RAOC Gazette - page 53
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 |
in keep well away for fear of compromising the runners and ob- taining a disqualification, Cyprus BFBS had been informed by me RCT that they were the strongest Corps team and in their efforts to keep an eye on the big guns and personalities almost failed to mention the RAOC throughout the first day. The leader board at Troodos kept us reasonably informed of steady progress but this was still difficult to judge because of the eighty minute time lapse on the staggered start. The first team at Troodos was the Anglians team from an early position in the draw, followed by the Anglians ' B ' team who achieved the incredible time of five hours and six minutes, then the 4 B ' team of 6 Gurkha Rifles, then the Anglians ' C ' team, by now the Royal Anglians were talking of sweeping the board. 1 King's were in fourth place, " and here's a surprising team, RAOC Cyprus in fifth place." More surprises to come for the ' ET team held ninth place and the ' C * team forty ninth. Many good teams had with- drawn including, from UK, the Depot of The Queen's Division and the Anglians l E * team, Tn all, sixty seven teams of the eighty starters reached the top. The down route on the second day, as promised, proved more difficult than the first day. In fact the first checkpoint was further to the east than on any previous year. The course was to loop south west in two legs over terrible country to the third checkpoint at Kilani. A dog leg to the south and east through Lophas to the fourth checkpoint. Once again vicious cross country work, brought competitors face to face with Souni Ridge, a final barrier before checkpoint five and a seven mile run home on the Sortira Track, hours thirty one minutes total time was given a rousing wel- come. They were so far ahead that the battle for minor places became all important. Next to appear were the 6GR who took the overseas and overall second prize. On total time it seemed as though the Anglian *A* team must be next home and they would certainly take third place. They were reported to be running together with the RAOC 'A' team at checkpoint five. Unknown to spectators, Corporal Pearson had issued them a challenge; to race the last six miles. In the end the RAOC 'A' team were next home several minutes in front of the Anglians 'A' but alas still behind on overall time. Meanwhile our ' B * and ' C ' teams were still covering ground; the leader board completely lost the ' B 1 team and all our prayers were with BFBS who announced we were four miles from home and true enough there they were with a strong finish to take eighth place. The ' C ' team, obviously playing to instructions and taking its time, eventually arrived with ten minutes to spare on the twelve hour running time allowed, tired and happy and taking thirty third place. It's difficult to explain the pride and delight to anyone who has not seen or been involved in the Cyprus Walkabout; to finish at all is the achievement, to finish as a complete team is exceptional, to finish in fourth and eighth and beaten only by crack Infantry Battalions is amazing. Three other members of the RAOC took on the course and beat it, Major Trevor Seabrook running for the Hash House Harriers Episkopi and taking the veterans prize,—they were twelfth overall—W02 Pat Moore running for 48 Command Workshop, and Sergeant Flannagan of Headquarters LFC, finished as members of composite teams, We cannot close without congratulating the winners, the Royal Anglians ' B * team, nor do we wish to detract from their performance or indeed from the performance of any com- petitor but they will also fully understand our efforts and forgive us for blowing our own trumpet. Sincere thanks are offered to the 3 Royal Anglians for the top class organisation, for their many kindnesses and to BFBS Cyprus who operated under the most difficult conditions. To look forward, we hope to put the same effort into the new cross country season and are determined to get into the prizes in the Joint Services Marathon to be run in March. Don't be surprised if you hear from us again. • The RAOC 'A* Team Cyprus Walkabout 1977, From left to right: Sergeant Don Pearson, Private Bill Black, Corporal Trevor Edge. Position fourth overall with a time of fourteen hours thirty seven minutes forty seconds. The RAOC's effort on the first day was perhaps regarded as a ' flash in the p a n ' by everyone except RAOC. This again was personified by the BFBS announcement at 0730 on the second day when the first eleven teams were mentioned with exception of the fifth and ninth teams. We were out and running, the draw for the start having been reversed on the second day, we were amongst the first teams away and taking advantage of the early start. All had looked well with the runners apart from Corporal Alan Hannah who was footsore but confident. At the finish point excitement was rising and expressions such as: "Aren't the RAOC doing well" were common place. By mid-morning, BFBS to their eternal credit realised we were having a run and their announcement, " The RAOC teams are doing well with the 'A' team past checkpoint four, the * B ' team past checkpoint three and the ' C team past check- point two and going strong," put heart into our supporters who by now were beginning to look like an RAOC muster parade under the direction of CRAOC, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Mathams. BFBS continued to speak well of us and were often more up to date than the official leader board. It now became a matter of time and patience. The first team home, the Royal Anglian ' B ' team, in eleven • • • CORRESPONDENTS PLEASE send in any short items of general interest that may happen in your Unit or your area, for publication in the front section of T H E GAZETTE. If accompanied by a picture so much the better—though this is not essential. Stories of the length and style of those published this month under " For the Record" are required. Keep them short—make them interesting. REGULAR FORCES EMPLOYMENT ASSOCIATION LOOKING for a job in civilian life? If so, contact your local office of the RFEA. Branch address and tele- phone numbers can be obtained from Resettlement Officers and Regimental Associations—or from Post Offices, Employment Offices, or local telephone directories. 9 — |
| Book number | R0246a |