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RAOC Gazette - page 35

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Publication date 1978
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Early date 1978
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Transcription •» SUB-DEPOT. 'New brooms' are the order of the day in 2
51 >-Depot as we report the arrival of Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy
C'i-non as OC and the departure of Lieutenant Colonel John
^ jars to TXW COD Bicester.
Early in the month we had a farewell party for the depart-
ing OC at the Royal Oak in Blackthorn and at the same time the
new OC had the good fortune of meeting some of the staff who
were present Needless to say a most enjoyable time was had
by all.
The death of Private Rosie at the age of twenty eight, was
reported in the May GAZETTE. Private Rosie was a popular
member of the Sub-Depot and during his short time with us
made many friends, both civilian and military. To Mrs Rosie
and family we extend our deepest sympathy.
On the 17th April Brigadier M. B. Page presented the
Imperial Service Medal to Mr George Goode for his devotion
to duty. George, an ex-SNCO from the Corps has been around
COD Bicester for several years and was employed in Group VI.
Our congratulations to him and our best wishes for a happy
retirement.
Central Ammunition Depot Kineton
THE retirement of RSM Alan Harwood
after twenty two years regular service
takes pride of place in this months report.
He began his Army Career with the Royal
Military Police in 1956 and saw emergency
service with them in Cyprus. In 1958 he
transferred to the Royal Army Ordnance
Corps and again saw emergency service
but this time in Borneo. He later served
in the Far East, Jamaica, Bahamas t BAOR
and finally four a half years in Kineton.
His otf duty pastimes included football and boxing and he will
long be remembered for his achievements as a Class 1 foot-
bitl referee. The Commandant, Colonel Keith Berresford, at
dining out, paid tribute to RSM Harwood and expressed his
regret that the RSM should be leaving the regular service and
especially from CAD Kineton where, over the past few years,
he had built up a Sergeants Mess second to none.
Senior Member, Conductor John Morling, presented a very
large picture on behalf of the Mess to the RSM and, in pay-
ing his tribute, pointed out that the tri-ad of Colonels on the
top table was surely a mark of the respect felt for the man.
The ' wags' of the Mess had their say, for at the end of
RSM Harwood's farewell speech they produced from beneath
thi table a set of fluorescent green cards and in ice skating
style proceeded to ' mark him down.' Undaunted to the end,
the RSM check-mated the evening by producing a cheque for
£600 towards the Queens Silver Jubilee Fund, mainly raised,
as usual, through his own efforts.
We take this opportunity to thank RSM Harwood and his
wife Rita for their hard work in Kineton and wish them both
a long, happy and active retirement
Canoeing is breaking its way through the permanent winter
weather that seems to be the order of the day at the moment.
O r band of stalwarts have been seen creeping off to the
River Avon at Stratford to practise white water techniques on
the local weir and plans are well in hand to commence basic
training courses in May.
This month has been one of success for the Unit football
team; they beat Blackdown two to one in the Richards Cup
semi-final. The game was dominated and spoiled to a degree
by a very strong wind. Blackdown had the advantage of
the wind in the first half but failed to make full use of it and
led only one nil at half time. In the second half the Kineton
team continually pressured the Blackdown side and this resulted
i" -.wo fine goals by Privates Steve Harper and Steve Sayers.
The early morning jogging religiously undertaken by the
over forties paid dividends this month with a ninety nine per
cent pass rate in the BFT test. The most outstanding achieve-
ment going to Sergeant Harry Dowey with a three mile time of
23-05 minutes.
Long Service and Good Conduct Medals have been awarded
this month to Staff Sergeant Franklin and Sergeant Leverton.
The presentations were made by the Commandant in the
Sergeants Mess.
Congratulations also this month go to Lieutenant Colonel
Steve Roach (AEO), WOl Adams, WOi Alfred and Sergeant
Ridley on promotion.
Finally we wish Colonel Berresford, Staff Sergeant Camplin,
Privates Crouch, Taylor and Vincent speedy recovery from
their recent hospitalization.
Army School of Ammunition
WE have said farewell to No, 30 AT Upgrading Course and
are well on the way to completing No. 31 Course. I am sure
that the students are appreciative of the lengths to which the
instructors go to ensure that they pass]
Staff Sergeant Alan Anfield has left us for a well-earned
tour in Canada and we welcome, from the Canadian forces,
W02 Harold Putsey, and hope that he and his family will enjoy
a pleasant tour with us.
We have also bid a fond farewell to Sergeant 'Arthur'
English who left these shores seeking employment in climates
much hotter than here in Kineton.
Sergeant Gordon Lloyd-West successfully completed the
Pre Ops Course and is now * doing his bit* in Northern
Ireland.
Ex-members of the School staff will remember one of the
TD and C backroom boys, Mr Keith Parkes, and will be sur-
prised to learn that he tendered his resignation and is currently
employed by a local meat distribution company. It is hoped
that he has little cause to 'beef* as a result of his decision.
A warm welcome is also extended to Captain Frank Steer,
who is currently being groomed for stardom as OIC TD and C
Branch, May he and his family also thoroughly enjoy them-
selves for as long as it takes for AG9 to move them along.
Congratulations are offered to Sergeant Tony Corr, promoted
into the Sergeants Mess and having his third chevron well and
truly wetted within those hallowed walls.
WOl Mick Pugh and Staff Sergeant Jim Howe represented
West Midland District in a recent Small Bore Competition in an
Inter-District Shooting match at COD Donnington.
Staff Sergeant Alan Frankin was presented with his well-
earned Long Service and Good Conduct Medal by Colonel
Berresford, the Commandant. Congratulations to Staff, also to
Staff Sergeant Frank Smith who successfully completed the Staff
Duties Course and is now able to read and write in a military
manner.
The Director of Land Service Ammunition, Brigadier Cowdry, on
exercise with members of I ED Branch, Army School of Ammunition
and students of 49 Pre Operational Course.
Central Ammunition Depot Longtown
BY the time these notes are published Mr Ernie Green and Mr
Bill Irving will have retired after a total of seventy six years
service between them; we wish them well in their retirement
and thank them for their loyalty and hard work over the years,
At a recent Regimental Dinner in the Officers Mess we
were honoured to have as our guests, The Mayor of Carlisle,
Councillor Long, Wing Commander McDonald from RAF
Spadeadam, Lieutenant Colonel Laver and Major Preston from
MVEE Kircudbright.
Our congratulations to Sergeant Nice on being promoted
to that rank, and a warm welcome to WOl Cuthbert and
family who return to ' the fold/
The shooting team are practicing hard under Captain Alan
Glasby for the RAOC Shoot and if only half the stories I
hear are true they should do very well!
Book number R0247