RAOC Gazette - 1978 - August - page 90
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | R02470089 |
| Chapter head | 1978 - August |
| Chapter key | R0247005 |
| Chapter number | 5 |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | 89 |
| Publication date | 1978 |
| Real page | 65 |
| Colour | No |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1978 |
| Late date | 1978 |
| Transcription |
&opal &rmp <0rimante Corps! tOje SToutnal of rtje Eopal Srmp ©tbnance Corps: anb Urmp <©tbname £>zxbitt&, anb tfje ©ffitial ©rgan of tfje & 8 © C Association 1978 1906 = 1978 Volume 60, Bo. 3 321 EOD Unit RAOC awarded the 1977 Wilkinson Sword of Peace THE 1977 award of the Wilkinson Sword of Peace has been wen by 321 EOD Unit RAOC for its activities in Northern Ireland. The ceremonial sword is awarded annually, one to each of the three Services, to the Unit which makes an out- standing effort to foster good relations with the community with which it serves. In 1976 the award for the Army went to 2 Regiment RMP in Northern Ireland. 321 EOD Unit RAOC is comparatively small with ninety per cent of its establishment made up of four months roule- ment tours by Ammunition Technical Officers (ATQs), Am- munition Technicians (ATs), RCT and RAOC drivers, RAOC Store-men and Clerks, and communications experts from the Royal Corps of Signals. Since 1969 over one thousand officers and soldiers have been directly associated with the Unit. This figure includes the various escorts provided by Teeth Arm Units and REME technicians responsible for the repair and main- tenance of the Unit's equipment, particularly the famous Wheelbarrow. The Unit has gained one hundred and thirty two honours and awards, ranging from a George Cross to GOCs Com- mendations, but it has had its share of sadness with the deaths of sixteen ATOs and ATs. Members of the Unit have now attended ov:r twenty six thousand incidents and are on call twenty four hours a day, constantly waiting for their well-known call sign FELIX to come up over the various operational nets in Northern %\}t Cotar PMograplj PERHAPS the loneliest man in the world might describe the EOD operator as he combats a terrorist device, calculated to disrupt society by extracting the maximum inconvenience, economic cost and loss of life. While we understand and appreciate the value of his work it is always gratifying to see this, and the debt which society in general owes to such men, publicly recognised. The Corps is justifiably proud of the fine record of the Unit and now of the award of the 1977 Wilkinson Sword of Peace. There was the largest ever entry for the award this year which was presented to 321 EOD Unit for their outstanding work in Northern Ireland—especially in fostering community relations. The photograph is by kind permission of Features International. EOD Training watched by the Director of Land Service Ammunition. Ireland. It will be of interest to those readers not associated with the Unit to learn that 321 EOD Unit RAOC holds a high place amongst the Teeth Arm Units in the Operational Order of Battle during Ops briefings in Northern Ireland. The award recognises the courage and dedication to duty of every member of the Unit and it would be foolish in a tribute of this kind to mention any particular act; but those who monitor Northern Ireland activities, particularly RAOC activities, will no doubt recall the trains, the petrol tankers, the hotels, the buses and the many commercial concerns saved either in part or wholly by EOD teams from ' 3 2 1 / These exploits are well documented and recorded in the popular press. Many of the Unit's activities go unnoticed if not considered spectacular by the media, but to the people directly involved in such incidents where personal property is concerned, such as homes> flats and cars, or indeed where the terrorists bombs infringe on personal liberty and the quality of life, to them the cool and efficient actions of the Unit have brought relief and gratitude. All of these activities provide the reason for 321 EOD Unit RAOC being honoured with an award for Peace. In sending congratulations to 321 EOD Unit RAOC, Brigadier Cowdry, Director of Land Service Ammunition, said that as far as he was concerned the award has been earned in part by every ATO, AT, Driver, S to rem an, Clerk, Signaller and Escort who has served with the Unit in Northern Ireland. Congratulations and well done! |
| Book number | R0247 |