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RAOC Gazette - page 33

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Full title RAOC Gazette
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Publication date 1978
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Early date 1978
Late date 1978
Transcription WOl Jim Harper on his way up to IQO-ft.
On the second day he was introduced to Staff Clerks
of HQ LFC by the Superintending Clerk, WOl Jim Burden.
He then met all the HQ RAOC office staff before visiting the
20 Army Fire Brigade and Accommodation Services in the
Western Sovereign Base Area.
Day three was the hard one. Helicopter at dawn to
Dhekelia where he was met by Major Ray Vincent and taken
to see the Garrison Commander- During his tour of RAOC
installations, the General met Staff Sergeant Dave Holvey
the Supply Depot Superintendent, the Master Baker, Sergeant
Andy Bryden, W02 Alec White and Sergeant Roy Burden in
the Cold Store and Captain Don Young, WOl John O'Connor
and practically every other member of the ASU (if you don't
know what that stands for yon should keep up with RAOC
developments). The DGOS continued his whistle stop tour
with visits to the Armed Services Food Chemist Mr John Bell,
Star! Sergeant Brian Davies of the Stores Section, Staff Sergeant
Doug Windsor who runs the hospital laundry and Mr Jim
Docherty and Mr Peter CressweH of the Army Fire Brigade.
Finally at Dhekelia he met the wives of military person-
nel during refreshments at the * Suppliers Arms' before depart-
ing by helicopter to Nicosia where he met RAOC personnel
serving with UNFICYP.
On his return to Episkopi the General had time for a
quick change before attending our annual Cocktail Party
which was followed by supper with Corps Officers and their
wives at a local(?) tavern.
The General's last day was spent touring RAOC Akrotiri
where he was conducted by Major John Edwards. During his
visit to the Vehicle Depot he presented the Long Service and
Good Conduct Medals to Sergeants John Spencer and Bill
Orchard a ceremony watched by both NCOs wives and the
majority of the Unit
As usual we've been to the fore in many sports and entered
a good few more.
CROSS COUNTRY.
In the Troodos five mile race we had
eleven entrants in a field of eighty. The team came third with
Corporal Dennis Head seventh, Sergeant Don Pearson twelfth
and Corporal Trevor Edge seventeenth,
In the league we are in second place at this stage—but
nicely poised.to take first by the end of the season.
RAOC Cyprus also entered a team in the Dhekelia Dash
relay race—fifteen runners one mile each. The team included
Sergeant Ray Lancaster who was dragged from behind the
bar as a last minute replacement yet finished ninth overall.
The event was organised by Major Ray Vincent of the Supply
Depot.
SWIMMING. RAOC Cyprus had three representatives in a
Logistics Unit team for the Minor Unit Championships.
Captain Lawrence Wood, WOl Ray Preston and W02 Ken
Norgate all helped to take third place in a field of ten.
BASKETBALL.
Playing as part of a combined team the
RAOC team, Captain Lawrence Wood, WOl Pat Mackey,
Staff Sergeant Dave London, Sergeant Don Pearson and Corporal
Trevor Edge, almost pulled off the surprise of the season by
almost beating the 9 Signal Regiment team in a high scoring
game. In the end they were beaten by three baskets—come
back Sergeant Will McBurnie and well hammer them.
FOOTBALL. We entered a combined team in the Carter Flood-
lit KO Cup with Staff Sergeant Dave London, Sergeants Don
Pearson and Ken Allen and Corporal TafT Pickett taking part,
The team was knocked out in their second match by the
eventual winners 9 Signal Regiment A team.
TENNIS. In the Army Cyprus Tennis Championships organised
by Major John Rose, Captain Don Young partnered by Captain
Johnson ACC won the Mens Doubles beating Corporal (now
Sergeant) Pearson of the Vehicle Depot and his partner Sergeant
Phillips RADC Major John Rose and Captain Don Young
won the Veteran Doubles. Captain Young then made it a hat
trick by winning the Mixed Doubles with Sharon Vincent
daughter of Major Ray Vincent of the Supply Depot Captain
Young's stamina and fitness were needed because he was on
court for nearly nine hours on finals day'.
THE GUILD OF ST, HELENA FETE. Many of the unit
wives especially at Episkopi are members of the Guild and
it is not surprising therefore that a lot of assistance was given
to this occasion. Mrs Jean Mathams, Audrey Rose, Elizabeth
Tregarthen, Pat Seabrook, Winifred Flockhart, Jessie Brown,
Ann Milne and Margaret Collins were ably assisted by their
husbands both before and during the event. The magnificent
sum of nearly £2,500 was raised for Handicapped Children in
the UK and Cyprus.
Congratulations on their promotion to:—Staff Sergeants
Ken Norgate and Jim McGowan to WQ2, A/Sergeant Ian Beed-
ham to Sergeant, Sergeant Dave Holvey to Staff Sergeant,
Corporal Don Pearson to Sergeant and Corporal Steve Mason,
Congratulations also to Maureen and Bob Freeman on the
birth of their son Mark on 29th October and to Sergeant Ray
Burden on his marriage to Androulla on the I7th September in
Dhekelia.
Arrivals: Staff Sergeant Bill O'Flaherty, Sergeant Dave
Holvey, Corporals Len Moore and Dave Franklin.
Departures: W02 Joe Hawthorn, Corporals Wally William-
son and Steve McBurnie.
HEADQUARTERS LAND FORCES CYPRUS
NOW that the ravages of our IE inspection have finally taken
their toll and the dust has settled, somewhat surprisingly, we
still appear to be coping and continuing to make our mark on
the social and sporting scenes.
A recent visit of interest to most, was OIC RAOC Records
and Manning Office, Colonel Bromham, after a very informative
presentation on manning and promotion by the 01C t a certain
Staff Clerk was heard to mutter, ** Ignorance was bliss."
Our congratulations go to Sergeant Kate Bain (PA to
CLFC) and Sergeant Wally Payne (RMP) on their recent
marriage,
jokes about ' pain in the neck' or * bain of my
1
life will not be entertained. Congratulations also go to our
Super Clerk WOl Jim Burden who was presented with his
Long Service and Good Conduct Medal by the Commander Land
Forces Cyprus Brigadier Acland, needless to say the occasion
was suitably celebrated afterwards,
Corporal Tony Corrick continues to run his * Safe Driving
School * at least he did so until he had a slight accident
recently, we hasten to add he was the only person concerned
and was unhurt, however his only pupil Sergeant John Flannagan
is now searching for a new instructor (a nice twist to the usual
learner driver stories).
Our football season got under way on 27th September The
Garrison entered a team in the floodlit Carter Cup Competition,
the team contained a strong complement of Staff Clerks namely,
Staff Sergeant Graham Hillier, Sergeant John Flannagan,
Corporal Tom McCallion and Lance Corporal Don Bennett*
They got through the first round but unfortunately were beaten
in the second, so farewell Carter Cup until next season. Lance
Corporal Don Bennett will remember the competition for his
moments of glory, having scored a hat trick in the first game,
he could not step out of the limelight in the second so promptly
got sent off!
W02 John Andrews (nickname ' Soccer Supremo') as well
as being a Referee, is also WOIC Episkopi minor units soccer
league, Referees appointments secretary and tops it all off with
having a seat on the disciplinary committee, he is visibly wilt-
ing under the strain.
— 262 —
Book number R0246a