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RAOC Gazette - page 84

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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 FVD Recklinghausen
FVD's answer to frhe boat race.
Some of the adventures that took place had to be seen to
be believed, but to see Vehicle Specialists paddling assault boats,
drivers going over the Confidence Course and Staff Clerks riding
motorcycles ' m a d e ' us believe it was really happening and that
everyone was included!
In a lighter vain most of the lads managed a couple of
beers before falling into an exhausted sleep at the end of the
days activities which tended to finsh anytime after twenty
hundred hours.
Now that it is all over, the wounds and the bruises are
healing, we can look back with hindsight on our time in Arlon
and say that we enjoyed it With the sunshine, river-rides and
good food etc, we have all re-booked for next year—after all
to go with Freddie Laker would cost a fortune!
Finally back at the Depot we have said cheerio to WOl
V^lly Cooper and his wife Tina who have departed for Berlin
-.1 d welcomed in his place WOl Ken Barnett from Bielefeld.
-ve wish them happy tours respectively.
1st British Corps
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HAVING got rid of the snow which lingered on
the Teutoberger, thick or thin, throughout the long
winter months (November to March this year),
we really have had some nice spring weather. Some
days have been quite * h o t ' This encourages us to
mention our very own Travel Agency—the Head-
quarters RAOC Reiseburo. This is run by the Staff
Assistant, SSM Tony Mottram, ably assisted by
Mrs Isabel Vickers (wife of Conductor George
Vickers in the Army Work Study Team) who is
our Commander's PA and Monty his Black Labrador (who licks
the envelopes). There are ' hot lines' to Lieutenant Colonel
Griffiths (Retd) of the Supply Directorate Headquarters BAOR,
the six RAOC Adjutants within 1st British Corps, and just a few
others. Trade is brisk as this little commentary shows.
From 2nd to llth May, the DGOS Major General Brown
and Mrs Brown visited us, with a trip to Berlin in the middle
of their programme here. It doesn't seem possible that a year
has passed since they were last with us. Anyway, it was super
to have them, they were certainly kept ' on the go,' and * didn't
they do well '!.
From 15th to 22nd May. the CMC RAOC Manning and
Records Colonel Bowden visited us. After quite a quiet
weekend in Bielefeld and several games of croquet, the Reise-
buro sent him off on a 'whistle stop 1 tour around the Corps
area. He gave some nine lectures, goodness knows how many
interviews, and not a few less formal ones in the evenings.
Each time he returned he seemed a little more stooped and
stunted, but soon perked up when he heard what was in store
for him next!
From 22nd to 27th May, DAAG AG9 Major Allan Allkins
visited us. The Reiseburo provided a similar service but this
time no lectures, fewer interviews, and only a two-day job for
him (less officers than soldiers—and fewer problems?). The
task was easier too since he knew his way around, having not
long left us.
From 22nd to 29th May, our TA Chief Colonel Walker
visited us. He was out and about in Dortmund, Minister*
Bielefeld and with CCRAOC in Hohne looking at his TA
Supply Platoons training and working alongside the * regulars '
in our Supply Depots.
On 3rd June, Colonel Spackman from DSCS visits us.
The Reiseburo was so taken aback by having just a one-day
affair to deal with that this event was typed in on the programme
as 'Visit of Colonel Spaceman.* We'll bring him down to
earth.
From 13th to 17th June, our Representative Colonel Com-
mandant Major General Stanyer and Mrs Stanyer will be with us.
Quite a lot stacked up in the Reiseburo for them, and we're
looking forward to having them very much.
So, who needs work during or after that! Seems a popular *
place with others as well as ourselves. So book early—but not
until 1982 please. A 'permanent visitor' has just arrived too:
Major Jeremy Baines came, went on leave immediately, and
after that takes over the Supply Operations slot from Major
Dan Putt. A very warm welcome to Jeremy and Lindy, in
from 1st Armoured Division,
STAFF CLERKS.
This months contribution comes from the
* powerhouse' of the Headquarters namely G3 (Ops). Note the
posh title thanks to NATO nomenclature,
There have been numerous changes since our last contri-
bution. Our new high flying Chief Clerk is Staff Sergeant Bill
Rule who moved in to join us from across the corridor having
been PA to COS, He is still throwing himself out of perfectly
serviceable helicopters or whatever he can get to fly and
manages time off for jumping (so he says).
Our WRAC typist, W/Corporal Gill Earles, has also been
jumping from helicopters. She was supposed to * rope down'
from twenty feet but could not grip the nylon rope firm enough
and ended up with badly burnt hands. Nevertheless, she still
manages to maintain law and order in the office.
Sergeant Charlie Bowden is our COSMIC Clerk (not COMIC
as some would believe). Congratulations are in order as he has
just passed his last subject towards EPC(A). At the moment
he is slightly confused due to the recent moves of office furniture
and is never sure where his resk is.
Lance Corporal Mike Hulme has joined the branch as our
filing clerk. He had a short holiday of three months when he
was attached to 7 Flight AAC in Berlin and ' Stutty Platz * will
never be the same without him. Lance Corporal Hulme has
decided to pursue the academic life and leaves the Army in
September to read for a degree at Liverpool University,
Private Gary MacDonald, a keen marathon runner is
naturally the office runner. He has recently completed the
Hermannslauf in two hours fifty one minutes and the Berlin
twenty five kilometre road race in just over one and a half hours
but still he has to work hard to pass his BFT1
To complete our merry band we have staff officers namely
Lieutenant Colonel Webster who leave us soon on posting/
promotion to the Oman, Major Ashton our S02 G3 Ops who
also leaves us on posting/promotion returning to Canada,
Major Storr our EW man and finally Captain Bangham our
S03 G3 Ops.
Though slightly late we would like to say farewell to
Corporal Ned Kelly on his posting to Headquarters South East
Book number R0250