RAOC Gazette - page 53
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1978 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | No |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1978 |
| Late date | 1978 |
| Transcription |
APPOINTMENT OF HONORARY COLONEL ROYAL ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS, TERRITORIAL ARMY AND VOLUNTEER RESERVE (SPONSORED UNITS) THE QUEEN has been graciously pleased to approve the appointment of Brigadier B. J, A. Dalton OBH, as Honorary Colonel Royal Army Ordnance Corps Territorial Army and Volunteer Reserve (Sponsored Units). CORPS SOLDIER RISKS DEATH TO SAVE COMRADES DURING Exercise Avon Express, Lance Corporal Ford was serving petrol from a one thousand gallon vehicle in an area heavily charged with petroleum vapour when a misdirected burning smoke grenade from the * enemy' landed within ten feet of a stack of petrol cans, Although the danger of an immediate explosion was im- mense Lance Corporal Ford picked up the grenade and threw it jlear. ensuring his comrades safety; probably saving their lives. As a petroleum operator, Lance Corporal Ford knew better than anyone just what the danger was and he acted without hesitation. Lance Corporal Ford, a member of the Combat Supplies Platoon of 10 Ordnance Support Battalion was presented with the Commander-in-Chiefs commendation for bravery by the GOC South West District. AN UNUSUAL AWARD STATION OFFICER HEINZ BENSON of Army Fire Brigade Warendorf, has in recognition of outstanding duties, beyond those normally expected of a Station Officer, been made an Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire, this award to a German member of the Army Fire Service is unique in its history. In the 1976-77 winter months a series of incidents occurred in 4 Petroleum Depot which involved spillage of petrol as the result of the malfunctioning of storage equipment. Station C': cer Benson quickly trained and supervised his Army Fire Brgade in an additional role of preventing the pollution of a river and large streams. Under Station Officer Benson's in- structions 'self h e l p ' booms were made, erected and con- trolled by his firemen under his supervision. Without adequate protective clothing this team worked to above waist level in water with the air temperatures at minus ten to twelve degrees centigrade. The water was entered on one hundred and twenty five occasions during one hundred and fifty nine periods of pollution control* On every occasion the team, under Station Otlicer Benson's guidance, successfully prevented pollution of the streams and the river. The difficulties faced by Station Officer Benson were con- siderable yet by sustained leadership, technical skills and personal example he overcame the demands of every situation and his crews responded with great credit. The medal was presented by His Excellency the British Ambassador to the Federal Republic at the embassy in Bonn in early May. Our photographs show Herr Benson reading letters of congratulation from the C-in-C BAOR P Commander 1 (BR) Corps and DOS BAOR. The letters were presented to him by Lieutenant Colonel Knipe, at a small ceremony in Headquarters 1 (BR) Corps. CANOEING AT KINETON W02 DAVID YOUNG of Kineton, whose achievements in the world of Surf Canoeing we drew attention to in a previous GAZETTE, has again captured the headines. At the Army Canoe Surfing Championships held on Croyde Bay North Devon, he won the Open Championship, Open Surf Race and the Vardy Trophy, Recently Planning Branch at Kineton had to drop their projects and play secretariat to the British Canoe Union due to the absence of WO I Mike Haslam who, in his capacity as assistant manager to the British Canoe Union, was transport- ing his team to an International Canoe Regatta at Bratislava in Czechoslavakia. The Branch was concerned at one stage as to whether WOl Haslam would ever return to the fold knowing him to have had great difficulty in obtaining the correct visa and then hearing he had demolished a Czech Customs Post with his large canoe transporter! A TIMELY TEN BOB IF you served at the Command Ammunition Depot (EA) at Gilgil during the period 1953-56 you would most certainly have known Sergeant John ' Wappy * Watkins. When tour expired in Nairobi in 1956 he helped a young National Serviceman, who like many others languished in the transit camp without pay, to the tune of ' ten bob.* Twenty v two years later the young soldier John Mackin now a teacher in the Middlesbrough area met Major Jim Houseman who was Chief Clerk at Gilgil at that time and asked him if he could help to return the now decimalized 5Op. Wappy Watkins was finally traced to 41 Lame Avenue, Bayswater 3153, Melbourne Australia* He sends regards to all comrades of the Corps saying that he would be happy to hear from any members past or present. Incidentally the Aid Society is now 50p better off. RAOC OFFICERS CLUB GARDEN PARTY 19T8 THE GARDEN PARTY will be held at Headquarters RAOC Officers Mess on Saturday 8th July 1978. The Mess Bar will open at 12.15 pm and drinks will be available against payment in cash. For those requiring it, a buffet luncheon will be served from LOO pm to 2.00 pm. The Garden Party will start at 2.30 pm and end at 6.30 pm and a Corps cricket match will be played during the afternoon. Afternoon tea will be served in the Mess between 4.00 pm and 5.00 pm. The RAOC Staff Band will beat retreat at 6.15 pm. Lunch £1.50 Children under twelve £1 Tea £ 1 Children under twelve ... 75p. Members of the Officers Club should book tickets for afternoon tea and luncheon; applications to the RAOC Secretariat, Deepcut, Camberley, Surrey. Cheques payable to the RAOC Officers Club, should be sent with the applications. eft to right: Lieutenant Colonel Morton, Captain Hamp, Mr ishap FSO I, Herr Benson, Mr Reed FSO 1 and Lieutenant Colonel Knipe, 37 — |
| Book number | R0247 |