Whether it is a veteran, serving member or family member recounting a life it the Royal Navy, you can be assured that the topic or person and their story showcased this segment will certainly peak your interest and have earned their place and BZ..
BZ
It’s origins are from the Royal Navy Signal system when each letter flag had a number of additional meanings to shorten the communication process.
The combination of the Bravo and Zulu nautical signal flags, Bravo Zulu, referred to as “BZ,” is a naval signal, typically conveyed by the hoist of a flag or voice radio, to convey “Well Executed” with regard to actions, operations or performance since simplified to “Well done”.
FMAA Peter Robertson
FMAA Peter Robertson is one of the Principle Founders of our Association, first as Vice Chairman and voted Chairman at the next AGM elections.
Peter became the Association’s very first President of the Association and was equally, a well-respected member of the Regulating Branch.
A “true giant” of the Branch.
The painting is to great likeness and credited to former RPO and artist Brian Monty Toms, presented to Peter when he retired from the Association Committee.
The legacy continues
This presentation plaque of FMAA Peter Robertson takes a rightful pride of place in the Royal Navy Police and Regulating Branch Museum in honour of his service and also to present a snapshot of details of his life in service.
This dedication continued after he retired by his commitment to the Association and its members through the various Association roles held, the baton of which has been passed to his son Steve Robertson.
A well-respected member of the Royal Navy Police and committee. Steve sits as liaison between serving members and the Association.
Lt Tom Dickinson
Thomas Dickinson, formerly the oldest surviving MAA and member of the Association, crossed the bar in May 2020 at the ripe old age of 102.
He was the Instructor of the first Leading Patrolman’s Course in 1945.
His story is a fantastic one and is covered in more detail in the video below.
Tom ended his Navy Career as a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy.
A truly special man.
Tom's story
A truly remarkable life and summary of life in the Royal Navy and Regulating Branch of old.
A special thanks to Tom and his family for this interview and permission to share this gem of an interview.
Storyline and content at the permission of family.
*Video credit – content first published for the Veteran’s Foundation in 2018. BZ
LP Lawrence Churcher
Portsmouth born and raised, Mr Lawrence Churcher (99) was in the crew of HMS Eagle at the start of the war, also serving on HMS Beaver. He landed in France during May to help to get ammunition to the front lines and posted to a rail head outside Dunkirk.
When he was ordered to pull back to the beaches, he began looking for the Hampshire Regiment and remarkably his brothers Edward and George found him. They stayed together until reaching the UK on the same ship but were not reunited until the end of the war.
Now living in Porchester, he has returned to Dunkirk several times and has a jar of sand from the beach.
Lawrence's story
Mr Churcher added: “When my brothers found me, I just felt relief.
There were so many soldiers there and continuous aircraft dropping bombs and strafing us. I had so many things on my mind until I got on board of our ship. One fella leaned on my shoulder, gave a sigh of relief and said, “thank god we’ve got a navy” and that sort of churned it up inside of me. I felt relief that the soldiers could come on those boats, there was all sorts there, practically rowing boats. We knew we had to get those soldiers back from Dunkirk.”
Mr Churcher left the Royal Navy after the war, wearing the rank of Leading Patrolman. Bravo Zulu Mr Churcher.
Image and storyline copyright Royal Navy
Pixie Jenkins - D Day
100 year old Pixie Jenkins of Aldridge in the West Midlands was serving in the Women’s Royal Naval Service when the D-Day landings began.
Stationed on the south coast, her job was to transport people and ammunition.
In this anniversary year, Pixie still remembers the brave men who were part of the invasion adding that she didn’t realise they were living through history.
Bravo Zulu Mrs Jenkins.
Do you know them?
Throughout many a naval career we cross paths with many great individuals and stories.
We are keen to document those who have a connection to the Branch especially and welcome material and photos to share with the membership throughout the website, in the facts, stories and dits or as a feature in our annual publication.
Please contact a member of the Association Committee or email community@rba93.com.
We welcome donations
The Museum team work hard to catalogue items donated over the decades and to preserve items and documents in good condition.
We are dependent on the generosity of our membership to donate items and to keep a keen and watchful eye on the online sales sites to bid on items of interest for donation.
Whether it is a former dress item or documents please reach out to the Curator or Committee Member to discuss suitability for the Royal Navy Police and Regulating Branch Museum.
Photo credit: committee personal photo approved for use
The Royal Navy and REGULATING POLICE MUSEUM
Some BZ events of 2020
Our galleries represent background information for the guest visitor and a wealth of memories for our members, of their careers, shared experiences, ships and establishments, of a unique life in service.
A snapshot gallery is accessible to all visitors and full access to all photographs across many topics available to Association Members via a “Members Area” login.