RAOC Gazette - page 56
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 |
Our annual classification Is now out of the way and with the training staff producing replacement pistols from nowhere, the Commander, Colonel Hind and the S02 AQ> Major Fleming, managed to cope with both faulty pistols and ammunition to classify. Was it a magazine of eight or eleven, in the left hand target RSM? Welcome back to Staff Sergeant Young who has survived the CQMS Course, and also to our second Staff Sergeant Herron on establishment, who recently arrived from Bielefeld and went straight on a fire course and to commanding a Green Goddess. We all send our very best regards to the S02 Training, Major Cranmer, who for a short while was in University College Hospital, get well soon. May we wish all past members of CVHQ RAOC a very happy new year, and to all our sponsored unit personnel— happy training in 1978. RAOC Didcot HQ DC OS {Ord 3 and 4) THE new year saw considerable change with both the retirement of the Com- mander, Major General Paddy Minogue, and the absorption of Headquarters Base .Organisation into Headquarters DGOS, al- though we do not go to Andover until Aprii. The first Director Base Depots, Brigadier Brian Dalton, is of course no stranger and did not have far to move when assuming his new appointment. November marked the retirement of Mr Harry Jones, our SOI Packaging. Well known in the Corps for many years Harry, who served the last fourteen in this Headquarters, was presented by the Commander on behalf of his colleagues with a digital watch. We wish him many happy hours in retirement. At the same gathering the Commander presented Mrs Eileen Townend our Communications Centre operator with a Gold Comstar. Since 1972 the Comcen has been awarded six silver and two gold, of these two silver and one gold being when Eileen was the sole operator. A very successful event also in November was a bazaar organised by the Didcot branch of the Guild of St Helena. Tlie counters were quickly cleared of a most attractive range of goods, largely made by members, resulting in a profit of £156 which was donated to service charities. A few days afterwards all were able to bid a more vocal farewell when the General left his office for the last time. A sailing dinghy suitably adapted as a General Officers carriage waited outside the Headquarters block where a large gathering watched the General embark with some trepidation to be drawn away with appropriate decorum by officers of the Garrison. Stand down was accompanied by suitable entertainment at the Officers Mess. Finally, to the writer's amazement, news of two places written off in previous notes, The tennis court, almost over- night, is now resplendent with a new hard surface and Jackson's Kiosk has been substantially refurbished and is open for business once more; although there can be little custom from the Barracks area, To conclude may we wish all, for the last time from Did- cot, a very happy New Year. DIRECTORATE OF LAND SERVICE AMMUNITION THE most significant event of the period has, of course, been the retirement ( of our Director, Brigadier Jimmy Lawrence- Archer and the piping aboard' of the new Director, Brigadier Denzil Cowdry. Readers will have seen the formal announcement of Briga- dier Jimmy's retirement in the December edition of THE GAZETTE. On the lighter side, Brigadier Jimmy—well renowned for his social activities, was feted out of the Directorate following a series of parties which culminated with him being towed away on a suitably decorated EOD Wheelbarrow. Brigadier Lawrence-Archer surrounded by members of the DLSA Staff prior to his departure. The end of 1977 has also seen the departure, on retire- ment, of Lieutenant Colonels Harry Mitchell, Mike Newcombe and Derrick Patrick, Colonel Harry is rumoured to be moving in a highly profitable venture to warmer climes; Mike New- combe's expertise in the EOD field appears to have been recognised by civilian industry and Derrick Patrick will be applying his expertise in the higher echelons of a merchandising company. A particular loss, after some thirty years of service, is W02 Clive Broomer who has also succumbed to the lure of free enterprise. Major General Minogue leaves Didcot DIRECTORATE OF SUPPLY COMPUTER SERVICES THE Christmas season kicked off with the DSCS Party when a group of diehards from Didcot motored over to C Site canteen for the event. One can imagine the organiser's despair as the place was blacked out by a power cut as it was due to start However, torches, lamps and candles were produced at amazing speed—and without vouchers. The band's amplifiers would not unfortunately, work on candle power and faces dropped at the prospect of just sitting there and drinking! But there was not long to wait; as our Director and Mrs Dalton made their entrance the power came back on again. I'm still not convinced it wasn't a pre-planned affair! We have said farewell to Brigadier Dalton who has been our Director for the past three years. He leaves us to take up the post of Director Base Depots. Our best wishes go with him and Mrs Dalton. by dinghy, At a very pleasant and well attended dinner night, en- hanced by the RE band, we dined out General Paddy Minogue and several other prominent members of the Mess on retire- ment The latter included Brigadier Jim Lawrence-Archer, Lieutenant Colonels Bill Cockbum, Mike Newcombe, Derrick Patrick and Major Ray Allinson. The Headquarters office staff had their opportunity to say farewell to General and Mrs Minogue in mid December at a lunchtime buffet party when the large number attending was skilfully squeezed into the conference room. — 282 — |
| Book number | R0246a |