RAOC Gazette - page 139
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 |
THE DGOS VISITS BAOR AFTER an overnight trip on the Townsend Thoresen ferry the DGOS who was accompanied by Mrs Brown arrived at Zeebrugge; they were greeted on disembarkation by Captain Andrew Postance of Ordnance Depot Antwerp and whisked up to Rheindahlen where an early breakfast awaited them. After a little rest during the day on Saturday the General and Mrs Brown attended the RAOC BAOR Officers Annual Ball that evening at the 3 BAD Officers Mess. The DGOS missed few of the dances and when he did, it was to chat with the many old friends who were there. He stayed until long after the music stopped—and this after little or no sleep the night before. Sunday was not to be free of engagements. At midday it was off to a curry lunch at Windberg Officers Mess with the DOS where they were greeted by Colonel Reggie Edwards, the Commander 15 Ordnance Group. The morning of Monday was taken up with discussions and briefings at Headquarters BAOR and a call on the Chief-of-Staff, Major General Roly Guy. After a quick lunch, 3 BAD was the next port of call. Whilst Mrs Brown was entertained by the Wives' Club, the DGOS was briefed and taken on a tour of the Depot where amongst others, he met WOsl P. R. J. Neale, G. J. Lawrence, G. J. Denholm and J. T. Kearney at their places of work. It was 15 Ordnance Group at Viersen's turn on Tuesday. After visiting the various departments of the Depot the DGOS was taken to the Sergeants Mess where the highlight of the day took place—Medal presentations. WOl P. C. J. Green of Ord 4, Headquarters BAOR was presented with the emblem of his award of Mentioned in Despatches and W 2 R, Nesbitt (REME) and Staff Sergeant M. Fortune both received their Long Service and Good Conduct Medals. The wives of the three recipients were present to witness the ceremony. Whilst the General carried out his official visit Mrs Brown was taken to see the carpet and curtain departments of the RSG by The Hon Mrs Ann Edwards and later to meet the ladies of the Wives' Club for coffee. The DGOS visit to Forward Ordnance Depot Dulmen on Wednesday provided all ranks with an excellent opportunity of meeting our new General. During his tour of the Depot the DGOS visited most of the departments accompanied by the CO, Lieutenant Colonel Ewens. Mobilisation Stores was his first port of call where he was introduced to W02 B. D. Daunt. The Sub-Stores Depot was the General's next stop, he was greeted by the OC Major Wright and given a quick, but thorough tour of the very large and modern complex. After a brief call at Repair and Loans Sub-Depot and a few words with the OC, Major Cowan, General Brown toured the Regimental Area by car arriving at midday at the Sergeants Mess. He was met by the PMC, W02 J. W. Simpson BEM, and spent half an hour with the Warrant Officers and Senior Ranks of the Depot. This was followed by lunch at the Officers Mess, prior to the departure for Forward Vehicle Depot Recklinghausen. At Recklinghausen he was met by the OC Major Ray Holland and Major David Braithwaite who was taking over as OC. During his tour of the Depot the DGOS met the CSM, W02 S. Brierley, WOl L. Goodenough in Stores and Mainten- ance and W02 K. W. Cooper in the kit stores. That evening after a hop by helicopter back to Rheindahlen and a quick change, the General attended a cocktail party at the Visitors Mess where he was hosted by the RAOC Officers stationed in Rheindahlen. On Thursday the DGOS was airborne again, heading for 4 Petroleum Depot and 154 Forward Ammunition Depot. At Warendorf he was taken on a mini-tour of the Unit by the OC, Major David Chapman. The Depot Superintendant WOl Mc- Cabe met the DGOS in the Depot area. The DGOS was most — Mrs Brown is shown round the RSC of Ordnance Depot Viersen. Left to right M r J . D. Thorpe, Major A . B. Dunn, Mrs Brown, The Hon Mrs E. R. Edwards. interested in his visit to the Petroleum Laboratory where he talked with Mr Ron Elliott the Senior Chemist, and Mr Allan Peacock and Mr Chris Lewis, the Scientific Officers. To round off the day 154 Forward Ammunition Depot was next. The Wulfen cricket team left the sports pitch to the CO, Lieutenant Colonel B. E. Lane, to welcome the DGOS as he arrived by helicopter. The first event on the programme was the introduction to the Unit Officers followed by a briefing on the role and organisa- tion of the Depot. From the conference room the DGOS was invited to the Warrant Officers and Sergeants Mess which is conveniently sited adjacent to the Headquarters. Major General Brown was able to see the progress on Mess modernisation and found the members lurking in the temporary cellar bar. They visibly relaxed as the DGOS ordered a ' Pint' and chatted informally. At the Officers Mess the DGOS was introduced to the Head- master Arthur Peters, PSA Superintendant Ray Sambrook and OC MSO Peter Dujakovic. The full panoply was unrolled. The problems of MHE and palletisation in pre-war bunkers were demonstrated, followed by visits to APA1 to see tracer being extracted from belted 7.62 rounds and to APA3 to see our latest electronic Guided Weapons test equipment. There had to be at least one hiccup! The plug was away at BAC for repair and did not return until the follow- ing day. On arrival at the Control Office the DGOS was taken into Conventional Ammunition Cell. With a shrewdness for which senior officers are noted, he glanced around and im- mediately engaged our sole female clerk, Mrs Judith Revell, in conversation, deftly introducing a touch of ' blarney.' In the GW Cell the DGOS was delighted to meet Sergeant Reece who has transferred to Ord from the RAF. In the Depot Locations office, manned by DEL, he met local employees, the youngest of whom had served twenty six years at Wulfen. It was here the General demonstrated his command of at least three languages. On their way back to the UK Major General and Mrs Brown stopped off at the conveniently located Ordnance Depot Antwerp. Whilst Mrs Brown met the Unit wives and paid a visit to the city of Antwerp, the General toured the several storage sites which comprise ODA. DGOS and Mrs Brown later departed from the Netherlands port of Terneuzen by LSL for March- wood. 108 — |
| Book number | R0404 |