RAOC Gazette - page 196
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 |
pany department. During the visit Brigadier Berresford spoke to most of the Company personnel—including our bevy of beauties in the PC and A Office. Welcomes: Staff Sergeant Scanlon and Lance Corporal Smith. Congratulations: Staff Sergeant and Mrs ' Biggies' Esser on the birth of their son and to Private and Mrs Steve Pickard on their recent marriage. had twelve weeks in Norway in the early months of the year, while the rest of us were sunning ourselves in Rhodesia. We cannot comment on sports activities because we are so over-worked and under staffed, it's been a long time since we had a sporty type occasion. The ultimate motive for the writing of these notes is of course to enable Corporal Woodrow to see his name in print for the first/last time before he leaves the Army. 7 Field Force Ordnance Company Central Ordnance D e p o t Chilwell EXCLUDING our block leave period the Company has been very busy since our last report, beginning the month with the Colchester Searchlight Tattoo. For the uninitiated the Tattoo descends upon Colchester every two years to provide an ' always to be remembered' spectacular as well as a strong recruiting cam- paign. Every member of the Unit was involved (with the exception of our intrepid Orderly Room Staff—who keep asking passers by what the world outside their office is like these days?), and although we all worked hard and long hours our labours were rewarded with a successful tattoo and plenty of praise for the Company. The Field Force FTX build-up to Crusader was unfortunately cancelled due to fuel economy measures, but not be outdone our industrious Officer Commanding arranged for a forty eight hour mini-exercise in our local wooded training area which went down very well indeed with everyone learning something. Before the exercise Sergeant Dave Weyman the Unit pay-wonder thought that a nine by nine was something to do with gardening, but now he can put one up in his sleep—well maybe I mean he will be putting one up in his sleep. Fame seems to be the name of the game for the subaltern whose name was not mentioned last month (Ben!), for the looks of disbelief from the Officer Commanding (who was supposed to be dead at the time) as he attempted to make his own circuit from location by taking his packet across country . . . I believe he was politely informed to follow the arrows. Our congratulations this month go to Privates Beasley and Cheshire on their respective marriages, Lance Corporals Reed, Trudgian, Simpson and Gowans on promotion, Lieutenant and Mrs Whale on the recent birth of a daughter, and finally Private O'Hara on obtaining an A grade on his B2 Driver upgrading course. We welcome to the Company Corporals Bisson and Lawson, Lance Corporal Wignall and Privates Lowerson, Sheppard and Brown. 8 Field Force WHY? you may ask yourself are there for w ^^^^.^ the first time in living history, notes from • i p | ^ ^ ^ ^ Headquarters 8 Field Force. In fact, you I EttM ^^K^^- may also ask, who on earth is Headquarters » ™ J ^ ^ ^ 8 Field Force? ^^^^^ At the top of the bush (not quite a tree), | there is the oft bandied about SC Ord, Cap- tain Mike Lewington. By the time these notes are published, he will be away on his Long Ordnance Officers Course. Comments about his returning any taller will not be appreciated. The answer to the question " why " is about to be revealed. You see, the Chief Clerk, Sergeant Malcolm Lawrence, has managed to get his right arm in a sling, having damaged certain parts of his anatomy whilst playing rugby. So because he can- not work, not that he did much anyway, he was compelled to sit and read THE GAZETTE. The drivel that you have in front of you is the product. As for the workers of the Headquarters, Corporal Alan (Woody) Woodrow (soon to PVR) is also soon to be wed. We are told that the two are connected by the thinnest of excuses. Corporal Geoff Parker (Ex Royal Signals) is trying desperately to do all sorts of things, outside working hours that is, not least of all get himself some LOA. As for the minions of the Headquarters; Lance Corporal Pete Conner wishes his prayers to be answered. In fact his prayer,mat comes out and he faces Leicester four times a day. He hopes to return to Zimbabwe one day soon, as he has visions of being the last of the great white hunters. He even went so far as to stick an RAOC cap badge on his pith helmet. The Unit ' Gopher' Private Dave Hood, Robin to his friends, is away at present striving to pass his RPC2, in the steaming under- growth of Deepcut. This is his second holiday this year, he THE whole Garrison has been shocked and upset by the tragic death of its Commander, Brigadier R. W. Bromham. His funeral, with full military honours, was held in the Garrison and the great number of employees who lined the route reflected the impact he had made during his short tenure of appointment. The funeral was followed by a service at Bram- cote Crematorium. As a mark of respect, there will be no additional news report from Chilwell this month. Central Ordnance D e p o t Donnington THE Central Ordnance Depot Donnington swimming team travelled to Catterick to compete in the Army swimming cham- pionships. The battle commenced between Depot King's Division Royal Irish, 8 Field Workshop, 229 Signal Squadron (Berlin), ' C ' Battery RHA (BAOR) and Donnington for the Army Minor Units Team Championship. The Major Units Championship was held at the same time. ' Jacko' Jackson recorded the same time as the winner for the sixty six and two third yards freestyle but was placed second. ' Legs' Oram was third in the breast- stroke and ' Jacko' recorded fifty seven seconds for one hundred yards freestyle and once again was placed second. ' Onnie' Omufryk recorded third place in the sixty six and two thirds yards backstroke and Donnington were still in second place overall with two events remaining. ' Onnie Omufryk, ' Toff' Browning, ' Jacko ' and ' Tiger' Smith gained second place in the medley relay and Donnington had to gain third place in the freestyle relay to become runners-up. Unfortunately ' Nobby ' Clarke, ' Typhoon ' Tyson, 'Art' West and ' Nala ' Mellitt finished in fourth place after a hard race and Donnington was third in the Championships. In the Inter Unit single event team relay competitions ' Otter' Smith, ' Nala ' Mellitt, ' Legs ' Oram and ' Toff ' Brown- ing won the Minor Units breaststroke. 'Nobby' Clarke, 'Typhoon' Tyson, ' Tiger' Smith and ' Jacko ' Jackson broke the Minor Units freestyle record but were placed third. In the Open Medley and freestyle events Donnington finished in third and fifth positions. Congratulations to all our swimmers during the 1980 season and many thanks to Robin Sider (OIC swimming) and Gordon Lumsden (Team Coach) for supporting the team. Our achievements during the 1980 season were RAOC Corps Champions, Western District Champions, Western Area Cham- pions and third in the Army Minor Units Championships. The Donnington dolly-bird population dwindled while the WRAC girls summer-camped at Capel Curig. It's a knockout was weak in comparison with rock-climbing, canoeing, pony trekking, mountain walking, orienteering and swimming with physical training sessions to relieve any boredom! A few males braved the hardship and went along: Lieutenant Tom Mouat is mostly remembered for his Banger Sarnies which are meatier than he is. On the medical side,' Doctor' Phreinie Croft mended the bodies while souls were repaired at Cobdens, a sort of tactical-Headquarters-cum-watering-hole. Pre-season football training has commenced with a ven- geance with sights being set on a successful season. Lance Corporal Jock Crawford joins the COD from BAOR, together with Corporal Andy Smith, who will team up with centre forward Lance Corporal Brian Smith to form a twin strike force. Defenders are urgently needed and the PRI purse strings may be pulled again to secure the services of key defenders! Corporal Vic Vale has left on a ' Free' after valuable service to the COD team. To all those players who were with us last season and are now further afield, we wish you well. It is no secret now, but many congratulations to Lieutenant Nigel Lloyd on his engagement to Theresa Miller, the charm- — 155 — |
| Book number | R0404 |