| Surname: | Richards |
| Initials: | L F |
| Rank: | Major |
| Army Number: | 380592 |
| Notes: | Provost Officer. Essex Regiment. Provost Marshal Army, Brigadier. Leslie Frederick Richards. London Gazette 40409, 1003, 18/2/1955. Corps of Royal Military Police. Regular Army. The undermentioned Maj to be Maj, 19/2/1955, retaining his present seniority. L F Richards (380592) from Essex. London Gazette 42079, 4574, 1/6/1960. Corps of Royal Military Police. Regular Army. Maj L F Richards, MBE. (380592) to be Lt/Col, 15/4/1960. London Gazette 43809, 10430, 9/11/1965. Corps of Royal Military Police. Regular Army. Lt/Col. L F Richards, OBE. (380592) to be Col., 16/4/1965. London Gazette 44493, 74, 2/1/1968. Corps of Royal Military Police. Col. L F Richards, OBE. (380592) to be Brig., 31/12/1967, with seniority 30/6/1967. London Gazette 44493, 74, 2/1/1968. Regular Army. Corps of Royal Military Police. The undermentioned Col to be Brig 31/12/1967, Col L F Richards, OBE, (380592) to be Brig, 31/12/1967 with seniority 30/6/1967. London Gazette 45340, 3585, 13/4/1971. Corps of Royal Military Police. Regular Army. Brig. L F Richards, CBE. (380592) retires on retired pay, 12/4/1971. |
Decoration Record: | |
| Decoration: | Member of the British Empire (London Gazette: 41727 Page: 3704 June 13, 1959) |
| Citation: | Queen's Birthday Honour. Maj Leslie Frederick Richards (380592) Corps of Royal Military Police. DAPM Aldershot District. Period of citation 1957-1959.Citation: Major RICHARDS has been Deputy Assistant Provost Marshal of Aldershot District for the past two years, and he has carried out his duties with the greatest efficiency and devotion to duty. The responsibilities of the DAPM in this District are considerable. This is due, not only to the large number of troops stationed in it, but also the special place which Aldershot still holds as one of the major centere of ceremonial. the latter includes a number of Royal occasions when Her Majesty the Queen or other members of the Royal Family visit, Aldershot, the Staff College and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. To those ceremonial occasions can be added the responsibility for provost arrangements at the World Pentathlon last October and security at the CIGS!s exercise at the Staff College. On both these occasions he was specially complimented by Field Marshal Templer for the excellence of his arrangements. Such events demand a high degree of efficiency on the part of the Royal Military Police, and on no single occasion has Major RICHARDS allowed any hitch or error to occur. In addition to 158 Provost Company RMP Major RICHARDS commands the only existing mounted Section of the RMP. This Section bears a very high reputation for smartness and military proficiency. It has also, on more that one occasion, gained considerable success at the Royal Tournament to the advantage, from the recruiting aspect of the Corps and the Army in General. Ceremonial is not however by any means the greatest of the DAPM's responsibilities,. The maintenance of discipline is of paramount importance. In view of the number of troops stationed in the District, the burden is a heavy one, and it is due largely to the drive and efficiency of Major RICHARDS that a high standards is maintained. H himself is constantly on duty at night and over week-ends supervising the work of his Military Police.Recommended by:Brigadier, Deputy Commander Aldershot Garrison, GOC Aldershot District. |
| Decoration: | Order of the British Empire (London Gazette: 42870 Page: 7 Jan. 1, 1963) |
| Citation: | New Year Honour. 380592 Lt/Col Leslie Frederick Richards, MBE, APM HQ Berlin. Period covered December 959 to date.Citation: Lt Col Richards has been APM of the British Sector of Berlin since December 1959. In addition to the normal duties of APM he has been personally responsible to the GOC for the patrolling and security of the sector and zonal frontiers of the British Sector. The control and smooth running of all British traffic on the 102 mile long Helmstedt/Berlin Autobahn, including the operation of the British checkpoints at either end and the checkpoints on the sector/sector border with East Berlin and liaison with the United States, French and West German Police Forces all come under his direct guidance. In addition, to his work brings him in daily contact with the Soviet authorities, whilst he personally escorts on tours every distinguished British sponsored visitor who comes to Berlin, of which there are a large number. All the work of these natures has a strong political bias and carries special responsibilities. Since the crisis of 13th August 1961 his duties have increased enormously and have required him to be immediately operationally available at any time of day or night for the purpose of investigating incidents of all kinds. Many times his minute to minute observations and reports have formed the basis of our operational actions and greatly facilitated the speed of our reactions. In all his actions he has shown tactical operational and political flair, together with unsparing devotion to duty far beyond the normal call. In spite of the enormous amount he is asked to do hi is always the first to volunteer for anything else that requires doing and his enthusiasm has been a tremendous inspiration to the whole Garrison, whilst his policemen reflect this spirit in their willingness, smartness and cheerful efficiency. In his very little spare time Lt Col Richards and his wife have played an exemplary part in the life of the British Community, in which they have both been leaders in sports (riding, sailing and skating) and Welfare. In particular they have done much to help the younger members of the community keep fit and happy.Reccomended by: Maj/Gen, C I H Dunbar, CB, CBE, DSO, GOC Berlin |
| Decoration: | Commander of the British Empire (London Gazette: 45262 Page: 5 Jan. 1, 1971) |
| Citation: | New Year Honours. Brigadier Leslie Frederick Richards, OBE. (380592) RMP. HQ PM (Army). 20 March 1968 - to date.Citation: Brigadier Richards has been Provost Marshal and Inspector of Establishments Military Police Staff Corps since March 1968. He retires in April 1971. As head of his Corps he has set a splendid example. He takes tremendous pains over the problems of individual officers and men, and he fights hard for the interests and well being of the Royal Military Police. he is a keen horseman and sailing man and had done much to encourage these activities. As Provost Marshal he has worked hard to strengthen ties with the Metropolitan, Provincial and Overseas Police forces where British Soldiers serve. He has set up a most efficient Central Criminal Record and Intelligence Office in which information on Army crime is processed by the SIB, and first class liaison is established with the civilian police. He has taken a personal interest in improving the rapid passing of information so essential in fighting crime today. Lately he has focused his attention on steps to control drug abuse in the Army. In writing this citation it is intended to give a picture of the man and his contribution to the Corps and the Army. Brigadier Richards is an excellent influence and leader, and he has done much to improve the professional efficiency of the CorpsRecommended by: Maj. Gen. Director of Personal Services (Army). Maj. Gen. for Adjutant General, London.. |
Provost Officer Appointments: | |
| No appointments recorded | |