| Citation: | new Year Honour. 24174222 Corporal William Darby-Jones, RMP. 173 Pro Coy, Arrests & Complaints Section. Northern Ireland. July 1970 - July 1971.Citation: In June 1970 it was decided to form a special Military Police Section in Northern Ireland to co-ordinate all prosecutions in which members of the Army were involved. On arrival in Northern Ireland Corporal Darby-Jones, then a Lance Corporal, was given the task, with two other Junior NCO's, of assessing the practical problems involved and developing a suitable system of operation. Corporal Darby-Jones automatically became leader of the group and working immensely long hours he played a major part in solving the complex legal and organisational problems with which the section was faced. He established excellent working relations with all the authorities involved: legal, police and military, earning their appreciation and un-stinted admiration with his initiative, imagination and superlative tact. Due to his efforts cases were presented more smoothly and effectively in court, police and Army relations improved an the confidence and morale of ordinary soldiers given an uplift. Since June 1970 he has supervised the accurs to documentation of nearly 1,500 persons arrested by soldiers and arranged the attendance on time of some 2,000 military witnesses at civil court hearings, a complex and demanding task as many of the witnesses were in overseas stations by the time the cases in which they were involved were heard and because the overburdened courts are working to a very tight schedule. The section became responsible for the investigation and processing of complaints against the Army, the analysis and evaluation of court results and the production of statistics relating to all aspects of their work. In all these activities Corporal Darby-Jones's influence quickly manifested itself with the resultant efficiency. Over the last year the section has made an immense contribution towards the success of peace-keeping operations in Northern Ireland and played a unique part in the maintenance of the Army's morale. Much of the credit for this must go to Corporal Darby-Jones who has produced a standard of work far above that to be expected of someone of his tank and set an example which has been an inspiration to all. Such outstanding conduct deserved recognition.Recommended by: Lt/Col. APM NI. Lt/Gen. HQ N I. |
