RAOC Gazette - page 309
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 |
Stop Press. Private Jock Falconer of 3 DSP wishes all his : •.:nds worldwide to know that rumours of his gallantry in [ .nmark, subsequent award of the Purple Heart and arguments \>iih paper bags are completely . . . . . true. He fought well, struggled hard, was overpowered by at least a Battalion, for- got his name, rank and number, and suffered captivity bravely. Commando Logistic Regiment ORDNANCE SQUADRON SINCE the last GAZETTE notes appeared Ordnance Squadron has been busy as usual. As this is supposed to be a ' quiet* time of year we are heavily involved in sports competitions of one sort or another. The Squadron retained the Regimental Athletics Trophy by dominating the track events. Fine performances were put in by Corporal Phillips (five thousand metres), Corporal Bennett (fifteen hundred metres) and Private Dineley (four hundred metres), Ordnance Squadron also won the Regimental orienteering competition. When it comes to swimming, pongos do not fare very well gainst their Royal Marine rivals. Consequently we took a _.ood drubbing in. the Regimental Swimming Competition and someone was heard muttering something about l Per Mare Per Terram/ We would like to think that it is unfair to win all the competitions. Ordnance Squadron retained the Log Race trophy com- peted for annually after the Regimental Birthday Parade. This trophy is the most coveted inter squadron trophy and is com- peted for by teams of eight who carry a telegraph pole over a gruelling three mile course. When Tug Wilson was with 6th Field Force they saw a lot of logs. When he returned we saw jven more of them. Twenty members of the Squadron made the trip to Gloucester to compete in the Peoples Marathon, All completed the course with the best time being done by Corporal Vince Phillips who came eleventh out of two thousand runners in a very creditable time of two hours thirty five minutes. Our thanks go to Central Vehicle Depot Ashchurch for kindly providing accommodation and carrying out our administration whilst there. {We hope to publish an article on the marathon soon.—Editor.) Trie Director General of Ordnance Services visited the Squadron and had lunch with the Colonel and officers of the Squadron after a tour of Ordnance Squadron in CoypooL Adventure training this year took place in the Isle of Man when the Squadron spent a week on various activities under the supervision of Captain O'Leary. Members of the Squadron were able to take part in a one hundred kilometre march over three days, horseriding, swimming and visit to the local life boat station. In between time a survey was carried out on the tradi- tional beverages of the area and a price comparison list was skilfully compiled Recently the Regimental Rugby Team won the Royal Marines XV Aside Trophy (The Argyll and Sutherland Bowl) which was the first major sports trophy won by the Regiment since formation in 1972. Tug Wilson unfortunately was in Norway on a deployment recce and so was unable to have the satisfaction of seeing the team win. Ordnance Squadron provided four members for the team, Corporals Phelps and Woods, W 2 Brown (our Royal Marines Sergeant Major) and Lieutenant Bridges; Captain Tracy from the Workshop Store Platoon also played. (PS. Tug Wilson HAS hung up his boots). The Regimental footballers also did well this year winning the Royal Marines plate competition in the Tunney Cup com- petition. Ordnance Squadron once again provided its fair share jf members for this team being represented by Privates Robson, Wood and Dineley and Marine Biggin. Staff Sergeant Griffiths was responsible for coaching the side. At present the Squadron is preparing for its Norway deploy- ment in the New Year. Pre-Arctic Warfare training for those concerned starts, next month. The squadron has two ranks in the United States of America with Westlant Company, a com- posite company made up from elements from throughout Com- mando Forces, which is now on exercise with the United States Marine Corps. On the arrivals and departures we have had rather a busy time. We welcome our new Officer Commanding Major Tony Welch who replaces Major Lawrence Williams who is off to Berlin: Captain Douglas Guest takes over from Captain Jim O'Leary as 2IC of the Squadron. (Captain O'Leary is off to Canada). WOI Herratt says farewell to us in December as he leaves the Army to take up an appointment out in Saudi — Arabia: He has served with Commando Forces for a total of thirteen years and was on the fust Army Commando Course. Staff Sergeant Griffiths leaves us on posting to Hong Kong whilst Staff Sergeant Jones leaves us for Belize. Corporal Ziverts and Private Montrose leave us for BAOR, All ibis goes to prove that after a tour with Commando Forces chances of going overseas are high. All in the Squadron e\tend their thanks to those leaving and wish them and their families every success in their next tours or new careers. Joining the Squadron are Sergeant Hollows from Blackdown and Sergeant Crawford from Hong Kong. We welcome them and hope they enjoy their tours. Internally we have sent Staff Sergeant Chris Donal to 3 Assault Ordnance Detachment in Arbroath and Staff Sergeant Bennetts joins us in Plymouth. We also have an instructor permanently attached to 383 Com- mando Petroleum Troop RAOC(V) down in Southampton. (At present Sergeant Wadell.) A Commando course is in progress at the moment with two RAOC officers on their Beat U p ; Captain Slade and Lieutenant Argyle both of whom we hope to see with us in December. At present they are under the eagle eye of Corpora! Phelps who is detached from the Squadron to the Central Training Team at Stonehouse Barracks: It's all go. Central Ordnance Depot Bicester HEADQUARTERS HAVING had to sit and receive post- card SITREPS of the progress of RAOC Thunderer making her way back to UK and being the time of year when planning commences for 1982 this has been rather a depressing month! I did. however, pass my BFT with two minutes to spare (and two pints of petrol) so things can't be that bad, The Headquarters and Depot has* been a hive of activity dealing with Exercise Live Log 1981. The great thing which came from the Exercise was the enthusiasm with which the members (both Civilian and Military) of COD tackled the task facing them. During the period we were honoured with VIP visits from VQMG, COS LOG, ACOS LOG SHAPE, DGOS, DDGOS, DBD, DLSA, hopefully these gentlemen were well impressed with the Depot's performance! The Commandant presented the Imperial Service Medal to Mr Bill Maskell from SSO's Branch. The ceremony was attended by Mrs Mona Maskell, his daughter Lynne and his son Colin.- Sergeant Pete Parker has had his last, we hope, farewell party and has gone to the distant East to serve in Pakistan for the next two years. Best of luck to him and his family. In his place Sergeant Mark Trower who has joined us from 6 AMF(L). As 1 write these notes I am surrounded by happy Head- quarters staff moving offices, this is in accordance with a Plan- Mr Bill Maskell receives his Imperial Service Medal from the Commandant-. 151 |
| Book number | R0250 |