RAOC Gazette - page 68
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 |
-ntinue to be christened with local acronyms with 1NIBA (Body incur Mk2) and PIGLET (high velocity protection kits for .iid Rover) be added to the Northern Ireland vocabulary. We were delighted to see the DGOS again. He met a umber of Lisburn based Junior Ranks for a lunchtime pie nd pint and dined the same evening as a guest of the Officers, VOs and SNCOs at a very successful dinner night. It is umoured in at when a lemon sorbec was served between the ish and meat courses to cleanse the pallet certain diners thought hat they had missed the main course. Congratulations seem to be in order this month. We con- rratulate Private Alan Irons on his recent marriage to Jackie. \t the next stage of marriage we congratulate Sergeant Les -••ice and Glenys on the arrival of their first son. after three ; lempts! Les also gets congratulated for being selected for -fomotion to Star! Sergeant. Also on the same list were Sergeant Paddy Stanway and Staff Sergeant Pete Dimmock. Captain Alex Sturdy organised his escape from the Officers Vfess and now resides in a little cottage out in the sticks. We have said farewell to Sergeants Stan Andrews and Derek Knight who have gone to the Depot and Headquarters BAOR respectively. We say a belated welcome to Sergeant ' E l Cid ' Siddiqui who is in charge of Provision Branch and Sergeant George Doyle, our Gunner Sergeant CC of G Training. Lance Corporal Davies has moved in upstairs and runs the Ops Room for us. i hear on the Grapevine that the Frodshams are taking over. Corporal F is coming to join his brother Staff Sergeant F. EOD BRANCH AND HEADQUARTERS 321 EOD COMPANY RECENTLY, on one of the few days when the rain temporarily ceased, the sound of running feet was heard to echo around the camp. Yes, the BFT season had reached even this small corner of Lisburn Garrison. Ably led by the OC Major Hawkins, everyone passed (naturally) and returned to their respective offices :o continue watching the rain, and think of greater things. We have said farewell to the two R. Signals SNCOs Staff Sergeant Bob While and Sergeant Ken Robson. On departure they presented the Company with a silver plated tray to grace our display cabinet. We welcome in their place Staff Sergeant Taff Smart and Sergeant Roy Sutherland. Welcome to Lance Corporal Geordie Bassett who becomes the new jockey for the OOs wheels. AMMUNITION INSPECTORATE. The present heatwave allows the Ammo Insp to spend a lot of hours out of the office. Alas, not in the sunshine, but mostly in the cold, damp ammo bunkers. When not underground we are sweating it out in the squash court. Captain Andy Law, now firmly in the driving seat, has recently admitted his devotion to Tottenham Hotspur. Their victory in the FA Cup seems to have * spurred * him into sub- mission. (Ugh!) The decision of one referee to allow a penalty to Wolves in the semi-final caused an inquest on the Monday morning (Sergeant Spook Anderson has vainly tried to protect the reputation of referees ever since). Talking of referees Sergeant Anderson has handed over the responsibility for referees in the Province, and so has mare time on his hands (a new Seiko adorns his wrist). Anxiously awaiting a posting order, thoughts of Australia, I'm told. We shall see. WOl Dusty Stone, complete with wheels again, still provides us with many topics of conversation, (his recent rugby injury causing him to become an apprentice junky). He also takes an active part in the Garrison Drama Groups although he has yet to be seen on stage. WOl Stone has one burning ambition before leaving the Province, although he doesn't say what it is. Lance Corporal Dave Sharp is at present back at school, doing all subjects for EPC, so not much of him lately. It has been noticed recently though that his hair is thinning out. The sight of Lance Corporal Sharp in uniform is also a first for a few of us. Best of luck Dave. Will Captain Law ever talk about anything else since Spurs won the cup? What is WOl Stone's ambition? Will Sergeant Anderson go down under? Will Lance Corporal Sharp ever be the same? We'll keep you posted. (OC's Note: if the standard of these notes does not improve they will all be posted). NO. 1 SECTION. This month, thanks to the opposition, business for No, 1 Section has been brisk. By the time this article goes to print Captain Mike WTiarmby assisted by Lance Corporal ' Y o r k i e ' Williams and Bobcat will have gone through the end of tour ritual of checking the bottom of the static water tank for two pence pieces, fully dressed. He will then hand command of the section (or so he believes} to Captain Ken Moules. The WOl Dave Couling/Corporal Keith Morn's duo have had problems with the opposition throwing grenades and then recovering them when they don't work. {PS anyone seen a grenade). Staff Sergeant Chris Brown, ably assisted by Private Jake Jenkerson-Kenshote, has been seen going into ladies toilets in Ormeau Park; they say for suspect packages! NO. 2 SECTION. Since our last report No. 2 Section has undergone a complete change over in staff. Captain Andy Williams and W r 02 Paul Mitchell are now in residence. 17 Squadron (Border Troop) of 10 Regiment RCT are now with us and are carrying out driver training around the Bogside and Creggan areas. A lot of emphasis has been placed on map reading since, initially at least, one team habitually headed in the opposite direction to the task (a wise move). The section has been relatively busy recently as our resident ' feet,' 2 R. Anglians, have been very successful with their search techniques. The section welcomes late arrival Corporal Pete Hurry and Signallers Billy Mill and Tom Naylor. HEADQUARTERS 3 SECTION—PORT ADOWN. Since the last contribution the leadership has been handed over from Captain Lloyd Roberts to Captain Geoff Lynn. The Team wishes Captain Roberts success in his new appointment as ATO Aldershot. Sadly this is not the only change within the team. At the time of writing we are in the transision phase between No. 2's from Corporal John Howard to Corporal David Barker. We also welcome our new * Beaver Op,' Private Kenyon. During this recent period we have spent the long hours of in activity repainting our bar which has been the scene of devasta- tion following Captain Robert's leaving party. The unfortunate problem encountered was that every time a paint-brush was approached, the team were tasked—but at least this distraction provided the coats of paint adequate drying time. Past members of 3 Section would probably be amazed at the accommodation that is available to us although many would recognise relics from past locations, even if it is only the Lurgan Dog Section at the bar. To try and brighten up the area of Felix Square it was decided by our * Bleep' Signalman Ozzy Lindon to paint a large Felix plaque on the entrance ramp into our garages. Just as he had finished this magnificent painting 321 EOD changed its designation from Unit to Company so he had better get .the brushes out again—then we might get somemore work to do. AUGHNACLOY DETACHMENT. Life in this far flung outpost proceeds at a nice slow pace except when Corporal Kevin O'Rourke the outgoing No. 2 is driving, giving Staff Sergeant ' Clondyke Pete' Newman more grey hairs than the terrorist with his devices. We are about to bid Corporal O'Rourke farewell as he hands over to his successor Corporal Paul Milnes. The vehicles, renown for breakdowns have again been uparmoured and serviced with another coat of paint while the team have been relieved of bullet-proof para smocks and red berets provided by 3 Para on their handover to C Bty RHA. BESSE ROOK DETACHMENT. The detachment continues its existence somewhere in the regions between fervent and zero activity, Old hands of BBK would hardly recognise the old place now that the room has been redecorated—but then again perhaps they would, paint is only a layer of skin and beauty is only skin deep. They must have built this place inside-out. This however is almost luxury compared to the accommodation avail- able to the resident battalion who are amazed at its wall to wall carpeting, plush cord three piece suite and two tone taste- ful decor. Not to mention personalised bunks—a rarity at the mill. As with all the other teams we are undergoing a period of turbulence due to the turnover of members. Corporal Steve Turner hands over his bunk to Corporal Barney Scullion. The * Bleep ' Lance Corporal Kevin Meadows hands over to Corporal Maney Hesselden and Private Colin Wickes hands over duty to Private 'Tiff' Tiffany, whether that includes romancing the WRAC Detachment as well, no one is saying. Since last writing, RUC officers at Warren point have a re- newed interest in vehicle resprays, airconditioning is now a feature at Newtonhamilton, breastplates a fashion in XMG and suitable holes in which to hide are a must at BBK. Resident Battalion requests for candid camera Ops are passing through the experts ATO Det Bessbrook. Past EOD members may remember similar instances. |
| Book number | R0250 |