Back to Library Journals

RAOC Gazette - page 271

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 v • HGV vehicles. Captain Geoff Cox, when not away para-
• ^. has set a new world record of five hours to deal with a
^
J6M grenade! The AEO, Major Harry Vaughan was seen
• i Mting a leave claim but still argues blue that he never gets
u ] n rime off.
Our chief clerk. Sergeant Pete Wilkinson, is not at all happy
with Japanese engineering, their cars are not quite what they are
cracked up to be—one little touch by a lorry and they dent
easily-
Finally a mention to Sue, who cried for a week because we
forgot to include her name in our last dissertation,
Ordnance Depot Antwerp
v
j
returning to the Depot after being away for three months on
a course, the most striking feature was the amount of mainten-
ance work that is going on around the camps. Holes have
appeared in roads which can take on the appearance of bomb
craters on a very foggy Belgian morning. Main gates are shut
and reserve gates opened at short notice which was confusing
to some officers.
British Forces Antwerp competed in the annual Viercamp,
:i sports competition between units of the British, Belgian,
firman and Dutch military forces based in the Low Countries.
""••; year it was the turn of the Germans to host the event.
i .fortunately, British Forces Antwerp is always at a dis-
advantage because of the small size of the unit. Still what the
team lacks in ability it gains in humour. The swimmers Lieu-
tenant Colonel Douglas Harding RCT, Captain Peter Shute,
Captain Mike Chandler, W02 Chris Keelor and Sergeants
Vincent Reed and Fred Keogh were only slightly shocked when
the Dutch and German teams did twenty lengths of the pool to
warm up, and this was after spending twenty minutes greasing
themselves up. Still the team managed to come third. The
-hooting team namely Sergeant Pete Worth and Corporals Bill
I' icherty and Steve Hughes did very well coming second, with
C ^rporal Steve Hughes receiving a certificate for having the
third highest score. Unfortunately, the team finished fourth in the
football and cross country. There were many tired limbs on the
football pitch for the last game against the Germans especially
after three of the team ran the five thousand metres as well.
Needless to say that stalwart of the unit, WOl Green, who seems
to get fitter with the years, played football and ran the cross
country. It was good to see W02 Bill Murray who is now at
fiO Station Workshop, out on the football pitch, producing a
rule bit of Scots magic 1
During the month Staff Sergeant Mick Huggins of the Royal
signals, took a group of soldiers offshore sailing around the
Danish islands. On being asked what the trip was like Private
Nigel Avery merely replied ' exciting,' He did elaborate and
was persuaded to say that it was enjoyable. Lance Corporal Jim
Pow (now with 5 Field Force) and Christopher Aspland and
Private Paul Hopcraft also took part in this adventure training.
On a medical note in the unit there have been three broken
legs in as many months, namely Private Paul Edensor (Ankle),
Private Stephen Bosworth (Femur) and Corporal Taff Williams
Fib/Tib), a prize will be given to the member of ODA person-
el who gives the best answer to the anagram of ANKLE-
HEMURF1BTIB.
Welcome to Staff Sergeants (SSI) Harvey the new PTI, and
Joe Hoareau, Sergeant Jim Whitehead, Corporal Taff Williams
and Privates Greg Balogh, George Farnie, Ian Petrie and Ron
Preston. WOl Dave Barraclough has departed to the detach-
ment in Moenchengladbach, After a long and sporty career it
is with much regret that WOl Vic Green has come to the end of
his career in the Army. We wish him good luck in civilian
employment. That well known sailor, Staff Sergeant Frank
virkman has also departed for Kineton. His good humour and
ailing expertise will be missed. Finally Corporal Tom Plunkett,
has left for civvy street, we wish him and his family welL
Stop Press. Congratulations to W 2 Harry Jennings and
Corporal Derek Cowell on winning prizes in the BAOR (RAOC)
Angling Championships.
departure of WOl John Chandler, The position was filled shortly
after by WOl Roberts who is to join us in
! Until then,
most of the departments can keep their windows closed as no
surprise visits are expected.
Meanwhile, the unit continues to function normally with
W 2 Ron Cosway on discipline, Corporal Denney WRAC on
duties and Sergeant Geoffrey Edwards helping on punishments!
The Depot is managing to carry on with its normal work-
ing routine, with the DHQ and Depot department heads work-
ing on some fiendish scheme to make us work at night, sleep on
floors and eat out of mess tins! Something on the lines of a depot
outload exercise, I believe. It is hoped, of course, that everyone
will play and will enjoy themselves. The latter will be confirmed
in next months contribution.
With the weather as it is, summer has obviously gone. The
children are back at school, much to the relief of mothers and
the organisers of our Children's Summer Activities. Generally
they were run by the Regimental Wing with much help and
assistance from willing helpers, amongst who were: Mrs Allen,
Mrs Pannell, Mrs Walker, Mrs Richardson, Mrs Ellis, Mrs
Hill, Mrs Armstrong, Mrs Curry and Mrs Burton.
The unit held an All Ranks 'Come Dancing' function
recently. The Master of Ceremonies was Sergeant Pete Salt
and a very hard working committee of Corporals Roy Small,
Steve Moisier, Lance Corporal Smudge Smith, Private Alan Webb
and W/Private Mhairi Jones. Variation of dances ranged from
the Reel and the Foxtrot to the Pogo and the Wobble! The
evening was enjoyed by all and the SI APTC is thanked for
the loan of his P and R T C
Winter sports are now being trained for with a vengeance,
as well as BFTs. Of course, most of our readers will have
heard of the new times for the over forties, I can assure all,
that the news was well received here!
We can boast of a new venture in the unit on the sporting
front.
After a mixed bunch had run around the depot
perimeter, (approx 13.5 miles) there is now a lot of talk of
marathons and a lot of letters being sent to the Organisers of
the Bielefeld Marathon.
Up to date, something like twelve
to fifteen members of the unit have entered. Something about
"We'll have more sub three hour marathon m runners than the s
Apprentices College or was it the Depot.*'
We congratulate Corporal Doug Collins and Lance Corporal
Knocker Powell and their wives on their recent marriages. We
hope their wives will settle in and enjoy their stay here. Lance
3 Base Ammunition Depot
WANTED.
Responsible person to take up position as the Regi-
icntal Sergeant Major 3 BAD. Experience not essential but he
nast be in good condition, and preferably low mileage. No
<;me wasters please. Applicants should present their ' creden-
tials ' to the Officer Commanding. Major C. Robinson BEM,
RAOC.
This advertisement appeared in the Station Weekly after the
— 225
RAOC Assurance
Association
18 Chequers Square, Uxbridge, Middlesex
Tel. (STD 0895) 53444
20% D i s c o u n t — special U.K.
scheme motor insurance. Available to
all Corps Members past and present.
Life Assurance — protection for
your family or saving for the future.
House Purchase — buying now or
in the future. Which Building Society
to choose and how much to save.
Preferential Interest rates available
to regular savers.
Book number R0250