RAOC Gazette - page 26
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 |
Vierscn. Control centres were established in both units and it had all the essence of the great occasion it was destined to be, fervour, atmosphere, crowd, BFBS radio coverage, in fact everything except the gypsies from Epsom Downs'. Great care had gone into the preparation of the runners and it was touch and go whether the Commanding Officer went to post—due to an injured knee, W02 Alan Gore failed a late fitness test and was withdrawn without coming under starter's orders, but in all some one hundred and fifty runners were led by both Com- manding Officers. The white flag went up and after some jost- ling for positions, the runners were * off/ The course included such obstacles as a * Canal Turn' and the ' Chair Fence,' which were safely negotiated. Viersen, all of whom were course and distance runners, justified favouritism and ran out overall win- ners but special praise goes to Sergeant Geordie Adamson who finished in second place to Captain Andrew Bylcs—" Gaan on yer Geordie "!—and to Sergeant Dave Brock, the second VSD runner home (thank goodness we have RE ME support)! Sergeant Geordie Adamson finishes second in the Great Race. The unit football team are through to the third round of the BAOR Minor Units Cup. Their last victory was a resound- ing five to one win against the Command Pay Office, with four goals being scored by Private Graham Davies. Following in their footsteps the hockey team are through to the next round of the BAOR (Minor Units) Hockey Cup after a nail biting win on penalties over SHAPE. This was no game for the nervous. VSD were winning three to two after extra time with just three seconds to go when SHAPE equalised. Then came the sudden death of penalty flicks and a brilliant save by Corporal McMullen gave us the match. At present we are hosting some one hundred and six American servicemen and women and everything is * sunny side up*—in the cookhouse that is! Our jovial Quartermaster has now acquired a vast vocabulary of American mannerisms, so many in fact that he was asked to referee a rugby match between the Unit and the Americans, which, despite the odd touch of American football here and there, we managed to win! Finally, a warm VSD welcome to Privates Lamb, Jefferson, Parrot, Corporals McBurnie and Beaumont. Leaving us this month is Major Dai Jones, who will be missed not only by the Unit, but by the Station. Well known for his music, he has been Choir-master of St Georges Church for the past three years. We wish both him and April, every happiness in their next posting. Farewell also to Major Terry Glen and family and to Lance Corporal Thomas and Private Taylor. Congratulations to Lance Corporal and Mrs Mellor on the birth of a baby girl, Sarah Edwina, 3 Base Ammunition and Petroleum Depot WE are getting used to visits from the L Top Brass' here in Bracht The Chief Engineer, Major General Pollard, together with Brigadier Woodhead (CTMO BAOR) and Brigadier Crawley (DOS BAOR) visited the Unit for a demonstration of a telescopic handler. The equipment, A Liner Giraffe, was put through its paces on a cold, wet and windy day at No. 2 Railway Sidings by Major Robin Cooke (RCT) and his team from UK. Over forty visitors were treated to a very interest- ing display until, at the end, two senior officers got their heads together and asked how the Giraffe fared over soft ground. It promptly * dug in' at the first ditch. After extricating it- self, an Eager (ly awaiting) Be aver gleefully overcame the obstacle and did a lap of honour over the soft sandy area, much to the amusement of the onlookers. However, it was not a fair comparison, firstly because of the Giraffe driver's in- experience and secondly the much smaller wheel size of the trials vehicle compared with the Beaver. The future develop- ment of the Giraffe will no doubt sort out this type af problem. This was Brigadier Crawley's second visit inside a week. The previous time he had been accompanied by the Civil Secretary BFG, Mr J. McClelland on a familiarisation visit. By a unanimous decision (the Commandants), the unit decided to hold a Regimental Training Day instead of a German Public Holiday. A new ' posting i n ' looked frightened to death when he drove past rows and rows of men in noddy suits and respirators. In spite of the atrocious weather a great time was had by all (well nearly all). There were highly delighted expressions on some faces on being told that their personal weapons were in the workshop. They had to run around all day with a key tag instead. Shame! The Football team is improving all the time, thanks to one or two new arrivals who know which is the best shaped ball to play with! The new talent which has been injected into the team are Staff Sergeant Bob Davies, Corporal Alan Simkiss and Lance Corporal Stan Ross. The league fixture with local rivals VSD Moenchengladbach resulted in a one to one draw—a good hard entertaining game. The latest success was a four to one victory over SSD Dulmen in the DOS Cup. Our thanks again to the hospitality we received on the day at Dulmen. On the squash scene our team of Sergeant John Wallis. Corporal Pete Ingham and Lance Corporal Dennis Seton have returned with many stories of their efforts in the UK Corps Championships. Sergeant Wallis and Corporal Ingham reached the third round and quarter finals of the RAOC Open Cham- pionships respectively. Lance Corporal Seton was runner up in the Plate Competition and Sergeant Wallis won the Novice Championship. In the RAOC Inter-unit Competition 3 BAPD were beaten by a stronger side, 6 Field Force. Congratulations to Lance Corporal and Mrs Norbury on the birth of their son. Congratulations also to the following on promotion—A/W02 Richardson, Corporals Oliphant (Sub), Avery, Clarke, Dexier, Jory, Latta, Mayoh and Tarr (all act- ing), Lance Corporals Brown (ACQ and Reeve (Sub), Arnold, Dart, Joss, McGee and Waddington (all acting). Arrivals'. Lieutenant Stuart RAPC, Conductor Chisholm, SSM Smith, Staff Sergeant Davies, Sergeants Daniel and Parker, Corporals Luker and Simkiss, Lance Corporals Jones, Mayers, Ross and Watton, Privates Marriott (Ex RPC) and Powell. Departures: Captain Dawes (RAPC), W02 Randall, Sergeant Miller, Corporals Hazeldine, Waterton and William- son, Lance Corporals Moorehouse, Reeve and Willis, Privates Seymour, Stringer and Whitley. 4 Petroleum Depot 4 PETROLEUM DEPOT are going on Exercise. Now that statement brought diverse reaction ranging from the govern- ment threatening to bring down LOA to complete hysterics from our Field Force friends. Undeterred Exercise Ziguener was on. On a rainy Friday afternoon all available staff set off for the Saureland to enjoy a weekends orienteering and hill walking. The weather continued to decline through Friday night but Saturday morning shone with promise. A quick breakfast, the ringing out of a tent of no-vice campers, and off the Petroleum Depot set Later that after* noon the first enthusiasts returned to the campsite, albeit with less enthusiasm, and steaming feet became a common sight. Before dark our Scottish members formed themselves in- to a volleyball team and took on all comers. A team named the groaners (mainly because they were Petroleum Operators) eventually emerged as winners. A barbecue followed and the cooking, all done by WOl Mick McCabe, was just finished when the heavens opened up again. Sunday morning was spent breaking up camp and we all returned to Munster for tea. In general the exercise was a great success with all en- joying themselves by getting away from it all. We would like to thank: the German Red Cross for the rescue; the German Police for showing the way; Shell (BP) for the jerricans of petrol; JSLO for the international incident; — 255 — |
| Book number | R0246a |