RAOC Gazette - page 149
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 |
To name all arrivals and departures would require too much space, suffice it to say a hearty welcome to all our new- comers and bon voyage to our departing friends. We are sorry to report that Staff Sergeant Eric Peters has been admitted to RNH Haslar in UK and we wish him a speedy and full recovery, This month's contribution from the Ordnance Company depicts the Unit in a tribal situation. If tales of that unit's recent Karnival Nacht bear any relationship to reality, it is a well chosen posture. 3 ARMOURED DIVISION ORDNANCE COMPANY (HOMO supply-I-must) a little known tribe whose preferred habitat is the wiids of Soest, though they are known to migrate STORES PLATOON 7 ARMOURED WORKSHOP periodically to even wilder regions. They have had a fascinating A SNOW shrouded Fallingbostel greeted Major General Lawson, history, despite being newcomers to the new 3 Armoured our Divisional Commander, when he paid us a visit on Valen- Division. A study of their grammar reveals that the word tine's Day. This was an in Barracks occasion; however, we * deploy' occurs frequently, and the history of the tribe indicates have had the opportunity to bare our fangs twice this month on that it means to migrate for short periods. Exercise Brighton Belle as we tested our efficiency in getting Soon after its formation in the New Year, the tribe moved mobile. It was good experience for our newcomers and an to Soltau for Exercise First Goal. It is thought that this was ' experience * for our old sweats. to train the tribe in various warlike rituals. Personalities have To Lance Corporal Sammy and Lorraine Samuals we curious names, like W02 D. L Gumbs NBC Instructor, Lance extend our congratulations on the birth of their son, David Corporal E. McFarlane Weapon Training, Sergeant Taff Hughes Geoffrey, at British Military Hospital Rinteln. Congratulations Helicopters and Sergeant Dempsey, Mealtime extraordinaire. also to Sergeant John Blake on promotion and farewell as he Further examination of the history of that time indicates that a and Helen leave us for 46 Command Workshop. Goodbye's special cadre, the Combat Supplies Platoon, were off on a as well to Lance Corporal Geoff and Sheila Kay as they go to migration of their own. Members of the tribe are known to brave the new world of Civvy Street and to Mrs Ruth Foster have visited the outside world: Hamburg and Bergen. Belseo from our distaff side. town records mention "A strange groupe of wilde mennes, We welcome to our Control Office, Mr George Main who whiche inne wordes and deedes did everybode astounde." has just joined us. Following the trail from Soltau to Soest, anthropologists The saga of the month must go to Corporal Dick Sykes. were surprised to find that the tribe then moved to Paderborn In a blaze of glory with all his kit packed into an infinite for Exercise Test Bed. Excavations have shown that the number of suit-cases, he embarked as a guest of the Deutsche migrants spent time in the Teutoberg Wald on their ARU. In Bundesbahn for a twelve hour ride to Frankfurt where he was view of the prevailing weather conditions the team expected to to join the 7th United States Army NCO Academy at Bad Toelz find frozen cadavers; instead they found deep holes in tracks, for a Primary Leadership Course. Alas when he arrived there proof that Corporal Chalky White (REME) had tried to bury was no course for him. to join. This was due to class schedule his pet wrecker. A small distance away were signs that the changes. Poor Dick had to suffer an immediate about turn and tribe had also set up a Divisional Dump, something completely new. twelve hour trip back. He was last seen muttering seventeen Although their own records seem obsessed with * snow, seventy one and heading Pay Office wise. snow quick, quick, snow/ there is mention of visits by Major General Walsh, GOC 3 Armoured Division, Brigadier Mac- Donald, DDOS 1 (BR) Corps and Lieutenant Colonel Cornwell, CRAOC 3 Armoured Division, the latter right frequently. 3rd Armoured Division Other evidence points to a breakaway group, led by Second A HEADQUARTERS RAOC Lieutenant ' Follow M e ' Perks, leaving tracks through Pader- M born town centre on the way. Once back on Soest the tribe J/h THE GOC wants to see his Division to had a series of combat type encounters. The hockey team ifflHBk assess its battleworthiness after restructur- deserved praise when Second Lieutenant ' I'm free * Perks and : m jHBMwk, # " &ey s a i d - Moves were due to Corporal Tony Noirmot each scored a goaL The football iHL jfth begin after Easter so we foresaw some team won ten zero against 115 Provost Company but lost eight JmE&m*. JSS&k action-man stuff before that time. We to two against 7/11 Ordnance Field Park. The ten pin bowl- ing team, with two matches played, is top of the league. ^HJBy(BBiH^ were not disappointed. The Headquarters The welcoming of new tribe members and despatching of Mmmmmm^BSlm, deployed to control the Test Bed exercise others to the outside world has gone on unchecked. Major for the Ordnance Company and ( the Tony Swift was feasted out twice, once in his absence to Transport Regiment in early February. My recollection of Con- appease the gods and once in his presence to appease the trollers * are of guys lounging about wearing white armbands, waiters: Captain Tony Bettaney, his replacement as Adminis- smoking, feeding and watching the lads suffer. Times have tration Officer, is trying to fit his wedding in between migrations* changed. In our Division the controllers also suffer (but still Other newcomers to the tribe were: Sergeant Ludlow, wear white armbands). In this case, the white armbands were Corporals Kelly and Storey, Lance Corporals Bourne, Wharton, nugatory, being indistinguishable from the snow. The only and Page (ACQ, Privates Anderson, Baskerville, Cowley, Corn- things clearly distinguished were those supposedly camouflaged forth and Kirkwood. Those departing include Corporal Mc- with nets, woodland garnished. In time however, even they Donald, Lance Corporal Burton, Privates Truman, Morris, disappeared in the blizzard. Notwithstanding the weather, the Fletcher and Broster. exercise was a great success, for the Ordnance Company if not for the controllers. STORES PLATOON 5 ARMOURED WORKSHOP The severe weather has of course affected the sports THE floor of our storehouse has resembled Steptoes' Junk Yard programme. A few rugby matches have been played. Doubt- during the last few weeks. All stores have been offloaded from less the snow and frost account for the lack of success of the the vehicles and split into two locations so that we can sup- Headquarters and Signal Regiment team, or so rumour has it port the MRGs and the FRG into which our parent workshop Readers of this column will know that CRAOCs Adjutant, now divides. We have received eight shiny new MKs which Captain Rick Ginn, is a great cross country runner. Recently were quickly camouflaged ready to carry our additional stores. he invited your correspondent to a run around the camp Sergeant McMenamin would like s ten shiny new AECs to perimeter. The Adjutant had a handicap. Next time I shall replace our twenty five year old Tennies' but not even the need notice of such a challenge. If that is the effect of a Irish can work that one. A lot of very hard work has been handicap upon running, I shall require an opportunity adequately put into the * Split'; let's hope that it lasts for some time. to prepare myself. (Alternatively, does anyone know a source The hard work by all the lads resulted in promotion as of supply of monkey glands?). well. W02 Chisholm is now WOl Chisholm, The lads are One of our new arrivals, Private Mick Hayward, has requested still waiting for the promotion to filter down to them, just as transfer to the RAVC. He assures me that it is despite and they are waiting for the rest of the beers t Congratulations SSM, not because of his posting to 3rd Armoured Division. He is we wonder where you are going and more important who is shortly having an initial interview in this connection. We do coming to replace you! 1 We also congratulate Private Kirk- not want to lose his services to the Corps, he is the sort of wood on passing his B2, well done lad, now get in with the soldier we need. Overheard recently, "If he is so fond of extra work. animals, why is. he leaving?" Good question. Our establishment is now nearly complete and we welcome Staff Sergeant Woodley, Sergeant Ford, Lance Corporals Mc- PLEASE REMEMBER THE Millan and Francis, and Privates Adkins, Kirkwood, Johnston, Marshall, Hughes and Fairley. The wives and families of Staff Sergeant Woodley, Lance Corporals Francis and Duncan and DEADLINE DATE FOR COPY — 359 — |
| Book number | R0246a |