RAOC Gazette - page 50
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 |
F R O M C H E L S E A TO B I C E S T E R A WEEK IN T H E LIFE O F J O E THE Sergeants Mess of 16 Battalion decided to follow previous years custom by inviting a couple of Chelsea Pensioners to Bicester for a week and the visitors turned out to be Conductor Joe Thelwell and Sergeant Bill NichoHs, Joe has been a pensioner for some six years now, Bill is a new recruit to the Hospital, having enlisted last March. W02 George Clark went to Chelsea to collect the guests in a staff car driven by a member of the WRAC who is affectionately known as " Kojak." She was to be their chauffeur for the remainder of the visit, Too much paper don't you agree Bill. computer. AND HILL arranged for them to visit the urgent issues section and the workings of the VDU was explained to them. From there, they were taken to DSCS ADP Division where Conductor Jack Hall initiated them into the mysteries of the computer—although it is fair to say that they were more interested in the encoding room ladies than the computer print out of Rachel Welch! ! Next day started with a visit to 1 Sub-Depot under the guidance of Lieutenant Colonel Evans and SSM Derek Claricoats. Having seen the display of general stores they moved to 2 Sub-Depot where they joined Lieutenant Colonel Mears morning conference. When Joe Thelwell was asked what he thought of the present day system of demanding stores he said that in his considered opinion, far too much paper was being generated. SSM Dave Carpen then showed them the displays of clothing, badges and colours. This was of particular interest to Bill Nicholls as he has a large collection of badges at the Hospital—plus the fact that he used to work in the Pattern Room at Didcot. That afternoon they were taken by Conductor Tom Williams to MHTU to see the finals of the Stacker Driver Com- petitions, Bill Nicholls enjoyed himself driving one of the stackers and is now eagerly awaiting his certificate of proficiency, A visit to the Brigadier Page welcomed Joe and Bill to Bicester and during their discussion it transpired that Bill is very interested in Corps history; he therefore left the Commandant's Office, tasked with further research into the history of Conductor Buckley, the Hospital having files on all Army VCs. The next day with W02 Clark once more as their guide, they were taken into Bicester to see the painting of the Presen- tation Parade which took place earlier in the year (Reported in the August GAZETTE), In their scarlet uniforms they certainly brightened up Sheep Street. . * . . , There's no doubt that times have changed. Bill NichoHs is interviewed by Radio Oxford in the cockpit of an F 1 - 1 1 . Now this is something I know all about. After considerable festivity in the Sergeants Mess over the weekend their first working day port of call was DSM(A) Control Division where Lieutenant Colonel Lorenzen had Next came the visit to the American Base at Upper Hey- ford where they were welcomed by Master Sergeant Norman Osborne. After the initial introductions, Joe and Bill were given a briefing on the role of American Air Force by the Deputy Commander of the Base and then taken by coach to various parts of the Base where the detail of the Fi-11 fighter was explained. After a briefing by the pilots of 77th Squadron, they were taken to see one of the Fl-U's. On this part of the visit they were suddenly surrounded by members of the various local newspapers plus an inter- viewer from Radio Oxford. Joe and Bill both sat in the cock- pit of the plane and Bill said that he would love to take one up! In the NCOs Mess Joe and Bill were the guests of honour at a senior citizens party the Americans had laid on for the local residents of the surrounding villages. Joe and Bill were such a hit with the ladies that they are now arranging a visit to the Royal Hospital That evening off they went to Ambrosden to join in the RAOC Association meeting where they were almost immediately taken over by the members of the WRAC present. What a life! A visit to Traffic Branch was arranged next day to see how stores are despatched to different parts of the world. The various types of freight were explained, including a visit to — 276 — |
| Book number | R0246a |