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RAOC Gazette - page 182

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Corps RAOC
Material type Journals
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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 jBetog (torn ^broafc
Headquarters AFCENT
BAOR Ammunition Inspectorate
AS the summer bravely struggles to throw
off the grip of winter here in the Nether-
lands, the emphasis at AFCENT has been
on physical activities.
The United Kingdom team won the
1978 International Track: and Field Meet
with one hundred and seventy nine points,
beating the United States team with one
hundred and forty three points and the
Germans with one hundred and nine. The
Corps was well represented in the team by
W02 Colin Bawden, Sergeants Gerry
Trottier, Alan Ward, Roger Evans and
Paddy Stanway, and Corporal Pete Marley.
With something less than unbounded
enthusiasm, all Staff Sergeants and below
have attended one week's regimental training at the Rheindahlen
Garrison training camp in Arsbeck. To hear some of the tales,
one would imagine that they had encountered an elastic BFT
course which could be stretched at will by sadistic PTls, How-
ever, since all have returned safely from the rigours of patrol-
ling, NBC drills and range classification, it at least proved
that, even at AFCENT, we don't forget what it's like in the
Tear Army.
No doubt feeling remorse at having missed all this fun,
Captain Colin Robinson volunteered to join the AFCENT
International Marching Team for the four-day March at
Nijmegen. We can report that he survived this ordeal and is
probably already thinking of an RAOC contingent for next
year.
Also on the international front, W02 Colin Bawden and
his wife Maureen escorted a party of fourteen Americans,
Germans and Brits on a weekend visit to Bath where they were
hosted by Maureen's uncle who is Mayor of the City. Sergeant
M ; ck Moran also managed to take time off from his repeated
attempts to get the driving licence he needs for his posting
to BDS Washington, and go along on the trip. It is reported
that he succeeded in getting back to AFCENT without leaving
his rubber duck behind.
HERFORD
ATO E has now taken possession of his new car. Whether
he has got it scrimmed up from his wife who is due to join
him soon or he has been taking lessons from the AEO
we don't know. What colour is your car ATO E? SAT 5FF
thinks the appearances of officers cars have the same frequency
as Haley's Comet. The Comet is due to' appear next in 1985.
It is not only happiness that money won't buy, according
to Corporal Chris Coventry it won't buy a new Ford Cortina,
well at least not for five months it won't In the meantime his
£3,500 must continue to burn holes in his pocket
Mrs Kay Pettit has arrived to join her husband, we welcome
her and also Corporal Robert Craig, a new posting in from
CAD Kineton; he makes our Caledonian Society four strong,
which in such a small Unit is tantamount to a monopoly—or
a bore.
Lieutenant Phil Freegard has left us after his two months
working holiday; his most memorable outing being with Staff
Sergeant George Ferguson and Sergeant John Anderson down
to the US Zone to attend a 5 Heavy Regiment RA tiring camp.
They worked alongside the Regiment as various members of a
gun team and enjoyed the experience immensely even though
Sergeant Anderson sampled a 'different' type of root beer.
On the 11th we repeated the Duck and Shovel Derby, the
occasion being the farewell of Sergeants Pat Powell and John
Anderson; respectively being posted to Ord Services Berlin and %
1 (BR) Corps Combat Supplies Battalion. We thank them for
their hospitality and wish them well.
Corporal Gavin Dunhill has successfully completed a
driving course and can now be added to the Duty Driver
Roster whereas Corporal ' M a c ' Macdonald must wait to
hear the result of his EPC (Military Calculations) examination.
However, we have great faith in him passing as he possesses the
requisite number of fingers and toes.
The Units military expertise continues to increase with us
now delving into Field Craft (Personal Camouflage and Move-
ment). We now not only do more BFTs than most but also
do them in the leopard crawl position unseen and unheard.
£'";'
WALSRODE
THE month of August heralds the Annual Maintenance Period
for the Hohne-Bergen Ranges. This in turn means that all
those little tasks within the Depot are now being cleared away.
One little task, as forecast in last months * notes/ was the
BE Test. I am glad to report a one hundred per cent success
rate—Headquarters please note.
Our congratulations are extended to Corporal P. Myring
on his marriage to Miss Susan HaywanL
3 Base Ammunition and Petroleum Depot
Photo Gerard Thieren.
After receiving their Long Service and Good Conduct Medals
from Brigadier J . M . Palmer, the Senior British Staff Officer at
AFCENT, are from left, Captain Colin Robinson BEM, Sergeant
Brian Rider and W 2 George Thomson.
Congratulations go to Captain Colin Robinson BEM, W02
George Thomson and Sergeant Brian Rider on the award of
I heir Long Service and Good Conduct Medals,

AT the time of writing the children's summer activities are
well under way under the watchful and fatherly eyes of Lieu-
tenant Rick Wright and Sergeant Ken Finch. The children
appear to be enjoying all the various activities from cooking
to model making, including being allowed to use their skate
boards legally on the RSM's square!
The Station Wives Club had a day's expedition to Amster-
dam. Wives Club funds provided the fares and the picnic
lunches for fifty of our ladies, who were then free to follow
their own interests on arrival in this fascinating city. Husbands
were relieved to find that they all returned to Bracht by nearly
midnight, mostly very tired and it seemed, all of them very
happy with their day.
Some visited the art galleries and
museums, others the shops, many toured the canals and Anne
Frank's house was high on the visiting list of a large percentage
of the ladies.
149 —
Book number R0247