RAOC Gazette - page 180
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 OPENING OF THE 4 FELIX' CENTRE A new EOD Training Facility for the Army School of Ammunition THE GeneraJ Officer Commanding and Director of Operations Northern Ireland, Lieutenant General Sir Richard Lawson KCB DSO OBE. recently opened a purpose built facility to be used exclusively for training EOD operators. The new facility, which replaces the well known but much battered RRT3 area, has been named after the appointment title of the ATO. It signifies a milestone in the training of pre- operational students which first began in June 1971 when the School was at Bramley. To mark this important occasion in the history of the School and the Corps a simple ceremony was held before an audience of military and civilian guests. The COC and the Commandant after unveiling the plaque. nance Services, Major General Brown and official guests. The Commanding Officer of the School Lieutenant Colonel Guy, briefed the GOC on the role of the School and a tour was made of the main building to meet the staff before proceeding to the opening ceremony. After inspecting the Barrack Guard made up of Corporal ATs, supply specialists and a driver, all of whom had completed emergency tours in Northern Ireland, the GOC spoke to an audience of guests, instructors, civilian and military staff and students from the ATO, AT and Pre-Ops IED courses. Then to mark the formal opening the GOC cut a tape across the entrance to the Centre. Because the heavy rain had effected the ex- plosive remote cutting device the GOC seized on the opportunity to do this manually. A plaque was then unveiled and a walnut tree planted to serve as a continuous reminder of the strong link between EOD operators and commanders in Ulster. The GOC then toured the facility and questioned both in- structional staff and students on the training being undertaken. On completion of the ceremony the GOC, guests and mem- bers of Kineton Station who had served in Northern Ireland, lunched in the Sergeants Mess. A presentation of a miniature ' Wheelbarrow ' was made to the GOC by the CO of the School and WOl (RSM) Chalmers gave a plaque on behalf of the Sergeants Mess as mementos of the occasion. The COC talking to Major Hodgcns, Staff Sergeant Philpott and students. The GOC was welcomed on his arrival at Kineton by the Commandant. Colonel Stone, and escorted to the Army School of Ammunition where he met the Director General of Ord- AN Thc COC in the School's Museum with the DCOS, Commandant, Deputy Commander Western District, DLSA and DBD being briefed by the Commanding Officer. — ANCIENT APPOINTMENT THE ancient appointment of Provost Marshal was handed over at a simple ceremony at the Royal Military Police barracks at Rochester Row, London, recently. The new incumbent, Brigadier Thomas, is the fifty seventh Povost Marshal to be appointed since 1511. It was in that year Henry VIII appointed Sir Henry Guldeford as Provost Marshal, although the appointment goes back even further to Norman times, when the Provost Marshal then served under the Earl Marshal. 141 — |
| Book number | R0404 |