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RAOC Gazette - page 245

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Publication date 1977
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Transcription m Hbroab
Allied Forces Northern Europe
ALTHOUGH it is only mid-September reports have already
been received of snow showers a mere twenty miles away,
so it's farewell summer, hail winter. Now is the time for the
small but select band of Staff Clerks RAOC, seven in all, to
abandon their tents, caravans and boats and prepare for wilder
things. Skis must be cleaned and waxed, sleighs repaired
after the ravages of last winter's escapades and winter clothing
checked. Natty ' Long Johns * will soon be the in-thing.
In August SQMS Graham Stock led an intrepid band of
stout hearted men into the wilds to count reindeer! Not one
was sighted but, of course, any child can tell you why—they
were all sleeping prior to reporting for Christmas duty. How-
ever, they did come across some sheep and spent a consider-
able amount of time teaching them to march ' in column of
route/ Talk about sheep being led by sheep.
The soccer season will soon be over freeing Norwegian
referees from the slanderous remarks of Sergeant Bob Costin
and Corporal ' T e d ' Heath. This is one area where it is
fortunate that we have 4 a language barrier.
Earlier this month Ted,' a keen follower of speedway,
wended his merry way into Sweden to watch the World Speed-
way Championships. He managed to reach Stockholm and then,
horror of horrors, failed his map reading, spending most of the
time, so it is whispered, in the fleshpots of that fair city.
Sergeant Don Gosling and SSM Les Allen appear to be
the only people who are fully employed in this Headquarters.
Don must be encouraged to relax and take up a nice gentle
sport—ski jumping perhaps. For SSM Allen what could be
better than the noble art of wine making.
Corporal Dave Hilborn, our man in the UK Support
Element, is anxiously awaiting an addition to his family any
time now and the champagne is already on ice. Our best
wishes to you Ann—don't worry about Dave, we haven't lost
an expectant father yet.
Last month SSM Allen manged a trip to the UK for a
career interview, A successful visit to Records was capped
by a * kebab' attended by several old friends from his Cyprus
days.
The cook, who produced an excellent meal, shall
remain nameless.
We say welcome to Staff Sergeant Jim Byrne and Sergeant
Charlie Salmon and hope they, and their families, are soon
settled in. We say a fond farewell to Graham and Rhonda
Stock. They are migrating south to Germany. Well done on
your promotion Graham. Staff Sergeant John Walsh also
leaves us for Germany. At present John is a ' bachelor
gay* ('gay' in the nicest sense), his wife Daniella and family
being on holiday in France,
We close on a very happy note. SQMS Stock, who was
admitted to hospital in Kiel with suspected pneumonia, has
now been discharged with a clean bill of health,
Headquarters BAOR
THIS month we feature the Materiel Branch of Ordnance Direc-
torate, sometimes called the * Heavy Brigade,' the ' Workers,*
or occasionally after 1600 hours on a Friday afternoon, ' Supply
Managers.' At the top of the pyramid is Lieutenant Colonel
Ian Hardie^ hotly pursued by three DADOS, namely Major
Andrew Jessop of Ord 1, Major Mike Dunne of Ord 2 and
Major Norman Ironside of Ord 3. Cantering more slowly is
Mr Geoff Davis the EO who controls Laundry and Finance.
Perhaps those associated with the branch in previous years
would hardly admit to harbouring dreams of winning com-
petitions with such a small establishment. However, this all
happened recently when a * materiels * team won the in-
augural Rheindahlen ' It's a Knockout' from sixteen teams.
It all really started when the Chief decided to enter the com-
petition and having made his battle plan, moved tac Head-
quarters to the South of France and controlled events by
satellite!
BAOR Ammunition
The victorious Materiel Branch team which won the Rheindahlen
* I t s a Knock-out ' competition.
THE past month has been one where variety has been the
order of the day.
Staff Sergeant Jim Unsworth and Corporal Bob Trude were
accompanied by the Band of the Grenadier Guards when they
performed a musical version of the Battle of Waterloo at the
Festival of Flanders in Ghent The Director of Music wrote
afterwards to express his appreciation and we are able to make
a small donation to charity as a result.
At the same time Captain David Caldwell, assisted by
Private Tim Murphy, was bringing the house down on Exercise
Brand Meister at the Petrol Depot at Warendorf, a suitable
monthly Unit award was made to Captain C.
Staff Sergeant Taff Preece has been in his element having
put us all through Battle Efficiency tests, with around ninety
per cent success, which says a great deal for his perseverance
over the last few months.
Corporal Mick Stripe continues his rallying with not a
great deal of success but he enjoys it. The local club is look-
ing up thanks to his enthusiasm and one day he will finish in
the ratings.
The competition itself was close throughout and, with one
marathon to go, the team were in second place thirty five points
behind 23 Tpt and Mov Regiment masquerading as 'The
Wheelers.' This last game, in which netball type goals were
attempted at the same time as a drop into five feet of cold
water, helped to concentrate the mind particularly of Corporal
Jock Anderson who scored two superb goals to ensure that
we were truly home and wet! To Captain Richard Hazlerigg
and Captain Adrian Stone, SSM Suthren, SQMS Keene, Sergeant
Lever and Corporal Jock Anderson, our many congratulations.
So to future would be postings in, unless you can run a
mile in under four minutes or swim for at least three hours on
a Saturday afternoon, go elsewhere!
Arrivals: Lieutenant Colonels J. F. Shircliff and R. C.
Jacob, Staff Sergeant P. M. Collins,
Departures: Lieutenant Colonel I. F. J. Hardie and Maior
R. C Williams.

Inspectorate
188

Book number R0246