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RAOC Gazette - page 113

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Full title RAOC Gazette
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Publication date 1977
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Early date 1977
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Transcription Our thoughts arc now directed towards block leave and then
Denmark in September. Exercise Arrow Express has pro-
:d an interesting situation as 6 Field Force and the Logis-

Support Force are providing the enemy for the AMF(L)
( .ipany and the rest of the Battalion will be on opposite
s'.ics of the battle. Should be fun!
Commando Ordnance Squadron
MAY and June have been busy months
for Squadron personnel. Exercise Wagon
Train, tested the fitness of the Regiment
during the last three weeks of May and
a great deal of physical exercise was
introduced as well as a Regimental De-
ployment of a BMA. The exercise was
held at Stamford PTA and offered the
advantage of a superb assault course and confidence area.
Troops were refreshed in most aspects of military training and
two small competitions (or ' Logarythms 1 as the second in com-
mand called them) were held which included river crossings,
grenade throwing and use of the new Clansman radio. Our
photograph taken on Exercise Wagon Train features Private
McKie showing how to cross a stream without getting his
;<?=;r wet (he did! !).
Private McKie takes off on the Stamford Assault Course and
Confidence Area,
WO I Wilson took No. 2 Assault Detachment to the
Hebrides to take part in Exercise Whisky Galore but it seemed
t'vjre was very little whisky on the peat flats of Benbecula.
Individual members of the Squadron need special recognition
!•;•:•; month. Firstly Major Thomasson and Corporal Bennetts
K r both receiving Queens Jubilee Medals. Having two receivers
in the same Squadron is an achievement in itself and both are
congratulated.
Privates Clarke and Phelps both entered an invitation
marathon run by the RAF. Clarke completed the twenty six
miles in good time and Phelps did well to do two thirds of the
distance.
The Regimental Athletics Meeting held at HMS Raleigh
M
<s won by Ordnance Squadron with an impressive display by
">ur competitors. This success resulted in a Stag Night held
1
he "Farriers Club' where the only competitive events were
d.:rts. drinking and a few mess games. Captain Harris's team
came from behind to score a resounding victory over Captain
Fletcher's team.
A Regimental team was selected to compete in the Royal
Marines Athletics Championships in Plymouth and Private
Phillips was our main attraction beating all his Royal Marines
competitors in the 3,000 metres steeplechase. His impressive
successes since arriving in the Squadron are as follows;—Regi-
mental Cross Country—1st; RAOC Cross Country—6th; South
West District Minor Units Cross Country—1st; Army Cross
Country—llth. In Regimental Athletics—3,000 metres steeple
chase—1st; 5,000 metres—1st; Royal Marines 3,000 metres
steeplechase—1st.
Welcome this month to Corporals Lindsay and Holt,
Privates Porter, Cook, Fleming, Hallum, Jones and Tiplady.
Departures since our last issue include Corporal Coley and
Privates Morton and Walls.
RAOC Didcot
HEADQUARTERS
BASE
ORGANISATION
NO DOUBT, in common with many
others, Jubilee celebrations occupy first
place in our bi-monthly newsletter which
commences
with
congratulations
to
Major General Paddy Minogue, Colonel
Charles Smith and Mr Frank Brind who
were awarded the Jubilee Medal.
A most colourful event was the
Beating of Retreat by the Corps Staff
Band on 16th June, Weatherwise we were extremely lucky for
it had been very poor but on the day, when it seemed that the
event might have to be cancelled, there was a dramatic change.
Although cool the evening was still bright when a large gathering,
including many of the Headquarters Staff and guests at the
Officers Mess reception, enjoyed a varied half hour's pro-
gramme.
The
Staff
Band
Beats Retreat at the Didcot
celebrations,
Silver Jubilee
It is many years since a ceremony of this nature has been
held in Didcot and it was doubly pleasant to have it when there
is to be such a change in the role of this long established
RAOC station.
The salute was taken by the Commander, Major General
Paddy Minogue, and amongst those present was the Mayor of
Didcot, Major Arthur Clewes (Retd) who although ex RAPC,
has many associations with the Corps,
After this the Officers Mess Jubilee reception was held in
the gardens where because of the weather, the roses were un-
able to provide quite the colourful display to which we have
become accustomed. Nevertheless, it was a splendid setting
and thanks to the dedicated efforts of the committee and mess
staff, led by the PMC Lieutenant Colonel John Dark, a very
pleasurable evening resulted for the members and their guests
who included many local notables. Also to commemorate the
occasion a silver birch was planted with due ceremony by the
83 —
Book number R0246