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RAOC Gazette - page 108

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Publication date 1977
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Early date 1977
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Transcription Warrant Officers Bob Harper, Bill Ramsey and Bill Beaton
are occasionally believed to be clouting a small defenceless
while ball around Hampshire to work off the frustrations caused
by total inabilities!
For those of you who wonder what we do here at Middle
Wallop, let me give you a pictorial representation of one mem-
ber of the staff!
STORES SECTION 70 AIRCRAFT WORKSHOP
SINCE our last GAZETTE Newsletter our energies have been
largely devoted to teaching the new ' inmates * the mysteries of,
' Fred' our ICL 4/72 Computer System.
The number of visitors to the Stores Section has been
reduced, due to the rising costs of coffee and tea, however
the Defence Centre Audit team did in fact arrive complete with
calculators and sharpened pencils.
The Annual Technical Inspection was carried out by
CRAOC South West District, Lieutenant Colonel R. M.
Carruthers. CRAOC also presented the Long Service and Good
Conduct Medal to Staff Sergeant Jim, Penny during his visit.
Congratulations to Staff Sergeant Penny on his award and
thanks to all members of the Unit for all the hard work
and endeavour.
Deployments at present are Staff Sergeant Geoff Davis
and Corporal Geoff Green in Ulster and Corporal Bob Craister
in Belize.
Arrivals: Staff Sergeant Bartram, Sergeant Davis, Corporals
Bates, Burton and Stanhope, Lance Corporal Moore, Privates
Cross, Latham, Lister and Willis.
Departures: Staff Sergeant Bolden, Sergeant Ryan,
Corporals Dimmock and Proctor, Lance Corporal Griffiths,
Private Halliwell, Corporal Pearse and Private Carr to civilian
life.
Northern Ireland
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HEADQUARTERS
PHYSICAL training has been with us
au
" since our schooldays and it appears
^ a t a s ^ e y e a r s &° by t n e ave *"5ion of
all soldiers, who are not physical educa-
tionalists, to this form of exertion be-
comes more intense. One hears abbrevia-
tlons such as
?FAT, PE Tests, BE Tests
mentioned in silent awe around the office.
Thus it is that the new three mile thing
has caused activities in our office un-
known hitherto. Twice weekly we now hear the word go out
for all to go to training for the great event. In days of yore it
was normally 0630 hrs when a thunderous voice boomed ' out-
side for PT.' The nissen hut shook all the snow off itself, and
the wretched inmates shivered their way to nip three times
round someones striped jersey and await the command ' Little
jumps begin/ It seems that only the time has changed, it all
happens at a convenient 17.15 hrs in the summer!
Arrivals are Staff Sergeant Alan MacArthur, Sergeants Alan
Hall and Colin Dewsbury, and departures are W02 Bob Bush,
Staff Sergeant Dennis Nolan and Sergeant Pete Thomason.
mm
ORDNANCE DEPOT
ANOTHER busy month has passed us by with the highlight of
the Silver Jubilee Medal presentations to Lieutenant Colonel
Start, Staff Sergeant Barnes and Corporal Millar.
Now that the Depot rebuild has been completed a steady
stream of contractors are appearing in the Administrative area.
Our new games room is nearing completion while the decorators
are busy in the dining room. The star attraction in the very
near future is our new multi-gym, which will be in situ, by the
end of the month. Our team of Mourne Wall walkers are
Captain Ian Johnstone, Corporals Pete Wilson and Steve Warren.
Lance Corporal Terry Carlin and Private Phil Powell, sup-
ported by Corporal Don Taylor over from the MOD, all
successfully completed the twenty two miles with upwards of
ten thousand feet to be climbed in the required time. All were
pleased to have completed this very arduous course but were
adamant they would not be back next year.
Our second annual Super Soldier competition was won by
Private Anderson.
Welcome this month to Captain John Sustins, Corporal
Morton, Lance Corporals Coulson and Miller ACC, and farewell
to Captain Ian Johnstone, Sergeant Ken Murray and Lance
Corporal Jock Byrne to BAOR, Corporal Taffy Pickett to Cyprus
and Lance Corporal Condie to Ludgershall.
SUPPLY SUB-DEPOT L1SBURN
SINCE our last appearance in THE GAZETTE there have been a
few changes on the military side of the Depot. Conductor
John Over has joined us from Berlin as Depot Superintendent
complete with Ford Granada GL 2000 for which the OC (who
owns a Mini) has had to surrender his parking space to avoid
incursions on the grass verges. This of course does not reflect
on Mr Over's driving ability! Lance Corporal Chris McKinnon
now provides the technical clerical expertise on his move from
Kinnegar and has recently
returned from a B2-B1 upgrading
1
course sporting a ' B grading, overgrown moustache and what
appeared to be ' ear-muffs.' However, he was recognised and
now has that well groomed military appearance once again.
In the recent Ordnance Depot Super Soldier competition
we had the distinction of providing from our strength of nine,
the winner in Private Anderson and ninth place in Sergeant
Divers. Well done indeed and as we provided the runner up
last year it could be said that our military training programme
is geared to this end.
A special mention this month must be given to Miss Mavis
Kirk. Following a settling in period of six months and im-
mediately prior to our annual audit, the monthly stock check
of supplies produced no discrepancies with the account. This
is the first time during the last twenty months this has hap-
pened and the incoming OC must feel delighted with this
newly found standard of efficiency. Long let it continue!
It may be of special interest to former members of the
Depot to hear that on the civilian staff side the Accounts
Office is still staffed by Miss McCann and Miss Morgan under
the tuneful Mr Cook. Mrs Armstrong gives them company in
her typing ' pool/ whilst in the Depot Mr Bradley keeps his
ever watchful eye on the stores, and Messrs Newell, McCon-
ville, McCafferty, Benson and English, Mrs Dick and Mrs
Corken, make up the team.
HEADQUARTERS 3 INFANTRY BRIGADE
THERE may be one or two people who have heard of the 3rd
Infantry Brigade. For the benefit of those who don't know
much about us, we are located in Portadown, in County Armagh
in Northern Ireland, The Brigade Headquarters moved here
in June 1976—previously we were in the famous 'knicker
factory* in Lurgan which is about seven miles away.
The BOO is Captain Andrew Harrison, ably supported by
the BOWO Conductor Doug Riddell, recently arrived from HQ
BAOR, and the Ordnance Services Clerk Lenny Hardman.
One of our six-month watchkeepers is Captain Tony Dalby-
Welsh who leaves shortly to become BOO of 8 Infantry Brigade
in Londonderry. Captain Tony Patrick also appears around
the place from time to time.
The Brigade Headquarters staff clerks are led by the Super-
intending Clerk, W02 Fred Rowberry who manages to fit some
work in whilst not watching horse racing and rugby! Chief
Clerk G Branch is Staff Sergeant Gus Curry assisted by Corporal
Brian Rider, Corporal Paddy McKendrick, Lance Corporal Guy
Elliott and Privates Steve Turner and Roy Bingham who finds
Northern Ireland somewhat different from the sunny delights of
Gibraltar. Until recently Lance Corporal Kevin Golby was
also in G Branch but was unfortunately casevaced to England,
we wish him a speedy recovery. Chief Clerk AQ Branch is
Sergeant Bill Little and his assistant is Corporal Phil SkecL
The Brigade photographer—noted for his classy glamour pictures
—is Lance Corporal Mick O'Day.
Also in the Headquarters we have 124 Intelligence Section
where we find, occasionally, Lance Corporal Shaun Lampert
who is leaving soon for AMF(L), Lance Corporal Trev Galtress,
Lance Corporal Brian Crawford and Private Dave Blank.
Some comedian in MOD gave Dave Blank a personal number
ending in 762!
The RAOC contingent in the Brigade Signal Squadron
Quartermaster's staff has increased recently.
Privates Mick
Tumilson and Taff Thomas have joined Sergeant Dave Cook
who runs the FAMTO with the able and attractive assistance
of Corporal Sked's wife Anne, Corporal Dave Crabbe who runs
the military boutique and Lance Corporal Dave Roberts in the
armoury.
Congratulations go to Corporal Rider on recently passing
his Bl course. He is now counting his days to do before post-
ing to SSD Dulmen. Congratulations also go to Staff Sergeant
Curry, Corporal Sked and Lance Corporal Golby on their recent
promotion.
We wish WOl Les Cooper a quieter tour with UNFICYP
than he had here. Send us some sun please Les. Compared
with other Units in THE GAZETTE we seem to lead a very quiet
life here in Northern Ireland! We are, however, looking for-
Book number R0246