RAOC Gazette - page 90
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 |
®ht tatiott J&etosi &t Home Headquarters Director General of Ordnance Services THE change in our location from a crowded London scene to the fresh open spaces of rural Hampshire began to show a promise of things to come when, on a frosty morn- ing early in January a track suited General, accompanied by a keen young (but over forty) Staff Officer who shall remain nameless, could be seen moving easily around a measured three mile course within the confines of the airfield and thus, the " DGOS Challenge" timings for 1978 had been established. With the new target having now been set, can we anticipate the course becoming a scene of frenzied activity as the ' over forties ' amongst us attempt to win their spurs? The news of reduction in service time now required to qualify for the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Mili- tary) was received with mixed feelings, particularly by those who have already suffered the full term of eighteen years! However, this in no way dampened the spirits of those who witnessed the recent presentation of the medal to SQMS Cliff Shaw (Ord 1) by the DGOS in the LE(A) Sergeants Mess, On the environmental front events worthy of note in- cluded the laying of carpets in our corridors, permitting the less industrious to creep noiselessly in late—out early, and the fitting of an extractor fan in the office of SQMS Graham Woods, the Chief Clerk Ord L He tells us it must be for getting rid of all the hot air! Captain Brian Boucher has also managed to become environmentally involved. His garage walls have been built and, Department of Environment and the Almighty willing, the roof is likely to be added by next month. The door, I'm told, is in LTEP 79/80! Since our arrival in Andover,the term Arrivals and Departures has taken on a fresh meaning. During our commuting days such information was gained by viewing the British Rail Indicator Board at Waterloo Station, but now we refer more happily to Part II Orders and, in this connection, we are able to report a recent change of face in the ' Executive Suite,' but * The Name's 1 the Same. Sounds like a Television commercial rather than im- plying that Major Ron Davies having moved to AG9 has been replaced as PSO to DGOS by Captain Trafford Davies. I'm assured there's no family connection so it isn't a take over bid. We have also welcomed Lieutenant Colonel John Jackson from Headquarters BAOR, Major Bernard Miles from DCT and Captain Martin Buxey from the late 7th Artillery Brigade—He said it wasn't his fault they decided to disband before he got there! Lieutenant Colonel Mike Hogg is with us for a short while prior to shipping out Stateside and Staff Sergeant Geoff Read has joined us from NATO Headquarters in Brussels. On the debit side we have said farewell to Lieutenant Colonels Mike Willis, to School of Ordnance, Paul Camilleri to SSD Dulmen and Frank Webster to SHAPE, all of whom we congratulate on their well deserved promotion. Colonel Jerry Hulme and Major Don Grieve (Retd) are due to leave us soon to the Staff College Camberley and Director of Vitualling (Navy) respectively. SQMS Don Beaton has moved to DAT after four years as Chief Clerk Ord 2 and has been replaced on a free transfer by SQMS Ricki Kay from Ord 1. Directorate of Supply Management TECHNICAL EQUIPMENTS DIVISION NOW you see him now you don't; is Captain Peter Veal really on the strength of Technical Equipments Division? It is hard for us to tell because he does seem to spend such a lot of time away from us. Even when he is actually seen in at the beginning of a week you can be sure that he will be noticed on Wednesday lunch time rushing off carrying a hockey stick at the high port. Our Mess Committee continues to perform wonders but ifs a shame the COD do not have such high quality officers as our * Three Musketeers.' Lieutenant Colonel John Gentle and his merry band organised a most enjoyable and happy New Year's Party. Being past masters of the art of crisis management they were able lo cope easily with the problems caused by the absence of the Food and Wines Members. We would not wish to be accused of fostering a personality cult, unless of course it is that of the writer of these superb notes, but it's that man Veal again. Even Mrs PMC and Mrs PMC designate got in on the act this time making beautiful arrangements of flowers to decorate the mess for the wedding reception of Peter Veal's daughter Jacqueline on the occasion of her marriage to Mr Derek Fletcher, son of Squadron Leader B. Fletcher, I know we now have an interface between RAOC and RAF computers and talks have been going on for a long time about further rationalisation of supply but surely the marrying off of RAOC and RAF offspring is going a bit far! In spite of little news emanating from Weapons Branch this month we have heard a rumour that now snow has actually fallen here in Donnington, as well as atop the Wrekin, our Statesider has been heard to say that at last he feels at home. We also hear that Major Nick Wall has gone off to be shown the mysteries of working as a civilian. Some of us have been lucky to meet his replacement Major Roger Tweed who has been poached from Bicester, We welcome him and his wife Moira, to Donnington. We are beginning to wonder if we are the only organisa- tion that is taking this fit to fight business seriously. It's amaz- ing the stories one is told about rigorous runs, hikes and walks taking place in other well noted Depots and Directorates, But recently we have noticed one or two bluffs being called, when new arrivals postpone for as long as possible that dreaded morning when they have to join us fit ones on our four mile dash. Or else they try to be brazen about it and make excuses like ** hard night on the beer last night" or, *' been on leave don't you know/* as they fall by the wayside gasping for breath and clutching cramp wracked stomachs. Corporal Mick Earthey of Communications Branch, who is President of the JRC, together with three other junior ranks, recently helped to entertain eighty underprivileged children at a party which was organised by Mr Roy Edmonds who is Chair- man of the local branch of the RA Association, The support given by Mick and his colleagues to this venture was very much appreciated by the committee of the RA Association. As a mark of respect we would like to end our notes for this month by expressing our sorrow and heartfelt regret at the sudden, unexpected and untimely death of Harold Brown of Man S Branch on 22nd December. Harold came to Donnington in September 1948 after serving three years in RASC. He worked as a machine operator, and in Provision, Planning and REME Personnel Branches. He came to us only very recently from S and R and he quickly became much liked and respected. He will be missed by us all. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Mrs Brown and her family. CONTROL DIVISION IT is some time since our last newsletter so I hope that you will bear with me if some of the content is slightly historical in nature. The pre-Christmas period saw the much heralded move to Andover of Brigadier Biggs and his staff. Clothing Provision have been having a busy time recently, a situation which was not helped when Operation Burberry led to a few of their nicely polished sums being thrown out of the window. Staff Sergeant Tony Weekes seems to have mysteriously disappeared. An event which he attributes to his being on leave prior to leaving the Army in April. We wish him well in his new career and hope that Corps Cricket is not going to suffer too much from his absence. Whilst on sport, Sergeant Pete Silvester and Corporal Terry Poole are to be congratulated in helping the COD Bicester rugby team to reach the quarter- final of the Army Cup. The team lost by only eight points to nine against the Guards Depot. We wish them better luck in the semi-final of the South East District Cup. General Stores Provision welcomes Captain Peter Brice who has come from Headquarters BAOR to replace Captain — 313 — |
| Book number | R0246a |