RAOC Gazette - page 279
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 |
TRAINING BATTALION AND DEPOT ADMIN COMPANY, having found a trough in the years activities, decided to assist Mrs Short, wife of the Commander Training Centre, in her efforts to raise money for the Black- down Heart Machine Appeal. The CSM, W02 Chapman, organised a small Adventure Training exercise which was combined with a sponsored effort to raise money for the Appeal. A one hundred kilometre walk by recruits along the North Devon and Somerset Coast path was undertaken at a sponsorship of lp a kilometre. The walkers eventually raised over £300 for their efforts. A high spot on the walk was an interview from the Westward Television who gave us a small plug on the evening programme " Look West." The exercise finished in grand style with a bar-becue provided by our Chief Admin Officer, Sergeant Fred Furniss. new boxing ring was taken out of wraps especially Tor the occasion and received its first blooding (diluted by sweat and the dreaded sponge)! South East District provided qualified officials from far and wide and the judges were kept busy looking for the- odd, in- advertant, scoring blow. QMSI Ron Spree was the master- mind and official-in-chargc. W02 Steve Bonta, our MC, received a public warning at the prelims for persistent use of the word " fight" but broke cleanly to get it right on the night. The determination and effort of the prelims was bettered only by the even greater efforts made by all boxers in the finals, and a crowded gymnasium was treated to an excellent evening of sport. There was a fair amount of skill displayed, and the audience were treated to a classic toe-to-toc, hard-hitting slog from the heavy-weights. The final bout of the evening summed up the evening for the CO, Lieutenant Colonel Marshall, who presented the prizes. It was a knock-out! There were two superb demonstration bouts during the evening. The first between the Corps and Army Middleweight champion, Corporal Chalkie James, and his brother Private James, RRW. The second exhibition bout demonstrated yet an- other of the martial arts—karate—and the players were Corporal Ken Hollows and Corporal Lee of 6 Field Force To the chagrin of CSM Bonta no full cans of beer were thrown into the ring and he was forced to buy a round in the Mess afterwards! No mean feat. To all the people who assisted us in our efforts heart felt thanks to you and congratulations go to the walkers without who the whole thing could not have been possible. On the domestic scene we've said our farewells to Sergeant Lew Slee who has left us for the much sunnier climes on Canberra ACT complete with, it is believed, a British motor car! Good luck, Lew, to you and your family. We are now saying our farewells and welcomes to Captain Reg Granger, off to ASU Sennelager and Lieutenant Bob Prior-Sanderson who's joined us from North West District. Lieutenant Trevor Couch of Trade Platoon has finally given in and married at long last. The lucky lady is Second Lieutenant Diana Binns of the WRAC, whose father is Captain (OEO) Ken Binns. We wish Trevor and Diana every good wish for a long and happy life together. Last but not least, congratulations to Lance Corporal Bridges and his wife on the recent addition to their family, Julie. TRAINING COMPANY. After a hard, gruelling fortnight in South Wales, Training Company returned to Blackdown Barracks, where the show must go on. To put us all in the right frame of mind QMSI Ron Spree arranged an inter platoon six mile cross-country competition. The permanent staff entered a team which proved far too strong for any of the opposition. With thirty runners back in the gym, the PS team had their first ten competitors (including veterans) washed, shaved, showered and cheering the rest home. Lieutenant Ian Harris led the way with a creditable time of thirty three minutes, followed not too far behind by Private Morgan of Gibraltar Platoon. Malta Platoon, in only their fourth week of training, were the runners up. Gibraltar Platoon, ably backed up by Delhi Platoon, paraded their drill skills in front of Lieutenant Colonel Porter. The medal winners were Private Winspear, Best Recruit, Private Hamilton, Best Drill, Private Jobey, Best PT and Private Lowe, Best Shot The Adjutant ' scotched ' the rumour that there were two best recruits. We say farewell to Corporal ' Chalkie' James and family who depart for BAOR, and welcome Lieutenant Robin Mc- Dowall (numerical replacement)? Training Company held a very successful Inter Platoon Novices Boxing Competition in the Depot gymnasium. Our brand — 222 Private Ambler (Aden Platoon) • on the left takes on Private Hollands of Delhi Platoon during Training Company's I n t e r - Platoon Novices Boxing Competition. APPRENTICES COLLEGE HEADQUARTERS COMPANY. There seems to be a spring in every step around Headquarters Company, maybe it is because half term is coming soon. The ELT staff always seem to return from an outing just before leave is due! Staff Sergeant Les Thwaites and Sergeant John Hladkij have just returned from the snowy climes of Andorra where they led Exercise ' Pyrannean Polka.' It turned out to be yet another great success. Headquarters Company said farewell to one of its real characters recently when Sergeant Nobby Clarke left for Bicester. He was replaced by Sergeant Drummie Kelly who has also taken over our Corps of Drums. Our OC, Captain Ted Walcroft, has been showing the rest of the Company his sporting qualities. He recently took part in the Corps Orienteering Competition in which we took first and second team prizes. Well done Sir! 'A' COMPANY. This month saw the arrival of several new permanent staff. Lieutenant Phil Freegard joined us from Shrivenham, Sergeant' Taffy ' Tarr left 3 BAD for greater heights and the resident kangaroo Lieutenant (now Captain) Cliff Rigby hopped in from the ' down under' colony. Joy of the month goes to Sergeant Fred Keogh who leaves for Hong Kong next May—it only took three years! Since the commencement of term, Ardennes Platoon (the kangaroo herd) stormed the heights of Snowdon during their ELT camp at Capel Curig. From the soaking across the ' Knife Edge' to the drenching of the expedition, the camp proved to be a happy (?) period of the term for all concerned. Despite the blisters and chafed joints, the punk version of Rolf Harris's — |
| Book number | R0404 |