| Citation: New Year Honour. 24051627 Corporal John Richard White, RMP. Military Police Investigator, South East District, Feb 1973 - Feb 1974.
Citation: In early 1973 it was evident that a major investigational effort would have to be mounted in South East District to bring the high incidence of bomb hoaxes, assaults and thefts under severe control before the heavy cuts in manpower, necessary to reinforce Northern Ireland, seriously inhibited military police operations. As the SIB were already at full stretch a number of general duties NCO's including Corporal White, were appointed full time investigators.
Although not SIB trained, Corporal White very quickly began to influence affairs. In Jan 73 after yet another disruptive bomb hoax message to the military exchange he traced the call to a barracks and within eight hours had interviewed 150 persons and obtained a confession from the perpetrators. On other occasions by sheer determination and hard work involving long hours of painstaking investigation he identified a number of hoaxers who were subsequently convicted with the most salutary effect.
He was equally effective in dealing with cases of assault, preparing evidence which led to a remarkable number of convictions. In Mar 73 he successfully solved a particularly brutal attack upon a young soldier who was too frightened to talk. Despite intimidation of witnesses and a great deal of evasion he brought the attackers to justice. Again in J7ul 73 he dealt with a very complex case in which he displayed outstanding skill in recovering evidence which led, after two weeks of exhaustive investigation, to the conviction of three men for causing bodily harm. There is no doubt that these successful investigations, with the many others which he carried out during his tour of duty, were instrumental in cutting down the increasing use of violence.
Cpl white also dealt with a large number of theft cases, always in a most efficient and determined fashion. In Aug 73 he was called to the scene of a theft and discovered that there had been 15 similar incidents. Over a period of six weeks he recorded statements from 22 persons finally arresting the culprit who confessed to all 15 cases. In Dec 73 he was injured arresting two burglars escaping from an officers' mess and the following month recovered a silver snuff box from a cigarette carton and arrested the thief.
Eventually, after he had reached a state of total overwork and was near to exhaustion he was returned to general duties for the sake of his health. He had worked incredible hours and seldom took a day off as his record of 241 cases in the twelve months' period must testify. His achievements are all the more remarkable in that throughout this period he had to care for his wife, who is severely affected by multiple sclerosis and who has only a short time to live, and his tow small daughters.
He carried out duties normally the responsibility of a senior NCO or warrant officer without any thought of self interest and made a contribution to the well being of the service far above the normal call of duty and that normally expected of a NCO of his rank and service.
His remarkable achievements and exceptional devotion to duty in the face of dauting military and personal problems are deserving on an award.
Recommended by: Lt/Col, APM South East District, Brig. A/GOC South East District., Gen. C in C UKLF. |
