RAOC Gazette - page 210
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 |
nificance now they have tried skirmishing in full CEFO through the bracken and potholes of the training area. Congratulations must, of course, go to Ardennes Platoon for their valiant efforts in winning the Company Assault March Competition after only six weeks in the Army (albeit six weeks of gruelling fitness training outside normal working hours). Readers should note that this account was written by Platoon Commander, Ardennes! Meanwhile, the other platoons have also been having a busy time. Aden Platoon has recently returned from Exercise TarFs Well at Craig-y-Parc School for spastic children, where they took part in the very worthwhile task of garden clearance and walk- way renovation. Although the lads worked extremely hard during their week in Wales, the grapevine has it that it was all great fun, with trips to Cardiff and Barry Island to add a little variety. Aden Platoon have also recently completed their Battle Camp for this term and, once again, the Fantasians have been turned back from their persistent but illogical attempts to seize Long Valley. Anguilla Platoon have now assumed the taxing role of Corps of Drums and are making a most successful job of it. Their appearance outside the Headquarters Officers Mess at a recent dinner night added a novel diversion and they have since gone on to take part in the Army Schools Exhibition as Bassing- bourne. Here, they played in the Main Area, along with the Queens Division Junior Corps of Drums and the Band of the Queens Division Junior School of Music. Under the inspired direction of their ex-PT Corps Platoon Commander, Arakan Platoon achieved excellent results in the twenty four hour Starlight Marathon in aid of Action Research for Crippled Children, The aim of the Marathon was to com- plete the greatest possible distance in twenty four hours and notable performances were turned in by Apprentice Privates Haines, Vamey and Parker, all of whom completed over one hundred miles. Last but not least, Alamein Platoon have been having a varied time. Six apprentices have been in Germany, assisting the Admin Staff on the Sandhurst Final Exercise and one has been on public display with the RAOC Stand at the Royal Tourna- ment. The remainder of the Platoon not taking part in these activities went to Cardiff with Aden Platoon, Congratulations on promotion must go to our new Ap- prentice Sergeants Harper, Lee and Crombleholme, Apprentice Corporals Gore, James, Mcintosh, Smith and McShane and, Apprentice Lance Corporals Preston, Stephen, Jones, Wood- house, Clement, Moore, Riddell, Witherick, Dilley, Hepburn, Russer, Thomas, Perryman, Turtill and Wilson. The following prizewinners are also to be congratulated: Best Recruit, A/Private Jones; Best Recruit Shot, A/Private Perryman; Best Recruit PT, A/Private TurtilL In addition two of the most important awards in the College have gone to Arakan Platoon, namely the Best All Rounder to A/Sergeant Harper and the Most Proficient Soldier to A/Sergeant Purcell. *A" Company Headquarters -has been active yet again during the latter half of July. All members took part in a ' marathon' around the streets of Reading in aid of the Reading and District Disabled Association. The valiant team of six wearing the traditional garb of the Blackdown Boys Polar Expedition 1924 (namely boots, puttees, large shorts, water polo hats and skis) completed their twenty six miles in three hours seventeen minutes. Not so impressive you may well think when reading this but there is one thing that I have not mentioned—they were pushing a wheelchair over that distance! ' B ' COMPANY. Once the plans for the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales had been announced, it was decided that the College would celebrate the great event in suitable style, The aim of the celebrations was to ensure that the Ap- prentices and staff had the opportunity to watch the wedding during the morning also to mark the occasion, during the after- noon, by a period of fairly strenuous activity—the Royal Nurdling Competition 1981. As the day drew near, the mighty administrative chain honed its keen edge in preparation for the onslaught Reveille was sounded over the PA system by the uplifting style of Sergeant Woodcock, much to the annoyance of people within a half mile radius of camp, who were doubtless trying to make the most of their day off! This was followed by the provision of * gunfire' by the platoon staff to the Apprentices in their blocks. It was regretted that respirators were not available for the occasion! After a leisurely breakfast, followed by most of the morning in front of the television the Nurdling began at 1400 hours. For those of you not familiar with the art of Nurdling—it can be likened to a fancy dress log race. There are additional rules the referees (known as 'Lurkers') ensured that the obstacle* are correctly negotiated and that the * Dratting Pole* does u n - touch the ground. They also ensure that the only word spoken by the participants is l D r a t ! \ Furthermore, should anyone be suspected of taking it seriously, disqualification is automatic and so, usually, is a soaking in the * Scruting Pond/ It was good to note that everyone rose to the occasion and dress was suitably bizarre. The competition was followed in excellent spirits and was relatively clean until the " Grubby Subbies * encountered the Headquarters Company Corporals. At the first obstacle, (The ' P o o r ) , Simon Parry draped himself elegantly across the Headquarters Company log, whilst his team members continued along the course. The contest then continued " blow for blow ' although Jeremy Redwood did his best to throttle one of his opponents. The Headquarters Company team won, so they must have cheated. They even provided a team from CHQ. with the CO Designate, Lieutenant Colonel Putt, the 2IC and Adjutant winning a beer each for a good effort. The winning Apprentice team was Balaclava Platoon, with Headquarters Company receiving a prize for their superior skullduggery. The whole occasion was enjoyed by all and it gave the crowd a laugh or two. Unfortunately, the Royal couple were not able to give out the prizes—they said something about a prior engagement TRAINING COMPANY HIGH SUMMER in Training Company. A solitary platoon is on the square. Sergeant Paul Grant smiles to himself, no problem getting the square these days. Being the only platoon in training does have certain advantages. That is nearly the situation as these notes are being written. Delhi Platoon, under the command of an extremely brown Lieu- tenant Ged Argyle are due to pass out leaving Borneo Platoon under the command of an extremely white Second Lieutenant Ray Le Var as the sole platoon in Training Company. v Although Inter platoon competitions are a little difficult to organise in this sort of situation Borneo Platoon are being kept busy. Their gymnastics squad put up a very impressive per- formance in a demonstration before Cyprus Platoon's passing out parade. It should be even better when they will attempt to steal the limelight from Delhi Platoon. A great deal of credit must go to QMSI Ron Spree and his PT staff for all their hard work. Future activities lined up for Borneo include two weeks at the Battalion's Summer Camp in Plymouth ; participation in the Lord Mayors Parade, the Freedom of Chilwell Parade and the Remembrance Day Parade. Cyprus Platoon passed out on a day that nearly forced the Company to go to the wet weather programme. A wise adjust- ment on timings meant that we missed the rain whilst watching the Borneo Platoon gymnasts in the gym. The parade then continued as usual. Delhi Platoon are practising like mad for the new Passing Out Parade format which includes a demon- stration of double sentry drill. The Sergeant Major does seem to be going grey rather quickly these days though, never mind CSM, leave soon. It is rumoured that the band (2 Para) for Delhi's Passing Out Parade are desperately trying to learn some rather unsual tunes from north of the border. This is in honour of the OC, Major Jim Keating, and the fact that it's his last passing out parade before he heads for the sunnier climes of the Far East. That brings us back to our nautical trio of Lieutenant Ged Argyle, Second Lieutenant Alan Bristow and Lance Corporal Pete Golding who have just returned from a fortnight's sailing on the Corps yacht down the east coast of America. According to Mr Bristow's stories it would appear that not all that much sailing was actually done. Anyway our trio were all very enthusiastic about America and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Due to their colour it is now rumoured that they are all going to be posted to Brixton as undercover agents. Many congratulations go to Corporal Fred Richards on the award of his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. Con- gratulations also to Corporal Ian Ross on gaining a distinguished on the Other Arms NCOs Skill-at-Arms Instructors Course. Promotions continue to come through at a steady rate and Sergeants Lonnen and Mullen are now substantive. Corporal Flanders WRAC is now substantive and is also posted to Rhetn- dahlen to take command of a typing pool (I hope they survive J. Last but by no means least, Lance Corporal Petrie is now sub- stantive. u The postings side of things is fairly quiet at the moment, the only stalwart we are losing is Corporal Kirk who goes w 3 BAD. We wish Corporal Kirk, his wife and child every possible happiness in BAOR. — 174 |
| Book number | R0250 |