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RAOC Gazette - page 64

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Publication date 1978
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Transcription beaten in the final. Although naturally disappointed team
spirit was high and as they left the firing point some wag
r .;-vd up "Never mind lads, they've got the Champagne but
v,/'ve got the Kronenberg."
We congratulate Sergeant Steve Warren on his promotion.
In and out club, Corporals Gower and Granner on tem-
porary attachment. Out Sergeant Abrams.
for two weeks detached duty this month in Woolwich. We
congratulate W02 Braithwaite oh his selection for promotion to
WOl. Eventually someone else's gain will be our loss when
he moves on.
Finally we promised to find out a little more about Mrs
Pam Davies who until last month never had a mention. As we
now discover that she is part-time special constable, fear of
arrest prevents the disclosure of what we found out!
United Kingdom Land Forces
HEADQUARTERS
OUR intrepid RAOC WOs and SNCOs at
Headquarters UKLF can frequently be seen
displaying their sporting prowess, not only
in the Mess on Games Evenings, but also
on the soccer pitches of Wiltshire,
A
number of them regularly turn out for the
Mess Soccer team in friendly matches
played on Sunday mornings.
Their latest achievement was to gain a
four goal draw against the Lambourn
Jockeys team (some Jockeys!—average weight thirteen stone?)
The match proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable and thrilling
encounter, albeit rather damp. Not only did they have to con-
tend with a cratered pitch reminiscent of a First World War
Battle Field, complete with slit trenches, but it was also water-
logged and it was obvious, despite a gallant effort by the grounds-
man, that the previous bovine occupants had not long departed,
leaving in their wake even more obstacles to be overcome.
However, not to be easily deterred and despite being two goals
adrift at one stage they managed to squelch off at half time
leading by four goals to two thanks to two superb goals by our
answer to Pele, WOl Tony O'Shaughnessy of PR fame and one
each for Staff Sergeant Roy Sumner and W02 Allan Braith-
W2ite. Despite their first half superiority the Mess team were
up against it in the second half when the jockeys came canter-
ing back to draw level. Mind you, they did have the advantage
of attacking the shallow end during the second half and our
goalie despite being a non-swimmer, gallantly held out and we
were grateful to wade off at full time with a four goal draw.
The team and supporters were lavishly entertained after-
wards in the Club House and even managed to beat their hosts
in the one thousand and one darts competition thanks to a
splendid one dart finish by Mrs Rose Clee wife of Staff Sergeant
Ivor Clee. The Clees will be missed when they depart on return
tc civilian life in August and we take this opportunity of wish-
ing them the best of luck in their new environment.
Our erstwhile manager/coach and chief supporter W02
Dick Hoare continues to provide vocal backing and criticism
from the touch line. Other notable members of the Sergeants
Mess squad include: Sergeants Sid Bell, Taff Dacey, Mick Ellis
and occasionally, when he is available, Goal A Game Dave
Yexley.
We welcome to the Headquarters WOl Fred Rowberry who
has taken over from WOl Mai Hayward in UKCICC who is
venturing out into civvy street and to whom we extend our
br;-t wishes. Congratulations are in order for Sergeant Dick
Walsh on his selection for promotion to Staff Sergeant,
ORDNANCE BRANCH
IT has to be said—we are a fit Ordnance Branch. BE tests
are behind us and we have acquitted ourselves admirably. Since
our Chief Ordnance Officer, Brigadier Charles Smith, will have
his name in print for meeting the DGOS's Fitness Challenge the
remainder of the Branch had to follow suit or life would have
been unbearable. Serving members of the Branch can now
afford to suggest that Retired Officers should have some standard
tc- J:tain. Perhaps a twice yearly RO's Dash to the Mess?
This past month has been a hectic one in view of the
preparations for our participation in the visit of Her Majesty
The Queen to Bicester. Major David Watt's car could probably
do the journey to Bicester on its own now for such has been
the frequency of his visits there.
We welcome Mr Eric Tandy the new Fire Adviser to the
Headquarters and congratulate him on his promotion. To Bill
Rogers his predecessor farewell and good luck in BAOR.
Major John Cogley is off also at the end of the month to
Ashchurch. He is currently to be seen walking the corridors
'•£ranching his head and wondering how he can justify trips
overseas from his new station. To his successor Major John
Hawkins who joins us from the Combat Supplies Battalion,
welcome back to UK and to the Headquarters.
Globetrotting continues; Major Parry to Kenya, Mr Tandy
to Belize and Major Pollard to BAOR. W02 Braithwaite is off
South East District
IT has been a good month for pleasant
posting orders. Our CRAOC, Colonel
Cooke is posted in August to COD
Bicester on promotion.
Captain Bob
Laws on is also posted in August to
1 (BR) Corps Vehicle Company on pro-
motion. Priority will soon be given to
the writing of handover notes, no doubt.
New arrivals in the Headquarters are
Staff Sergeant Ken Hudson on detach-
ment from Bicester. Staff Sergeant Hudson is taking over from
Staff Sergeant Kevin Hudson as Chief Clerk * G.'
RAOC
Records must be enjoying the utter confusion of two Staff
Sergeants K. Hudson handing/taking over the same job. Staff
Sergeant Kevin Hudson is off to AFCENT with a wealthy
gleam in his eye. We also welcome Private Mark Armstrong
into G Branch from the Training Battalion,
Congratulations are due to WOl Ted Pluck, the Superintend-
ing Clerk who has passed his Introduction to Management
Course,
Accommodation Services Aldershot are back up to strength
with Captain Ted Curtis rejoining the Unit after detachment and
the posting in of Captain Claude Lilley from the Training
Centre. There is a rumour that the OC, Major Ron Smith is
being consulted with a view to getting our other Units up to
strength,
6 Field Force
HEADQUARTERS
THE highlight of this month for the Corps
and, in particular, three soldiers of Head-
quarters 6 Field Force, was the visit of
HM The Queen to Bicester. Lance Corporal
Gary and Mrs Smith, Private Bill Connolly
and Private Ian McCarthy, attended the
garden party and Lance Corporal and Mrs
Smith were presented to Her Majesty; all
had a very memorable day.
Training and exercises are rife at the
moment building up to our major exercise in the Autumn. We
have even managed to get Private Bill Connolly through his
driving test! ! watch out anyone driving around Aldershot
We bid a hearty welcome to our new FOWO WOl John
Walton, Privates Michael Moore and Martin McCarthy and a
sad farewell to WOl Wilf Wright, Sergeant Bob Boughen and
Corporal Gary Sumner. We wish them and their families bon
voyage and the best of luck in their new posts.
W e s t Midland District
TURBULENCE is the ever present theme
and Shrewsbury is the location. We are in
the process of bidding farewell to the
CRAOC, Lieutenant Colonel John Turner,
who is off to Andover to collect his red
hat at the Logistic Executive. Also depart-
ing is Captain David Wright who leaves
for the sunnier climes of the Petroleum
Centre.
In their stead we welcome Lieutenant Colonel David
Witting from the ' whirly-burly * of Middle Wallop and Captain
Jim Morgan, fresh from the rigours of BAOR field force. Fm
told that when W02 Jones isn't following Liverpool FC he and
Captain Morgan can be heard reminiscing over their last tour
together in Singapore.
Major Rodney Brown is still soldiering on in Middles-
borough until late June, During a recent flying visit he reported
that he maintains his road running much to the consternation of
the local drivers. Meanwhile Major Arthur Gaiger and the
Chief Clerk, are busy organising their resettlement courses and
are assiduously marking off their ' days to d o ' charts,
Book number R0247