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RAOC Gazette - page 93

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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 maintain that some of us do little else!—Policy, even on the
assembly line principle, calls for a steady eye and a quick reflex
with the drinking hand and where better to develop these talents
than the open country providing it is suitably decorated with
eighteen flags and includes discussion facilities at the nineteenth!!
Major David Watts will be replacing Brian so it's hallo and
goodbye and we are sure that David will enjoy his stay in
Headquarters UKLF.
Our newly-wed, Corporal Kelly, has moved to the high
finance 'jet-society,' code named BAOR. As a truly working
supernumerary he will be sorely missed.
South East District
AT the timing of drafting these notes the
District is in the throes of handing back
equipment used in the Firemen's strike.
It is hoped that all will be back to normal
soon.
Our two Fire Officers are once again
walking around with a smile on their
faces especially Mr Ron Jones who was
looking for a Green Goddess bell for
some reason and obviously found it,
WO I Dave Auger who is in his last few months of Army
Service, feels sure he did not apply as a duty watchkeeper on
Operation Burberry as part of his Resettlement Course. In
between firefighting duties Captain Bob Lawson and WO I Bill
Watson-Varney managed to give a short lecture to a TAVR
CQMS/SQMS course at Blackdown, and have been requested
to give a second performance in February! xMajor Granville
Holt, our DADOS Mat, is at present attending No, 3 Formation
Representatives and Unit Commanders Course) at Blackdown
and in his absence Mr Fred Jollifle has elevated himself into
the Grade 2 Post.
We welcome Major Gordon Harmer who paid us a flying
visit prior to taking over from Major Derek Reynolds as
DADOS Accommodation Services.
Major Reynolds is not
leaving us just yet but clearly he is preparing his exodus.
6th Field Force
HEADQUARTERS
AN event of notable importance recently
was Exercise Pegasus Dip. This was a static
line parachute descent from a Hercules
aircraft into the sea at Studland Bay and,
after the necessary ground training, even
non-parachute trained personnel of the
Headquarters took part.
Amongst these
were Corporal Taff Gronow — the Head-
quarters longest serving * Penguin,' Corporal
Gary Sumner, Privates Stcy^ Findlater and
Dave Harris.
The beginning of January saw the handover of the Brigade
Major. Major Pike, Parachute Regiment, returned to Regi-
mental Duty with 3 Para and Major McAfee, RTR, joined from
the Staff College.
Congratulations are due this month to Sergeant and Mrs
Boughen on the birth of their daughter Emma on the 29th
December.
Departures: Lieutenant Bob Manners, on commissioning, to
Headquarters Northern Ireland. It has already been noted how
the typing pool output has increased considerably. Private Jim
McCormick on a six months emergency tour to UNFICYP.
Arrivals: Captain Desmond Townsend from the Computer
Centre, BAOR to fill the new post of Staff Captain Ordnance.
Sergeant Evan Douglas from Headquarters 8 Brigade to be Chief
Clerk G.
ORDNANCE COMPANY
THE month began on an eerie note. The Central Guard
reported hearing a phantom guitarist in the Storeshed singing,
" Only the Lonely." On investigation this turned out to be
the OC, Major Putt, mourning for his missing soldiers, thirty of
which are detached for Fire Fighting duties, with a further
twenty five detached on Northern Ireland training.
The Christmas Social was very well received, thanks to
the hard work of CSM Appleyard, Lance Corporal Wilkinson
and Private Frangos. Special thanks also to Corporal Hodgson
and Lance Corporal Nay I or for the sumptuous buffet. Some
Company members were a little worried in case we ran out of

Corporal
T a f f Cranow — the Headquarters longest serving
* Penguin ' prepares for a descent info the sea',
' booze* when it was discovered that Corporal Wilson and
Lance Corporal Lyons were barmen, but their worries were
unfounded, they only had a couple of bottles each—whisky of
course,
Decorating the * sledge' (a short wheel base Land Rover)
gave Lance Corporal Chapman and Private * Ned" Kelly a
chance to display their artistic skill. At the end of the day
'Super Sledge* looked in great shape, all that was needed were
the reindeer. But on this point Captain Granger and Corporal
Colclough were adamant, they said they didn't care to be
reindeer but would toss up to see who would be the Christmas
tree fairy! All the children who attended the Christmas party
thoroughly enjoyed themselves thanks to the entertainment
provided by ' Q ' Whiteley and twelve girl guides (from Miss
Whiteley's girl guide troop). The children went home tired, well
fed, and very happy. Father Christmas was once again WOZ
* Tubby * Watson and his sledge was ' reindeered' by Staff
Sergeant Grumley.
From the fire fighting front, Lance Corporal * Rent-a-Wreck *
Biggs has asked me to deny all rumours that he is about to join
a stock car circus in America. It is believed that this rumour
originated when Lance Corporal ' Rent-a-Wreck * hit a civilian
car with his Green Goddess on his first call out as a fire
fighter.
Our Northern Ireland contingent have left and from us all,
' Good luck and look after yourselves lads.'
The question being asked at the moment is, " How did the
CSM saturate himself and several 1 other observers when demon-
strating * Barney's Bath Buggy, (our new bath unit). What*s
the answer CSM?"
&.
Sergeant Bob Boughen and his wife Sue with Lieutenant
General Sir Anthony Farrar-HocMey after the presentation of
of the British Empire MedaL
316

Book number R0246a