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RAOC Gazette - page 36

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Corps RAOC
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Full title RAOC Gazette
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Publication date 1978
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Early date 1978
Late date 1978
Transcription Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
THE month of April may in the past have inspired the song-
writers but as far as Sandhurst is concerned it does not lend it-
self to article writing for the Corps GAZETTE. Reason—spring
recess occurs at this time and during recess, Sandhurst closely
resembles a ghost town with only the dedicated Staff Clerk on
view.
The only news of note was the arrival of Andrew a new
addition to the Curry family. Congratulations to Gus and to
his good lady.
PS Hope the Promotion
Board's results aren't as disappoint-
4
ing as those of the Pay rise.'
1 Army Air Corps Support Section
MUCH water has flowed under the Avon
Bridge here at Netheravon since last
writing and although no drastic changes
have taken place, DADOS (Air) UKLF
tells us they are about to. He is referring
to a possible move, to Middle Wallop.
This we have been hearing about for so
long, that we feel that it will be some time
before anything happens.
Corporal Dave Flower and Private
Barry Walker are becoming quite accom-
plished photographers (unpaid) in their
task of checking and identifying aircraft modification kits and
role equipment.
The stocks of obsolete modification kits
are gradually being skimmed down so that in the not too
distant future we will be the lean organisation that is currently
so desirable.
Corporal Ken O'Neill has been posted from this Unit to
7 Regiment Army Air Corps as FAACO Sergeant. He seems
pleased with the prospect of more pay even though he has
to walk to work a further five hundred yards down the run-
way. At his farewell presentation it was very gratifying to
get from him drinks on his posting and on his promotion.
2 Flight AAC is now back from Norway and Sergeant
Bill Merrills, their FAACO Sergeant, is beaming with satis-
faction.
Their ASM tells me that Ord and Mov Support
during their exercise was superb. It is a pity 2 Flight missed
the snow storms here, we could have made good use of their
Snowcats.
CRAOC read the weather well and planned the Annual
Technical Inspection after the snow had melted leaving his
mark on the Unit*
We have all managed to pass our BFT first time which
goes to show a little training goes a long way. AH that remains
is to say farewell to CorporaL O'Neill and to welcome Corporal
Flower from 6 Field Force Ordnance Company.
#
1 Ammunition Inspection and Disposal Unit
HEADQUARTERS AND ATO OLD SARUM
AFTER winning the Bari Cup for hockey and the Plate in the
Bruce Sevens, 1 AIDU is now entering a team for the South
West District Skill-at-Arms Meeting led by Major King the
Second-in-Command.
Ex-Conductor Barwell is now definitely a civilian as he
has landed himself a job in which he earns more than he did as
a Conductor RAOC.
The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Archer has
surfaced (sic) and is busy wrestling with the problem of where
to put the Headquarters once Old Sarum closes.
CQMS Geordie Fox has been busy (so he says) checking
detachment stores. He was last seen heading for Hounslow via
the North East clutching a blank 17711
ATO OLD SARUM
THE death knell is sounding. Old Sarum. our home of the last
few years is going the way of most things these days T under the
auctioneer's hammer. Plans, rumours and blasphemous curses
abound as information becomes available on our impending
move to, wait for it! Tidworth. Any ex-members of Old Sarum
Detachment who lean towards the sentimental may apply for
a piece of Old Sarum Turf before the close-down. Of course, a
* moderate fee' to cover * costs * will be charged!
Congratulations to Captain and Mrs Hanlon on the birth of
their son Paul. Farewells are in order too as Sergeant Roy
Whitford leaves us for a six-month detachment to DLSA and
Lance Corporal Bob Graham attends the ATs Course at Kine-
ton. Welcome to Sergeant Russ Edwards from Hong Kong
who is settling down nicely, re-cataloguing our museum.
SATO NORTH
THE last few months have been a turbulent period in SATO
North's area in terms of postings and detachmenls, but at least
it keeps everyone on their toes. Apart, that is, from Staff
Sergeant Alex Calvert who is on his chinstrap after his recent
detachment to Kenya helping to run a local resources section.
The hardships he endured do not seem to have blunted his deter
mination to do it all again, should his country need him to.
Active service of a different kind has lead to the award of
an MBE for gallantry to Captain Rod Jennings, also of our
Liverpool detachment, which has delighted the many military
and civilian friends he made during his tour of duty in thL
North West.
Some recent and noteworthy sporting achievements have
been chalked up both by individuals and the Unit as a whole.
Sergeant Paul Fletcher (Catterick) won the RAOC Individual
Ski Trophy at the Army Championships, Corporal Richard
Partridge (Edinburgh) performed very creditably in the northern
section of the Army Orienteering Championships, and 1 Ammo
IDU carried off the Plate at the Bruce Sevens with a team
gathered together from all points of the compass. We were
able to win the Plate only after losing to DLSA in the first
round of the competition, a useful lesson to the younger ATs
in. the team—it's no use trying to get the betler of DLSA, be-
cause they always win,
Postings omV^Captain Rod Jennings and Corporal Jack
Powell from Liverpool, W02 Peter Green and Lance Corporal
Pete Harry from Catterick. Postings in—Captain Gerry Page in
Liverpool, WOl Geoff Walmsley in Edinburgh, W02 Brian
Cushman, Staff Sergeant Ron Barnes and Corporal Alan Deben-
ham in Catterick. Congratulations to Sergeant Chris Brown on
his promotion, Corporal Debenham on his marriage and to
Corporal Mel Lack and Sally on the birth of a daughter, Sarah,
and to Lance Corporal Brummy Parker and Liz on the birth
of a son, Clive.
SATO EAST
THESE notes include occurrences for all ATO Hounslow and
Hounslow based personnel. We have now drunk the crate of
beer from the .22 competition and it was enjoyed by all.
Sergeant Strafford is now back from his swan around the
Mediterranean. We are due to lose Sergeant Richardson who
is going on a Commando Course for two months, and Staff
Sergeant Mountney who is at the moment doing his pre-ops
course prior to going over the water in the not too distant
future.
ATO HOUNSLOW
OVERHEARD at Old Sarum, "One of our detachments is
missing." No, the Hounslow Detachment is still around and
working as hard as ever. There has been quite a change of
personalities during the last couple of months. Captain Mike
Wharmby has replaced Captain John Vickers as the ATO and
W02 Eric Cottrill has taken over from W02 Bill Baron as
SAT. Mrs Shirley Fox, our clerical officer who has served the
detachment well for the last six years has gone to the big city
on promotion.
Sergeant Geordie Richardson who found inspectorate work
far too hard has taken the easy way out and gone commando.
Staff Sergeant John Burkin has departed for Germany and Staff
Sergeant Nigel Woodman has left for Kineton. Sergeant John
Nutman joins the team from CAD Bramley and Miss Stella
England has been posted to us to replace Shirley. To those who
have gone, farewell, and we bid welcome to those coming in.
Sergeant Ron Strafford has been away on a Mediterranean Cruise
and Corporal Sian Hughes has just returned from Safari in
Kenya.
HQ SATO WEST AND ATO HEREFORD
THIS YEAR, so far, seems to be one of comings and goings.
With Major Alan CI outer in control, we have welcomed a?
ATOs Captains Alan Morley and Phil Hanlon fresh from the
1977 Course. Captains Malcolm Ingram and Bill Pearson have
departed for BAOR and our own Headquarters, respectively.
We have welcomed back from over the water Sergeant Keith
Levi son and WOl Ron Cooper, (from his second tour) and
hope that he hasn't brought back too many new ideas. Corpora
Steve Baker has gone on four months working holiday U
Belize,
As a change from Ammo inspections and retrieving EOE
from the wilds of Wales, here at Hereford the boys are actualh
using weapons and firing ammunition; and almost unheard of
donning their sports gear and jogging round the Depot!
22 —
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Book number R0247