Pc Diederik Coetzee

Please see my previous in November 2011

I had the pleasure of meeting Diederik and his wife today for the first time whilst they were at a local supermarket. From the horrific injuries he suffered, his progress in recovery, guts and determination, combined with his beaming smile are a pure inspiration. What more can I do than reiterate my admiration and again wish him and his family all the very best for the future, including  'Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year'. With the hope that he may read this 'blog' I would invite all other readers to also send him their good wishes via 'comments'.

Nottinghamshire Police Dogs

Taken sometime in the 1960s at Plessey Communications in Nottingham. 

The Notts Police Dog team that day were.......

 

Left to right. PcJohn Coulson with Solo. Pc Dick Binch with Baron. Pc Ted Johnson with Saton. Pc 'Dixie' Dean with Shadow, and Pc Geoff Tindle with Rusty.

Nottinghamshire Police

Nottinghamshire Police recruiting brochure from the early 1960's featuring Pc John Coulson and Police Dog 'Solo'

Nottinghamshire Police Horses

Sadly they have now been confined to 'history'.

This was my only experience of being sat astride one in the 80's. I was okay until it moved!

Derbyshire Police Dog Section

More from Don

1982. Don with Rock 11

 Dog Demonstration at Elvaston Castle Steam Day    1981 or 2       

Left to right  PC K Scott-  PC  T Young  - PC Batterham  -PC T Bennett -  Pc A Shepley

Skegness beach 1963    

Pc Ken Rollin's (Nottinghamshire) dog  Silver pictured with Rock.  

 The lady on the left at the breakwater is Mrs Rollin        

(Don) Centre my mother and right my wife.  

(Don and Ken behind the camera)

1964

Pd Rinty  was handled by Pc Glossop from Chesterfield - Rinty was suited to trials work being of a very steady nature.          

After a stifle joint injury on Cromford Meadows he sadly was destroyed.

Police Dog Training Course, Staffordshire 1964

Front row, far left, Pc 1385 John Coulson with PD Solo. Sgt Jack Howell centre.

Pc John Coulson

Pc 1385 John Coulson (Nottinghamshire) and Police Dog Sam at the National Trials 1974. Trophy for the Best Searching Dog.

70's Derbyshire Police Dog Section

Another from Don.
Constable Leslie Newton who served on the Dog Section in the mid 70's pictured with Police Dog Czar (re handled from Pc John Glossop)

Police Dog search in Nottinghamshire

Pc Hagen at the front the PD Flack and Pc Wallace with PD Brett, 16 October 1981. Part of a search in north Nottinghamshire.

Searching Saddleworth Moor 1965/66?

   

Pc Don Batterham is seen here on Saddleworth Moor in 1965/66? assisting neighbouring forces during the 'Moors Murders Searches' with his Police Dog Rock 1 

Derby County and Borough Police Dog Trials 70/80's

 Some of the officers are unknown  The Supt is James Reddington next to him is Inspr Malcolm Chappel – behine him is Const. P.Hallam    - to the right of Barbara Woodhouse in overalls is Const.K Scott next to him in overalls is Const. Ray Denning and on the end is Sergeant Derek Heal.    

The photo was taken on Cromford Meadows.

Derbyshire Police on a PR visit

Keith & Alex 11 was a popular visiter to the local Schools. The other handler on the left is Const. Steve Swain with a young dog name not known.

Derbyshire Police Dogs

More of the dogs from Derbyshire and their handlers of course. Thanks to Don Batterham.

Sergeant J Watson with PD Prince who was rehandled by Const. Hollands within months of the Section being formed.            

Centre – Const. J Glossop with PD Rock      -   Rock was rehandled by Const. Batterham  also within months of the section being formed.           

Right -   Const.  K. Scott with PD Alex   

Photo taken by the force photographic section at Matlock Police Headquarters.

Constable 142 Keith Scott with Alex 11

Another of Pc Scott and Alex

Border Terrier

In 2006 I posted details about Harvey our new addition to the family dog tree. An update is the fact that he still has an ASBO and his aggression towards other dogs has not ceased, although under control. This was noted by an 'old lady' (well older than myself) who stopped me in my tracks and suggested that, having seen the problem, suggested that I go down the the Police Station and ask to speak to a Police Dog Handler who would show me how to train him. I stood there rather meekly and agreed to her advice!!!
Having spoken with other owners of this breed, it would appear to be a common problem. Love people and children but hate other dogs.

Ged Walker Memorial show

Please see the following website for further information http://www.gedwalker-memorialdogshow.co.uk/ which was held on 9 September 2012

Derbyshire Police Dog Section

More from Don Batterham

The first photo is Sergeant Jack Watson with PD Prince – Jack was asked to form the section  by the then Chief Constable William Pitts whilst he was serving as a Section offier at Glapwell     Sergeant  Watson had served on aDog Section in the military police out in the middle east in the 1950s  

David Hollands with Sergeant Jack Watson and Prince on of the original three Police Dogs.

Photo taken at HQ Matlock  l963

Left to right   Pc Skip Horsley -  Pc Derek Heal  -Pc Rodger Labram -Pc Les Newton-Sergt Woolley  centre of photo  Pc Trevor Young -bottom right Pc Don Batterham -  Photo taken by unknown person on a search at Glossop for a 5yrs old boy who was found drowned two days later.

 Constable Keith Scott with PD Alex     Sergeant Watson   and Constable John Glossop station at Chesterfield with PD  Rinty

Pc Scott and Alex 1964

PD's Rock and Alex

At  the Derby Borough PD competition----  Prince won award for the highest scale with a scramble of just over thirteen feet - handler D. Hollands'

Stafford Initial Police Dog Training Course 1971

Standing back row left to right – number two is Ex Notts Sergeant Beeney MOLLER one of the instructors,     In the centre is Inspr. Jack Howells.        The seventh man is another course instructor Constable Derek Smith (Staffs)     Front row  left to right first man in is Peter Hallam with Police Dog Blue.  

Once more, thanks to Don and Peter Hallam for this photo.

The Ged Walker Memorial Dog Show

A DOG show in memory of a Notts Police dog handler has been postponed.

The Ged Walker Memorial Dog Show was to be staged for the ninth time at West Park, Long Eaton.

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   Memorial show postponed: PC Ged Walker and dog Kai

But organiser Janet Wesley said an inspection of the field with Erewash Borough Council has deemed the ground too wet to use safely.

The show is now booked for Sunday, September 9.

PC Walker died in 2003 as a result of injuries he suffered while on duty.

The officer, who worked for Notts Police's dog section, was attempting to stop a thief in a stolen taxi and was dragged along the road.

He died in hospital two days later.

Andrew Parfitt, of Wareham Close, Aspley, was found guilty of manslaughter at Birmingham Crown Court the following year and was jailed for 12 years.

The show will raise money for PC Walker's family, as well as for the families of two Royal Army Veterinary Corps soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

Proceeds will also be donated to Help for Heroes. To enter the show call Janet Wesley on 0115 8462031 for more details.

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Origins Derbyshire Police Dog Section

With permission of Don Batterham

1964

Morris 1000 Traveller 570 URB (Buxton)

Police Dog Demonstration Ashbourne, Derbyshire 1976

Published again with the kind permission of Don Batterham

Left to right:     Constable Keith Scott  (now deceased) Constable Don Batterham.     Sergeant Derek Heal. Constable Malcolm Campion.  Constable Alan Shepley