Back to Library Journals

RAOC Gazette - page 232

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 and ready to return he found lhat trying 10 obtain a water-taxi
in the rush hour was as difficult as catching a London taxi
on a rainy day. However, he eventually made it back to dry
land, despite soakings, to rejoin WOl Sam Talakuli and others
for the remaining visits of the day.
Despite the festivities WOsl Alan Braithwaite and George
Hendley managed to get away safely to take up their appoint-
ments in UK and BAOR. We had no doubts that they would
' get away ' because their departure was fully rehearsed at the
bar. Best of luck to you both and your families in the future.
Alan and George's reliefs, Joe Tidmarsh and Guy Adams,
have now settled into their new posts in RHQ and the GE
Store. Both are practising their Malay so that they can order
NATO standard coffee.
Sam Talakuli has managed to escape from behind hts
mountainous in tray and he was last seen heading towards the
Equator enroute for Fiji, will he return?
Major Richard Kirby and WOl Graham Lightfoot made
the local headlines this month when an unexploded WW II one
hundred pound aircraft bomb was found on a hill over-looking
the capital. The bomb which was only partly exposed was in a
very rusty condition, therefore it was decided to destroy it in
situ. After a joint EOD operation involving police and military
the bomb was safely detonated without any damage to nearby
property.
The operation was carried out under what could be termed
* trying condition/ in that both operators were dressed in Staff
OTder (having been called out from Hari Raya drinks in the
Officers Mess) and were tasked into the midday heat — one
hundred and twenty degrees fahrenheit.
WOl Peter Mckechnie (WOIC Logistics Stores Section Air
Wing) was presented with the MBE by the British High Com-
missioner to Brunei at a recent ceremony at the British High
Commissioner residence. The guests, included Major and Mrs
Kirby, WOt and Mrs Lightfoot among others; all were given
a splendid lunch by the High Commissioner and his wife. Logis-
tics members past and present offer their congratulations to
Pete on a well deserved award.
COO and Major Bridges found something to faugh about.
take the party back to peace time location as the tea cup score
was certainly over the dozen.
Our hosts for overseas training were of course 154 FAD
Wulfen. In keeping with traditions we played various sports
competitions—after all, all work and no play gets the job
done which is the last thing we want. This year it was certainly
the turn of the Regular Army to fill its cabinets with trophies;
52 Company being runners up in everything but the boat race,
Who said that TA meant Trainee Alcoholics.
Since our return from BAOR there have been a couple of
training weekends away with sections mapreading their way
round the hills of Wales (where else?). Staff Sergeant Arthur
Nock was heard to say on arrival at one check point an hour
and a half late—" we took the pretty route!" Other members of
his group had some less savoury things to say!
TERRITORIAL
ARMY
T A I L P I E C E
52 Company RAOC (V)
" N O W UNDER NEW M A N A G E M E N T " says the sign
prominently displayed outside the 52 Company TA Centre in
Trench. After a marathon tour of some six years as Officer
Commanding a fond farewell has finally been said to Major
Peter Bridges who has steered the ship through all the storms
and tempest of Tecent years, A change of OC always brings a
slight change of emphasis. Major Andrew Postance, a regular
officer has now been in the chair for a month or so.
Since the last entry in THE GAZETTE 52 Company has most
successfully completed its annual camp in BAOR. As well as
practising its primary role assisting 154 FAD, 52 Company had
four days hard training in the mud and puddles of West Germany.
Pleas of help from Staff Sergeant Jimmy King who had
come unstuck trying to play Noah's Ark with a Land Rover in
the middle of a very large marsh went unheard except by Lieu-
tenant Ralph McBride who was heard to say " G e t out and
push Staff I'm expected at an ' O* group in five minutes!" The
one good thing about exercises is that you can always laugh
about it afterwards.
Whilst on the field exercise we also played host to the
Chief Ordnance Officer; Brigadier Berresford was shown all
company and platoon locations sampling the food and tea at
each. Our ACC Cooks were in competition with each other to
see how many cups of tea the COO would actually drink in
twenty four hours—feeling honour bound not to refuse such
hospitality the Brigadier accepted all. However I can't help
feeling there was a sigh of relief when the transport arrived to
j li //£pW<T'
You needn't have gone to all that trouble, son; she's happy
enough just to have a date."
194

Book number R0250