RAOC Gazette - page 150
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 |
SENIOR SOLDIER RETIRES S month we sadly say farewell to the Senior Soldier, .ductor Penman. He leaves the Corps after an association p .nning thirty seven years and embracing almost as many tppointmems in stations as widely apart as Didcot and Hong Cong or Detmold and Niarobi. A Scotsman from Wishaw Lanarkshire Mr Penman is one )f four brothers all of whom have seen long service with the \rmed Forces. QUARTERMASTER CATEGORY COMMISSIONS CURRENTLY there are three types of quartermaster com- missions open to RAOC Warrant Officers:— (a) Ammunition Executive Officer—restricted to former Ammunition Technicians; (b) Ordnance Executive Officer-open to all RAOC Warrant Officers Class I ; (c) Staff Quartermaster—selected on an Army wide basis and controlled by the Military Secretary, The number of Ammunition Executive Officer posts is small, amounting lo only eight per cent of our Regular Quartermaster ceiling. At the same time there is little variation of appointment and very limited choice of posting area. Ordnance Executive Officers enjoy much greater flexibility in postings and can achieve job satisfaction in a wide variety of appointments. The current system does not make the best use of the quality available by restricting the employment of the majority of former Ammunition Technicians solely to ammunition ap- pointments. In order to rectify this and to broaden the posting opportunities open to former Ammunition Technicians DGOS has authorised the amalgamation of the Ordnance Executive Officers and Ammunition Executive Officers rolls with effect from 1st January 1982. From that date all RAOC quartermaster category officers, with the exception of Staff Quartermasters, will be known as Ordnance Executive Officers. Certain designated appointments will continue to be filled, as now, by former Am- munition Technicians. The amalgamation will in no way prejudice the commission- ing prospects of any individual. Selection will continue to be on merit subject to the use of a quota which will take account of the numbers of candidates from each career employment qualification in the zone. OFF TO DARKEST Conductor Penman. Long Service is not uncommon but there can be few who can surpass or even match Conductor Penman's pride in the appoint- ment he has held or his dedication to the Corps whose cap oadge he has worn for so long, With his departure the Corps loses yet one more of the old school and we shall be the poorer for it. We should like lo thank both Conductor and Mrs Penman for the many years of loyal support they have given and wish them both a long and happy retirement AFRICA MAJOR A. P. BYLES departed from a very damp and dismal Hohne for the sunshine and adventure of an unaccompanied tour of duty in Zimbabwe recently. The collective staff of 79 Supply Depot decided to say goodbye in grand style supported by the band of the 14/20 King's Hussars. Major Byles had just handed over command of the Depot to his 2IC Captain Collett, pending the arrival of Major N. O. H. de Foubert from 1 (BR) Corps Headquarters, GALLANTRY AWARD STAFF SERGEANT NICHOLSON has been awarded the Queens Commendation for Brave Conduct His citation notes that in removing the cache of dangerous phosphorus grenades from a site being prepared for a car park on the A30 road at Hook, Hampshire, he was in sole control of events, contacting police and fire services in arranging for the safe transportation and disposal of the grenades, The citation added:—"His handling of the problems, with- out supervision, enabled the danger to the public, his assistant and himself to be overcome in a competent and safe manner." Workmen had unearthed a crate of white phosphorus-filled grenades at the car park site. Unpleasant fumes were coming from a trench, partly water-filled, where the box lay. At least one grenade was damaged and broken to expose its phosphorus contents which were smoking. The trench was on the edge of the main road opposite a petrol garage. With his assistant Staff Sergeant Nicholson dug away at the earth banks of the trench by hand to find all the grenades. As more were discovered the contents, benzine and phosphorus, floated to the surface of the water, close to his face. Small fires broke out as a result of smouldering phosphorus. Staff Sergeant Nicholson worked on the task for five hours. From time to time he had to be decontaminated by firemen playing their hoses on him. Each time he emerged from the trench his clothing began to smoulder. There were spurts of flames from the phosphorus, which was covering his clothing. Zimbabwe here I come. BRITISH ARMY WEST NEPAL EXPEDITION THE Corps is very well represented in the Army Mountaineering Association Expedition which will take place next year. Staff Sergeant Green is to lead Party A and Major Muston ParLy B also in Party B are Major King and Major Watts, Cap- tain Hannaway and Corporal Morris are among the reserves. This is very strong Corps representation indeed and we look forward to more news as the expedition develops. 9 — |
| Book number | R0250 |