A BLACK DAY FOR THE ARMY'S RED BERETS

After 17 years in Brighton the TA company of the Royal Military Police is being disbanded as part of the Government's defence cuts.

The barracks in Lewes Road, which have been in use for the last 200 years, are to be partially sold off under the Strategic Defence Review.

Major John Ridd, officer command of 163 company, said: "It's the end of a family.

"This is the last time people on the streets of south-east of England will see the distinctive red berets of our military police."

Many of the TA soldiers there have chosen to give up their military careers or transfer elsewhere.

Mayor of Brighton Francis Tonks was among civilian and military guests invited to watch the formal Parade March Off on Saturday.

Col John Baber, Provost Marshall 4th Division, paid tribute to 163 Pro Company for a service record which was longer and prouder than many regular army units.

He told them: "It's good people that make good units and I see many of them here today drawn together by that bond which you all have.

"It is a bond which will stay with you long after this company takes its place in the long and proud list of disbanded companies, which silently wait for a call at the next crisis to take up arms for the country."

It was a point not lost on those present, who were well aware of the irony of defence cuts at a time when the country was fighting a war in Europe for the first time in 50 years.

After the speeches and a blessing by company padre Rev David Farrant, the Last Post was played as the Royal Military Police Standard and the Union flag were lowered on the parade ground for the final time.

During their time in Sussex many of the 100 men and women of the company have served overseas as well as forming part of the United Nations' peacekeeping force in Bosnia.

Some of the soldiers have managed to get posts with the only TA unit remaining in Brighton at Dyke Road, where the Royal Signals and a small infantry unit is based.

Others have transferred to the Provost unit in London or have decided to retrain with other non-military police TA units.

The disbanding of the company has also put many civilian staff who work at the barracks out of work.

The barracks were built in 1795 and covered 17 acres before part of the land was sold off in the Eighties to house the Pavilion Centre retail park.

Now the rest of the site will go on the market at the end of June.

Some of the company's longest serving soldiers were angry about the decision to disband the company.

Staff Sgt Nev Hancock, 32, of Patcham, has served with the unit for 14 years but has now decided to give up his career in the military to concentrate on his job as a computer operator for British Telecom.

He said: "It's all to do with money and politics. They can dress it up as they like but the point is this site is worth a fortune because of its location."

L/Cpl Simone Chitty, 20, is one of the many youngsters who joined the company in the last two to three years. She too has no plans to carry on with the TA.

She said: "We've known about it since October last year but it didn't really sink in until today. It was when they played the Last Post - that was the moment when it hit me."

For L/Cpl Chitty the disbanding of the company also has other far-reaching consequences since she lives on site with her mother, Sarah Murray, who has been caretaker at the barracks for the last 10 years.

She added: "Some of the civilian staff have managed to secure posts up at Dyke Road but my mum has decided to find a new job."

Staff Sgt Harry Chapman, 33, is another who has decided it is time to call it a day.

Aself-employed carpenter, he lives in Hollingbury and has served with the company for the last 15 years.

He said: "It's a sad way to leave to be forced out rather than going of your own accord.

"People were angry at first and were asking 'why us?' But what can you do? Orders are orders."

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