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RAOC Gazette - page 130

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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 sunny as forty nine 'carefree' ladies headed for Holland aboard
was controlled by Captain Lawrence Wood, the new Adjutant,
a luxury coach (no common Garrison transport for us!). whose handling of this rather tricky part which included the
' Lovely to have a day out on our own * was heard from
forming up of Guides, Brownies, Scouts and Cubs earned him
time to time—we wondered if our abandoned husbands were
considerable praise. The RAOC were represented in the drive
having the same thought. First stop was De Porceleyne Fles in
past by Staff Sergeant Taff Davies and Private John Reegan
Delft where we viewed many beautiful but expensive pieces of
in an EOD Land Rover, Corporal Dennis Head in an Iron
Delft china. A potter showed the 'simple' craft of moulding
Fairey Crane and two Fire Engines from FSO III Tom Flock-
the clay to various shapes while artists sat laboriously paint-
hart's Fire Station in Episkopi.
ing each piece of china.
We are, perhaps surprisingly, always pleased to receive
Next slop was the Spido in Rotterdam for a seventy five
visitors. Amongst those which have arrived recently are Colonel
minute trip around the harbour which proved to be very
L. C Sharpe from MOD (C&T2), Lieutenant Colonel B. Lick-
breezy. We discovered on arrival in the city centre that the
man from Vehicle Depot Ashchurch, Captain A. D. Bently and
town was on holiday due to Queen Julianas birthday! How-
Lieutenant Raggett from CVHQ, Mr R. Pritchard from MHTTJ
ever there was a carnival atmosphere everywhere and the city
Bicester and, fleetingly, Major P. Walton from RMA Sand-
was crowded with holidaymakers* Music was obviously the
hurst.
theme as we came upon group after group of musicians. Pop
Sport plays a major part in the life of the services in
groups (terrific), a steelband, silver bands, bazooka bands, one
Cyprus and we have an exceptionally talented staff who represent
group riding cycles and a band in Dutch national costume. We
the Corps in a wide variety of activities to a greater or lesser
ail met up again at 6 pm a bit foot-sore but everyone had en- degree of excellence. Amongst the most noteworthy to whom
joyed themselves. The trip home was lively—helped along by
we offer our sincere congratulations are: Rugby. Staff
wine, a raffle and Mrs SkeePs bingo calling. A visit to a cafe
Sergeants Frank Lawrence and Taff Davies who were awarded
en route brought an enjoyable day to a close and sent forty
their Army Rugby Colours. Staff Sergeant Tony Collins trained
nine ladies home happy.
the Army Cyprus team which was only narrowly beaten by the
A fascinating talk on * Beauty Culture and all its Aspects * RAF, eight to six.
Basketball Captain Lawrence Wood who was awarded his
and a make-up demonstration was given by Mrs Poole, from
Army Basketball Colours although the team, trained and cap-
Antwerp. She has been a beauty therapist for twelve years and
tained by Sergeant Will McBurney (HQ LFC), was beaten by
has worked for a number of cosmetic houses. Her lecture was
the RAF by a slightly greater margin.
very thorough and easy to understand and the lucky ' victim/
Mrs Sharp was given a very natural look which went well with
Squash. W02 Geoff Coaker who reached the semi-finals of
her recently acquired Spanish suntan.
the Cyprus Army Open Squash Championships. This was an
extremely creditable performance considering the high standard
In conclusion, we welcome to the Unit W02 Malcolm
of play. In the Squash League the RAOC team lead by W02
Frith, Sergeant Alex Copland, Privates Lee Steer and Steve
Geoff Coaker with Sergeant Pony Moore and Corporal Ron
Woodroofe. We say farewell and thank you to WOs2 Laine
Pearson came ninth.
and West, Staff Sergeant Darling, Sergeants Hasson and Feehan
Marathon. Private Bill Black who did magnificently to
and Lance Corporal Fowler on posting. We congratulate the
achieve twelfth position in the Cyprus Inter Service Marathon
following on promotion to the ranks shown: WOl Bill Barker,
run oyer twenty six miles. RAOC had no fewer than five
WOs2 Vic Green and Geoff Malthouse, Staff Sergeants Pete
entrants for this gruelling event and Corporals Steve Mc-
Caul and Clive Cross, Sergeants Brian Hector and Tony
Burnie and Don Pearson came seventeenth and twenty fourth
Thomas and Corporal Chris Allen. Special congratulations go
respectively. Overall the team were placed fifth despite Corporal
to Lance Corporal Gordon and Mrs Elizabeth Parkin on the
Dennis Head having to retire just on the half way mark. The
safe arrival of Claire. The christening took place in St Boniface
reserve Private Kevin Bacon ran as an individual but also had
Church, Antwerp on Sunday, 19th June.
to retire at about the twelve mile point. Despite this all five
entrants displayed outstanding courage and powers of endurance
and all are to be congratulated.
RAOC Cyprus
Rallying. Sergeant Bill McDonald and Corporal Tony
A S
K.ALI-1
MANY readers will know, RAOC
O'Connor who entered the BAM A Cyprus Driving Champion-
1
ofe
I
representation can be found in most parts
ship and the Targa Rusticana Rally. Although unplaced be-
cause of a simple, but unrepairable, mechanical failure in the
1
1*1
I
°^ Cyprus where the Services are located.
BAM A Rally they did well to complete the course and may
\ £^% l^
f
Many are independent in so far as they do
well otherwise have been amongst the trophies.
•Mr/^TlflB
not come under command of CRAOC* and
Sailing. Corporal Tony O'Connor who has recently been
^UIKMW
these include the RAOC contingent in
selected for the Services Round the World Yacht Race after
^Ckl^f
Nicosia which forms part of UNFICYP,
an
exhaustive selection process which would have daunted
^^E^F
Staff Clerks mainly at Headquarter Land
a lesser person. He has been provisionally selected for the
^^^F
Forces Cyprus in Episkopi, and a number of
fourth leg, Rio to Portsmouth, starting in February 1978. This
^^
Stores Sections or individuals on the strength
is an outstanding achievement which deserves the highest
of other units or organisations for specific tasks.
praise for endeavour.
CRAOC, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Mathams, and Head-
quarters RAOC Cyprus is based at Episkopi whilst at Akrotiri
HQ RAOC EPISKOPI
is SATO, Major Ken Cooper, who is also responsible for the
THE preparation for the IE (A) inspection and the subsequent
Ammunition Stores and Vehicle Depots. At Dhekelia, Major
' haggling' placed considerable strain on all who were closely
Ray Vincent is responsible for the Supply Depot. Of course
associated with it. Steering us through this experience was
the organisation is not quite as neat and tidy as that for
Major Frank Falle who at the same time was handing over
Barrack Services and the Army Fire Service under Major Neil
his appointment, now retitled Second in Command, to Major
MacCormick and FSOI Harry Cooper respectively. They are
Trevor Seabrook. Naturally where adjustments can be made in
well represented at both Episkopi and Dhekelia but do not have
an organisation after such an inspection, this is done and
any responsibilities in Akrotiri.
The former has however
in consequence the Adjutant, Captain Lawrence Wood, and the
recently opened shop in Nicosia and the latter has a well
Orderly Room Sergeant, Sergeant Jim Massey have now moved
established Fire Station in Ayios Nikolaos.
their offices from Akrotiri to Headquarters RAOC Episkopi.
So much for the geography and organisation in Cyprus, now
The inevitable shuffling of offices ensued and after a quick
for the news.
coat of paint to smarten them up, we are now very much as
The most distracting event to have taken place recently
we hope to remain for the foreseeable future. A feature of
was unquestionably the IE(A)3 inspection. All RAOC functions
the Headquarters is that OC Barrack Services, Major Neil
for which CRAOC is responsible throughout the island were
MacCormick (or OC Accommodation Services Unit Cyprus
examined and apart from a few minor adjustments, it is likely
as he is shortly to be known) is now an integral part of the
that our organisaton will remain very much as it was.
organisation as is the CFA, FSOI Harry Cooper and both work
The happiest occasion was the parade to mark the Queen's
alongside our DADOSs (or are they SD2s) Major John Rose and
Silver Jubilee. This was a masterpiece in organisation and an
Major Richard Tregarthen.
extremely moving event to behold. All three Services were
represented with the_ Army forming the basis for the actual
In no way less exacting than an IE(A) inspection but far
parade with very polished RAF support and a twenty one gun
more rewarding was the Christadoula's sponsored walk in aid
salute from HMS Mohawk, a frigate, anchored off Happy
of the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society. An article on this walk
Valley and forming a splendid background for the whole colour-
appears elsewhere in THE GAZETTE. Suffice it to say that the
ful event. A feature was a march and drive past by Corps,
magnificent sum of over £400 was collected by Headquarters
Service and Civilian organisations not actually on parade. This
RAOC Episkopi staff.
98 —
Book number R0246