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RAOC Gazette - page 126

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Corps RAOC
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Full title RAOC Gazette
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Publication date 1978
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Early date 1978
Late date 1978
Transcription lo the uninitiated, like the cockpit of Concorde on which
\^ CJ were invited to try their hands. With a couple of minor
! ir v'*'unctions, other than by those al the controls, thrown in
for ^ood measure, they experienced the sensation of a submarine
The sight of a group of Officers
o u l of control in a steep dive.
a n d Warrant Officers leaning unsupported at an angle of twenty
degrees to the floor (deck?) was strangely reminiscent of the
latter stages of a good Regimental Dinner Night.
A look around the Submarine Museum, which included a
tour through the floating classroom of HMS Grampus, proved
that in the submarine service you either have to get on with
your mates or be very small!
In the afternoon the party witnessed a text book attack
^n an enemy ship expertly demonstrated and explained by the
(_'o*nmander of the School, Commander Thompson, in the
•Attack Teacher. 1 The Commander maintained his one hundred
per cent record by scoring two hits and sinking the enemy.
On to the Escape Tank, the largest in Europe, where a demon-
stration of escape techniques by the instructors had lungs aching
by just watching.
It proved to be both a pleasurable and worthwhile
experience—one or the better aspects of Operation Burberry,
K t*<.
%*•
THE
RETIREMENT
OF
BRIGADIER
M. B.
PAGE
A FIVE mile run, followed by an office start at 08,30 would
be the ideal start of the day for Malcolm Page. However,
at Bicester we managed to persuade him to compromise with
three miles and 09.00. An officer of dynamic energy, intellect,
and compassion, he has made a great impact on the Garrison
in the eleven months that he has been here.
The photograph is a fitting one; the recent visit to the
Corps of our Colonel-in-Chief, epitomised his flair for organisa-
tion and provided the high note on which he is prematurely
retiring from the Service.
The excellent stage setting with some of the cast on the last night.
sparkling production of Barry England's * Conduct Unbecom-
ing ' which was reviewed in the July GAZETTE. Announcing the
result the adjudicator, the distinguished critic and producer Mr
Arthur Hodgson said " Fiona Dennisons production had a
worthy win and came top in every
department—presentation,
production, acting and dramatic achievement."
At the celebration party Mrs Dennison paid tribute to the
group and said how delighted she was with the result and
how proud she was of a cast which really did pull out all the
stops. Our sincere congratulations also,
THE
CATTERICK
A R M Y
DISPLAY
THE Catterick Army Display, held at two
yearly intervals, is the largest military
show in the North of England; the 1978
display attracted some one hundred
thousand visitors.
There were twenty
five static displays, six side shows and a
two hour arena show with twelve events,
culminating with beating of retreat by
massed bands. RAOC North East Dis-
trict was charged with two tasks. Firstly
to give normal Ordnance support and secondly to produce a
significant RAOC contribution to the static display. As our
answer to Samuel Goldwyn, producer Major Ashcroft, had to go
for outside help if we were to make a real impact, particularly
as the Corps Mobile Display could not appear, approaches
were made to 10 Ordnance Support Battalion and No. I AIDU
for their help. Their contribution allowed RAOC not only
to produce a very large static display but also to volunteer an
arena event.
Brigadier Page escorts Her Majesty The Queen during the recent
visit of our Calonel-in-Chief to the Corps at Bicester.
Educated at Gloucester, commissioned in Bangalore, with
service in India and the Somaliland Protectorate, in the famous
Scouts; he has had a varied and interesting career. He was
promoted Brigadier in 1973 and has been Deputy Director of
Ordnance Services and Director of Clothing and Textiles prior
to his present appointment.
He is an Officer of great charm with a surprisingly wicked
^ertse of humour. He and his wife Julie have worked selflessly
[o encourage all aspects of garrison life. He recently raised a
large amount of money for charity taking part in a sponsored
marathon—on a Sunday!
Brigadier Malcolm Page is leaving the Service to take up
an appointment with International Computers Ltd.
I am sure I speak for the Corps as well as Bicester when
» say that ICL*s gain is very much our loss.
J. T, P.
THE
B U C K D O W N
PLAYERS
WIN
THE
A R M Y
D R A M A
FESTIVAL,
THE Blackdown Players have won the 1978 United Kingdom
Army Drama Festival. The group gained the award for their
The Field Bakery did a roaring trade.
The arena event had No. I AIDU in action while the in-
ternal static display showed butchery, ammunition and clothing.
Outside were the fire appliances of the AFS together with
Book number R0247