Royal Military Police

Cap Badge of the Royal Military Police (Queen Elizabeth II)
Soldier Details:
Surname: Cameron
Initials:   W.N.
Rank:   Lance Corporal
Army No.:  23332735
Notes:   RMP. Died 4/5/1958. Killed with L/Cpl B F Turvey by EOKA gunmen in the Varosha district of Famagusta on the 5th May 1958. Inscription on gravestone: In loving memory of a dear son and brother inserted by Mum, Dad and family. Grave Reference: Plot 24, Row E, Grave 14. Born 25/4/1936. William Nicol Cameron. Extract from the Birmingham Daily Post, 5/4/1958. Death Penalty for Terrorism Back in Cyprus. Two More Soldiers Killed. The death penalty became mandatory for all terrorist offences in Cyprus after two British soldiers had been murdered in Famagusta yesterday. New emergency regulations were hurried through last night, giving judges no option but to pass the death sentence on anyone carrying or being in possession of firearms and bombs. The Governor Sir Hugh Foot acted swiftly as British troops took over full control of Famagusta where the two soldiers were shot down in a street full of people taking a Sunday stroll. His political and military advisers agreed to reintroduce the mandatory death penalties first established by the former Governor, Sir John Harding and lifted when tension eased after the EOKA truce last year. Dragnet Operation. The murder of the two men who were members of the Royal Military Police was followed by the biggest dragnet operation since the outbreak began in the island. They were on duty in plain clothes, patrolling a part of the Greek quarter normally out of bounds to British troops. The murders yesterday - which brings to 106 the total of British killed since the emergency - were he first since the expiring on April 28 of an EOKA terrorist ultimatum that reprisals would be taken against Britons would be resumed unless allegedly "inhuman measures" in British detention camps were stopped. The Governor will return to London this week for new talks on the island's future. Extract from the Western Mail, 5/5/1958. Sir Hugh brings back death law. Two British soldiers were shot dead among strolling afternoon crowds in Famagusta yesterday - and immediately the Governor of Cyprus, Sir Hugh Foot, brought back the tough emergency regulations first established by his predecessor, Sir John Harding. The death penalty became mandatory for all terrorist offences. Judges have no option but to pass the death sentence on anyone carrying or possessing firearms and bombs. Sir Hugh acted swiftly as troops took over full control of the city where the soldiers were shot and began the biggest dragnet operation in three years. His political and military advisers agreed to reintroduce the mandatory death penalty which were lifted when tension eased on the island after the EOKA truce last year. Fired Back The soldiers, in plain clothes but on duty, were patrolling a part of the Greek quarter, normally out of bounds to British troops. They were Lance Corporal B F Turvey of Cambourne Avenue, Harold Hill, Romford Essex, and Lance Corporal W N Cameron of Lawrence Drive, Leven, Fifeshire both members of the Royal Military Police. One of the soldiers crumpled on the pavement at the first blast which hit him in the back. His companion managed to turn, pull out a revolver and fire a shot before he, too, was hit. Searched Troops immediately swooped on the area and arrested every Greek Cypriot youth in sight. Official reports said the number held for questioning was "between 300 and 400." Greek Cypriot sources claimed it was as many as 600. Greek flags displayed on some buildings were ripped down by troops while large scale searches of houses in the area were carried out. A security forces spokesman said: "It is believed the gunmen knew who they were shooting. The killing follows the pattern of previous EOKA murders." The shooting came only 24 hours after an official announcement that the Governor intended to fly to London early this week for talks with the British government on the future of Cyprus. In a broadcast statement last month he said his London trip would depend on whether violence continued. The murders were the first since the expiry, on April 23, of an EOKA terrorist ultimatum which said reprisals against Britons would be resumed unless "inhuman measures" in British detention camps were stopped.

Decorations/Medals/Awards (1)
  1. Decoration:   Mention in Despatches Gazette Date: 1958-09-30 Gazette Issue: 41508 Gazette Page: 5954
Citation:   Cyprus, 1/1/1958 - 30/6/1958. (Posthumous). RMP 23332735 L/Cpl Cameron W. N.
Casualty Details:
Date Killed: 4th May 1958
Company: 51 Brigade Pro Unit
Cemetery: WAYNES KEEP CEMETERY, NICOSIA   CYPRUS
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