Coincidence. Right Place Wrong Time

by Terry Aspinall

  Chapter 4

  Great Finborough Suffolk.

  4:13 am. Saturday 5th July 1980.

  Dave Slater had been born during July 1980. In the quiet Suffolk country village of Great Finborough, a few miles from the town of Stowmarket. An only child to single parent Molly Slater, daughter of a local builder.

  His education can best be described as average, although he did stand out in most sports, especially football and swimming.

  While attending the local Secondary Modern School, he met up with Lorraine, and after a couple of years she became his very first serious girlfriend. It was a good thing that they were in different classes, otherwise he might not have been able to concentrate on what the teacher was trying to explain to the class.

  Upon leaving school he struggled to find and hold down a job, as unemployment in the area was high. He also underwent the stress and emotions of a break up with his first girlfriend, as they set off on completely different paths to obtain adult-hood.

  After four years of struggle Dave finally decided to join the Royal Navy. During June 1998, he arrived at ‘H.M.S. Raleigh’ in the West Country. The training base for all Royal Navy recruits. Once his basic training was over he was given the opportunity to take up a trade apprenticeship. Dave choose the 'Electronic Technician' (ET) course that included maintain, repair and operate a variety of electronic systems associated with guns, missiles, radar, sonar, navigation, combat data, communications and their related information technology, electrical, hydraulic and mechanical systems.

  An ET sailor's employment requires them to be adept at operating, monitoring and maintaining equipment in a wide and diverse range of platforms both in a sea going and a shore based environment. As maintainers and operators, ET sailors are required to operate and monitor equipment performance to identify trends, which have the potential to impact on the operational capability of a ship and initiate corrective action when required. Dave thrived on computer work, and stood out from many around him.

  Upon completing his training, he was assigned to ‘H.M.S. Subdue’, and spent a year touring the Mediterranean, on what was known as showing the flag. To the uninitiated it means showing the area that Britain still likes to think it ruled the waves.

  During early 2000, Dave was re-assigned to the aircraft carrier ‘H.M.S. Illustrious’. One of the largest war ships in the British Navy at that time. He once described it as like moving from a country village to a major city. There was also a change in the area in which he had been sailing, from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic Ocean.

  By May of the same year, ‘H.M.S. Illustrious’ had been ordered to Sierra Leone on the west coast of Africa. To assist land forces that the British Government had earlier deployed, promising the United Nations Mission to Sierra Leone, that they would help end a civil war.

  ‘H.M.S. Illustrious’ led a Task Group known as 342.1, it was a naval task force comprising of ‘H.M.S. Ocean’, ‘H.M.S. Argyll’, ‘H.M.S. Iron Duke’, ‘H.M.S. Chatham’, and numerous other Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships, which was all aimed at restoring peace and stability within the country.

  On 18th January 2002, President Kabbah declared the eleven-year Sierra Leone Civil War officially over. By most estimates, over 50,000 people had lost their lives during the conflict. Countless more fell victim to the reprehensible and perverse behaviour of the combatants.

  Once back into the UK and based at Portsmouth, Dave became friendly with Jenny Wong a W.R.N.S. (Women's Royal Naval Service) working in the dockyard administration. Penny was of Chinese decent and very pretty. She also had a great sense of humour just like Dave.

  He used to tease her constantly by referring to her as,

  “What Went Wong.”

  A saying she took in good taste as a joke, knowing the comedian side of him.

  Both could not help them-selves and fell head over heels in love. Meeting up at every opportunity, although it depended when and where Dave's ship was in port. Even then he was restricted to a limited number of days he was allowed a shore. As Royal Naval ships must be ready to put to sea at short notice. In other words, only half the crew can be on shore at any one time.

  Although when they did meet up, they made the best of the situation, savouring every moment.

  At one time, they even talked of planning to get married. However, Dave's constant trips overseas became a major problem. As did the length of service time they had both signed up for. It was felt that they should both purchase their discharge from the Navy together. Although money became a major issue, as both would have to find jobs, and at that time they could not even make up their minds as to where they were going to settle down and live.

  During the next few months, they met up regularly whenever Dave was in the area. However, their relationship finally ended after they drifted apart, owing to being separated for longer and longer periods of time.

  Five years into his commission, and Dave's time in the Navy was coming to an end. Not wanting to sign up for a further couple of years, he decided to take the bold step and become a civilian once again.

  It had been part of Dave’s long-term plan to spend a few years in the Police force. Having wanted to understand how a Police officer under takes, and goes about his normal every day work. Long term thinking ahead that maybe one day he would go into business as a Private Investigator.

  During July 2003 Dave presented himself at the Ipswich Police Headquarters. Where he under-went a two-year probationary period. During which time, he was taken through a comprehensive and professional programme enabling him to effectively fulfil his role while serving the community.

  Based in Ipswich was a great help as he knew the town well, and wasted no time in becoming a member of the 'Armed Offenders Squad'. Although it meant further training, he was doing something he had been wanting to do for a long time. In fact, it was the culmination of a lot of preplanning, learning, and hard work.

  Came the day that all service personnel dread, when a pre-organised plan involving fire arms went badly wrong.

  Dave's unit had been called out upon reports that a gunman was holed up in a house on one of the town’s estates, and threatening to kill two hostages being held within the building. Knowing the building was small, they were prepared to expect there would not be a lot of room to move around once inside.

  Upon arrival to the area, they had formed up behind their armoured vehicle as per normal plan. While awaiting the go-ahead order, they used the time to run through their plan of attack. All questions were addressed, and everybody was aware of their role for a successful and safe entry. However, to a certain extent all plans had to be flexible, as the unknown can and will pop its ugly head up sometimes, and bite you hard. It’s always easier to defend a position than to attack it. Although their leaders had been trained to seize any opportunity that might presented its self. Their names had been removed from their clothing, in order that the public did not know who they were. Not wanting members of the team or their families being targeted for reprisal attacks. During training Dave had been allocated number three, a number that stuck with him during his entire time with the unit.

  On a given order from the Commanding officer handling the situation, the unit moved forward to take up their forced entry position. Once number One was in position about a metre back from the front door. The rest of the unit took up their numbered position, with their left hand on the right shoulder of the officer in front of him. While holding their firearm in their right hand, with the barrel pointed towards the floor. When all was ready another officer carrying a heavy steel door rammer approached to the left of them, and took up a position by the left-hand side of the door. Ready to smash the lock and force the door open. All the officers were wearing a radio and earpiece receiver. Therefore, all the members of the team could hear what was being said by the team, and the Commanding officer.

  An order was given to release their left hand from the officer in front of them. This informed the unit that they were all in their corre
ct positions and ready to go. As trained their left hands automatically grabbed hold of the barrel of their firearm, that by now was at shoulder height pointing forward, and awaiting further instructions to advance. Having a lazar fitted to the barrel meant that at least they could see were and onto who they were aiming.

  The Commanding officer then informed them that they believed the Gunman to be upstairs in the front bedroom. He then asked if everybody was ready, and all in sequence answered yes, including the door rammer who was the last to respond.

  The Commanding officer then preceded a five second countdown.

  “Five, Four, Three, Two, One, Go.”

  The next second there was a loud crash, as the front door bust open, and was flung back leaving it hanging by just one hinge against the wall on the right-hand side. Officer number One took a giant step into the house, just as the sound of a discharged firearm surprised the whole unit.

  Officer One was immediately flung backwards to the right of officer Two, having been hit by a twelve-bore shot gun round. Fired from a gunman who was standing on the bottom step of the stairs, about four meters from the front door. It had not been planned, it was the shock and surprise of hearing a very loud bang, as the door was suddenly flung open that caught him off guard. He just dropped the shotgun to waist height and fired.

  Number Two heard the gun go off, and within a spit second realised that number One was being flung backwards towards him. To end up on the floor by his right-hand side, allowing the gunman to come into view. Instinct allowed him to immediately pump two rounds into his chest, that flung him backwards onto the stairs.

  Shouting into his radio,

  “Officer Down, Officer Down.”

  As number Two was still moving forward he tripped over number One, and ended up on the floor almost on top of him. Although not wounded he had received several timber splinters to his face as the spread of the shot easily covered the narrow width of the hallway.

  Dave was third in, also receiving timber splinters, and a few of the lead shot to the right side of his body. At first glance Dave realised that there was the possibility of a blockage being create by the front door. He made it a priority to push his way in, well past the front door. Allowing others behind him to gain entry to the staircase. Although it was no easy task trying to climb the stairs, without standing or tripping on the gunman. Dave used his radio to warn others behind him that number One and Two were lying just inside the door, and a gunman was lying on the bottom of the stairs.

  Although two of the team were down, the remainder of the unit kept pushing their way in to the building. They had to secure every room not knowing if there were other gunmen on the premises. The fact that two of the unit were down had to be ignored in case other firearms were pointed at them.

  Once the house was secure, and the hostages were found, and lead outside to awaiting ambulances. It was Dave’s turn, at least he could walk, while number Two was taken out on a stretcher. Sadly, number One had died within seconds, catching the full force of the shotgun blast in the stomach.

  Upon inspection of the gunman, at first it was believed that he had only been hit once, but later it was discovered that he had taken two shots in the very same area of his chest. That was later to become known as the perfect shot.

  An enquiry was set up, to see what they might have done wrong, and to educate them for future deployments. While the passing of a colleague caught them all off guard. It had been the second loss the unit had experienced. The first being five years earlier. The Commanding officer hoped and insisted upon his team that it would be their last. Insisting that the unit should dust themselves down, and to get on with their job.

  During his time in the Armed Offenders Squad Dave was never ask, ordered or forced to shoot at anybody. Although he was present when others around him were ordered to shoot. Dave's attitude was and would always be that of carrying out superior’s orders, no matter what. He realised and under stood that orders had to be obeyed. If not the system breaks down and mayhem takes its place. A situation that makes it easier for criminals to have a field day, and take control of the streets.

  If you start to wonder if it’s moral, your hesitation might end up with you being killed, or worse still one of your fellow team members. However, what Dave did enjoy was the adrenalin rush that took place every time the Squad was called out.

  The way he carried out his orders and treated others around him, made him well liked, and all believed him to be one of best to protect their back.

  As his original five-year contract was coming to an end, and having reached his 28th birthday. Dave believed the time was right to hopefully find a wife, and to settle down, into a country life style that Great Finborough still offered.