RAOC Gazette - page 54
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 |
?l\)t at tation omc Headquarters Director General of Ordnance Services AFTER thirteen years in First Avenue House, High Holborn, preceded by many years in Northum- berland Avenue, the headquarters of the Director General of Ord- nance Services has at last left the London scene and is now firmly ensconced within the Logistic Executive (Army) at Andover. The move was completed on match versus Headquarters Base Organisation on the Stretley and Goreing Golf Course, emerging the victors by a narrow margin; and had two farewell parties to say goodbye, and thank you, to those of our London based civilian staff who have remained in London. After the final farewell party, Major General Callan left First Avenue House for the last time, to become, I believe, the first Head of Ordnance Services to set up his Headquarters outside the Capital City, The DCOS says farewell to the Head Avenue House. Messenger at First Ministry of Defence (AC 9) The DCOS and Colonel Tony Smith with DCOS/DOS secretaries past and present. personal 15th December with a minimum of disruption and within twenty four hours it was business as usual, but in much more pleasant surroundings! Green fields have replaced the depress- ing views of other tall, and often very dingy, buildings which were for so many years the general outlook from the London office. During the last few weeks leading up to this historic move we have held a very enjoyable Ladies dinner night for London based RAOC officers and their wives, t4 in the Head- quarters Mess at Deepcut; played the final Trough *' golf The DCOS Secretariat and typists. IT is a long time since AG9 made an appearance in these columns. While we have too small a staff to make a frequent contribution, it is felt that an occasional column inch or two might be appropriate. This is especially true at present when 4 we have a general post' which sees five of our six officers changing in the space of eight months from October 1977 (other units please note that we too have our manning problems!). Trie first of the five was our AAG, Colonel (now Brigadier) Denzil Cowdry, who handed over to Colonel Harry Brown in October 1977. Colonel Harry is introducing the branch to the delights of inhaling snuff, which makes a change from sea spray. The next to go is Major Harry Davey who retires from the Army in January after thirty six years service, the last twelve as our PSO and SPSO. Harry retains his Corps con- nections because he is going to be an RO at Blackdown. Harry is relieved by Major Dai Jones. In March Lieutenant Colonel Bill Griffin finally hands over as Staff Quartermaster AG9 to Major Ron Davies, hotfoot from the DGOS outer office. Bill is going to a Retired Officer appointment, at Headquarters South West District, after nearly forty years distinguished army service. We, and many others, will miss Harry and Bill very much, and wish them well in their new jobs. In April our Staff Captain, Ken Murchison, moves off to Berlin, unfortunately without replacement. Ken must be one of the very few officers to have been promoted successively from Staff Sergeant to Captain in the same branch. His hard work will be greatly missed, especially in the selection board season. The last of the five appointments to change in this short spell is that of DAAG (2) currently held by Major Ian Inshaw. Both Ian's next appointment and his successor are 4 under wraps' at the time of writing. That will leave as the longest serving officer in the branch the DAAG (l) Major John Cook, who completes a whole year in February! He will also be moving off, on promotion, before 1978 is out, but not before a few more telephone callers have been asked to call back another day because John is away representing some team or other at hockey or cricket! There is fortunately no turbulence among the remaining military members of the branch. W02 Reg Robinson has been Chief Clerk for over a year now, and in spite of working extremely long hours still finds time to play competitive squash —- 280 — |
| Book number | R0246a |