RAOC Gazette - page 101
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 |
M E N T I O N E D IIV D E S P A T C H E S • Staff Sergeant M. J. Nicholson The Iron Duke, Master General of Ordnance ( 1 8 1 9 — 1 8 2 7 ) . GOC'S C O M M E N D A T I O N Staff Sergeant N . Starkey Staff Sergeant B. J, Taylor IN FATHERS WOl (SSM) JIM WOOD of RAOC Management Services Unit RAOC and his son Sergeant Peter W r ood A C C Peter, who has just completed a tour at Headquarters Northern Ireland - Officers Mess, is on his way to Hong Kong with 1 Scots Guards. As Jim is on his way into retirement next March this was their first and last chance to get together as serving members of the Sergeants Mess. Our sincere congratulations, A MYTH EXPLODED ? WHEN one first crosses the portals of Building 37, Royal Arsenal West, the building which houses the Headquarters of the Army Cataloguing Authority, you become immediately impressed by its grandeur—despite a little decay here and there! In particular, the soaring majesty of the glass dome watching over the entrance hall together with the- well known huge iron stove. The historical interest in the building is heightened on entering the suite of rooms occupied by the Director where attention is immediately drawn to the pictures of the Duke of Wellington. One is always assured by the resident occupant that this office was once occupied by the ' Iron D u k e ' himself, The DGOS, during a recent visit to Building 37, asked that the full historical record be fully investigated and documented. However, on close examination the story turns a little sour to those who enjoy an interesting story—particularly when it is associated with such a well known personage. Hogg's History of Woolwich Arsenal shows on an 1867 map, that Building 37 was a Military Store Office, referred to as the Grand Store, forming part of a group of offices/ stores known as the Military Store Department. Building 37 was erected between 1805 and 1813 and suffered from a malady, particularly prevalent in this area of the. Thames Basin, namely of sinking foundations and cracked walls. The building was also noted for the statue to the Duke which was sculpted in marble, finished by Thomas Milnes in 1848 and subsequently presented to the Board of Ordnance. It was originally sited in the Tower of London and was brought to the Arsenal in 1863 to be erected outside Building 37 facing South. During redevelopment within the Arsenal in 1974, the Duke's statue was again resited and can be seen today occupy- ing a splendid position along the main thoroughfare running through the centre of the Royal Arsenal West site. Hogg makes no specific reference to the Duke of Welling- ton occupying any particular office within the Arsenal when he was Master General of Ordnance (1819—1827) though it is very doubtful that he ever sat in Building 37. Mind you, having said that it's a pity to kill off a good story After all Hogg's map wasn't published until forty years on! » FOOTSTEPS — W O l and Sergeant Wood. ALL RANKS EX-AIRBORNE REUNION AT 3 BAD AN All Ranks RAOC Ex-Airborne Re-union is to be held at 3 BAD, Bracht on Friday 9th October 1981. All personnel who have served in Airborne Forces are invited to attend. Accommodation will be available at Bracht. Further details from: Major C. Robinson BEM RAOC, RHQ 3 BAD BFPO 40. Telephone Bracht Mil Ext 311. 78 — |
| Book number | R0250 |