RAOC Gazette - page 63
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 |
they were unable to pay. These were paid for by the Aid Society. An ex-Private who had served for fourteen years became unemployed because of ill health. He suffered from chronic bronchitis and osteo-arthritis and his wife from angina. He was unable to meet an electricity bill and could not afford new footwear. The Aid Society cleared the bill and gave a small grant for purchase of new shoes and he has now been granted invalidity benefit by the Department of Health and Social Security. An ex-Officer aged eighty eight years who served in the First and Second World Wars and whose total annual income was £1,675 was visited by an Officers' Association representative and found to be drastically reducing the heating of his house because of the high cost of fuel. A special needs grant was made and the Aid Society shared the cost with the Officers' Association. Some extracts from letters received from those whom the RAOC Aid Society has helped in 1979 read: " Following a recent operation and illness I was fortunate enough to spend a fortnight's convalescence at the Royal British Legion Somerset House. I have been informed that the RAOC Aid Society contributes towards the cost. Please accept my sincere thanks for this kindness. I am in my seventies and it is so nice to know that one's regimental comrades are so ready to help those like myself who are not finding life easy these days." " I would like to thank all officers and comrades for sending me such a wonderful surprise which the Colonel so kindly brought me when I was in hospital. I am now out of hospital and waiting for a new hip joint. Thank you so much for your great gesture." " I wish to inform you that at last I have found employ- ment which includes accommodation. I will always be grateful to the RAOC Aid Society for forwarding details of various jobs offered which included accommodation." " I wish to thank you from the depths of my heart for your kind help and generosity at a time of great distress, mental pain, a time of sad bereavement and of financial plight. The sudden death of my husband was a severe shock and leaves nothing but a void that nothing can fill. His pension was our only source of income." " I really can't thank you enough for your concern and aid you have given during this troubled time we are having. The assistance has really helped to lift some of the worries off our shoulders." SCHOOLS LIAISON VISITS BEMs IN BERLIN THE British Ambassador, Sir Oliver Wright recently presented an Honorary MBE to Frau Use Utzing and an Honorary BEM to Herr Eckbcrt (' Eckic') Hommclsheim. The awards were made in recognition of their long and outstanding years of service with the British Forces in Berlin, and more particularly, with Ordnance Services Berlin. Frau Utzing joined Ordnance Services Berlin as early as 1945. There is strong speculation that she came in with the tanks as they entered the city. Certainly, Ordnance Services were glad that she found her way to RAOC to begin an un- broken thirty four years loyal service with our Corps. For many years, Frau Utzing was Budget Supervisor, a vital post in Berlin! and many bear testimony to the exemplary advice and sure guidance which she gave. The two recipients with the Ambassador. Herr ' Eckie ' Hommclsheim joined British Forces Berlin in 1949 when he became a driver, no doubt having decided he had done enough walking during the war (nearly to Moscow— and back). He came to Ordnance Services in 1965 after Mc- Leod and spent the remainder of his years driving and looking after successive CRAOCs in Berlin. Frau Utzing is now eagerly looking forward to her pro- posed holiday in the Far East, which includes a visit to Hong Kong and hopefully reunion with another ex ' Berlinite,' Lieu- tenant Colonel B. R. Fox. Herr Hommelshfiim now manages three bands—retirement on a high note as it were! (Continued from page 41.) Our experience at Kineton is that this type of display takes little in the way of organisation, but is immensely successful in stirring the interest of the children that we come into contact with. It has the added benefit of being satisfying and enjoy- able for the soldiers involved. Although we cannot quantify the effect we are having on recruiting, we must achieve more than if we do nothing at all. I would strongly recommend that any Unit which feels it has something to offer should contact their nearest ACIO who will no doubt be glad of the assistance. This kind of activity can only be of benefit to the Corps and the Army as a whole. The following have participated in these schools visits, Staff Sergeant Nobby Clark, Sergeants Grant and Pete Snell, Corporals Taff Williams, Robbo Robinson and Frenchie France, Lance Corporal Bob Little and Chris Starbuck and Private June Pickard WRAC. Post Script. The ACIO at Coventry reported recently that it had received three enquiries, one for the WRAC and two for the AT Trade, two days after we had visited Coventry—pure coincidence? KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE CORPS THROUGH THE RAOC ASSOCIATION REBUILD IN HONG T h e impressive new Supply (See page 62.) — 46 KONG Sub-Depot. |
| Book number | R0404 |