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RAOC Gazette - page 34

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Full title RAOC Gazette
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Publication date 1977
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Early date 1977
Late date 1977
Transcription Central Vehicle Depot UK
HEADQUARTERS
THE Headquarters and Vehicle Depot Ashchurch were visited
this month by Colonel R. W. Bromham, Lieutenant Colonel W.
D. Smith and WOl R. W. Lei vers from the Record and Man-
ning Office who eloquently explained to all the whys and
wherefores of RAOC Trade Restructuring. For added interest
Colonel Broham also enlarged on the system of selection for
promotion. He did not explain how to beat the system but at
least how to understand the mechanics of it.
New postings in are welcome in the persons of WOl Pete
Geddes and W02 Ian Powell
VEHICLE DEPOT ASHCHURCH
AS all have come to expect, our quarterly Station Dance was
once again a huge success
with civilians and military alike awing
l
Captain John Wright a half* for his effort in stage-managing
the event.
Congratulations are also directed at Private Fleming on
being selected to swim for the army and the undermentioned
for passing their personal survival as indicated.
Private Hughes—gold standard, Private Sharpies—silver
standard and Private Goodison his bronze. Private Maloney
had to go one better and became a father! If I don't mention
Captain Gibson's high pass mark on s his recent service funds
account course he will get all upset so welt done Kip/
Sergeant Laverton having just returned from Kenya after a
six weeks detachment, saw his front lawn and asked to go back,
and fight between Private Major (Land Rover) and Private
Stout (AEC) was 2-1 with Private Major losing by two front
wings to one scratched bumper; and while on the subject of
insurance Private Duffy 709 has at long last passed his motor-
cycle test, however, he cannot bear to throw his plates away
as they cost him at least 60p and ten extras,
Captain Jeremy Parsons has moved in with what at first
glance appears to be his own Vehicle Depot, Also in this
month are Staff Sergeant Laurie, Corporal Parsmore, Lanes
Corporal Jones, Privates Canale, Beck, Stott and Dunlope.
Our farewells this month are extended to Staff Sergeant
Chinn, Lance Corporal Beck, Privates Swinscoe and Hoare on
discharge; Corporal Thomas and Lance Corporal Stonelake
and Private Towers.
VEHICLE DEPOT LUDGERSHALL
I'M not absolutely certain, in writing these notes, whether J
have been complimented or am l doing penance for some long
forgotten crime. However, what I intend to do, is reproduce
some recent * Local Boy' stories which Fm sure will be of
great interest to Corps readers. The first is on W02 John
Dorey.
in July 1933 as a double decker bus with Portsmouth Corporation
and then twenty years later, was converted into a tower wagon
for carrying out overhead repairs." " In July 1963 it became
redundant
and was stored until earlier this year, when I bought
11
it, After he has completed all the renovation work he reckons,
he could sell it for more than £1,000.
"There are only three vehicles of this type left in the
world today and I should think this one has done nearly one
million miles since it started service. Buses these days are all
the same—completely identical
with no character, but each one
1
of these is an individual,' says John.
Departures: Staff Sergeant Lloyd, Corporal Allan and
Lance Corporal Jones. Arrivals: Corporal Pearson and Lance
Corporal Peterson.
Regional Depot Thatcham
THE Officers gathered recently to lunch out. Mr Phillip
Campbell, SOG C, on his retirement Phil's last appointment
was Depot Superintendent in the RSG. We wish him well
February saw the Officers and Warrant Officers down at Ash
ranges for the annual range classification. Major Peter Scriven
and Major Eric Foster just happened to take leave that week.
Captain Rod Ling with commendable foresight, had arranged
a second session, in March* so all got caught in the end.
Amazingly, everyone passed. Are twenty one and twenty two
really forty five Eric?
Colonel Charles Smith GM was the Inspecting Officer for
the Unit Annual Report in March. Somehow we escaped last
year! As befits the next COO, he had a pretty searching look
at us and had a word with many employees. Other visitors
that month included Colonel Lloyd-Jones and his relief at HQ
South East District, Colonel Cooke. WOl Frank Whatley left
the COO Management Services Team in April, on posting to
CAD Bramley. Another recent departure is Mrs Janet Richard-
son, who typed so ably at the Depot for the last nine years.
She has joined A ERE Harwell
*
*k
T*T
*
X ,
THE OFFICERS CLUB
GARDEN PARTY
Photo Southern Evening Echo.
W 2 John Dorey's new transport—or should it be old transport.
THE GARDEN PARTY will be held at Headquarters
RAOC Officers Mess on Saturday, 9th July.
The Mess Bar will open at 12.15 pm. Drinks will
be available against payment in cash.
For those
requiring it, a buffet luncheon will be served in the
Mess from 1 pm to 2 pm. The charge for this will be
£1.50 for adults and £1.00 for children under the age
of 12.
The Garden Party will start at 2.30 pm and end
at 6.30 pm. A Corps cricket match against REME
will be played during the afternoon. A bar will be
situated in the sitting-out area.
Afternoon tea will be served in the Mess between
4 pm and 5 pm. The charge for this will be £1.00 for
adults and 75p for children under the age of 12.
The RAOC Staff Band will beat retreat at 6.35 pm.
Members of the Officers Club should please book
W02 John Dorey is the owner of one of the smallest
Transport Companies around, but there are just a couple of
drawbacks at the moment—he has just one bus and that has
no seats! But John is far from down-hearted. " I have wanted
one of these for years, and at last 1 have one " said the proud
owner of a Leyland Titan II, " I t came into service way back
tickets for afternoon tea and luncheon in advance and
applications should be sent to the RAOC Secretariat,
Deepcut, Camberley, Surrey. Cheques, payable to the
RAOC Officers Club, should be sent with the applications.
Book number R0246