RAOC Gazette - page 82
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 |
When war was declared in 1939, Gerald Home went off to France wilh the BEF to fill an ADOS appointment. During the years which followed the BEF evacuation, he was destined to serve in the War Office on various Corps and Staff assign- ments until becoming Commandant 557 BOD in Italy in 1944, but it was as DDOS 8th Army that he may best well be remembered in that theatre of war. On his return to UK he became DDOS (Ops), then. i n April 1948, he was promoted to Major General and appointed Director of Ordnance Services, which appointment he held until his retirement in March 1951. J?otitt£ BIRTHS HOSEASON,™On 5th December 1977. at Queen Charlotte's Hospital, to Diane (nee Eastman) and Charles, twins, a son James Sandford and daughter Amelia Jane. McMURRAY™On 14th January 1978, at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, to Captain Fred McMurray and Lyn, a daughter, Nina Lynn. MARRIAGES VEAL—FLETCHER.—On 14th January'1978, at Holy Trinity Garrison Church, Donnington, Jacqueline Diana, second daughter of Captain and Mrs P. E. Veal of Donnington, Salop, to Derek Edward Fletcher, eldest son of Squadron Leader and Mrs B. Fletcher of Hazelmere, Bucks. DEATHS LEIR.—On 7th January 1978, in Fallbrook, California, Lieu- tenant Colonel P. A. A. Leir (Retd) late RAOC TAIT.—On 12th January 1978, Ex-W02 M. Tait. THE MINISTRY O F DEFENCE have informed us of the death of the following Officers late of the RAOC. ARATHOON.—On 15th November 1977, Captain L E. W. Arathoon MBE. D1VAL.—On 8th December 1977, Major W. E, Dival (Retd). FLUTE—On 22nd January 1978, Major J. E. Flute (Retd). K.IRKBY — On 25th November 1977, Lieutenant (Hon Captain) W. Kirkby. <&hitunxit$ MAJOR GENERAL G, T. W, HORNE, CB, CBE MAJOR GENERAL A. YOUNG, CB. writes: — Gerald Tom Warlters Home died on 10th January just a few weeks short of his eightieth birthday. With his passing our Corps has lost one of its most respected senior officers who was held in much esteem and affection by all who served with him. He was educated at Repton from where he graduated to the RMA Woolwich. In March 1917 he was commissioned into the Royal Regiment of Artillery and was awarded the Italian Bronze Medal for valour whilst serving with his regi- ment, in the European War Theatre, during 1918. In a more peaceful environment, as a Gunner subaltern, he served at Port Royal Jamaica and while on that tour he met his wife Nettie with whom he spent well over fifty years of happy married life, In September 1925 he transferred to the Royal Army Ord- nance Corps in the rank of Captain and how glad the Corps were to have him, particularly as during the next few years as OIC Soccer (after General Swiney) and left half, he twice took the RAOC Southern Command (South) Soccer team to the final of the Army Cup. On the first occasion in 1927 the Cup eluded them but in the very next year the team was victorious and for the first time in history the Corps had won the blue riband of Army soccer Gerald was an excellent player who, although the only officer playing at that time, was always well worth his place in the team. He was very difficult to beat as opposing forwards so frequently discovered after being sur- prised by those long legs stretching out to rob them of the ball. A spell in India during 1932-35 on an exchange appoint- ment with the Indian Army Ordnance Corps broadened his experience and on return to UK, after a DADOS appointment he was selected to attend the 1938/39 Staff Course, Major General C. T , W . H o m e , CB, CBE Gerald's life was dedicated to the Army and to his Corps. He took a great interest in people and helped many while he was serving. In retirement he continued in this way with his stalwart work in the community around Woking and in particular with his work in the British Legion and its Poppy Appeal Fund. In all this throughout his service and retired life he was supported most admirably by his wife Nettle. To her and their daughter Sheila we express our deepest sympathy and share their sad bereavement. EX-ARMOURER STAFF SERGEANT E. T. WEBSTER EDMUND THOMAS WEBSTER died on the 10th January (notified in the February GAZETTE); he was seventy eight and the oldest surviving member of the v Webster family, 1 a family which has served Ordnance for well over one hundred years. The link with the Corps started with Edmund Robert Webster who enlisted into the Corps of Armourers in 1867. He was followed by his son T Edmund William Webster, who completed his military career as a Captain (Assistant Inspector of Armourers). He had two sons, both of whom came into the Corps, one of whom was Edmund Thomas who enlisted into the AOC at York in 1915. He served his apprenticeship as an Armourer at Enfield, returning to Enfield on leaving the Service in 1936. Edmund Thomas Webster continued to serve as an Armourer in a civilian capacity at the Royal Small Arms Factory until final retirement in 1969. An active man right up to the time of his death; he will be welt remembered by old Armourers he met every year at the Armourers reunions. His son, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Webster, is at present serving at SHAPE. — 306 — |
| Book number | R0246a |