RAOC Gazette - page 18
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1978 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | No |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1978 |
| Late date | 1978 |
| Transcription |
The Firemen's Strike has, of course, presented us with a i'ew problems. Aside from causing very high depot activity, we nive been responsible for the operational control of the Service Hire Teams in Oxfordshire, At the time of writing the organisa- tion is running very smoothly under the able direction of our CAO Lieutenant Colonel Dickey. the tax payer thousands of pounds but it couldn't write Corps Notes. Messrs lim Danks and Albert Beaman got in first and asked about DRs from Germany for the bicycles delivered 4 on the hoof but received 'part worn.' Bowing to the in- evitable we promise that next month we really will write a contribution. 16 BATTALION. The Battalion Training Camp at Penhale in Cornwall and the Firemen's strike have curtailed most of the extra-mural activities in the Battalion. The true story of Pen- hale will be published with full supporting photographs in next month's issue. The Battalion Soccer Team are still battling well against strong opposition both in the District and the RAF League. After beating the Guards Depot at Pirbright four to one in the first round of the Army FA Cup they were defeated in the second by 1st Battalion Scots Guards. They are still however, in the South East District Cup having beaten the Maritime Regiment nine to one in the first round. Lance Corporals Langley and Dagnall have both been selected to play for the RAF Central League Team. D Company WRAC are participating in a great variety of sports and the weekly 'gym night' has a keen attendance, Squash is growing in popularity with two girls, Corporal Terry Roper and Private Mo Sammons attending a course at Bul- ford. CSM Anne Ramsden WRAC has added the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal to the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal she was awarded earlier this year. She is now after her hat-trick but is I oaths to volunteer for Northern Ireland. (It has been done on her behalf!), Congratulations go to Private and Mrs Marshall on the birth of their daughter and best wishes to Privates Towler and Wheeler (WRAC) for their forthcoming marriage. 3 SUB-DEPOT. The Commandant was pleased to present imperial Service Medals to two members of 3 Sub-Depot, Mr A. C G. Bryant and Mr T. Preen. Mr Cliff Bryant, a Leading Hand Woodworking Machinist, who retired recently after thirty eight years service, joined COD Weedon in 1939 and apart from five years service in the RAF during the war, served there until its closure in 1964. He then transferred to COD Bicester, where he served until earlier this year. Mr Tom Preen, a Storeman, was also an ex-Weedon man, joining in January 1948 after six years service in the Royal Sussex Regiment. He transferred to Bicester in 1962, and remained with 3 Sub-Depot until his retirement after twenty nine years in Government Service earlier this year 1 SUB-DEPOT, On the 8th November we all said a fond fare- well to one of the most colourful personalities this depot has ever had the privilege and pleasure of knowing in the person of Poet, Storyteller and Comedian—Mr Reginald William (Curly) Didcock, sometimes known as COD Bicester's answer to Pam Ay res. During his sojourn in COD Bicester Curly spent all his time in Building C6A. Despite this he became well-known throughout the Depot, and many high ranking officers, both military and civilian, made a point of visiting C6A in order to meet him. We hope that his retirement will be a long and happy one, and to his many friends both military and civilian, Curly sends this farewell poem: Will you miss your virtuous friend who is leaving you today 1 The one that comes from Wittenham, such a distance away, A little chap who pottered from C6A to C6N and did a few odd jobs, every now and then. He was so shy and backward when ladies were about, If they tried to love him he'd run away and shout To tell them of his handicaps, palpitations and lack of breath, such strong sexy maidens nearly frightened him to death. But for nearly eleven years the civvies and the army' said "he's a funny tittle bloke, but he isn't barmy" For he settled down alright, and as his Depot service ends, He'll miss the generous pay and all his nice kind friends. Thafs the end of my story, so Vll wish you all the best as I retire to "Swiss Cottage" wherein I hope to rest, But I'll be thinking of you and you know how pleased I'll be if you write to me sometimes, or perhaps you'll visit me. 2 SUB-DEPOT. The OC, gradually unwinding from deep meditation, in a classic yoga stance muttered, "it's time 2 Sub-Depot appeared in THE CORPS GAZETTE." Major Ian Sharp promptly departed to Blackdown to the Management Course. Major Tom Bassett, emerging from a pile of crossply and radials said, "Yes, a good idea. Nobody knows I'm here yet except Major John Taylor and he has now handed in the 1948 edition of RAOS and retired to Wales,'* The decision made, the only problem was who would write our notes. SSM Dave Carpen was too busy with the new clothing display. SQMS Norman Newell emulated Major Sharp and produced joining instructions for a pre-release course. Sergeant Bob Hare grinned and said, " enough is enough—I'm going on retire- ment/* Mr Bob Downs spoke eloquently about high rise, narrow aisles, and King post trusses and thoroughly confused us so we approached Mr Gilbert Hughes just as he emerged from a shrink wrap machine. He convinced us it would save TRAFFIC BRANCH. The Priority Freight Section in Building D8 is now completely run by military staff, working in two shifts, day and night (or night and day depending upon your viewpoint). They are under the gallant and dashing leadership of Sergeant Alfle Marks, Sergeants Ken Keppie and Mick L'Estrange who are variously packing for BAOR, attending a Management Course and nursing a dislocated shoulder. This, of course, has opened the eyes of the OIC D8 t WOl John Bevans, to who actually does the work around the place, namely the understudy crew of Corporals Andy Fair- bain and George Predy, Lance Corporals TafF Williams, Steve Gibbons and Pete Smith. However, John guarantees them an occasional Sunday off in return if they work both the day and night shift. (Bicester Ed: I understand the real workers are to be mentioned next month), DEPOT TRANSPORT. There have, as usual, been many com- ings and goings. The most popular or otherwise depending upon ones point of view being our new TQMS WOl Barker. He has arrived fresh from Bracht complete with deerstalker and shotgun. Central Ordnance Depot Chilwell THE main activity this month has been centred around preparations for providing fire fighting cover for Nottinghamshire as a result of the Firemens strike, A large contingent of our military have departed, complete with their * Green Goddesses' to various points throughout the county U Vit J? II where, it is expected, they will give of ^\ yUf . JJ their best efforts to assist the public. ^^=3Sfe^^ The notable social activities have ^ ^ ^ 00 ^ ^ ^ been, firstly, a visit by the Right Worship- ^* ^ ful, Lord Mayor of Nottingham and the Sheriff of Nottingham. Both were accompanied by their ladies and after a tour of the Depot, during which they met many of the staff, they took lunch in the Officers Mess. The second event was a Regimental Guest Night in the Officers Mess at which no less than six mess members were dined out. They were Lieutenant Colonels Douglas Gillies, Sam Rae (REME) and Mike Watts, Captain Andrew Dexter, Captain Fred Bailey (Retd) and Mr Bill Moore our UCSM, The first four named are due posting shortly but the last two are retiring. Captain Fred Bailey is in fact retiring from Chilwell for the second time, the first was when he left the Service ten years ago to become a retired officer. His after dinner speech was highly amusing and some of our younger officers listened with dis- belief to stories of zinc baths in Married Quarters in the army of forty years ago. We wish them all good luck for the future. The annual Remembrance Day Service was held in our No. 1 Canteen on 13th November but due to the number of troops away on fire fighting duties, the size of the parade was some- what curtailed. Wreaths were placed on our Cenotaph to the sounds of a piper playing a lament and a bugler sounding 4 Last Post.' At a ceremony in the Junior Ranks Club the Garrison Commander, Brigadier Iain Macdonald, presented Long Service and Good Conduct Medals to Corporals Ellisdon, Deen and Hetherington (ACC). Congratulations to all three on a just reward for loyal service. At a second ceremony held in the Sergeants Mess the GOC Edist presented Long Service and 247 — |
| Book number | R0246a |