RAOC Gazette - page 60
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 |
their share of the seasonal fare. The local public are doing their part by sending games and films, and extending invitations for hospitality. Closer to home we have had very generous donations from the Civilian Canteen and the Garrison Players— our grateful thanks to them all- " It's an ill wind " ] Siib-Depo!. We congratulate Private Reg Bynne on his *A' grading (ninety seven per cent) on the Packaging and Preserva- tion Course held at the Trade Training Wing and say farewell to Sergeant J. Howard. Corporal Baistow, Lance Corporals Duncan and Pearce and Privates Hunter and Shellum. We also greet our only new arrival Private Bell. Traffic Branch. The last few weeks have been extremely busy for Traffic, in particular Building D8, with large numbers of high Priority stores for Operation Burberry supplying the Military Fire Fighters with clothing and equipments. 15th December was a day very much brightened by the visit of two remarkable characters from Chelsea Hospital, namely Mr Joe Thelwell (ex-Conductor RAOC) and Mr Bill Nichols. Both took interest in the Container Terminal, but even keener interest in the girls of Headquarters. Central Ordnance Depot Donnington The Chilwell Fork Lift Truck Driver of the Year Teams on their return with their trophies. Also in the photograph is the Commandant, Brigadier Macdonald, and Colonel Whent. Missing from the team is Lance Corporal Aubrey absent on fire fighting duty. Central Ordnance Depot Bicester DECEMBER has seen us hosting many visitors, including a nostalgic farewell visit from the Commander Base Organi- sation, Major General Minogue. In the Sergeants Mess he presented Long Service and Good Conduct Medals to WOl Bill Goodge RCT, Conductor Patrick Smith and W02 John Mc- Laughlin, and later in the Officers Mess, the Commandant, Brigadier Page, presented the General with a memento of COD Bicester in the form of a framed replica of the pennant he flew during his period as Commander Bicester Garrison. On 12th December a group of executives from Kempton Limited paid a liaison visit at the invitation of the Com- mandant. They are the firm which supplies the Army's ' Woolly Pullies.' Coincidentally, the Commandant is at the moment trying to obtain a new Woolly Pully for himself but, un- fortunately, 16 Battalion have received a dues out notification from the Depot who supply these items. However, the position should ease now that word has gone out that the offending garment does not necessarily have to be delivered complete with darns. Fit to Fight training continues apace except that most over forties are conspicuous at the sessions by their absence. There is nothing to fear from the sessions, which can be quite amusing when we all pretend not to be purled out after a couple of exercises. The next day generally finds some of our more elderly officers moving around very gingerly in- deed, much to the amusement of their juniors. In fact I would laugh myself if I didn't find laughing so painful at the moment. We cannot let this month go by without some mention of our firefighting duties. The County Military Headquarters of Oxfordshire has been in operation in Headquarters COD since the beginning of the Firemen's strike. This Headquarters is under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel Ray Dickey ably assisted by Mr Ted Hadfield and other officers including our new arrival Captain George Bartle who was issued with a hosepipe and wellies as soon as he reported for duty. OUR correspondent of the last two years, Lieutenant Colonel Terry Boxall, has now taken up civilian employment. He has not ventured far, in fact only down the road where he has taken up an appointment with the Telford Development Corpora- tion. You will have read in our November article about the presentation of 'The Wrekin District Roll of Honour' naming men and women, some one thousand four hundred, who died in two world wars. Lieutenant Colonel Terry was too modest to mention that it was he who was the backbone of the research, very ably assisted by his wife Audrey, and others, who were responsible for producing this magnificent and precise record. After such an effort I do believe the Distrnct Council con- cluded that here is a man we can employ as Special Projects Officer. Audrey, Terry's wife, continues to work in DSM (Technical Records Division) as an Executive Officer. Best of luck and good health to both for the future. Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Nares took a party of twenty to Falmouth on Exercise Mini Jaws 77, comprising RAOC soldiers and WRAC. Base Camp was a civilian camp site and we put to sea in the boat used in former years, ' White Heather/ Great was the dismay of many at the manner in which our ' good luck' boat bucketed on the waves and the occasional breakfast re-appeared in an involuntary manner. Our time wasn't wasted however as four sharks were taken, the record 16 Battalion. The initial rush caused by the Firemen's strike has now subsided a little and as Christmas approaches we enter the usual hectic festivities. The sponsored bicycle ride was successful, £200 was raised for charity. Captain Jim Tilling has started waxing his skis in anti- cipation of Exercise Snow Plough 78. We congratulate Corporal Cheesrnan and his wife on the birth of their baby daughter, and Lance Corporals Jones and O'Connor on the award of the Long Service and Good Con- duct Medals. — 286 Private Ray Powell with his 70-lb Shark. |
| Book number | R0246a |