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RAOC Gazette - page 87

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Full title RAOC Gazette
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Publication date 1978
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Early date 1978
Late date 1978
Transcription £ little M of Itetorp
By MAJOR. R. G. EMMETT
THE MEMORANDUM inside the heavy, black leather-bound,
official Army Book 301 states "Army Book 301, herewith, is for
the use of the Garrison Church in your charge. It is to be
accurately kept, and handed over by you to your successor—
War Office.'*
30 Sep 34—Offertory lo Gresford Colliery Disaster Fund.
10 Nov 35—Unveiling of Sanctuary Lamp, presented by
Lieutenant Colonel C. J. Tanner.
7 Sep 41—Day of National Prayer about 300 present.
19 Jul 42—Day of Thanksgiving for work of Royal
Merchant Navies — Short violin recital by
Staff Sergeant Pirn.
3 Sep 42—Listened-in, in Camp Church to Broadcast
Service from BBC Studios 0930 hrs, Drum-
head Service for RAPC and ATS at 1000 hrs,
Factory Depot B15 at 1045 hrs.
1145 hrs 184 4 P ' Coy.
1300 hrs 260 * P ' Coy.
2000 hrs Intercession Service.
6 Sep 42- -Madame Marketa Sageova sang at Parade
Service.
The opening words " in your charge " were taken seriously
by many but these records were initiated and, in the main main-
tained, by the first chaplain, 'the Rev G. R. Macaulay, Vicar of
Bramley. In turn, he was supported by an able and enthusiastic
warden, as evidenced by a leather bound Book of Common
Prayer, recently found and embossed in gold " In grateful
remembrance of the zeal and devotion of Major W. J. Evans,
MBE, RAOC, Warden of St Barbara's 1925—1953."
The rvalue of these records, together with the old church
accounts provide a measure of comparison, past with present,
(indeed the cost of communion wine has fallen considerably),
and to read of real people and a real past provides character
and a little history.
St Barbara's Bramley held its closure and de-consecration
Service on the 6th January. The Church Bell, which came from
the old Clothing Depo-t in Pimlica is to be re-hung at Didcot
and the Stained Glass Window is to form the basis of a Chapel
in Bramtey Church.
Editor.
&&€>€ 8fo &orittp
St Barbara's Church, CAD Bramley.
So starts the recording of events at St Barbara's Church
Bramley, a small church with a capacity of less than one
hundred, dedicated on Sunday, May 10th 1925, by the Assistant
Chaplain General. From this date the church records demon-
strate the changing times, from leather books, through an SO
Book 135, hard-backed (cardboard) 1944—1957, to what might
be described as an informal register.
Perhaps the most vivid impression over the years is the
pressure of work during the war years, when church parades
were cancelled due to " resumption of Sunday labour for the
two companies." Apparently the practice during 1940, early
1941, had been for the companies to alternate their working
on one free Sunday.
This however is not the only impression. Adult confirmations
occurred with amazing regularity, baptisms were held of those
now working in the Depot, and an air of confidence in the
future comes through the seriousness of this diary of events,
The variety of life is caught in the following extract:
9 May 26—Service cancelled owing to Strike Duties.
28 Aug 26—1st Christening—Child of Lance Corporal
and Mrs Bersley.
I Jan 28—Service cancelled due to severe weather.
10 Feb 29—No choir " all boys in isolation/'
29 Sep 29—Baptism of infant son of Lieutenant S. Rooke,
RAOC.
22 Feb 31—Parade services cancelled in command owing
to sickness at Aldershot.
14 May 31—A good service and all well.
THE Committee of Management of the RAOC Aid Society
acknowledge with sincere thanks the following donations total-
ling £655.11 received during the quarter ended 31st December
1977.
These donations do not include the personal sub-
scriptions of serving and retired officers and soldiers.
Mr S. Lasiewicz, Staff Sergeant Troughton, 103 Light Air
Defence Regiment Workshop REME (V), Vehicle Depot Ash-
church, SSD Dulmen, Military and Civilian Staff of RAOC/
REME Manning and Record Office, 3 Tank Transporter Squad-
ron RCT, I Combat Supplies Battalion RAOC, BAOR Ammuni-
tion Inspectorate, ©arrison Headquarters Chilwell and the
Regional Depot, Hereford,
The Committee also wish to announce that during the same
quarter seventy nine grants were made totalling £3,865.60.
>pottsi aktport
{Continued from page 308.)
Finally, one could not help feeling rather sorry for the
opposition who played a good, hard and sporting game. They
have a well disciplined side with an interesting blend of youth
and experience. Next seasons match at Mytchett will be a
hard one.
RAOC—Corporal Stewart, 10 Ordnance Support Battalion;
Private Grimsley, Kineton; Corporal Longfield, Donnington;
Lance Corporal Ruddick, Bicester; Private Barr, Bicester; Private
Edmonds, Donnington; Sergeant Graves, Bicester; Staff Sergeant
O'Meara, Bicester; Corporal Kelly, 1 A1DU; Private Sutcliffe,
Bicester and Lance Corporal Dagnell, Bicester.
Substitutes—Lance Corporal Hussey, Bramley and Lance
Corporal Macaleese, Donnington.
31 !

Book number R0246a