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RAOC Gazette - page 133

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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 Shrove Tuesday provided a break from normal routine and
a chance for the girls in Headquarters to star on Television
and in Visor. Captain Alastair Shackleton, with the connivance
of the Operations Officer of 7 UDR, arranged a tri-service pan-
cake relay race between the girls of 7 UDR, WRUC, 46 Com-
mand Workshop and the Depot The relay race was eventually
won by the Depot team of three girls who were presented with
a voucher donated by a local boutique. The events finished
with an invitation race in which Corporal Kev Lewis of PC
and A appeared as a buxom blonde, attracting many envious
glances before the race and much side splitting laughter during it.
Our Chief Clerk, SQMS Allan Braithwaite, had all the
adventure he could wish for during the first two weeks in
February which he spent in Aviemore in Scotland. If there
was any area worse hit by the snowstorms we did not see it
mentioned in the press. It is possible, we gather, to have
too much snow.
Major Brian Allen leaves this month for the School of
Ordnance. We enjoyed his company and we shall miss him,
Major David Watt arrived in his place and we hope he will
enjoy his term of duty here,
Our cheerful WRAC, Lance Corporal Myread Cassidy,
leaves in April to get married. Although her appointment was
^PA to the COO, all of us will miss that ever willing hand with
'the more than usually urgent letter for typing.
Northern Ireland
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HEADQUARTERS RAOC
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probably be one). I mention all this be-
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cause I have been writing these notes for
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eight years come April and am running in-
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to difficulties finding synonyms for scribe,
Who wouldn't be after eight years; further, I think I am running
out of material; these younger ' fellahs ' do not take too kindly
to one mentioning their disasters and one is continually digging
for evidence of their brilliant performances. Having said that
I suppose I'll be orchestrated (or something like that) and have
to buy my own beer.
Anyway here is a bit of a slant on what has been going
on this month: —
Captain Gordon Geddie our Vehicles man and my next
door neighbour has tried to make me a nervous wreck, his car
being a 'banger' in the true sense of the word, like it goes
bang when he starts it. Every time he goes off to rehearse
the Pirates of Penzance or some other Gilbertian, I quote * in-
fernal nonsense,' and jump out of my skin and dive under the
nearest table.
Major John McConville has taken to woodturning so every
time he comes round to scrounge a piece of wood I give him
my electric shaver to mend. This piece of equipment breaks
down as often as he wants a bit of wood so everything balances
out nicely. CRAOC is making picture frames.
This month we are saying farewell to Captain Charlie
White and his good lady Captain (WRAC) Diana, we wish them
well in their new station and a consequential welcome to
Lieutenant Bob Manners.
The versatile Sergeant Harry Hill deserted his desks, pots
and pans and accommodation stores and joined the oil men for
a short spell of POL mystique. Staff Sergeant Eddy Mayes
knows more ways in and out of Germany than a carrier pigeon.
Private William Coubrough has bought a motor bike and is
enjoying his voluntary Despatch Rider Service.
Stop Press. The * Banger' has now been in hospital and has
stopped banging.
Ordnance Depot Northern Ireland
THE splatter of paint brushes in the Hilton Club together with
the patter of Size 9 DMS boots and the chatter of shivering
teeth outside heralded the arrival of February, with the painters
redecorating the Club and everyone surfacing from hibernation
for early morning runs. Obviously the moans and groans
touched the Commanding Officer's heart because a new system
of physical training has been introduced which allows the
gladiators to do 'their thing * while the more idle _ are ' en-
couraged * to do ' our thing.* Everyone now has to gain a mini-
mum number of points each week from various forms of ' Body
Bashing,' as Major Andrew Dexter, the new Second-in-Command
calls it.
The reason why Staff Sergeant Bob (Action Man) Watson
has been looking so glum has just come to light. He had the
audacity to challenge Major John Woodliffe to a game of
squash with predictable results, and then in an attempt to
salvage his flagging morale took on Lieutenant Colonel Mike
Watts, the Commanding Officer. He is now looking for a
stamp collection to swap for his action man outfit!
Corporal Kev Lewis flipping well in the special invitation race.
On the sporting front the hockey team had a creditable
win over 39 Brigade Headquarters and Signals Squadron and on
the Hobbies', the ornithologists have been flocking around one
of the EWS tanks to watch a Grebe carrying out some population
control on the goldfish!
This month we highlight the VSD who have moved back
into their purpose built offices, only to see the all too familiar
cracks reappearing in the walls.
Major John Woodliffe came on a three day visit to carry
out their Technical Inspection. His arrival caused something
of a stir but the bulge under his coat turned out to be nothing
more sinister than a squash racket He said he has always
believed in being prepared. As he went away smiling, and
Captain Brian Jenkins has not yet asked for a posting, we
assume all is well,
We all felt sorry for W02 John Crosland who has been
away on a sailing course in the recent bad weather. How-
ever he has admitted that the course was held indoors in the
sort of climate to which he now wishes to be posted in order
to practice his new found skills. He is hoping the staff at
MRO are as kind to him as they have been to Sergeant Dick
Abrams who is busy packing his MFO and stetson in preparation
for a tour on the Canadian Prairie.
Herewith the ' I n and Out* Club for January.
'In*; Major Dexter, Corporal Hastings, Lance Corporal
Bentley and Private Spicer.
* Out': Staff Sergeant Divers, Corporals Wilson and Tanner.
347
RAOC
SECRETARIAT
ONE of the objects of the Secretariat is to keep all
who are now serving, or have served, in the Corps,
abreast of Corps events and to advise on Corps domestic
affairs. It is hoped that as many as possible will take
the opportunity of visiting the Secretariat whenever they
are in the vicinity of Deepcut, to see for themselves how
such affairs are being handled.
Book number R0246a