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RAOC Gazette - page 29

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Full title RAOC Gazette
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Publication date 1981
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Early date 1981
Late date 1981
Transcription Back at the OSU we are delighted to announce the recent
award of the Imperial Service Medal to Mr Frank Raines of
Sales and Mr Eddie Smith of the TMP. We also look forward
lo Mr Raines early return lo work after his recent major
operation.
6 Field Force
«
ORDNANCE
COMPANY
^^
PERHAPS the greatest achievement of the
^S^
month was that of our football team win-
.SsgJSfe^
ning the RAOC Football Championships—
e
Wfft^fc.
*h
Richards Cup. This is only the second
l,,ne
*j^n9^Hr m n o r 'hat this has been accomplished by a
^^fl^H^w
i
unit—^e first time being by the Para
MmP^^^^t
Heavy-Drop Company back in 1975. The
&r^
final
was an extremely hardfought game
M
against Bicester, with a fine display of foot-
**
ball on both sides. Private *Phir Stant
once again proved his reputation as leading Company goal-
scorer, this time putting away both goals for our team. How-
ever, he did leave the winning goal until a little later than usual—
in fact until the last few minutes of extra time—a ploy which
certainly led to an added degree of tension in the crowd! With
such a hard-fought game, Private Womble Weedon, the goal-
keeper certainly had his work cut out rather more than in
previous matches. He certainly couldn't complain of being bored
this time! Not surprisingly there followed some extremely
exuberant celebrations in the Company Club for several hours
afterwards.
Photo RAOC Photographic Section RA Range Hebrides,
Second Lieutenant Joe Hutcheon, OC Benbccula Detachment,
Queens Own Highlanders Army Cadet Force, is seen here being
presented with his one hundred mile BFT Certificate* Mr
Hutch eon works as an Accommodation Services Accountant at
The Royal Artillery Ranges, Hebrides. The one hundred mile
sponsored run was in aid of the Erskine Hospital for disabled
Ex-Servicemen,
STORES SECTION RA RANGE
HEBRIDES.
The Stores
Section elite were intensely studying their lunchtime crib cards
when the tense atmosphere was shattered with the OC, Captain
Slade (fresh and full of wisdom from his Ordnance Officers
Course) proclaiming * GAZETTE notes, who's going to write
them.' The IA to this remark resulted in the whirlwind brain
of W02 John Robson informing everyone within earshot of
his and Staff Sergeant Ken Ray's posting to Hong Kong (as if
we would forget). " New blood " exclaimed Sergeant Norman
Coom. All eyes then traversed and fixed on yours truly.
Being a man with broad shoulders and knowing of no escape,
accepted what fate had in store, Good Ho rejoiced the OC
bounding out of the office, crib has not been the same since.
Corporal Paul Trent was seen to be smiling when he read
his posting order to Cyprus, Lance Corporal Taff (Wales will
win next year) Jarman is looking forward to his forthcoming
venture into wedlock. Private Dave (if it moves photograph it)
Dewar has been kept busy with section photos. Lance Corporal
Allan Pickup is now back in the fold after his detachment on
St Kilda. Corporal Terry (Wigan has got a pier) Byrne has
taken up this much sought after detachment By the time of
going to print movement within the section will see the
departures of W 2 John Robson and Staff Sergeant Ken Ray. To
them and their wives Sylvia and Nancy we hope they have a
good tour in Hong Kong.
S o u t h East
^ ^ ^ ^
^ ^ ^ ^ J ^ ^
^y^£jO-3^
J^GHHRfl^V
H^pMEvll
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V ^ B T lljtrM
Richards Cup
193 k
Shortly before Easter Leave another Company Exercise was
held in local training areas as part of the build-up towards the
6 Field Force FTX Amber Express to be held in Denmark later
in the year. Once again the 'A' Company 1 RRW provided a
first class enemy, which certainly kept our men on their toes
throughout the exercise. Our defence against recce patrols,
night attacks and our anti-ambush drills are now becoming well
practised. Hopefully a number of useful lessons were learnt,
particularly by the many young soldiers who are recent additions
to the Company. During the exercise we also had visits from
the Commander 6 Field Force Brigadier Beckett the Ordnance
Officers Course and an RAOC Potential Officers Familiarization
Course,
Over the Easter weekend, our intrepid canoeists entered the
Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race. This is a very demanding
event, requiring hard training and individual guts, and was
successfully completed by three of the four teams. This was the
first, but hopefully the first of many times, that this Company
has entered the competition, and although, comparatively, our
times were not fast, a great deal of effort and determination was
shown.
Starting on 17th April, at different times, the crews made it
as far as Reading on the first day, severely hampered by strong
easterly winds. The following morning, the leading crew had to
withdraw as a result of two broken seats and a sprained wrist.
This was sickening when the hardest part of the course had been
completed.
The first crew to finish. Lance Corporal MacFarlane and
Private Windy Breeze, arrived after thirty six hours paddling.
District
THE Headquarters has been heavily in-
volved during the past month in Exercises
Puff Adder and Wintex, We are now
trying to cope with an increasing work-
W e s a y
farewell to W 2 Barry
Shakeshaft and wish him well in BAOR.
In his place we welcome W 2 Mel Lee
ASHFORD STATION.
Of all the many
visitors to Ashford Station and the OSU, pride of place must go
to the recent visit of Her Majesty The Queen to The Intelligence
Centre, During the programme, Captain David Moore had the
honour of being presented to Her Majesty and also attended a
luncheon in the Headquarters Intelligence Corps Officers Mess.
The mail room in Headquarters Intelligence Centre must
be running efficiently as borne out by the recent promotion of
Jim Galloway to Lance Corporal. Sergeant George Leadbitter
actually made it to MOD and rather belatedly we welcome Staff
Sergeant Don Hendry to the fold.
A1DU(E) have undergone a few changes in personnel with
the arrival of Sergeant Nick Jones and the temporary move
of Staff Sergeant Mike Swift to "Shh—you know where."
«
winners
20
Book number R0250