| Citation: | New Year Honours. 24239081 Sergeant Neil Vincent Abdy, RMP.Soest, Germany. Citation for BEM: Sgt Abdy is employed as a community policeman in Soest. Working entirely on his own he is responsible for policing some 200 British Military families. His was one of the first such appointments in a pilot scheme introduced by RMP in 1st British Corps to help improve the general welfare of families by providing a more personal service to the military community. Sgt Abdy's performance in this new and important task has been nothing short of outstanding. As a military policman he has consistenly produced results of a standard more normally associated with one with much more experience and had drawn upon his vast store of patience, skill, tact and diplomacy to prevent and detect crime. Recognising the potential difficulties of policing a tri-national community he promptly established an effective and lasting liaison with the most senior officers of the local German and Belgian police agencies and in consequence has resolved a myriad of problems quickly and efficiently. In doing so he has won the respect and confidence of everyone and has made a significant contribution to the continuing harmony which exists between the three communities. His total commitment to his own community is remarkable. He has built up an enviable degree of trust and cooperation with units and families in the area by being always available to offer help and advice with any problem, particularly those of a domestic, welfare or disciplinary nature. He has a realistic and common-sense approach with people of all ranks and ages and this justifies their trust in him. Despite the long and irregular hours demanded by his work he still finds time to organise extra-mural activities for the community; he recently organised an Anglo/German pop concert in aid of two disaster funds and plays a leading role teaching safety to the local children and running activities for the youth club and community centre. Such is his popularity that the community recently petitioned against his routine posting to another provost company. In his 2 years in the appointment, most of which he served in the rank of Corporal, he has, through his determination, resourcefullness, initiative and selfless devotion to duty, demonstrated the true value of his role in the community. In view of his rank and service I consider him to be most worth of official recognition.Maj I W Fulton OC 113 Pro Coy. Brig Comd 6 Armd Bde. Maj Gen GOC 3 Armd Div. Lt-Gen Comd 1 (BR) Corps, General Sir Martin Farndale KCB C in C BAOR.National Archive WO 373/180. |
