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RAOC Gazette - page 174

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Corps RAOC
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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 HI Hetter from ^remington
* B » COMPANY,
APPRENTICE
HY A/PH1VATK
AS I looked out of the four-tormer on our way to Farn-
borough North Station I wondered what this Company Camp
was going to be like; certainly * B * Company was about to em-
bark on a very interesting camp. We got off the transport
and piled on to the train to Reading. From Reading we went
to Exeter when we had quite an excellent packed lunch provided
by British Rail, who also provided a comfortable journey.
Eventually we arrived at Fremington and Balaclava Platoon
settled in quite well. The beds left a lot to be desired but we
managed! As the block was just one big room it created a
friendly atmosphere throughout the platoon.
0900 hrs Sunday and Balaclava had a map reading exercise.
I was particularly looking forward to this as 1 was a Section
Commander. The exercise consisted of a map given to the
section with one square cut out. The aim of the exercise was
to fill in the square with as much detail as possible. My section
did quite well and overall my platoon, Balaclava, won this
competition,
Monday consisted of a very tiring but exciting Commando
Logistic Assault Course. This took place at 42 Commando
Workshop Squadron and the platoons were split up into two
groups. The first group went on a * Tarzan' course which con-
sisted of ropes suspended about twenty feet off the ground,
This was very exciting and the last rope stretched seventy odd
yards across a river! Many people fell in, but this proved to
be a popular part of the course.
COLLEGE
JOUNBON
Photos Captain M. E. Parsons* RAOC.
RAOC Apprentices from * B ' Company at Fremington Training
Camp—on Command Tasks*
Thursday. Ah yes, Thursday, the day we had been dread-
ing, the assault march! This consisted of a seven mile run
followed by the Fremington Camp Assault Course. Balaclava
ran it, completed it and made the best time, but alas two of our
comrades dropped out so, unfortunately, we lost, but full credit
to Burma Platoon for getting first prize.
Friday, and we are all off to sunny Deepcut. It has rained
all week apart from today but not to complain; the camp
was a great success. Very tiring, but all good fun* Personally,
I can't wait for Tenby.
THE


DGOS
FITNESS
TO THE
Apprentices enjoying a ride on a DUKW at REME Fording Trials
Branch.
Tuesday came and part of the platoon went down the
road to the REME Fording Trials.
This place was very
interesting and again the group was split up into two separate
groups. The first group went on a trip on the estuary on a
DUKW then looked at some diving gear. We then looked
around at some tanks and other vehicles which had been water-
proofed and had a training film on beach landings. Both
groups undertook the programme but in reverse order. Later,
on Tuesday, I went swimming with the platoon and Lieutenant
Evans at the North Devon Leisure Centre.
On Wednesday Lieutenant Evans, our platoon commander,
took us on, and I quote, " a nice short walk along the cliffs."
It proved to be a massive seven and a half mile trog through
the cliffs and down some of the most treacherous slopes I have
ever seen. Plenty of singing kept the slow coaches at the
back going and morale up when it rained. Command tasks
occupied the rest of the day in an interesting and exciting
manner,


OVER

CHALLENGE
FORTIES
LIEUTENANT COLONEL TONY SHARPE, the Commanding
Officer of Training Battalion and Depot, successfully completed
DGOS challenge twice by running a six mile cross country
race in 39.6 minutes. Major Malcolm Bryant of the School
of Ordnance covered the same cross country six miles in 34.25,
thus covering three miles of rugged terrain in 17.12, carving
9.38 oft the time allowed for his age group. This success not-
withstanding, Major Bryant then passed his Basic Fitness Test
in 21.29, this time only lopping five minutes off his time allowed
because of the encumbrance of boots, gaiters, beret and a rilled
fountain pen in the breast pocket of his Beewise.
The undermentioned have also successfully completed the
distance; Lieutenant Colonel E, D. Upton, CAD Longtown;
Major A. F. C Smith, 7 OFP; WOl T. Tavener; Sergeant T. D.
Davies and Lance Corporal D. Muhammed all of 3 BAPD.
KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE CORPS
THROUGH THE RAOC ASSOCIATION
378 —
Book number R0246a