RAOC Gazette - page 30
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1977 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | No |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1977 |
| Late date | 1977 |
| Transcription |
bridge, on the Artillery firing exercise known as 'Ardent Ground." How one qualified for Sardinia as opposed to Sennybridge is a closely guarded secret! Headquarters Company, together with elements of the Cadre and 1 Bulk Transit Platoons, have been to Giencoe one week at a time, The delights of rock climbing and mountain walking have been introduced once again, after an interval of six months. We hope to have a report of this exercise, aptly known as * Massacre * in a later edition, I Bulk Transit Platoon, meanwhile have placed their feet firmly on the ground in Devizes, after their formation in April. Memories of 3 Division Airhead Ordnance Company still linger as the Platoon are still maintaining a ' 3 DAOC Rear Party/ Sounds like jobs for the boys! W02 Chris Kenyon and Lance Corporal Billy Richards can be seen glued to accounts which are about to close. They also have the valuable assistance of Sergeant John Harry and Staff Sergeant Terry Long who are respectively waiting for discharge on redundancy and posting. Within the Platoon, a number of old heads can be seen wear- ing new hats. W02 Manning has assumed the role of CSM (don't tell the inspector of establishments), whilst Sergeant Mick O'Meara occupies the city desk as Chief Clerk (please don't tell the inspector of establishments!). Sergeant Brian McHoul now commands two Equipment Sections and Sergeant Ray Scott blossoms daily as a training instructor. Both these (ill legitimate appointments, so feel free to tell the inspector of establish- ments. Equally legitimate is Sergeant Steve Duke who, with his assistants, has created a G1098 out of nothing (watch out for your sleeping bags)! Commando Ordnance Squadron OVER the past few months our notes have reflected upon the sporting achieve- ments of Squadron personnel in various activities and after continued success in the Cross Country scene, the Rugby players gave a tremendous show in the Hill Cup Final against the Training Centre, the latter team finishing victors by nine points to three. The combined team of Commando Forces and 10 OSB con- sisted of the following". Captain Fletcher, Captain Coleman, Lieutenant Tracy, WOl Wilson, Corporals Fry and Kielman, Lance Corporals Brown, Hopwood, Bassett and Walsh, Privates Phelps, Evans, Reeby, Strong and Sergeant Utterson, Con- gratulations to both teams on a splendid performance. The Local Resources Team under Captain Harris have returned from Exercise Clockwork in Norway and have bolstered up the strength of the Squadron. During their three months in Norway members of the team participated in a free fall para/ski race. This consisted of free falling to a ski pack and then ski-ing down the mountains. Alas! Captain Harris's skis were too long and resulted in the Norwegian team winning the race. Sadly, we say farewell to the OC Major John Owen, who has departed for MOD and we wish him and Ann our best wishes for a happy tour. The Squadron said its own farewell at the Admiral McBride on Plymouth's Barbican and the OC was presented with a pair of Queen's Jubilee goblets, suitably in- scribed, On this note we welcome the new OC Major Mike Thomasson, and hope he finds his tour enjoyable and worth- while. Welcome also to Privates Avery and Girling fresh from their Commando Course and to Private Jones who is an ex- Marine and should find drill no problem. Congratulations to Lance Corporal and Mrs Blackham on the birth of a baby son and farewell to Corporal Cyrnik, Private Payne and Lance Corporal Ziverts. Our most important visitor was the DGOS, Major General Callan, whose principal aim was lo discuss the Fair Value proposals. A notable departure was Major Desmond Ives who retired to join the management team of the new sports centre at Henley-on-Thames and was dined out in early March. At the same dinner night were the three holders of both the MBE and BEM mentioned in the DSCS notes. Major Ian Campbell also left on posting lo the Regional Depot at Thatcham and in his place we welcome Major Mike Ewens. The Headquarters also lost two long serving civilian officers when Mr Harry Grant and Miss Muriel Clements left on posting to Bicester. Our sportsmen had conspicuous success at Hockey when the Didcot team romped home to victory and won the Festival Shield. The victorious Festival Shield team. Less vigorous sports were enjoyed by the Officers who competed against the Warrant Officers and Sergeants at the annual games evening held in the Officers Mess. The result was in doubt to the very end being finally decided in the last darts match which resulted in the Officers Mess being awarded the wooden spoon—as a consolation prize. News from the Camp Office is that Mr Frank Brind the Chief Clerk, who unhappily suffered a heart attack, is now con- valescent and back at home. Also, from the QMs office. RQMS Ken McCormick has gone to Northern Ireland being replaced by RQMS Howard George from Deepcut. DIRECTORATE OF SUPPLY COMPUTER SERVICES TO start we should draw your attention to the photograph. This photograph records a unique occasion. In December 1975 there were only three Officers in the Corps holding both RAOC Didcot HEADQUARTERS BASE ORGANISATION A SOMEWHAT sad event to mention at the beginning of the notes is the closure of the NAAFI shop which has served Didcot so well and for so long; it is believed nearly half a century. Situations change rapidly for it was not so long ago that a replacement shop was being planned, as a new feeder road is to be built through that part of the camp, but the rapid rundown in the number of families has made this unnecessary. A unique occasion. |
| Book number | R0246 |