Recently I found a memorandum addressed to ‘Cadet G. L. Early, Special Branch’ from Inspector H. F. Reinke who was then in charge of the Police Depot. It advised of my appointment as a probationary, ‘... in this Service as from and including Monday, 21^st December 1959’.

It continued:

‘You should report at the above address at 9.00 am on that date to commence your Probationary training.

During your training period, apart from your ordinary clothing, you are expected to have the following items of clothing, viz:

Two pairs of khaki trousers

Two khaki shirts (military pockets)

Two pairs of navy blue gym shorts

Two white athletic singlets

Two pairs of black socks

One pair of white sandshoes

One pair of black boots

One grey felt hat

Most cadets in those days had black boots which they bought from serving police officers. If you happened to get hold of a brown pair you made them black yourself with Raven Oil. I am sure that many former police officers will recall receiving a memorandum like this one.