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RAOC Gazette - page 107

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Corps RAOC
Material type Journals
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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 Ciretit
was the reply. " H I just confirm it with (he
i aptain."
Thai's how it all began. Clearance from Fortress Head-
viarters was readily given, and the following day HMS Jupiter,
ol the Grey Funnel Line, sailed off into the blue with Private
Gavin busy, no doubt, typing ships orders.
Very quickly Rommel (?) became an accepted member of
the crew and showed everyone how writing should be done,
The sailors he messed with were very surprised to find that
Pongos have the same likes and dislikes as they do.
After Madeira, the ship sailed direct to UK and Private
Gavin flew back to Gibraltar. We never ever did find out how
he acquired the nickname of Rommel, or what he did in aboard
hip or what he dicl on his runs ashore in Madeira for that
• natter. All we had was a satisfied grin.
Meanwhile the rest of RAOC in Gibraltar carries on as
usual. A special word must go to Corporal Colin Lawrence
for the G O C s Commendation he received for work in Northern
Ireland. Well done, it was much deserved,
Volunteer Headquarters) is on a six month emergency tour.
The third member of the team is Mrs l o Watmore, typist,
librarian and coffee maker m par excellence.' Lance Corporal
Buzz Burrows RCT also deserved a mention.
Finally, we say goodbye to Corporal Colin Jones, Lance
Corporal Rolfs predecessor, who has just departed for Det^
mold. We wish him all the best and congratulations on the
promotion.
W O l (SSM) Bill McNulry, Force Ordnance Warrant officer
UNFICYP, receives his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
from the Commander British Contingent, Brigadier Tillotson.
British Forces Hong Kong
__•&>.
Private Gavin with the Supply Officer and his staff on board
HMS Jupiter.
United Nations Force in Cyprus
IT is time again for one of the periodic contributions from
" The Peace Keepers of Cyprus/
Let me, at once, dispel any thoughts of sunny Cyprus—at
least until summer starts in about April. The weather is quite
cold, by Cyprus standards, and very wet and muddy. Winter
sports enthusiasts are, however, delighted with the unusually
heavy snowfalls on the Troodas mountains. Perhaps someone
should ask Tommy Vance, of BFBS UK fame, how he con-
tinues to get record requests from * sunny Cyprus/
Distinguished visitors are of course, an everyday feature of
life in UNFICYP. The most important visitor in recent weeks
was Dr Kurt Waldheim, the United Nations Secretary General,
who was here for the period 14th to 16th January. AH members
of the Force were involved in security, parades and honour
guards. It is, nevertheless, very exciting to be in the forefront
of international news—if only as a brief interlude in our more
routine way of life.
Another event of note occurred in December when W O l
Bill McNuity, the Force Ordnance Warrant Officer, received
the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal from Brigadier
Tillotson, Chief of Staff and Commander of the British Con-
tingent in UNFICYP. The presentation took place in the
Headquarters UNFICYP Sergeants Mess,
In an earlier contribution from UNFICYP some of the
posts filled by RAOC personnel serving with the Force were
outlined. Let us now introduce a few of the RAOC person-
alities involved, beginning with the powerhouse of the British
Contingent—Headquarters BRITCON.
The Headquarters is supported by a clerical staff of three
plus a RCT driver. The Chief Clerk is Sergeant Tosh Stokes,
who is on a two year continuity post, while the Corporal AQ,
Lance Corporal Peter Rolf, (recently arrived from Central
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Staff Clerk element I reques-
Headquarters. Having found
their hideouts and got to
know their peculiarities, they tell me they are getting ready to
go. i will catch one long enough to write about him.
Our numbers, though small, contribute to the majority
of sports played in the Headquarters. Notably Sergeant Malcolm
Berry our cross country stalwart who helped the Headquarters
win the Minor Units League. During a recent race, thinking he
was all alone, decided to inspect his shoes (so he says!), when
out from the wood stepped the DCBF. Malcolm finished a
creditable sixty sixth that day. Our footballers have helped the
Headquarters team into fourth position in the league. Staff
Sergeant Pat Craig has finally taken a game off Staff Sergeant
Pete Murray at squash. Pete, though red faced, put it down
to tiredness after his efforts on the hockey field. Major Ted
Gibson, back on the golf course again, feels so confident that
he has entered for the British Forces Golf Championships. He
will have to play the tournament without the ball he lost to a
snake the other day. Major Tony Winton is trying to emulate
our Fire Adviser, Mr Eric Tandy, for faraway visits. He is
about to jet away to Korea, Nepal and Brunei, (perhaps he will
write the next lot of notes about his trips!).
Lieutenant Colonel Richardson has become so friendly with
the Medical and Dental Officers, that they have invited him into
the BMH for a short spell. We wish him a speedy recovery.
Finally we say farewell to Mr Udham Dillon our Executive
Officer in Finance /Contracts section who is moving to Q
Quartering. Udham has been a member of the Branch for the
past seven years. His bearded face and turbaned head has
been known to many Officers and Senior Ranks who have
passed through the Branch, and the Headquarters. He has also
served RAOC in the Ordnance Depot as well as being widely
known in Army, Combined Services and Colony Hockey as a
player, umpire and organiser. We wish him every success in
his new post and welcome Mr Patrick Cheung in his place.
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Book number R0246a