RAOC Gazette - page 24
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1980 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | Yes |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1980 |
| Late date | 1980 |
| Transcription |
civilian life—we wish him all the very best. The other departure was our civilian fork lift driver Len Zebedee who leaves the Platoon after forty one years with the Corps. We hope all goes well in his garden and that he has a long and happy retirement. Our OC, Captain Tom Hendy has just returned from a two week trip to Guyana. He is now trying to convince us that it was hard work. WOl Les Fagg our potential FIFA Referee has been honoured by being selected to referee the SWDIST Major Units Cup Final and the UK Royal Artillery Cup Final—Wembley jere he comes! Eastern District WE have been somewhat remiss with our contributions of late but hope to make amends with this effort, which as usual is concerned mainly with comings and goings. The Headquarters has seen the arrival of Major Stewart Bennett as DAAG, fresh from the Staff College and TV appearances, and of Major Alan Jamieson as S02 Combat Supplies. Within two days of his arrivaJ the latter was out on Stanford TA for a week-long exercise which if it did nothing else introduced him to the other warriors who make up this Headquarters. Two clerical stalwarts have taken their leave of us—Frank English on Job Release and Walter Payne on normal retirement, both of whom have taken the precaution of staying in the Branch football pool—just in case. We wish them both well and have no doubt we shall see them around quite often, especially if the numbers come up. Accommodation Services Unit (what a mouthful) has seen a number of changes over the past few weeks. For a start the OC. Major Fred Skcpelhorn. that model of unflappability and sound common sense has handed over to Major Ron Smith and has departed on various courses prior to taking up a job as Housing Commandant at Bassingbourn near Royston. Major Fred served the District and its inhabitants very well during his lour of duty and many were the tributes paid to him on his departure. His successor has inherited a thriving organisation with a suite of offices in a block of flats—something rather un- usual even in Eastern District where the unusual tends to be fairly normal anyway. Major Bill Adams has left the ASU detachment at Chilwell on posting to Shrewsbury and has been succeeded by Major Alec Winning from York. On the civil side Mr Percy Bidwell (the last of the old-style CABOs?) has left us on Job Release, to be replaced by Mr John Manning who has handed over his office Managers chair to Mr Bunny Austin our favourite Dudclsackpfciffcr who has joined us from Rhein- dahlcn. After months of strenuous effort WOl John McGill of RAOC Stores Section 3fi Command Workshop has convinced those who need convincing that he should spend the last six months of his service, if not in his native land at least fairly close to it. and so departs in May for CAD Longtown. He is to be replaced by WOl Moore, late of Kenya. Finally and on a very sad note we have to record the death in QFM Hospital Woolwich of Major Carl Dicker at the early age of forty three. He had served in this Headquarters for nearly four years before leaving on attachment to CBF Belize in December last, from where he was evacuated to Woolwich. On behalf of colleagues and friends throughout the Corps we extend to his widow and two sons our sincere condolences in their bereavement. 5 Field Force ^ ^ ^ ^^•JlfJ^^^^ ^^MkU.^^^^^^^. H ^ j ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^mlBna^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^. HEADLINE news this month must go to the Sccond-in-Command, Captain Burr, who was from an •Soflob^^^^^^^^^^ night liaison with an KJJSS^^^^ unseen ditch. For the ^^^^ next few weeks his leg was encased in plaster. We searched everywhere for a parrot to accompany the crutch and fixed smile. His morale was boosted, liowcvcr by the news that he has been selected to attend the Staff College. Champagne dissolves plaster of paris. Yes, we have been on exercise yet again. This time it was CRAOC 2 Divisions Iron Band, which took both us and 2 ADOC into the field. There was a different format from — previous years. The emphasis was very much on fitness and junior NCO leadership and military skills. The climax of the two weeks was a twenty four hour section competition, with numerous facets of military training tested over a fifty kilo- metre course. Sections were led by Lance Corporals or Corporals. 2 ADOC fielded six teams to our three. Con- gratulations to them on achieving first place, but we were not disgraced as Lance Corporal Hussey and Corporal Glover REME led their teams to second and third places. The final river crossing was both exciting and entertaining. Few stayed dry. In PC and A ' Q ' Bolden is handing over to ' Q ' Collinge, whilst Private Goatcher and Lance Corporal Cramman have decided to become clerks; or was it a question of deserting the CQMS stores? We congratulate Lance Corporal and Mrs Smith on the birth of Mark Adrian and Private and Mrs Lane on the birth of Kelvin Jason. Welcome also to Corporal Hall, Privates Ferguson, Green- away, Bunyan, Sainsbury, Reid, Walsh and Simmons—we know you will enjoy yourselves here. 6 Field Force ORDNANCE COMPANY THIS month started on a high note with the visit from Lieutenant General Sir Frank Kitson who met and talked to many of the Unit personnel. He appeared to be im- pressed with our new image, (the painting has stopped now). The departing Administration Officer, Captain Tug Wilson was dined out in fine style and we hope he enjoys his renewed life ' in the green.' His penchant for logs remains with us however as Lieutenant Mike Watkins also spent his early youth ' on the toggles ' and has been heard to pant, "Drive the body on lads," between gasps! Block leave passed quietly (and quickly) and the Unit is back in harness preparing for Exercise Tigers Head with a vengeance. The current rumour that PC and A have inscaled cocoa tins and balls of string for COMMS is untrue according to Private Pete Yardley who reckons he can tune any set now. We welcome Lance Corporal Tamplin who will take over No. 2 on the log! Congratulations to Corporals Geordie Broughton and Frank Kennedy on their promotions. Army Air Corps HEADQUARTERS THE SOI Ord (Air) arranged, for the first time ever, for Colonel Carruthers OIC M and R to visit Middle Wallop where he met and spoke to all RAOC personnel attached to AAC in UKLF. After a very interesting talk on careers, promotion, posting and some personal interviews, Colonel Carruthers and Lieu- tenant Colonel Marsden were invited to lunch with the RAOC WOs and SNCOs in the AAC Sergeants Mess followed by drinks and dare 1 say a bit of lobbying took place. Congratulations to SQMS Kelly firstly on becoming sub- stantive and secondly to both him and his wife Deirdre, on producing a nine pound son. 2 AIRCRAFT SUPPORT UNIT. The sporting scene continues to dominate life and Corporal Bob Parish has managed to win himself another medal for his membership of the Unit rugby team. This time his winners medal was for the 4th Division Minor Units rugby cup. He also travelled with the team to England to play the UK winners of the same series but after a very hard game, we lost sixteen points to twelve. Still, you can't win them all! Shooting matches and competitions are going well and I'm pleased to report that at the BAOR RAOC Shooting Com- petition the Unit won the RAOC Stores Section Cup for the SLR. We congratulate the team on their success and warn the enemy that they send troops in our direction at their peril. WOl Beaton's course report (you'll remember we have already reported his attendance on a Management Course) arrived and it glows so much that we really must ask the School 17 — |
| Book number | R0404 |