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RAOC Gazette - page 109

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Corps RAOC
Material type Journals
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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 lynui to (in relays) three days in Scotland with the Signal Squad-
v in the summer, A lot of the clerks spare time is now
,: <[ on driver training—so far we have not written off any
but Lance Corporal Elliott seems to be trying very hard—
A - I almost succeeding!
We hope this short brief will convince everybody that we
really do exist! More news will follow in future editions,
STORES SECTION NORTHERN
IRELAND
ROULEMENT
WORKSHOP
BY the time these notes are published we shall have finished
our Operation Banner tour and shall have reverted to our
normal designation of RAOC Stores Section, 4 Field Workshop
i albeit temporarily as we re-form later in the year to become
4 Armoured Workshop), and the RAOC Stores Section of 12
Armoured Workshop should be firmly ensconced in the
province. Enjoy yourselves lads, only about one hundred and
twenty days to push!
Generally, it's been a good tour with a large number of
us visiting the Emerald Isle for the first time,
Our OC is Captain Geoff Smith who received a Jubilee
Medal during the tour He seems to have enjoyed himself and
has spent much of his time driving round the province at
high speed visiting all the detachments, W02 Derek Harrison has
b<:en pretty busy also but has managed to play some golf in
his limited spare time, while the roving stocktaking team of
Siaff Sergeant Terry Brooks and Sergeant Robbie Fenwick have
spent very little time in Sydenham.
The clerks and storemen have all given sterling service to
the Workshop.
Corporal Willie Hepburn has been NCO
in charge the Sydenham Detachment with the largest contingent,
He and Lance Corporal Duke Earl have been running the show
in PC and A whilst Lance Corporal Bubbles Cundliffe has been
working wonders in and around the storehouse.
Privates Geordie Heddon and Mark Wilson have been
something of Jacks-of-all-trades, the former even turning his
hand to being a Reconnaissance Mechanic while the latter has
been learning all the aspects of being a Technical Clerk.
Corporals Bob Taylor and Bill Frazer have been enjoying
themselves down at Long Kesh while Lanee Corporal Bill
Turner has been living and working in the * knicker factory' in
Lurgan.
Corporal * Brummy' Hawkins has been tripping the light
fantastic up at Ballykelly and from all accounts has been spend-
ing a small fortune in the process. Meanwhile, at the other
extreme, Lance Corporal Ossie Edingborough has been caged
up at the sharp end in Fort George.
Our man in Moscow for the last four months has been
Corporal Kev Rothwell who has been working hard at getting
a sun tan before he goes on leave.
Of the drivers, Lance Corporal Jeff Streets has been threaten-
ing to get married* and he, along with Privates Dave Mansfield
and Pete Woods have seen a great deal of the province at the
Army's expense. Private John Entwistle has been hobbling
round for the last few weeks with a leg in plaster as a result of
playing volleyball,
Last but not least is Corporal Harry Mills who spends most
c: his time helping the CSM make out duties forecasts etc,
thus he is not generally seen in the environs of the Stores
Section,
Finally, we would like to thank all those people who have
helped us during the last four months—both in Northern Ireland
and in Detmold.
guests. About seventy five members attended and the facilities,
under canvas but alfresco, afforded by 19 Airportable Ordnance
Field Park, were much appreciated,
As a reward for his efforts, although he tells it otherwise,
Carl subsequently went 1 to a press showing in Clacton of the
film TV Bridge Too Far. It's who you know that counts.
No contribution would be complete without mention of
Captain Bob Stafford-Curtis, OC of the Supply Depot, and his
water activities. Bob attended a recent course at the Army
PT School, Bulford and surfaced as a Class 2 sub aqua referee,
or some such. Deep breathing helps, I'm told.
Bob was away on another course when a party of sixteen
Commonwealth and Foreign Ordnance Officers from the RAOC
School visited the Supply Depot last week. Everything went
well thanks to the efforts of Messrs Flynn and Allcock, his
deputies. Earlier in the day Major Bill Manuel, OC 19 Ord-
nance Field Park, had hosted the students when they visited
his Unit
Conductor Len Benton has had some laudable successes in
cycling lately. The Army v Inter Service twenty five mile
Time Trial Championship in May saw him first in the Army,
third in the Inter Service 100-kilometre Road Race and fourth
in the Inter Service Championships, respectively. Well done!
Major Len Fullilove, our DADOS (Mat), is more than
usually • full of binge ' these days. This may be due to his
recent course of continuation training i.e. sailing on the Solent,
but it is more likely the prospect of retirement from the Army
in a few weeks' time, and the concomitant booty. While wind-
ing down, Len is often to be seen engrossed in some didactic
tome on Arabic. Whatever one may think of Len's English,
his Arabic commands respect.
Lastly, we said goodbye, at a lunch time get-together, to
Major Ken Walker and welcomed his relief as Barrack Officer
Chilwell, Captain Bill Adams. We wish Ken well on his
departure. Watch this space.
North East District
WE said farewell to Lieutenant Colonel
Ron Clark (Retd) in mid July who leaves
the service on retirement. Ron joined the
Army on the 1st April 1932 and was com-
missioned on 29th November 1939 and
after a long and varied career, retired
from the active list on 13th July 1967.
He joined Ordnance Branch Headquarters
Northern Command in May 1968 where
he has served until retirement. We wish
Ron a long and happy retirement and trust that he will now be
able to concentrate on his much loved sport of sailing.
Mr Bob Pickering, Clerical Officer for many years in Ord-
nance Branch, has after a long illness finally retired, we trust
that Bob will return to good health and will enjoy many years
of retirement.
Mr Raymond Clark, senior civilian at OSU Barlow retired
in June after serving the Corps for thirty years. Ray joined
the depot at Barlow in 1947 as a labourer and worked his way
Eastern District
MAJOR TONY BATLEY (Retd), by com-
mon consent the most cheerful Ordnance
representative in these parts, has now served
his term as GAZETTE correspondent. However,
he has promised to give the present writer
counsel and encouragement from time to
time, so the inimitable Bailey touch may
not be entirely lost.
And now to the * nitty-gritty/ by which
is meant the myriad of colourful events
and personalities making up Ordnance in
Eastern District.
Let's give first place to Major Carl Dicker, our DADOS
f Org/Plans), who as secretary of the local RAOC Association
branch won acclaim with the organising of an Association
Jubilee cheese and wine party on Friday last. The tables were
groaning with fine fare, if not by the end of the evening, the
,
/
— 79 —
Photo Wakefield Express Services Ltd.
The farewell presentation.
Book number R0246