RAOC Gazette - page 97
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 |
Recently, on his farewell tour of RAOC Units, Major General Minogue came to Ludgershall and whilst here, presented Mr Percy Matthews, Charge Hand Driver with the Imperial Service Medal. Percy joined the RASC as a driver in Septem- ber 1939 and was posted to France with the BER He was evacuated at Dunkirk, then served with (he 8th Army in North Africa and Italy until 1946, He has worked in Ludgershall since 1946, first at the RSD, then on its formation, in the Vehicle Depot Percy has served as a part time fireman for the Wilt- shire Volunteer Fire Service for several years and was a founder member of the Depot Fire Team. He is a keen gardener and connoisseur of home made wine in his spare time. He is an acknowledged expert on all types of Armoured Vehicles both ancient and modern. J. D. life and to Privates Pattison and Flanagan on posting, the latter to attend a Commando Course. On the credit side we have wel- comed back WO I Gordon Fish wick, a former Chief Clerk, and Private Wilson, both ex-BAOR. And how better to end than with congratulations to Sergeant Paul Grant on his promotion to that rank. Central Ammunition Depot Kineton KINETON like so many other Units throughout the United Kingdom has had an exceptionally busy time throughout Operation Burberry. We were ably assisted (or perhaps they assisted us!) by 72 Marines/Commandos from Plymouth and together with our teams made up of 147 RAOC/RPC personnel, we managed to keep the County of Warwickshire on the map. The relationship between the Services and the civilian community has been undoubtedly strengthened by our close liaison with them throughout the nine weeks—and there are even some Christian name terms to be found within the local police force! W02 Adams and Sergeant Edwards returned from a work- ing holiday in Cyprus, just in time for the Christmas activities. A football match between members of 'A' Company was held oo 22nd December, the teams being * The Punk Rockers' ably captained by Chief Punk, Captain Peter Timothy, and *The Tarts' equally ably captained by Captain Ciive Eldtarton. The occasion was enhanced by the participants dressing up according to their whims! During the pre-match line up there was much gnashing of teeth and flashing of thighs, and the assault course ditches were implemented to give many an early mud bath! Major Genera) Minogue presents the Imperial Service Medal to M r Percy Matthews at Ludgershall. Central Ammunition Depot Bramley IN view of impending closure, it is perhaps inevitable that the year opened on a somewhat melancholy note. On 5th January a number of our civilian staff became redundant, departing mainly in the direction of the Basingstoke Employment Exchange, One can but wish them good luck and hope that their job- hunting will be short indeed. The following day saw a De-consecration and Closure Service in St Barbara's Church after fifty two years of use by successive generations of Bramleyites. For those with long memories the simple service was very moving. However, all is not lost; the church bell, which came originally from the old Clothing Depot in Pimlico, is being re-hung in Didcot and the stained glass window is to form the basis of a chapel in Bram- ley Church, where it will be a fitting memorial to CAD Bramley. On 9th January, the Officers Mess closed its doors, severing yet another link with the past. Though quiet of late, the Officers Mess formerly bustled with life; it had a character all of its own and the Corps is the poorer for its loss. How many readers will remember the Boxing Day Meets of the Vine Hunt, with the mess stewards serving a welcome Stirrup Cup on a fore- court gay with scarlet and thronged with excited hounds and even more excited Bramley children. And war-time mess parties and more recently, Sunday curry lunches and film nights. How we shall miss it all. Bullsdown House, the former quarter of various Officers Commanding Army School of Ammunition, now does duty as the Officers Mess for the few that remain and some of the old hands like Alec and John and Stanley are still with us but the heart has gone. Old friends of our Medical Officer, Lieutenant Colonel ' Tiny * Wordingham, will be sorry to learn that he has suffered a heart attack and is at present recovering in Basingstoke Hospital. I am sure that all readers will join with me in wish- ing him a speedy return to full health. Sport is a bit in the doldrums this month with such teams as we are still able to raise from our reduced resources keep- ing pretty quiet about the results, During the month we have said farewell and good luck to Corporal Craig and Private Bentley on their return to civilian — 320 Photo by kind permission, of The Heart of England Newspapers Ltd. The Quarter-Master-General, General Sir Patrick Howard Dobson, presenting the BEM to Staff Sergeant Griegson. On Staff Sergeant Griegsan's right is W O l Murphy who was presented with the Long Service and ^Cood Conduct Medal. Corporal Procter has been accumulating ' Brownie Points f for feeding CATO (Canine Ammunition Technical Officer) his Woolly Pully for lunch (to the detriment of SATO's pocket). However, on a more serious note on Monday, 16th January, we played 1 Battalion Parachute Regiment in the second round of the Inter Squash Tournament at Kineton. The visitors arrived with a very good reputation and full of confidence. In the first match Staff Sergeant Craddock started slowly and lost the first game. He raised his game thereafter and by applying tremendous determination won the game three to one. The second match involved Captain Tony Jacques and turned out to be one of the finest matches seen at Kineton. Despite losing the first game he went on to become the winner of a very hard contest by three to one. Captain Tim Cross played third but despite giving his best he lost nil to three to a very fine young opponent. Corporal Maslen took the court fourth and clinched the tie for us by winning three to one with an excellent hard- hitting performance. Major Stuart Bennett displayed his ability in the final match and demonstrated how the game should really |
| Book number | R0246a |