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RAOC Gazette - page 79

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Corps RAOC
Material type Journals
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Full title RAOC Gazette
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Publication date 1980
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Colour Yes
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Early date 1980
Late date 1980
Transcription Private Curthoys and minilbcnding tackles by Corporal Mc-
Kcown. Wc remained unbeaten in the seven-a-side soccer, with
the two veterans, Sergeants Allen and Mardi keeping the cool
and dictating the play. The volley ball team drew an admirable
crowd of spectators but 1 must add not because of their playing
ability but with their Freddy Star cum John Clccsc perform-
ances—well done and never mind, the spectators enjoyed ill
The tug-of-war team finished a close third with a true grit
performance. Congratulations to CTOC who came out overall
winners. Sick parade the next morning proved even more
interesting!
Combat Supplies Battalion
43 RP COMPANY: It was a dark and stormy night. No, that's
not quite it—it was b . . . y freezing, that's right. And there
wc were scattered about (he countryside like the darts in the
M and RO postings board. It all began really when JR had
this great idea for a Battalion exercise. Well, I mean to say,
with his experience in the dramatic amateurs he was bound to
produce a good scenario. Off wc went to set up an RP. A
TEWT or two before hand to practice getting the map the right
way round and off we went.
Lunch was a great success—it was in Nichcim while wc
were in Soest. Undaunted wc tramped on. The radios were
set up, tested, moved, tested, cursed, set up again, moved and
eventually the land lines were laid. The radios did work
eventually.
All this at minus ten degrees centigrade—frostbite caught
two feet and a hand—fortunately not on the same person.
Noddy suits were worn and proved to be the warmest
clothing available.
The Company staff was boosted by having David the son
of Captain Ward to assist in the inload/outload and for his
efforts was immediately promoted to Staff Sergeant, (Local I
might add). One could consider him to be a flyer as he is
just thirteen. Added confusion was a motor cross rally around
the Depot while we were inloading!
The Battalion Shooting Team was in action again at the
3rd Division SAM held in Sennelagcr. The weather was not
too kind but the results were encouraging especially in their
preparation for the RAOC/ACC Skill-at-Arms Meeting in UK.
The Battalion 'A' Team consisting of Lance Corporal Pickwick,
Privates Bird, Port and Peart managed to reach the final of
the Falling Plate Competition only to be knocked out by the
Worcester and Sherwood Foresters, the Divisional Rifle Cham-
pions. On the sporting side we have Captain Atherton popping
in after a few rounds of golf.
Twenty members of the Company entered a twenty five kilo-
metre march at Lippstadt—the start of the build-up preparations
for Nijmegen in July. This was the first competition for the
majority of the marchers, and Sergeant Les Livesey, who
organised it, was more than pleased with their performance.
Everyone finished the march and earned themselves a very
impressive medal in recognition of the fact and the team were
also awarded a trophy for the company, which Major Lawton
is in the process of having suitably engraved. It now only
remains to be seen if young ' Punk' Liddle and ' Winnie'
Winstanley wiil have the same energy to perform their dance
routine at the end of the Nijmegen week!
We welcome to the Company the following: Sergeant Roger
Peart, Corporal Ricky Dunne, Privates Gaz Barks, Chalky
Ellis, and Dave Tomlinson.
Finally, congratulations on promotion to the new, Sergeants
Tom Harbinson, Dave Brookes and Bob Charlton, Corporal
Ken Stevenson and Lance Corporals Gaz Copley and Andy
Blackburn. Congratulations also to Louise Pook, Garcth Oliver
and David Devine on arriving in this world, may you give your
proud parents many wet and soggy presents in the nights to
come.
44 RP COMPANY.
Congratulations are extended to the mem-
bers of the Battalion/44 RP Company volleyball team who
battled hard to finally finish runners-up in the 3rd Armoured
Division Volleyball League.
April saw the rise of a new sporting 43 Company who
challenged us in rugby and cross country. The rise was short
lived as 44 romped home winners in both challenges!
The rugby challenge was in the DOS Cup which 44 won
(eight points to four points), unfortunately our success was
short lived and the team, led by Staff Sergeant Mick Shepherd,
went out bravely, after a hard fought game, to 3 ADOC in the
following round.
The cross country competition proved yet another fine
result for the Company. Not only did 44 win the overall com-
Privafc Avery receives the Cross Counfry Individual Winners Cup
from Lieutenant Colonel Dickinson.
petition, fine performances were put in by Private Avery—first
past the post, Corporal Nonis—winner of the over thirty five
category and the OC, Major Alan Allkins—first officer to com-
plete the course in the poll position of forty fourth. A good
number indeed!
All this sporting activity was naturally intended as the
build up to the Black Watch Marches held in Hoogeven (Nether-
lands). The Company entered two teams, an A and a B team.
Although none of the Company teams actually won the com-
petition, high places were gained. Team A were convinced they
would romp home easy victors over the other teams of geriatrics.
However, brilliantly led by Captain Lawrence Wood, who
chewed Dutch Daffodils to keep him going. Team B managed to
pull off the unexpected and defeat the battle hardened A Team.
Well done the old timers!
This months notes cannot be made complete without men-
tioning the happy occasions of Private Andy Hughes' marriage
to Miss Florence Davies and Corporal Matt Paul's marriage to
Miss Christa Wendes. Wc wish them all the best for the
future.
Congratulations on promotion go to Privates Wright, Jones,
Thrower and Peace.
Finally, welcome to the Company Privates Newband, Cash-
more, Longman, Reid and Prior.
RAOC In Berlin
THE season of traditional Berlin events is upon us. The
Allied Forces Day parade has taken place in fine, sunny, weather
and it is now full steam ahead for the Queens Birthday Parade.
Ordnance Services are, as usual, pulling out all the stops to
provide the customary multitude of stores.
We are also
represented on the parades with vehicular contingents. Our
man in the Headquarters, Staff Sergeant Bill Rule also dropped
in on the parade—literally, as a member of the British con-
tingent which parachuted near the Victory Column.
The RAOC flag also flew proudly at the recent Alexander
Barracks golf meeting. Our able butcher, Sergeant Dennis
Endean was the overall winner after some meaty drives and
deft touches. Our CRAOC, Lieutenant Colonel John Fitz-
simmons, finished a creditable third—a fair way in front of
many others.
Ordnance Services were well represented at the Berlin Field
Force skill-at-arms meeting. Though we didn't win any prizes
our teams proved themselves to be of good calibre. Regrettably
we relinquished (our word!) the .22 title which we had held for
the previous two years. The title is only on loan to Defence
Squadron Royal Hussars, however, and our target has already
been set for next year.
Congratulations are in order for W02 (Four minute mile)
Rowland on his promotion to that rank and to Staff Sergeants
Rick Delamont and Henry Cooper REME and Sergeant Dixie
Hale on their substantive promotions. We also hear that Sergeant
Dennis Endean has been selected for promotion to Staff
Sergeant. Golf seems to be he right game to play after all!
By the time that we read this epistle in THE GAZETTE, WO I
Les Chcetham, W02 Bob Allan, Staff Sergeant Roger Cole and
Sergeant Stu McTaggart will have left for pasures new. Thank
you all for your respective contributions to the life of the Unit.
— 60 —
Book number R0404