Hertfordshire Police Cadets 1972 - 1974

By John Thorogood

Paul Watts
Drill Competition c 1974. Brian Cockling 2nd from left wearing a white lanyard
Neil Hamilton
"Are You Good Enough For Our Team" - Cadet Recruitment Advertisement c.1974 Left to right: Paul Watts (Hill Walking), Nigel Hirst (Swimming), Alan Wilson (Cricket), John Redman (Football), Toby Veal (Judo), George Purkiss (Uniform), Mick Powell (Fencing), Les Hall (Boxing), Richard Brown (Hockey), Brian Cockling (Rugby), Andy Perrin (Wrestling).
Neil Hamilton

Hertfordshire Police Cadets 1972. Taken at County Police Headquarters, Stanborough Road, Welwyn Garden City.

Top photograph :

Back Row : ?? Betteridge; Philip Wynes; Terry Pearce; Kevin Lander; John Dey; Tim Williamson; Steve Kentish; Kevin Oliver; Unknown; Clive Gale; Nigel Hirst; Les Hall; Ray Ilsley

Middle Row : Lain Gatier; Tim Bonfield; Richard Brown; Bill Rayner; Kevin Coniam; Roy Pollard; Alistair Muir-Howie; Mick Childs; Mick Holt; George Smith; John Thorogood; Brian Wingate; Colin Clare; Andy Nash; Andy Brown; David Saint; Andy Brasher; George Perkins; John Goodwin; Andy Perrin; Murray Rogers; Paul Watts; Martin Dunford; Unknown; Ian Fraser; Dick Catton; John Thorn; Martin Cooke; Dave Horan; Paul Gibson; Unknown; Trevor Penning

Front Row : Dave Flemons; JackieĀ  Mclean; Christine Manning; Mr Brian Waters, PC John White, PS Ian Livingstone-Jenkins, Chief Inspector Bernard Brush, Supt George Cronin; Mr Gordon Chambers; Insp Dick Cox, ‘Staff’ Frank Collantine, Sue Rudman, Lesley Perkins; Brian Cockling.

This page was added on 09/08/2014.

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  • Hi Martin. Are you trying to contact Cliff Gibson or his son? If you have any further information we may be able to assist.

    By Paul Watts (26/01/2023)
  • Hi, I worked in the council in 1974 with a man called Cliff Gibson whose son was in the police force. Can anyone help?

    By Martin Hellawell (25/01/2023)
  • Joined with Lesley Perkins later Lesley Hall married to Steve. Joined July 1974 both at Stevenage together. Dick Catton together on Traffic. Michael Holt same shift Stevenage.

    By Clive Hamdorff (17/07/2022)
  • Brian was my neighbour in Lower Hertford block (middle floor) in 1972. We did not share much time together as he was in a different group/year. He was what could be termed as ‘sound as a pound’, quite quiet and kept himself to himself. Although I did not play rugby I know that he excelled at this sport and had represented Herts schoolboys before joining the cadets. At least that is what he told me.

    By George Smith (28/11/2019)
  • I remember Brian as a Section leader when I joined the Cadets in 1973 – a year behind his intake. I remember being forced to play rugby – a nightmare but he clearly loved the game – couldnt get near him when he had the ball. I went to his wedding – not knowing he was the groom! My wifes family were from Bennetts End in Hemel Hempstead. We were invited to their neighbours daughters wedding. We turned up on the day – lo and behold – the groom was Brian. I hadnt seen him since our Cadet days. Hertfordshire Police Historical Society hold some photographs in which Brian is present including a 1974 recruitment ad for the Cadets – I’ll post in due course

    By Neil Hamilton (27/11/2019)
  • Hi Sam,
    I was in the cadets with Brian for 2 years and we were good mates. Best scrum half I ever played rugby with.
    Myself, Brian and Steve Kay had some great laughs.

    By Nigel Hirst (27/11/2019)
  • Hi Sam. Everyone in the group photograph would have known your father Brian Cockling. Although I probably did not know him as well as some others, but that was only because we were in different ‘Section Houses’ – that is the accommodation blocks we lived in. I recall he was an excellent rugby player. I believe he never actually joined Hertfordshire as a Constable and whenever I have looked at the group photograph I have wondered what became of him after we all ‘Passed Out’ of the cadets on 20th July 1974. I can tell you that the he achieved the following as a Cadet which was recorded in the List of Awards Gained By Cadets in 1974: B. J. Cockling: Final Certificate of Academic Studies; Hertfordshire Association of Boys Clubs County Colours Rugby Football; Force Rugby Football Member of No, 5 Region Seven-a-Side Competition Winners; Member of Colts Rugby Football Cup Winners side; Captain and Joint Scoring Record Holder County Colts (under 19) Rugby Football; Member of Southern Counties Colts (under 19) Rugby Football Squad; St. John Ambulance Brigade First Aid Certificate; Royal Life Saving Society Bronze Medallion; Peak Assault Team. The Peak Assault was/is a competition organised by the Scouting Movement which challenges teams to complete a course across mountainous terrain. They open the competition to outside groups. That year it was in Snowdonia and we came 2nd overall only missing out from the top spot by half a point. I hope that is of interest to you. Paul Watts

    By Paul Watts (27/11/2019)
  • Did anyone know my father, Brian Cockling?

    By Sam (22/11/2019)
  • middle row, 12th in from the right, that be me, Murray Rogers

    By murray rogers (31/10/2016)
  • Thanks for letting us know. I’ve added your name to the entry.

    By Sue Stratton (25/11/2016)
  • Hi David
    Many thanks for all of your help. Dad had a framed copy of this picture. He was very proud of his time in the force across Hertfordshire. I’m so pleased to see the same picture on your site. Well done for all the hard work with the web site. Best wishes, Ed

    By Edward Brush (29/10/2016)
  • I was so pleased to see a photo and article which included a reference to my late father. I would be extremely grateful if you would use his actual name. He was Chief Inspector Bernard Geoffrey Brush and not Basil Brushe as the text indicates. Many thanks. Edward Brush

    By Edward Brush (27/10/2016)
  • Edward – your father’s details amended.

    By David Lewis (27/10/2016)