RAOC Gazette - page 193
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1977 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | No |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1977 |
| Late date | 1977 |
| Transcription |
tatton JJetosi Headquarters Director General of Ordnance Services AT LAST, after many months of speculation, the first elements of HQ DGOS, Ords 2 and F, have 'set up shop * in, what is eventually to be the permanent home of the Logistic Executive (Army), at An- dover Those of us who still soldier on in First Avenue House are now busily engaged in preparing to move sometime during November, we hope. Brigadier Stuart Ryder having now handed over the reins of DDGOS to Brigadier Bill Whailey has moved across London to take over the duties of DCT from Brigadier Malcolm Page and we wish him well in his new appointment. Others who have left us for quieter corners of the UK are Lieutenant Colonel David Parker to Didcot, Lieutenant Colonel Bob Cannons to the Petroleum Centre and Sergeant Dave Mc- Carthy to CAD Kineton. Headquarters of The Directorate of Supply Management (Army) S MAN 1 AS the time for our departure to Andover approaches one tends to reminisce an life in First Avenue House and in spite of everything I must confess it has its lighter side. To those who don't know about these things, First Avenue House will con- jure up a stony faced ministry building with a heart to match. But we who are privileged to work here know differently. Take our lifts for instance, or what is left of them, no one could ever accuse them of a lack of soul or humour. As any past or present incumbent will tell you, a mystery tour in their hands will brighten the day of the most dejected Ministry Defender. For example, the other evening, at about 7 pm (we start late, so we work late), I strode into the open arms of trap No. 4 and braced myself for a speedy descent to the outside world. It was not to be, we stuck good and fast between the fourth and fifth floors. Now I should tell you, that just in case any of our inmates become lift bound there is a telephone with reassuring little instructions fastened to the lift wall. They invite the stranded passenger to dial a particular telephone number and indicate that if this is done, all will be welL Keeping perfectly calm, as one does in a submerging motor car, I lifted the receiver and carefully dialled the emergency number. A delightful female voice answered. " I'm stuck in a lift in First Avenue House " I said. There was a long silence. " Would you like me to talk to you " she said sweetly. " Well that's nice of you " I replied " but I had rather hoped you would get me out of here." " How am I supposed to do that?" she said stiffly, I explained about the life saving instructions and there was an even longer pause. Eventually another voice spoke, obviously that of the Supervisor, telling me help was to hand and that I was to remain where I was! I made myself as comfortable as possible and settled in to the unread part of my newspaper. After what seemed an eternity I was disturbed by a far off voice shouting "Are you on this floor?'\ " N o l l " I hollered, my morale rapidly rising. A pause of about a minute, then—"Are you on this floor?"— the voice was getting nearer. " Further up," I replied. By this time it was getting quite exciting. There were more enquiries followed by further pauses until ray rescuer was satisfied he had located me. Gradually regaining his breath he began a detailed interrogation, "Are you smoking?"—" No " I replied. " That's good/' he said, " because there's only a limited supply of air in there—now breath shallowly," he went on. "And sit on the floor, because if the lift cables break, you'll stand a better chance." To save breath T merely grunted my understanding. "Are you feeling nervous?". This was the last straw! " 1 was perfectly happy until you came along/" I said, "Get me out of here!! 1 '. That quietened him and he went away. After ages of non smoking and shallow breathing, I was eventually released by two overtime-disgruntled maintenance men who told me how tb lucky I was. " One chap/' they said gleefully, 11 over in White- hall, has been stuck a lot longer than you!! . Well as there are no lifts at Andover, I suppose that is a side of life we shan't see again. We say farewell to Major Ben Cooper on posting to Here- ford and Captain John Norris who is to attend Manchester University. In their places we welcome Major Roy Johnson and Captain Adrian Lyons. CONTROL DIVISION WE have in C and GS Provision Branch said farewell to W02 Pat CVHara who is retiring on the completion of over twenty two years service, and welcome W02 Phil Simmons to replace him. Whilst welcomes are being mentioned we must congratulate Private Roger Thirtle and his wife Christine on the birth of their son Mark. On the sporting scene, while Sergeant Rocky Daniels was captaining the Army Cricket Team the rugby players led by Sergeant Pete Silvester were fumigating the building with winter- green. I suppose all will have to suffer this until next cricket season—not that the current season has yet finished, TECHNICAL EQUIPMENTS DIVISION A MYSTERY has finally been solved. We now know why Lieutenant Colonel Tony Camfield's new dog is called ' Major/ It is a subtle scheme to keep his loyal retainer Major Graham Browning perpetually on his toes. Every time the dog is sum- moned Graham leaps to attention and shouts " Sir." Ah well, it makes a change from looking for tank tracks. He is worried that if he ever finds them they will be stamped " Made in Russia/* The great debate on the wearing of berets by officers con- tinues. They sprout progressively as SD Caps come up for their oil changes. Captain Martin Smart wishes to claim the distinction of being the first beret wearer in the Division but is thinking of petitioning the DGOS. He feels that he would prefer a DPM combat cap as he thinks it makes him look more like Rommel. Lieutenant Colonel John Gentle deliberately wears a rather small beret as he has no wish to be mistaken for Michael Crawford- Telford New Town's " It's a Knock Out" competition was entered by a team drawn from our civilian officers. Some 20,000 spectators turned out to watch but the DSM Flyers unfortunately came sixth out of a field of six. Consequently the rumour put about by Mr Chris Copeland that the Team Captain and Manager Mr Max Plimmer has received a tempting offer to go to a certain Arab country is certainly not true. However we are thinking of having a quick whip round. We have said farewell to Captain Lennox MacEwan and his family and wish them all good fortune in BAOR. In his stead we welcome Captain Peter Veal, fresh from his triumphs at the Aldershot Army Display—perhaps more of a Roman Carnival than a triumph! We say farewell to SQMS Dennis Roud and Sergeant Jim Mclnerney from Engineer Branch. Well done and may they have every success in their civilian careers. Corporal John Pensom is off to BAOR and his replacement is Corporal Bryan Wilkes who is to be congratulated on being awarded his Corps football colours. We welcome to Communications Branch Sergeant Brian Massarella and Sergeant Colin Knight. We trust that BAOR has not sapped their stamina as fit to fight training is now all the rage in Donnington. As Private Chris Davy found to his horror, this training can involve the odd bout of hand to hand combat with Major Sidney Pincher when the more geriatric seekers after the body beautiful require a breather. Finally we announce the gift of a daughter Kate to Mr and Mrs Graham Hobson of Weapons Branch. Also the loss of a moustache to Staff Sergeant Mel Hamilton of Com- munications Branch, This has thoroughly confused the Publicans and young ladies of three counties. — 148 — |
| Book number | R0246 |