RAOC Gazette - page 27
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 Fire Brigade for dealing with the fire; the OC for all the Courts Martial. Personalities, being what they are, still continue to do un- usual things—headed by the RQMS 7 W02 Barrie Williamson successfully completing a Boxing Instructors Course; Corporal John Jackson breeding finches by the dozen, Sergeant Mac McLoughlin's wife giving birth to a boy, Sergeant Brian Robertson completing a MHE Instructors course and Sergeant John Sinnott not breaking his neck at rugby. All this activity has left our new arrivals Captain Ralph Elliot, who is to form the new Training and Inspection Team, and Captain Mike Braithwaite, who is conducting an investigation into the Kangaroo juice phenomenon, quite breathless. Captain Nick Smith, the new OIC POL Operations, is also here at times. The visit of the Colonel Commandant gave rise to a rash of presentations. WOl Mick McCabe was presented with the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and Herr Johan Knoll was presented with six snapps glasses and a tray made in Pewter, suitably inscribed for giving 4 Petroleum Depot thirty years of loyal service. on their new addition to the family, a baby boy—well done. Recent arrivals include W02 Alfie Hinds, Sergeants Roy Evans, Taff Davis, Jim Boyle and Corporal Geoff Williams. Departures; SQMS Gordon Jones, Sergeant Tally Grant, Corporals John Justin, Mick Lloyd and Lance Corporal Alan Nugent. We welcome back to the unit, Staff Sergeant Tom Black- burn who recently finished a nine month tour in Canada. 1st* British Corps HEADQUARTERS CHRISTMAS is creeping up on us and the in- vitations are flowing in. The first Christmas party is being held on 3rd December combining with it our sad farewells to Captain Jim Houseman. The AQ team have made a good start in the Commanders Cup having won the orienteering and finishing second in the Cross Country. We say farewell to Staff Sergeant Bob Fletcher from AQ Coord and welcome his replacement Staff Sergeant John Welsh. Ordnance Depot Antwerp IF you have had even half an ear to the ground in the vehicle world recently, you will know of the reorganisation taking place in BAOR and in Antwerp; Planning Branch has finally taken the lid off the details of the Depot reorganisation here in Antwerp. Not surprisingly, there were scores of alternative suggestions from the many who would have done it differently, but those of you who were acquainted with the Depot prior to 1976 will be pleased to note that we shall be gradually returning to the situation as it was then—we had it right first time! The first phase of the reorganisation is well in hand with the Golf Course, * Royal Olen,' receiving most attention! Under the guidance of Captain Peter Fellows and SQMS Jim Bowen the course has taken on quite a new look with shrubs, bushes and trees sprouting overnight and bunkers disappear- ing and re-appearing elsewhere. The Olen fairways have been ploughed, weeded and re-seeded and Captain Joe Mollett is looking on anxiously hoping that it is grass which starts to grow first. The latest news from the OIC Storage, Major John Living- stone, is that once again, the 'hot seat' of WOIC Accounts has been vacated—job rotation here, we understand, is governed by the phases of the moon. W02 Geoff Malthouse has returned to S and R prior to posting to DSM at Bicester and in his place we welcome W02 Alfie 'Asbestos Pants * Hinds and family from Blackdown. Corporal Dave Beattie is off again on another detachment, this time to Canada for six months. These trips have become so frequent that Major Livingstone is considering recording a standard going away and welcome home message to save valuable time in future. Messrs Kenwright and Frith, our Cold Store butchers, have been busy recently demonstrating their abilities with the cleaver at our Wives Club. All the wives are still accounted for—well at least no absences have been reported! By all accounts, they sliced their rump and rolled their loin so well that they have been asked back to give a second demonstration. On the sporting scene we are able to report mixed fortunes for our football team which is undefeated in the league so far, registering four wins out of four games, but which came un- stuck in its Cup Matches, both DOS (BAOR) and BAOR Minor Units Competitions. Congratulations, however, go to Lance l Corporal Dave Webster and Private Muppett * Worley on being selected for the RAOC (BAOR) squad to play REME (BAOR). The hockey team too is doing well so far—won six, drawn one, lost one with WOl Les Cheetham, Staff Sergeant Bob Lamb and Corporal Dave Revell doing most of the scoring for the Antwerp side. The Bulldogs rugby team seems to have lost some of its bark as weir as its bite these days. After a technical victory at BMH Iserlohn in the first round of the Minor Units Cup the team was defeated at Mulheim by 28 Squadron RCT in a spirited and enjoyable game. The team has made frequent visits to Rhine Area recently, so much so, the guards at the West German Customs post on the E3 have managed to learn the first four verses of * Eskimo Nell'! Congratulations this month go to SSM Les Cheetham, SQMS Jim Bowen, Staff Sergeant Taff Davis, Sergeant ' Jock' Pennie, Corporals Pete Johnson, Terry Neath and George Frith RAPC on their recent promotions. Congratulations are in order too for Lance Corporal Nobby Clarke and wife Jane ORDNANCE BRANCH OPERATIONS have had a clean out! Many old files have gone forever; in fact, Staff Sergeant Paul Rogers was given a written directive by Major Stuart Rowsell, it contained the phrase, quotes—A one hundred per cent Wedding Programme—un- quote: one of the new 'joining' instructions no doubt. The DDOS has acquired a stetson and a pair of high heeled boots, but whether this is horse wrangling or course wrangling, we don't think they'll take him for a ride at all. On Exercise Plain Sailing, at about 0730 hours, Zulu, Staff Sergeant Ches Hartley, was passing the * Bird Table'; he noticed all the little red vehicles in place. When asked later for his opinion of the situation his reply that the GPO were out early that morning was taken in true Victorian spirit. Sergeant Alan Mellitt has been banished to the cellars of Block 10. He should be quite safe, unless he meets a mushroom addict. The ADOS told me that his wife, Johnie, had had a rather annoying and embarrassing experience, but as he had promised not to tell, I must solicit the details elsewhere. , I did. Most annoying! ! So if anyone has any spare tea-towels would they please send them c/o ADOS Ordnance Branch Headquarters I (BR) Corps BFPO 39. I'm sure they will be most gratefully received. And, if in the vicinity, pop round for a cup of tea and a bun! Our congratulations to Lance Corporal Paddy (Straw Dog) Keating on being chosen to play for the RAOC BAOR foot- ball side again, he's even thinking of turning pro. He can't make up his mind, caught in a 'Clought' stick, so to speak, On a recent Mess fancy dress night, a certain member of the Branch won a prize as a Sumo tag-team. No names of course, but he's in the cellars of Block 10! Wnen the Branch found it was required to produce a cross-country team in the Commanders Cup competition, most were elated, some were inflated, one or two deflated, and I'm selling marshalls badges at £1.90 each! Major Brian Mills is away again on another course, it does rub off you know. He will be staying indoors for the first week in November. Finally, we would like to say farewell to Captain Jim Houseman, who is at last leaving the infamous Block 10—our sister ship — a life-long exponent of the Schermuly Pistol Principle. He is off, to Sandhurst. We hope the young officers will treat him with the respect he so richly deserves. D. H. H. 1st Division HEADQUARTERS MR VICTOR BENDESCU recently retired after nineteen years working as a civilian with the British Army in Germany, of which the last twelve wers spent as a clerk in Headquarters RAOC 1 Division. Victor, aided and abetted by Private (First Class) Arnold Mett, ( ^ *J2?*"—fa§S|?' produced a most excellent speech in \&^<*l!S£>^*J response to that of CRAOC, Lieutenant Colonel Owen, who had presented him with an inscribed silver pocket watch and a RAOC 1 Division plaque from all ranks of Headquarters RAOC. Indeed, one felt quite humble, but proud, to be told that we, thR British — 256 — |
| Book number | R0246a |