RAOC Gazette - page 246
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1978 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | No |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1978 |
| Late date | 1978 |
| Transcription |
ft: JjL letter* to |j| tlje Cbttor OLD TIMES From MAJOR WILLIE WILKINS (RETD) pear Editor,—I was interested to see the reference to ' Hoppy' Cassidy in the piece about a new Unit in Germany commanded by his son. I suppose the younger generation wouldn't understand that alt Cassidys in those days had to be Hoppys but in all other respects our Hoppy, at Ben Al Madem, was an outstanding character. I wonder how many of the old and bold remember this happy personality combined as it was with a rare understand- ing of human nature. Not that he wasn't a hard taskmaster Until we disbanded at Ben Al Madem in early 1944 (February 1 think), most of us bound for England and then over the beaches in Normandy en route for Germany, we had to work in the most atrocious conditions with a lack of all modern facilities both at work and in our daily life. But Hoppy kept us at it and with him as a leader, we did it all with a will. I would like to suggest Mr Editor that a few tales of the old times (dear me, they seem so long ago now) and the famous characters who did such sterling work in our vast world-wide effort between 1939 and 1945 would be very wel- zane to the more elderly of your readers who stilJ look for- ward to their GAZETTE each month, * AID * * FOR THE VISUALLY HANDICAPPED In some ways this is understandable. On returning to civilian life, one takes on new responsibilities, will have moved possibly into an area far from RAOC depots or Units, has found other interests and made new friends. In this in- flationary age too, travel is so expensive that the cost of a function itself is often less than getting there. But attendance is so worth while. One meets so many old friends, both serving and retired, hears news of others, is updated on Corps activities and achievements, and breathes again the corporate atmosphere of Unit and Mess life. I wonder if we value the part the RAOC GAZETTE plays in maintaining the interest of those in retirement. The journal provides a link between us but the Editor is dependent of course on contributions from serving and retired alike. Articles on sporting and other outside activities are of interest to us all. Station letters appeal mainly to serving members of course, although occasional photographs of individuals, staff or places, bring back memories of stations and past service. But what about more letters from branches of the RAOC Association, telling us about their activities. That there is plenty of life in branches is evidenced by the attendance of retired, reserve Army and wartime members at the popular annual Association weekends. But why not let us know more about other functions and individuals. Sadly, so often the only news of old friends and comrades which reaches us is contained in the obituary column under ' Notices/ and one recalls past days and wonders how an old friend had fared, what he had done, and why one had heard no news of him since he left the Service. As General u Stanyer remarked— It is sad to think they are not interested after giving so many years to their Corps." Perhaps if there was more news of old comrades in THE GAZETTE, there would be more interest and greater attendance at functions. There was a time when it was felt that the RAOC Associa- tion was instituted only for those who had served in the ranks,. and perhaps some still feel this way. But of course this is not true. The well attended Remembrance Sunday and Association Weekend services and parades, in which all ranks share to honour the memories of past comrades, is indicative of the common bond. However, we do need more news to maintain and strengthen that .bond, and how better than by using THE GAZETTE for the purpose? From MR A. E. WEDGBURY Dear Sir,—I would be most grateful if you would give considera- tion to publishing the following appeal, *' Since retiring from the RAOC as an SSM in September 1972 I have been a regular reader of THE RAOC GAZETTE and have been most impressed with the amounts of money raised by Units for charity. I am employed by the Social Services Department as a Mobility Officer for the Blind. It is my task to teach the visually handicapped how to achieve independence of mobility using either a long cane or sonic aid. I also teach daily living skills and braille. During school holidays I arrange a variety of activities for visually handicapped youngsters who attend boarding schools, These activities include a holiday each year and in the past have been camping in Jersey and Torquay, we have spent a week at Builins Holiday Camp and a week at a Holiday Village in Belgium. Unfortunately these holidays, which have to be taken at the height of the season, do cost a lot of money and next year we feel we are going to be rather hard pressed to raise sufficient money to enable these blind and partially sighted youngsters to have a holiday. If any RAOC Unit would like to undertake a fund- rising activity to help me organise a holiday for 1979 I would he more than grateful." (In the interests of coordination any Unit wishing to support this appeal should do so through Headquarters DGOS Secretariat), * * * NEWS FROM ASSOCIATION BRANCHES From MAJOR E. J. BERRIDGE Bear Sir,—At the Officers Club dinner, the Representative Colonel Commandant Major General John Stanyer, reflected sadly that after spending so much of their life in the Army, so many officers and men are seldom seen at Corps functions after retirement — 201 |
| Book number | R0247 |