RAOC Gazette - page 243
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 |
Central Vehicle Depot OUR Commandant, Colonel Blakemore has now departed. During his last week he was conveyed through the depot in the shovel of an excavator proceeded by a squad of remarkably smart soldiers who Jed him to, and entertained him in, the Cannon Club. Later in the week he was wined and dined by the Warrants Officers and Sergeants Mess. This episode will be covered later. The Officers Mess dined out the Commandant in the tradi- tional manner. In addition to the normal procedures, several guests were invited, unbeknown to the Commandant who appeared in a " This is your Life " presentation which opened the evening. Weeks of research by Lieutenant Colonel Under- bill, Captain Eddie Hillan and the* electronic wizardry of Cap- tain Alex Moss REME made the presentation a great success. We thought so anyway! Sergeants Mess Happenings. The months have really been given a rough time lately. Mess kits have almost been as regular a sight in the Station Sergeants Mess as lounge suits. Apart from the highly successful Summer Ball we have also said a sorrowful but enjoyable farewell to our Commandant and our Quartermaster. Major Budge was dined out and we saw Major Jessop and Captain Wheeler (our other guests for the evening) propping him up while he hung (?) our new entrance gates; we still haven't discovered the identity of the person crushed between the open gates and our Senior Member. Even a roll call was no help. No sooner had the new Quartermaster—Captain Young re- covered from the overtime bill for the above event than the next Regimental Dinner was on us. The Commandant, Colonel Blakemore, decided he preferred to join his Warrant Officers being called ' Mister,' albeit his suit doesn't meet with the CSM's approval as 'definitely not khaki, sir!' Such an occasion could not be left unmarked and it is rumoured (depending on whose wife one questions) that he was subsequently poured out of the Mess at 2.00 am, 3.15 am, 4.20 am, 5.30 am, etc, etc. Call me George Washington if you like, but the truth is Aftcrnotc: The above correspondent, having been about to blow the gaff, has been removed from office and will not take any further part in the proceedings. On a more decorous note a fond farewell is wished to Colonel Blakemore, Major Budge, WOl Henwood (so short a stay with us Sid) and those who we are assured Will be back—albeit some sooner than others—namely Sergeants Jock Graham and Brian Crago. A warm welcome is extended to Colonel Sharpe who has just taken over from Colonel Blakemore. Welcome also to WOl John Dorey from Cyprus and Captain Ken Young who takes over as Quartermaster. VEHICLE DEPOT ASHCHURCH THE Unit held an orienteering course in the Malvern Hills and any person who spots the Regimental Officer whilst out weekend walking, will they please bring him home? The Unit was thinking of sending out a search party under Staff Sergeant Clive Cross but that would be inviting trouble. Our OC Troops, Major Coleman has now eventually decided to buy a new car. He is convinced that due to his engine falling out in Gloucester High Street and the fall in Isopon shares, it really is the best thing to do. We congratulate him on buying British this time. Last month we held our Junior Ranks Summer Ball in the Cannon Club. The evening was a splendid success all due no doubt to all the efforts of the Club Committee. On behalf of all, please accept our thanks. We only wish you were all here at Christmas to organise our next grand party. We would like to welcome Corporal Thompson back to the fold, Lance Corporal Bird and family and Private Whitworth. We would like to say a farewell to WOl Henwood and Lance Corporal Groves who arc joining civvy street, hoping that they will have as much success as in their Service career. We would also like to congratulate Private Ruane on his recent marriage. As these notes are submitted, the Unit is at Camp and from the information filtering back at the moment an interesting article should be forthcoming next month. VEHICLE DEPOT LUDGERSHALL THE month of August has been fairly quiet with most people on leave; the only notable events being Private Gargate success- fully demolishing a Morris UOO with the Douglas Tugmaster and Mr Terry Davies being seen in Storage on a record two occasions. Exercise Long Look has taken away Staff Sergeant Keith Wick from our Technical Administration Branch (we con- gratulate him on his EPC(A) results), and replaced him temporarily with Sergeant Graham Crowhurst RAAOC, who has just returned from a sightseeing tour of our camps in Scotland. Colonel Blakemore leaves Central Vehicle Depot. He's enjoying himself so much on his first trip to England that he was thinking of staying but he says he prefers the Aussie beer and has had second thoughts. Lance Corporals Brian Allan, Ian Carey, Dick Ockwell, Joe Forder and Private John Sword have returned full of vigour after their RPC2 Course. We say farewell this month to Sergeant Steve Machin who has completed twenty two years irreproachable service. Staff Sergeant ' Sandy' Copland and Lance Corporal ' Jock ' Dunlop to Cyprus. Lance Corporal ' Wiggy' Wignall to 7 Field Force and Corporal Kevin Bacon, Lance Corporals ' Taffy' Webb and ' Shooe' Clark to Antwerp. Private Mick English to Ashchurch. Lance Corporal Steve Bennett to civvy street and Private 'Andy' Carrasco to play soldiers with the Commandos at Plymouth. We congratulate A/Lance Corporals Andy Thompson and Allan ' Mump ' Mumford on their promotion. Corporals John Snowden, Danny Riding and Bill Fagan on passing their HGV driving instructors course. Congratulations also go to our Chief Clerk, Sergeant Ralph Jackson and his wife Jean, on the birth of their new daughter. Readers might like to know that an event of some historical importance took place recently. The occasion was the takeover as Officer Commanding by Major John Rose some nine years since his twin brother Michael also commanded the Depot. We believe this command of the same Unit by twin brothers is unique in the Corps and probably the Army. Major Michael i s - now a civilian working for Martin Thomas ITD, Andoyer<-sb when convenient we will produce a photograph of theTwo to- gether doing a handover/takeover nine years later! By the way, several years ago a member of Headquarters CVD took over A Sub-Depot 17 BVD from Captain Mike Rose, as he was then and handed over to Major John Rose. It's less confusing with only one of them in the Service! Petroleum Centre THE Petroleum Centre is now firmly under new Management. In our last entry we welcomed our new Commandant Lieutenant Colonel Gillberry who has now settled in to the chair. It is also worthy of comment that the Unit football team is also under the new management of Sergeant Charlie Cannings and is winning matches. One wonders whether the Commandants attendance at all matches has anything to do with it! The Unit recently had a visit from local school children who were given a guided tour of the Unit. It must be said however that the highlights of the visit for them seemed to be NAAFI break in the JRC and lunch in the dining room. There is considerable truth in the rumour that the CSM ordered second helpings for a diminutive fifteen year old and ordered him to grow six inches in the next year so he could become a Petroleum operator and reach the pipelines. We did however receive five firm enquiries on how to join the Corps which have been passed on to the appropriate authority. We have said a fond farewell to Major Roger Bensaid our Depot OC who is in the process of moving to Ashchurch. We welcome Lance Corporal Laws, Privates Albonnette, Mason, Braby, Fletcher, McDonald, Battersby, Cambell and Plumblcy for the B3 Petroleum Operators Course; most of these soldiers will be posted out on completion of the course and we will then no doubt welcome other aspiring Supply Specialists who wish to become what are affectionately known as Pet Ops. — 194 — |
| Book number | R0404 |