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RAOC Gazette - page 31

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Publication date 1981
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Transcription participants for Day Skipper/Competent Crew courses at the end
of this month. The Exercise was in two legs with a crew change
taking place in Plymouth: the first week saw us in and around
the Channel Islands and down to St Maio and the second week
we negotiated the Scilly Isles (at night!), the South Coast and
again the Channel Isles.
Photo Captain Dowries,
The road relay winning team comprising Staff Sergeant Keppie,
Lance Corporal Jackson, Lance Corporal Brown and Private
Bradley.
pionships, and the photograph on page 7 shows him receiving
the prize from Mrs Berragan, wife of the Commandant, with
the CAO, OC and Adjutant looking happily on.
The Garrison Golf Society held its Spring Meeting recently,
and were rewarded with glorious weather. The morning handi-
cap competition was won by Captain Airdrie from DSM
Vehicle Division, the rabbits competition by Lieutenant Colonel
Weatherburn of A Sub-Depot, and the afternoon stableford by
Captain Wood*
The hockey season has now finished, and hopes of winning
the Army Cup were ended by 33 Squadron RE in the semi-final
at Aldershot by two goals to one. The Team then competed
in the Ban Cup at Blackdown, and, despite qualifying for the
later stages of the competition, then failed to win a further
match.
Congratulations this month go to Staff Sergeant Johnstone
on attaining an A Grading at the RAOC M and RO Documenta-
tion Course, and to Privates Brown, Heaney and Jackson on
promotion to Lance Corporal.
Central Ordnance Depot Bicester
WE are happy to report the return to
Bicester, from his detachment to Ghana
of Lieutenant Colonel David Evans, al-
though it is sadly only for a few days
until his move to DSCS, It is some time
since some of us have seen such brown
knees.
We have recently been honoured with
some important visitors and among them
was Lieutenant General P. A. Travers
(late RCT) GOC SEDIST, who whilst here
presented a Long Service and Good Con-
duct Medal to Sergeant Peter Heap of
DSM(A) Control Division.
16 Battalion
HEADQUARTERS.
The flavour of the month must be foot-
ball. The Battalion team was in the finals of two competitions
and the inter-company five-a-side competition has just been
played. The Battalion team won seven six after extra time and
penalties in the R A F London League Cup, but unfortunately
lost two one to 6 Field Force in the Richards Cup.
We would also like to mention the presentation of the
Long Service and Good Conduct Medal to Corporal C. H.
Sonahee by the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Wallace.
Company news follows.
HEADQUARTERS
COMPANY.
Things are in full swing
organising numerous exercises both adventurous and military.
We took part in 7 Field Force's Exercise Panther's Tail last
month and this month saw Exercise Flying Jaunt II get off the
ground. This Exercise consisted of two weeks offshore sail
training, in the English Channel and the Solent, preparing
— 22
'A' COMPANY.
Yet again 'A' Company have hit the sporting
highlights by winning the five-a-side football competition, need-
less to say Hilliers Warriors really tried and it paid off.
Our Light Infanryman Sergeant Jack Garland is attached to
the Quartermaster's department and has just purchased a book
in Arabic, 1 think it is?
The purge of the month is block jobs, and in-nights, which,
I must say arc going down well judging by the comments from
the living-in lads!
By the time these notes are printed, we will be walking the
roads around Arncott on our five mile bashes, wearing our
brand new webbing straight from stock, or so they tell us! Who
said the First World War.
The 'A 1 Company Admin Staff are still awaiting replies on
the age of our elusive Admin Officer Captain Chris Hiller, the
ages received so far have totalled one hundred and sixty one
years—and that's from only three people! Results will be
published in the next edition.
One of our RP Staff Lance Corporal Steve Lynch has now
accepted a further four years in the Army, he keeps stating that
he has been k conned * but hard luck Steve, you did sign on the
dotted line . . . . Congratulations to Corporal Tony Masham
on passing his Staff Clerk Bl Course (at last) and also to Private
Paul Fitzpatrick on passing his MTTs course. We welcome in-
to the Company, W 2 Darling (Master Butcher) who takes over
A4 from W02 Alan Smith who is moving to B Company as
the CSM. Does that mean that it has been recognised at last
that A Company always show the others the way!
We've had a real scare lately as a ghost of a figure appeared
in the Company Office who is purported to be a runner of some
note (Army Colours no less) and even worse, stating he is to
become our new Officer Commanding in May. Suspicions were
raised again when he appeared for fitness training. I can report
that the leave clerk (Joan) has had to stop doing crossword
puzzles to cope with the new enthusiasm for submitting leave
passes for the month of May.
Last, but not least, our CSM, Tom Flowers, has been com-
missioned by the CSM of 4 ADOC as a painter and decorator.
Does this mean 4 Combat Supplies Company will be moving
to BAOR this year to smarten up their hosts!
' B' COMPANY.
The big event of the period under report is
the arrival of our new CSM. W 2 Smith has turned his back
on the factory of 1 Sub-Depot for the delights of Regimental
life with the Company. His presence is already being felt as
the number of those who forgot their haircuts has diminished
rapidly,
We also welcome into the fold Second Lieutenant Andrew
Farrow who joins us from the YOs course. We hope he enjoys
his stay with us and we look forward to him getting involved in
Regimental life.
On the sporting scene, * B T Company finished in the Inter-
Company five-a-side football, but nevertheless retained our
position as leaders in the overall sports competition* Fitness
training is also very much in our thoughts. The Commanding
Officer's Training Directive requires us all to run three miles every
week and complete a forced march of five miles in Battle
Order. To those roughie-toughie soldiers of Field Force units
this may not be very hard, but to us depot bound soldiers, it's
a daunting task. However, ' B ' Company will not fail.
We welcome to the Company, Sergeants Kenny and Marks,
and Privates Hodgkinson and Rex. We hope they enjoy their
stay.
* D ' COMPANY.
* D ' Company have reached the end of 1980
winter sports league with many victories to look back on. The
annual badminton challenge match, Army v Le Havre was
played recently, the Army Team travelling abroad to win back
the trophy. The team of six included two players from * D '
Company, Corporal Cath Wilson and Lance Corporal Loren
Jefferies, playing as the Army number one doubles pair.
Despite the opposition's attempts to overfeed and water them,
the Army won nine to Le Havre's six. The ' D * Company bad-
minton team meet Chatham in the finals of the South East
District Inter Unit Badminton League. They have also fought
their way through to the finals of the Inter District hockey
held at Aldershot. With perfect weather to help them on their
way, * D ' Company won one, lost two and drew three games, but
no matter, everyone enjoyed themselves and most came home
Book number R0250