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RAOC Gazette - page 292

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Corps RAOC
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Publication date 1977
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Transcription rm>mh Staff Sergeant Jim Uns worth's hour-long struggle with
^e terrorist terrapin (a deceased pet 'buried' behind a grating)
as judged worthy of the award. This month, during a period
t security alerts, WO I Pete Dandy grappled with the latest
i;rrorist threat, the APDN (U>—Armour Piercing Disposable
Nappy (Used)* Luckily he played it by nose, becoming thus
worthy of the citation. Watch this column for further tales
of extreme heroism
Congratulations to Corporals John Anderson and Pat Powell
on their selection for promotion to Sergeant; John has just left
us for Operation Banner and we wish him luck on his tour.
Also congratulations to Private Tim Murphy on his selection
For promotion to Lance Corporal and to Staff Sergeant George
Ferguson on his substantive promotion.
DETACHMENT. This month saw the official opening of the
Detachment Bar, with a successful thrash. Senior members of
the Unit were seen fighting as to who could get their desks
nearest the bar, but the position in question seems permanently
occupied by Corporals 'Taff' Roberts and Paul Myring. (HQ
—does nobody do any work in this Unit apart from making
bars?).
We took part in a Farewell Parade for Lieutenant Colonel
Diestel, the Kommandant of the Bundeswehr Depot in which
we are located, and welcomed the new Kommandant Lieuten-
ant Colonel Dittman (HQ—to the bar?).
Our illustrious leader, Captain Hayden is away-again-on
;he Junior General's course, JDSC, Warminster, and as our
busy Range Period is over it's a time for catching up with
paperwork and taking well-earned leave (HQ—in the bar?).
We welcome W02 Don Newlands from UK and Corporal
Steve Boulton up from Herford (HQ—any good at making
bars?).
,
Congratulations to Serjeant Bob Clay and wife on the
arrival of their daughter Deborah Louise, and Lance Corporal
Stan Kettle and wife on the birth of their daughter Victoria
Louise. (HQ—Barmaids?).
We welcome WOl John Hammond, Staff Sergeant Jim
McLeod and Lance Corporal Richard Rainey. Farewell to
Sergeant Tony Mattinson on discharge,
VEHICLE SUB DEPOT MOENCHENGLADBACH
IT was wilh a tinge of sadness that the CO announced to both
the military and civilian complement the forthcoming closure
of the Vehicle Sub-Depot. It is hoped to feature a short
history of the Corps in Moenchengladbach as a separate article
in THE GAZETTE, as soon as space allows.
Among the many visitors this month was the Commander
Rhine Area, who, together with the Commandant, was enter-
tained to lunch by the Unit officers. Also visiting the Unit
was a party of schoolboys from Tredegar Comprehensive School,
and they were given a real Welshman's welcome—but declined
our offer of a game of rugby!
15 Composite Ordnance Depot
STORES SUB-DEPOT VIERSEN
WALT DISNEY in his wildest fantasies could never have
imagined that his Seven Dwarfs of Hi-Ho fame would make
the transition from the diamond mines of dreams to the work-
a-day reality of Viersen. But made it they have. Daily, they,
and other gnomes coHeeled on their journey through dream
time, can be seen picking and shovelling away at the veritable
noun tain of stores awaiting transportation to the cloud cuckoo
mists of Dulmen.
The Unit footballers, happy souls they, continue the make
believe into the First Round of the Army Cup by whipping 40
ASR soundly, three goals to two, and sending them hungry
to bed.
The charismatic Badgers emulated the minor-men when
they took on the 6 Ordnance Field Park Gladiators up from
the dark reaches of Korbecke and triumphed by twenty two
points to four. Skipper, Corporal Johnny Bertram, succumbed
:o the blandishments of the wicked fairy and has bitten deeply
of the apple. His suspected ulcer (and all other Badgers) await
the kiss of some handsome prince. The RSM, Jock Black,
through some aberration on the part of the Corps Selectors, was
selected and played against RAF(G). Having seen him knocked
down for about the forty second time the DOS BAOR, Brigadier
F. P. Crawley, was heard to remark " By golly, Jock—how do
you stand these falls from such great heights?** and was
rewarded with "Nae problem, Sir, would ye mind pointing me
in the direction o' the nearest cemetery/'
On the 3rd of October an Inter-Departmental Cross Country
Race was run through the leafy glades surrounding our en-
campment Regimental Wing, by dint of stopping for breath
only every two hundred yards to the one hundred and fifty
of the tradesmen, snatched a creditable win.
Major David
Langdon scorched home ahead of all the hoary oldsters for
the over forty prize, Captain Bob Will ox eased in for the over
thirty fives and, surprise, surprise, Captain Andy Byles, OIC
Cross Country, gleefully accepted the over thirty award. Major
Graham Macdonald, our Fitness Training Officer, chufl-chufTed
away at the back of the field and valorously sprinted in the
final ten yards. After the now fashionable kiss of life was ad-
ministered by the Head Gnome, he recklessly rolled his eyes and
fell effortlessly off the six foot table.
Congratulations to WOl Ken Pratt on Acting Promotion,
W02 Steve Dodds, Corporal Charlie Coffils, Lance Corporals
Trevor Mayers and Scouse Campbell on substantive promotion.
Photo Public Relations HQ BAQR.
Corporals Taffy
Mardi and Taffy Williams with boys from
Tredegar Comprehensive School.
Our birdwatchers have been extremely active and recently
paid a visit to the Folders in Holland to witness the bird
migration. Amongst the many varieties spotted were Avocets,
Spoonbills, Godwits and Harriers. From their sightings we are
led to believe that we are in for a hard winter, but at the
moment we are enjoying an Indian Summer.
The hockey team are striving hard to get off the mark this
season and have so far experienced some very narrow defeats.
The rugby team, under Staff Sergeant McNaught are holding
their heads above water and recently drew with 3 BAPD * B '
Team. The soccer team under the captaincy of Sergeant
* Scouse' Schiller are doing well.
Unfortunately, we were
beaten 2—0 in a DOS cup match against RAOC Wulfen. Such
was the fervour and excitement of this game that it was deemed
by the many spectators who were present to be as good as any
cup final they had seen. Our best wishes go to Wulfen for the
next round, and to Sergeant Schiller, Lance Corporals Fensome,
Smith, Catch pole and Private Davis on their recently being
selected to form part of the Corps Soccer Squad against the
RCT,
It is difficult to know which language to use when meeting
Major Terry Glen. It could be either German, Russian or
English. At present Major Glen is studying Russian whilst on
a parallel course he sits the German Interpretership examination
in two weeks time—bon chance mon vieux! (howzat from your
correspondent).
On the tip of everyone's tongue is the forthcoming Cross
Country Challenge match against SSD Viersen, hereinafter re*
ferred to as ' The Great Race.' Excitement has reached fever
pitch and more than one hundred and seventy runners are
expected to go to post for this Cross Country marathon.
Generous odds may be had from the local bookies, and at
present Viersen are favourites, due to the race being run over
their course and distance.
The Unit Marching Team goes from strength to strength
with an average turn out of sixteen members (including families).
Marches have taken place in Paris, Belgium and Germany. The
average distance is twenty to twenty five kilometres and is usually
completed in under two hours thirty minutes, the exception
— 223

Book number R0246