| Citation: New Years Honours. 23536636 Corporal (Local Sergeant) Anthony Thomas Sims, London District Pro Coy. RMP. Army Explosive Search Dog Handler (AES) December 1980 - May 1982.
Corporal (Local Sergeant) SIMS is commander of the Mill Hill Detachment of London District Provost Company and he is the only Arms Explosive Search Dog Handler in London District. At Mill Hill, where he has two more junior Royal Military Police corporals under his command, he is responsible for providing military police cover for the military establishments in quarters in that area. These duties are conducted on the neighbourhood policeman principle and this requires long hours of work on a demanding task. He has been totally accepted by and integrated into the military community there and this, in itself, is a tribute to his integrity, personality and dedication to duty.
He does a full day of work almost every day of the week, either in local police work and supervising the inquiries of his juniors, or training and caring for his dog so that he is full prepared for his explosive search role. This latter task demands frequent evening and week-end work in a wide diversity of locations. Early hours, long days on standby, late nights and lengthy journeys are often necessary. Official calls on his time have been far in excess of the normal call of duty over a prolonged period.
During the last year, Corporal Sims has never failed in his duties. Although he is full aware of the danger to himself, he ignores the risks in clearing and declaring safe each building and the surrounding area before virtually every military ceremonial event or social occasion where there is the possibility of a terrorist threat. The venues include not only Horse Guards and a wide range of other military establishments throughout London and the South of England, but also at frequent international political conferences such as at Lancaster House and Gleneagles. As a result, The Queen, members of the Royal Family, Cabinet Ministers, Heads of State, senior officers and the general public have all been protected by his work in varying degrees.
Owing to the effort of solider such as he, the reputation of the Army grows among both the civilian community and the Metropolitan Police, with which he co-operates frequently on ant-terrorist duties. his selfless devotion to duty enables large and important sections of the military and civil communities in London to perform their official duties normally in a deteriorating security climate. his courage and commitments to his duties are overshadowed by his charm, confidence and enduring good humour. His contribution and dedication to duty go far beyond that to be expected of a substantive Corporal an merit official recognition.
Recommended by:Lt. Col. APM and Commander RMP. Maj Gen Commander London District. Gen. UKLF.
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