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RAOC Gazette - page 107

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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 the conquering mood went on to pass military swimming test
for the eighth time. (Docs clerk please note). Sergeant Coom
doesn't know the results of his EPC(A) yet and has been sent on
leave to recover from the trauma.
Corporal Byrne is valiantly serving his sentence on St
Kilda and looking forward to his handover to Lance Corporal
Austin. Lance Corporal Jarman has been to Technical Train-
ing Wing Bicester on a preservation and packaging course. He
returned an enlightened man and now attempts to pack any-
thing that remains static for more than ten seconds. Wc learn
from Private Stewart that the BFT is so much easier to pass
without corns. This time he romped home with a minute to
spare!
North East District
SINCE our last contribution Lieutenant
Colonel Jock Williamson has taken over
the CRAOC chair from Lieutenant
Colonel Ian Hardie and is now settled in,
though ' settled' is hardly the right word
as he is out and about whenever the
opportunity arises. Though delighted by
3 BAD's triumph we less active chaps
were slightly uneasy as to what might be
in store for us; we need not have worried
after one quick look at his aged staff CRAOC knew that rugby
was out for this tour. We welcome also Staff Sergeant Tosh
Stokes the new Chief Clerk and say goodbye and good luck
to WOl Doug Trebble his predecessor now the man in
charge of the Stores Section 96 Workshop Ludgershall.
Congratulations to Corporal Bob Sidgwick of the Supply
Section Catterick for having finally passed the EPC Advanced
and in now eligible and pushing for promotion.
Major General Brown w i t h CRAOC and RAOC Officers of Units
in SEDIST at Government House Officers Mess during the recent
visit of the DGOS to Aldcrshot.
Western District
OUR new CRAOC, Lieutenant Colonel
Tony Beaumont has arrived and is now
firmly ensconced in the hot seat although
he has spent more time on visits to Units
than he has in the office. Our old CRAOC,
Lieutenant Colonel David Witting, de-
parted in a haze of alcohol after a hectic
round of farewells to open an antique
shop in Church Stretton. We are still
waiting to hear whether we get a discount on any purchases!
Nevertheless we wish him well in his new venture.
As for the rest of the Branch we stagger on under the
normal load of work and play. Both Major Gil Guthrie and
Major Adam Woodward have ventured into the property market.
The problems concerning new baths, floors and carpets have
been so well aired in the Branch over the past few weeks we are
all rapidly becoming experts in DIY. The Headquarters had one
of its quarterly spasms and everyone went walking again, this
time along the Llangollen Canal. The weather was atrocious
and the general consensus of opinion was that we would have
been drier in the canal itself as opposed to on the towpath.
Despite this, all the damage was made good by an excellent
barbecue lunch.
The DOWO WOl Bill Oliver is approaching his driving
test date and smoking more than ever owing to nerves but
his instructor, our ROWO W02 George Pound, is returning
his equilibrium in a remarkable manner. Is this due to the
over consumption of Valium?
The branch fisherman, our DFA, Mr Cedric Cousins, is
still chasing the elusive salmon and despite drawing large
quantities of worms the end product so far has been zero.
But keep trying as we all enjoy both smoked and fresh salmon.
Welcome to Miss Pat Kendal who now works for the DFA
and Padre.
STORES
PLATOON
16 AIR
DEFENCE
REGIMENT
WORKSHOP.
We take this opportunity to welcome back all
thirteen members of the Stores Platoon from the Regiments
Operation Banner Tour and we are certain they are all glad to
be back in sunny KL.
Congratulations go to Corpora] and Mrs Simpson on the
birth of their son Michael while Corporal Simpson was in
Northern Ireland, also to Private Jim Stirling on his recent
marriage to Linda and to Jim Swan, Frenchy Morris and Roy
Fleming on promotion to Lance Corporal.
Finally one of the more fortunate members of the Stores
Platoon is Private Derek Johnson who has recently departed for
a three month holiday with BATUS.
Postings in—Sergeant Wrightson, Corporal McGuire,
Privates Ainsworth, Hissey, Izzard, McAlindon, Phillips and
Williams.
South East District
THIS months events have been dominated
by the Annual Travers Clarke Athletics
Meeting held once again at the Alder-
shot Military Stadium.
CRAOC, Colonel Norman Green,
Chairman of RAOC Athletics, again had
the task of organising the event and
nominated most of the Ordnance Branch
to officiate; WOl Pete Burrell, W02
Barry Shakeshaft and Mrs Iris Bedford
were Recorders; Major Mike Wilks (Retd) Announced, Major
Tom Moffatt (Retd) and Major Bill Whiteley (Retd) were Track
Judges, Secretary and Assistant Secretary were Major Granville
Holt and Major Lance Brett respectively, with Major Gordon
Harmer the VIP's host.
For the first time in recent years the meeting was held
on one day only instead of the normal two, this created some
minor administration problems especially as almost every Unit
participating arrived with a team different to the one previously
notified, but once the first hour of chaos had subsided every-
thing seemed to run very smoothly.
In addition to the personnel already listed as being involved
there was a host of ASPT officials and RAOC Apprentices help-
ing with the organisation, and, on reflection these almost out-
numbered the Competitors.
Event winners and photographs will no doubt appear under
the notes from successful Units so we will simply end our con-
tribution by thanking all the people who made the day a
success.

ASU. The Unit continues to function efficiently with the flag
flying high and the engine running smoothly. Sadly we say
farewell to Major Peter Owen from the Headquarters who is
posted to Detmold and Mr Arthur White who leaves AES
Lichfield for Sennelager on promotion to CASO. We wish them
well in their new jobs and thank them for the hard work and
loyal service.
52 COMPANY RAOC (V). The Company is currently on
annual camp in the Isle-of-Man and we will have their camp
report in the next issue of THE GAZETTE.
10 Ordnance Support Battalion
HEADQUARTERS.
Most of the month was taken up with
frantic organisation for the Open Day which was combined with
the Wiltshire Lorry Driver of the Year Competition.
Our
Arena Display included the Apprentices College Corps of
Drums, The ' Cannonballs' Free Fall Parachuting, 1 Ammo
IDU, an Eager Beaver Competition, a brief helicopter display,
a RAOC Pageant of Trades and Beating Retreat by the Hamp-
82

Book number R0404