RAOC Gazette - page 13
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1981 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | No |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1981 |
| Late date | 1981 |
| Transcription |
THE 17 RVD SCROLL THERE was an interesting prelude to the official naming of St Barbara's Barracks in Viersun recently. A scroll, in Gothic lettering, relating the story of St Barbara, which had previously hung in the C O office of the Vehicle Sub-Depot of Composite Ordnance Depot, was retained at Vfcrsen, on the closure of the Moenchengladbach Depot in March 1979 with the intention of finding a suitable home for it. Such a home arose with the proposed naming of 89 Supply Depot's barracks. Accordingly the Commander 15 Ordnance Group presented it to Major R. Vincent, OC of the Depot, at a simple ceremony in their * Eighty Nine Club.' Particularly gratifying, however, was the presence of Herr Rudolf Dzenis, now the draughtsman at Viersen who, in 1967, prepared the scroll whilst serving in 17 Rear Vehicle Depot, as the Moenchengladbach vehicle unit was then titled. The photograph shows Major Vincent, Herr Dzenis and Colonel Carruthers with members of the depot staff, Phoro Rudolf Dzenis. The Si- Barbara scroll. PRESENTATION TO B M H M U N S T E R THE Commanding Officer of Forward Ordnance Depot Dulmen Lieutenant Colonel Mike Ewens recently presented the Families Ward at BMH Munster with a portable TV/Radio/Cassette player on behalf of all ranks of the Depot. Shown receiving it, we hope loud and clear, are Colonel Chris Garrett and Captain Wendy Clarke, the ward sister. Photo Lance Corporal A. Bromilow. A present From Dulmen, THE RAOC AID SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT THE Committee of Management are pleased to present this report for the year ending 31st December 1980. During 1980 the RAOC Aid Society had requests for help from five hundred and fourteen applicants. After close in- vestigation, in conjunction with SSAFA, the Royal British Legion, The Department of Health and Social Security and other welfare organisations four hundred and eighty five needy cases were given financial help. This number exceeded the 1979 total by thirty nine and involved a total outlay of £24,876, This was an increase of £9,460 compared with that given in 1979. Some of the applications, which were rejected, were passed on to other Corps and Regiments with whom it was con- sidered, the applicant had a closer affinity. The Aid Society also contributed £19,000 to the Army Benevolent Fund to assist with their support of National Service Charities. Recommendations by the Aid Society resulted in the Army Benevolent Fund making grants and loans to serving and ex- members of the Corps and their widows amounting to some £30,500. The pattern of applications changes little from year to year, although the effects of redundancies and unemployment are becoming apparent In addition to the problems of old age, there are many ex-RAOC soldiers suffering from a variety of disabilities and illnesses precluding them from any further wage earning capacity. Many of our ex-colleagues are truly pathetic cases and any help which we give is received with gratitude. Frequently applicants are reluctant to ask for help and do so only as a very last resort. There is no likelihood of the need diminishing in the next twenty years and the demands on the Aid Society are likely to increase rather than decrease during the next two decades. Again, as in previous years, Secretaries of many RAOC Association Branches have been active visiting old comrades confined to Homes and Hospitals and at Christmas sixty nine such patients were visited and given small gifts. Such kindness was much appreciated by the recipients. The continued assistance and help given by serving officers, SSAFA, The Royal British Legion, the Forces Help Society, the Officers Association, The Department of Health and Social Security and Hospital Welfare Officers is greatly appreciated, The Army Benevolent fund again arranged free holidays, through Pontins Holiday Camps, for service widows with young children and we were able to take advantage of this facility. In addition, forty two ex^Corps members had a free holiday at a variety of convalescent hotels/homes. This was arranged and paid for by the Aid Society in conjunction with the Royal British Legion. The Regular Forces Employment Association found work for one hundred and sixteen ex-RAOC soldiers during 1980. The Committee is pleased to report that in 1980 sub- scriptions, donations and income from investments resulted in a total of £72,936 being credited to the Aid Society. Here are a few examples, in summary, of aid given by the Society in 1980: An ex-Warrant Officer, in his seventies, was suffering from peripheral neuritis which limited the use of his lower limbs. He needed a special geriatric type chair but the cost was more than he could afford. The Aid Society gave financial assistance. The seventeen year old daughter of an ex-Corporal was involved in a traffic accident in Germany and as a result was so injured that her mental capacity was reduced to that of a child of five. After a long period in hospital, the German medical authorities considered it would be beneficial for her to return to the UK. Owing to her physical state it was necessary for her to travel back in a special ambulance. The family savings had been used up in visiting and for the mother to stay near the hospital. The Aid Society gave generously to help bring the girl home. {Continued on page 36.) |
| Book number | R0250 |