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RAOC Gazette - page 225

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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
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BIRTHS
BEATTY.—On 18th September 1980, at the John Radcliffe
Hospital Oxford, to W02 and Mrs P. G. Batty, a son Andrew
Sean, brother for Daniel and Byron.
HIBBARD — On 3rd September 1980, to Christine and Michael,
daughter and son-in-law of Major and Mrs J. E. Fox, at Freedom
Fields Hospital, Plymouth, a daughter Sarah.
LONG.—On 22nd August 1980, at BMH Rinteln, West Germany,
to Sergeant and Mrs P. J. Long, a daughter Annabel, a sister for
Briony Kate.
ROBINSON.—On the 5th September 1980, at BMH Rinteln,
to Corporal and Mrs A. Robinson, REME, a son, David James,
first grandchild of WOl (Conductor) and Mrs D. G. Niddrie.
MARRIAGES
EDMONDSON—CLARKE.—The marriage took place at York
Registry Office, followed by a blessing at Huntington Parish
Church on Saturday 23rd August 1980 between WOl Brian
Edmondson RAOC, son of Mrs N. K. Walker of Huntington
York, and Elizabeth Anne, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Charles
Clarke of Bicester, Oxon.
. GOVIER—PICKARD.—On 30th August 1980, at St Peter,
South Elmham, Bungay, Suffolk, Brigadier J. C. Govier CBE
(Retd), to Mrs R. J. (Cherrye) Pickard.
NIDDRIE—SIMMONS.—The marriage took place at the
Church of St Paul, Mill Hill, on Saturday, 23rd August 1980, of
Carole, younger daughter of WOl (Conductor) and Mrs D. G.
Niddrie, and Police Constable Kevin Simmons, only son of Mr
and Mrs M. Simmons of Leigh, Kent.
COLONEL E. R. M. BOWERMAN
MAJOR GENERAL G. L. PAYNE writes: —
His many friends will be sad to learn of the death of Colonel
Bowerman on 28th September last. He died very suddenly after
enjoying a game of golf the day before.
He joined the Army after graduating from Cambridge where
he had been at Pembroke College.
He and I served in India at the same time in the early
thirties, he in the East Yorkshire Regiment, and I in the Leicester-
shire Regiment, and returning home, we joined the 17th Ord-
nance Officers course together early in 1937. This began a long
friendship.
He played rugger for Richmond when that famous club
included such internationals as R. G. S. Hobbs and 'Horsey'
Browne, and also for the Army, together with Francis Tarrant
of the Gloucesters, who was a fellow student on the same Ord-
nance Course.
After the war we met up again at Branston, where we served
in turn under such Commandants as Boris Bacon, Harry
Whitaker, J. H. F. Hitcock and ' Peg-leg' Brown—characters
all. He then went out to Australia on an exchange appointment
with the RAAOC, where he was extremely popular, doing much
to foster the friendly relations between the two Corps, not least
by getting married to a charming Australian girl. Later, we were
together again at Chilwell, where life was equally enjoyable under
Major General George Crawford, Commander MT Org., with
John Sheffield as his deputy, and Roy Ferguson down the road
in the Vehicle Org.
It was at this time that I discovered another side to Eric
Bowerman's character.. He was extremely artistic, and could
paint and draw beautifully; it was this attribute which served
him well when he retired from the Army in 1960, and was em-
ployed in the Fine Arts Department of the Ashmolean Museum
at Oxford, where he did illuminated handwriting amongst other
work.
He must have been there for about twenty years, but as well
as doing such artistic work he also played a lot of golf, much of it
at Frilford Heath, where he was a low handicap player. He also
played for the Old Epsomians in the Halford—Hewitt cup at
the Royal St. George's links at Sandwich for a number of
years.
In all these circles Eric Bowerman will be sadly missed.
Most of all by his wife Joy and his family, to whom we all
extend our deepest sympathy in their great loss.
MALTA
DEATHS
BUNCE—On 11th September 1980, at Derby Royal Infirmary,
Major M. B. Bunce.
DAVIES.—On 19th September 1980, suddenly, at his home in
Fareham, ex-W02 D. G.' Davies.
LEE.—On 24th August 1980, suddenly at home, Ena Laura of
63 Church Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff, beloved wife of Major
Henry Lee (Retd).
PASH.—On 27th September 1980, peacefully at his home in
Burton Joyce, Nottingham, Major Philip Pash.
WALTERS.—On 17th September 1980, at home having bravely
fought her illness, Margaret Olive, beloved wife of Major Claude
Walters and mother of Thurza and Claude.
THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE have notified us of the deaths
of the following Officers: —
BORLAND—On 20th June 1980, Captain (QM) J. W. Borland.
CHRISTIANSON— On 15th July 1980,Major A.G.Christianson.
COCKER.—On 26th May 1980, Major C. T. Cocker.
~-
ELLIS.—On 25th December 1979, Major (OEO) (Hon. Lieutenant
Colonel) H. G. Ellis.
LEMON.—On 25th July 1980, Major (QM) (Hon. Lieutenant
Colonel) R. W. J. Lemon.
WARD.—On 30th July 1980, Captain (Major) (OEO) E. A.
Ward.
GC
ASSOCIATION
THE final reunion of this Association will be held on 28th
March 1981, at the Union Jack Club (Sandell Street, Waterloo,
London SE1 8UJ), under the Chairmanship of Air Chief
Marshal Sir Hugh Lloyd, GBE, KCB, MC, DFC, LID.
Reunions of the survivors of the Siege of Malta during
World War 2 have been held every year since 1948 and it has
been decided to hold a final reunion dinner forty years on
from the start of serious attempts to beleaguer the Island.
There must be many more survivors of the Siege who
have not yet attended a reunion and they are earnestly requested
to come, next Spring, if at all possible, regardless of the Service
or rank in which they served.
Likewise, all who have served in Malta GC at any sub-
sequent time are cordially invited to support the survivors of
the Siege and, of course, their ladies, relatives and guests are
especially welcome.
Contact: R. T. Townson, 23 Heath Road, Reading.
FOR
SAL.E
RAOC Officers Mess Uniform and Service Dress (little worn),
Warm Weather Uniform and Parade Uniform (as new), all
complete with embellishments. Two SD Hats 6J (new) plus
various other items new and little used.
Measurements to fit chest 30/40, waist 33/35,. height
5-ft 6-in to 5-ft 8-in. Any reasonable offer accepted—tele-
phone: 01-218 4488 day, 0402 63196 evenings and weekend.
— 178 —
Notices continued on page 206).
Book number R0404