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Life Before the Police
- Tom Wood
- Aug 18
- 4 min read
This is a story about an old boss of mine in the police, Walter Hallyburton ‘A Langlauf Champion’! It has just appeared in the Retired Police Officers Association's autumn magazine. I knew nothing of this story while I worked with Walter. Just shows the hidden tales waiting to be discovered!
‘A Langlauf Champion’ - Walter Hallyburton recalls a fascinating chapter of his life before his long and distinguished Police Service.
Born into a Perthshire Farming community in 1938, Walter quickly learned the skills of the countryside, shooting rabbits for the pot, and becoming ferociously f it running over the hills near his home.
At 18, knowing he would soon be ‘called up’ for National Service, he took the initiative and volunteered for The Royal Engineers, one of the technical regiments of the British Army. With the long-term ambition of joining the Police or becoming a Pilot, he reasoned that a technical training would be useful. So it was that in 1956 young Walter found himself as a ‘Sapper’ recruit in a tough training camp near Aldershot.
Walter soon found his place, channelling his physical fitness into Army Athletics, and particularly Cross Country Running. So successful was he that in his first season he won ‘The Engineers Championships, a spectacular win that was to change the course of his life.
Immediately after his victory, Sapper Hallyburton was summoned before Maj General William Lord, Officer Commanding The Royal Engineers’ who made him an offer he couldn’t refuse!
“Well done Hallyburton”, said the old General, “You are a decent athlete, but how is your Skiing?” Walter confessed he had never even strapped on a pair of skis, when the General made it clear that was all about to change!
Trying to control his temper, the old General explained that he was sick and tired of The Engineers greatest rivals ‘The Damned Royal Artillery’ beating them at the annual Army Military Patrol/ Cross Country Skiing and shooting Championships. This disgraceful state of affairs could not be allowed to continue and the General had hatched a plan. He would recruit a team of fit young engineers for intensive training in this highly specialised sport. With his athletic prowess, young Sapper Hallyburton had all the qualities, so The General ‘asked’ him if he would like to volunteer!
‘Yes, Sir’ was the only acceptable response, and in that moment Walter’s life took a new direction. His unit had been training to be sent to Aden in The Gulf but instead he was posted to the snow-covered mountains of Germany at Osnabrueck for what was to be a steep learning curve.
Military Patrol, now The Biathalon, is a sport that originated with Scandinavian Ski Troops to keep them fit. The contest comprises a team of four cross country or Longlauf Skiing over a long course. Each competitor carries a rifle which they shoot at a set of targets half way through the race. The finishing times of the team members plus their shooting score is added to find the winners. It is recognised as one of the most arduous winter sports with courses as long as 20 Kilometres and training sessions as long as 40.
Most of the ‘Volunteer’ Engineers had little or no skiing experience when they arrived at their winter camp with specialist instructor Captain Edor Hjokstrom of The Swedish Army. The Captain was a legend of Langlauf Skiing. He and his team had won Olympic Gold in 1948, and at forty years old, he was still one of the toughest and most experienced Longlauf Skiers in the world.
Captain Hjokstrom had a no nonsense approach. From no skiing experience the recruits were fitted with their long thin Longlauf Skis; then with only their Army battle dress and a woolly hat, they were soon covering long distances across hills and through snow-covered forests. At all times the trainees carried a heavy ‘Lee Enfield’ army 24 | RPOAS Issue 32 2025 rifle strapped to their back. Barrel down to keep the snow out, the thick wooden stock was right behind the skier’s head, meaning any fall resulted in a severe crack to the skull at the very least.
Captain Hjokstrom had a novel training technique. First thing in the morning he would lead his novices out fast through the forest, then at 20 kilometres he would pause and announce that he was returning to Barracks for lunch and that anyone who fell behind would miss their meal.
Walter remembers missing lunch only once, learning quickly that it was keep up - or starve!
As Winter turned to Spring in Germany, the team was sent to Norway for more punishing mountain training, so that by the time of the inter-regimental championships, The Royal Engineers Team was in peak condition.
The old General’s plan worked; Captain Hjokstrom’s unorthodox training had turned his group of youngsters into a team of tough Langlauf Skiers. The Engineers beat their Royal Artillery rivals handsomely, much to The General’s delight.
Walter left the Army in 1959 and despite overtures from The Metropolitan Police, he joined Edinburgh City.
Many of us will remember him during our service but few if any knew of his time as a champion Longlauf Skier.
After the army Walter never competitively skied cross country again, but he passed his skill on to daughter Gail who became a highly competitive skier and in turn passed her skills on to her children.
Now the whole family are expert and dedicated skiers, little knowing that they owe their inherited skill to their grandfather’s athleticism, the unorthodox training methods of a legendary Olympic Champion, and an old General of Royal Engineers determined to beat ‘The damned Royal Artillery’.
Walter’s police service:
• Joined Edinburgh City in 1959 after 3 years in the Army
• Posted to ‘C’ Div (West End)
• Selected for 3rd AP Course (1966)
• ‘A’ Div (South Side) Sgt
• SPC as Inspector
• Complaints Department as Ch Inspector
• SPC as Supt (Director of Junior Training)
• Recruiting & Training L&B as Ch Supt
• Div Commander ‘F’ Div (W. Lothian)
• HM Inspector of Constabulary
• Retired 1993
The story can also be read by clicking on the file below and going to page 24 & 25.
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