Military Provost Staff Corps

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Soldier Details:
Surname: Smyth
Initials:   P.J.
Rank:   Captain
Army No.:  489803
Notes:   Formerly 22912926 WOI RMP, LG 45238, 672, 15/1/1971. Provost Officer. London Gazette 45283, 672, 19/1/1971. Corps of Royal Military Police. Regular Army. Short Serv. Commn. 22912926 WO I. Philip John Smyth (489803) to be 2/Lt., 14/12/1970. To be Lt., 14/12/1970. London Gazette 45575, 650, 17/1/1972. Corps of Royal Military Police. Regular Army. Special Reg. Commn. Lt. Philip John Smyth (489803) from Short Serv. Commn. to be 2/Lt., 14/12/1971, with seniority 14/12/1966. To be Lt., 14/12/1971, with seniority 14/12/1968. London Gazette 45853, 15058, 19/12/1972. Corps of Royal Military Police. Regular Army. Special Reg. Commn. Lt. P J Smyth (489803) to be Capt., 14/12/1972. London Gazette 48540, 3080, 3/3/1981. Corps of Royal Military Police. Regular Army.Regular Army. Maj. P J Smyth, MBE. (489803) from Special Reg. Commn, to be Maj., 8/12/1980, with seniority 30/6/1979. London Gazette 49714, 5822, 24/4/1984. Corps of Royal Military Police. Regular Army. Maj. P J Smyth, MBE. (489803) retires on retired pay, 15/4/1984.

Decorations/Medals/Awards (2)
  1. Decoration:   Long Service & Good Conduct Medal Gazette Date: 1972-01-25 Gazette Issue: 45580 Gazette Page: 951
Citation:   RMP Lt P J Smyth (489803).
  2. Decoration:   Member of the British Empire Gazette Date: 1978-12-30 Gazette Issue: 47723 Gazette Page: 6
Citation:   New Year Honours. Philip John Smyth. SO 2 HQ Provost Marshal (Army). February 1975 - December 1978. Citation: Acting Major Smyth assumed the appointment of SO 2 at HQ PM (A) in February 1975 with responsibility for SD and Materiel. Since then, Army restructuring, the reorganisation of RMP in Northern Ireland and the intensity of military police operations world wide has thrown an exceedingly heavy burden upon his department, most of which he has borne personally. Despite the immense pressure and the need for very careful and detailed work he has cheerfully laboured for long and gruelling hours without complaint and without even the slightest deterioration of his standards of work. His health began to suffer under the strain and he became very run-down resulting in stern advice from the medical officers for him to take a rest. Ignoring the doctor's advice Acting Major Smyth brilliantly and successfully accomplished the huge task of producing the establishments, equipment tables and mass of attendant documentation required for the restructuring of RMP under the Army Restructuring Plan. It is mainly due to his efforts that all aspects of restructuring and re-equipping the Corps were smoothly resolved without inhibiting RMP operations in Northern Ireland or elsewhere. During the implementation of restructuring a major reorganisation fo RMP in Northern Ireland was launched entailing a phased reduction of 2nd Regiment RMP leading to its amalgamation in April 1978 and the absorbtion of its remaining companies by 1st Regiment RMP from Aldergrove to Lisburn. Major Smyth visited HQ Northern Ireland on numerous occasions to advise on the arrangements and played a major part in preparing the new establishment. It is testimony to his skill, perseverance and sheer hard work that the reorganisation was effected with great smoothness and with no organisational repercussions. Throughout his tour of duty whether dealing with manpower, materiel or financial matters, Major Smyth has displayed remarkable skill, determination and dedication of a truly exceptional nature. He has ignored the daunting and debilitating pressures upon him and maintained a standard of service to the Corps which has engendered great confidence and trust. Managing his department with inspired skill and understanding, he has established excellent relations throughout the Ministry of Defence and those civilian organisations with which he had dealings. Although only an acting major he has made a contribution towards the efficiency of the Corps. Recommended by: Brig. PM (Army). Maj. Gen MOD (Army) Gen. A G Corps, MOD (Army).