Derek Lawson

Lawson, Derek; PLSM, aged 88 (5728 – Chief Superintendent; served from June 1957 to May 1979; last stationed Officer Commanding Tomlinson Depot; member of the United Kingdom Regimental Association), passed away 11 February 2022
3 December 2022

Retirement Notice Outpost July 1979

Also on 31 May we said farewell to Chief Superintendent Derek Lawson. Born in Holmewood, Derbyshire, Derek worked in a bank after leaving school and then after his Royal Air Force National Service joined the Nottinghamshire Constabulary. Perhaps like Robin Hood, Derek didn’t get on with the Sheriff of Nottingham and Rhodesia became his Sherwood Forest when he joined the BSA Police on 30 June 1957.
After Depot, Derek settled down in Salisbury to serve at Central, Harare, Information Room, Mabelreign, Magistrates’ Court (Prosecuting). PGHQ (Planning). CPU and Matapi. Promoted to superintendent at the· beginning of 1974, Derek landed the job of Assistant Commandant Depot before escaping to JPS and then a more distant exile to the wilds of Matabeleland which included an operational spell at’ Wankie. Derek returned to Salisbury Central District just over two years ago and later, with promotion to chief superintendent in mid-17, became Officer Commanding Tomlinson Depot. Derek’s outdoor interests embraced aloe and cycad “farming” (a prickly business) and falconry and his indoor hobbies – on a reduced scale, as it were – included slot-car racing. He holds the RGSM and PLSM. Another good policeman unable to resist the lure of Britain, we wish Derek and Lyn, his wife, and their children prosperity on those far-off shores.