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RAOC Gazette - page 124

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Full title RAOC Gazette
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Publication date 1980
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Early date 1980
Late date 1980
Transcription RAOC officers: Lieutenant Colonel Roger Hurles to Northern
Ireland, Major Charles Cooke to Andover and Lieutenant
Colonel Robin Bowden, who is not sure where he is going yet
but is to be congratulated on his promotion to Colonel.
We welcome back to Oman Colonel Johnnie Johnson—
he used to be the DOS in the Headquarters—as the new De-
fence Attache in the Embassy. W 2 Mike Bender thanks me
•'ir his early promotion to WOl in the last report and hopes
:Ut it did not cause any heart attacks!
We welcome to Oman Gerry Broome as the new DOS
hd Hughie Kay as SATO.
j One last note of interest is that Ron Maxwell has moved
rom Supervising Officer to S02 Supply Depot with promotion
5 Major—congratulations Ron.
British Forces Hong Kong
—] THE lunchtime sporting leagues continue to
•] flourish with the regular stalwarts turning
out for the various activities such as five-
a-side soccer, basketball, deck hockey and
squash. No one knows where we quite
stand in the league but we have managed
to beat the girls at soccer and basketball
recently which has put morale at a high
point George Shum and Jimmy Pau our civilian clerks have
mmed out for us and were shining examples of the super fit
Ordnance Branch, though Jimmy was bedded down for a couple
of days after the basketball.
Special congratulations are offered to W02 Graham Arscott
for the award of the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List
this year for service in Belize.
We have said farewell to Sergeant Henry Stewart and
family and to Sergeant John Mealin and family and wish them
every success in their next postings.
We have welcomed Sergeant Dave Powell and family and
Sergeant John Linsay and family in their stead and hope that
they enjoy their tour.
STORES SECTION 50 COMS WORKSHOP
CONVERSATION heard in the PC and A Office one morning
recently, between the WOIC and a certain person who should
remain nameless.
Is it really two years since we've submitted an article to
THE GAZETTE? Well,—I can't be sure, wouldn't it be a good
idea for someone to write to THE GAZETTE with all the latest
news? Well—here goes:
The Stores Section has a military strength of four, which
includes our new leader W02 Kevin Ashworth who we would
like to welcome to Hong Kong with his wife and family. We
hope you enjoy your tour.
W02 Jim Meiklejohn has just returned to England with
his family after a very happy and memorable tour. His skills
as football manager, and youth club leader will be missed.
IVe wish him and his family all the very best for the future.
Congratulations go to Sergeant Bob Sacre on his recent
promotion.
He can usually be seen stumbling around the
IVorkshop with an arm full of spares which he's just locally
purchased.
Our Supply Specialist Staff Sergeant Pete Birchall has been
decking British Land Rover gearboxes, he's been heard to say
ke won't be doing this at CAD Kineton. He's walking around
kith a smile on his face, and counting the days—and his money
(o pay for his dim sum. (Farewell dinner).
Corporal Taff Cooling is on his RPC1 Course at Composite
Drdnance Depot, then he goes on his EPC Course.
(Sorry but we have no facility to process negatives.—Editor.)
Composite Ordnance Depot Hong Kong
TIME once again for our monthly venture into the world of
journalism.
This month has seen several comings and goings and up
to now we have said farewell to the following:—WOs2 Mike
Eden and Pete Beatty, Staff Sergeant Tom Savage, Sergeant Joe
Rimmer and Corporal Graham Chubb. We wish them all the
very best in their new postings. In their places we welcome
W02 Bob Mason, Staff Sergeants Stew Veazey and Taff Terriza,
Sergeants John Blake and Mel Treen and Corporal Geordie
Duffy. We hope your stay in Hong Kong is an enjoyable one.
Vehicle Group are keeping a very low profile this month
laving very successfully managed to run our Unit Junk aground
2nd turning what should have been a pleasant outing into an
unforgettable experience. WOl Dave Hutchinson is now look-
ing for a place on the next Coxswains Course.
Another.item worthy of note this month is the very success-
ful ' Summer Fete' run by the Sergeants Mess. This involved
quite a lot of work and WOsl Graham Budgen and Fred
Woolhouse ably assisted by their committee are to be con-
gratulated on its success in spite of the first attempt being
called off because of a storm warning. Part of the proceeds of
the Fete were used to fund the presentation of a car to the
Ebenezeer School for the blind and in return their band played
during the afternoon. In addition the band of the Queen's Own
Highlanders gave two displays which were thoroughly enjoyed
by all present. To round off the entertainment we had a very
fine display of Morris Dancing from the Hong Kong Morrismen.
We also say welcome back to our Quartermaster (Major
Wood) from his (leave/exercise?) in Australia. He seems to be
talking with a distinct Gurkhali accent as the CQMS was heard
to mutter "What is he talking about" on more than one
occasion. Of course the reason for Major Wood's flippant mood
may have something to do with the fact that he has just
learned that he has become a Grandfather. Many congratula-
tions. The Quartermaster's Department seems to be full of
smiling faces these days as Staff Sergeant Pete Fellowes can
testify. The reason for his of course is that he has finally
qualified to go solo on his aeroplane jaunts. Well done Pete.
How he manages to fit these trips in between taking over the
A in U Stores on the closure of the PYF—well that's another
story.
We would also like to extend our congratulations to W02
John Knight, W02 Frank Yip and Sergeant Rick Parkes on the
award of their Long Service and Good Conduct Medals. Till
next time.
Headquarters Gurkha Field Force
SINCE our last contribution to THE
GAZETTE, the Headquarters has seen quite a
few changes in faces. We have already said
our farewells to W02 Pete Simmons, Staff
Sergeants Les Arnold and Dave Beadsworth
and by the time this is published Captain
Ron Gray will have departed to Andover
on promotion to Major. We welcome Cap-
tain Ian Rees, W02 Ron White, Sergeants Phil O'Donnell and
Stuart Coxe and hope that they and their families will enjoy
their stay in Sek Kong.
Congratulations are in order for Stu Coxe and Kevin
Mills who are now fully paid up Sergeants Mess members and
to Tony Redfern who is now a substantive Corporal.
Staff Sergeant Richie Warner and Sergeant Dave Turner
were not impressed with this year's promotion board, but at
least Dave has received his posting order to Northern Ireland.
Richie keeps pestering the postman and anyone else who cares
to listen, that he has only four months left to do here (or has
he?).
Corporal Tony Mackey had no sooner arrived, decided
that life in Sek Kong as a ' singly' was not on, promptly
fixed up a flight for his fiancee and married Liz in the Garrison
Church. The fact that Liz is remaining in the WRAC, thus
two Mackey's now on the Duty Clerk Roster, has only added
to the Chief Clerks handful of grey hairs. Ian Johnson who
was best man at the wedding has decided that running round the
roads of Hong Kong is preferable to running down the aisle,
entered the Hong Kong multi marathon which comprises run-
ning from Stanley on the south tip of Hong Kong to Sha
Tau Kok which is on the border of China, a total of some
thirty three miles.
Ian finished fourth, which is a very
creditable performance, considering he only took up running
seriously a few months ago.
Headquarters Brunei Garrison
THE main highlights of the past few weeks
have been the Queen's Birthday celebrations.
First of all we started with a childrens
fancy competition for some fifty children.
This was followed by a sticky bun and ice-
cream party. Our PTI Staff Sergeant Brian
Pyle then came into his thing by running
various games. Sergeant ' Spanner' Manley
one of our TTB instructors was then put to
the test, on the Trampoline by all the
children for the rest of the afternoon.
Our congratulations to Staff Sergeant Graham Manders
and Sergeant Dave Langan for a well planned and organised
party.
— 97 —
Book number R0404