RAOC Gazette - page 253
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 |
ihe Civil Power! The main highlight of the exercise was the two day post strike phase when the bunker was sealed and ^uch of the delight of' the civilian staff all military personnel v^re For all intents and purposes, locked away from the world. There are rumours that certain members of the branch wanted this to continue in perpetuity! We must unfortunately close with a message of sincere con- dolences to our CRAOC whose wife recently died. All mem- bers of the branch were saddened by this news and extend their deepest sympathy. SATO RA RANGE HEBRIDES NOW that the two days of Summer have well and truly passed we are settling in for another mild Arctic winter. A warmer note is the arrival of our new SAT W02 Dave Moor with his wife Jenny and their two children. He has settled in the department well, although his not entering the coffee swindle has deeply upset Staff Sergeant John Wiggell! HRH The Duchess of Gloucester recently visited the Range and watched a couple of not too successful Rapier firings; later at a Ladies Guest Night in the Officers Mess she drew the winning ticket of the RAOC Appeal for the SSAFA Christmas Market (first prize was a gallon of Haigs Whisky—the winner hasn't been coherent since!). a W02. We wish both Brian and his wife Audrey our best wishes and don't forget to send the oranges. What you may ask happened to our two intrepid travellers Corporal Steve Thomas and Lance Corporal Tim Kelly since our last notes. To refresh the memory of those who have not been Following this exciting saga, Corporal Thomas left us in March for a four month detachment to BATUS, but as yet has not come back. We have had a card from him stating how much he is enjoying the USA 1 Lance Corporal Kelly left us at the beginning of August for a six weeks detachment to Kenya but latest information received suggests that as a pipe smoker he is setting up a plantation out there. This month has also seen the departure of Corporal Andy Anderson to BATUS on posting. We all hope that he is settling down in Canada and if you see Corporal Thomas send him back please? If any of our readers manage to visit the Range and would like to look in on this ofrlce do not look for the normal Stores Section sign—it has now changed to ' Stores Section Botanical Gardens '—due to the fact that we are foster parents to numerous tropical plants at present awaiting a move to Bracht to their owner Captain Martin Thwaite our last OC. If Captain Thwaite is reading these notes, the creeping plant has now taken over your friendly scribe's desk and our civilian storeman Murdo hasn't been seen since opening a box of these plants, although one was seen to be licking its leaves. The cheese plant is in our civilian typist Mary Ann's office, and she says it keeps molesting her—they aren't rnaneaters are they? South East District The Duchess of Gloucester about to draw the winning ticket-at Hie RAOC Hebrides SSAFA Christmas Market draw. AT the beginning of the month we had the hard luck stories of our Bold Guard survivors rapidly drowned by the groan- ings which accompanied the participants of Exercise Scrum Half whose resultant sheaves of paper vied with the falling leaves in their abundance, tenacity and usefulness! A notable exercise if only for the fact that our ROWO W02 John West was seen in uniform! For their further entertainment, certain members of the* Ord Community are now looking forward with trepidation to a sojourn on sunny Salisbury Plain where they are tasked to umpire Exercise Great Delight at the beginning of December, while others will be at the sharp end with 6 Field Force. On a sporting front we must record the achievement of the Ord Company in coming second in the Corps swimming championship ably assisted by the Ord Branch Chief Clerk, W02 Alan Carroll. The rumour that this said luminary was seen laying mines in the swimming pool prior to the event must be dismissed as being jealous gossip by opposing con- tenders. Whilst on the subject of undetected crime it must also be pointed out that our rations compere Major Bob Barnes is apparently soon to be the proud possessor of a clasp to his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, provided that nis time and luck lasts out. Finally the members of the department would like to say a fond farewell to W02 Arthur Bums and wish him and family every happiness in Germany. We hope he soon finds his MFO. STORES SECTION RA RANGE HEBRIDES ONCE again the islands are subjected to gale force winds and horizontal (not vertical) rain. If you the reader have any doubts as to the ferocity of the winds up here, a short time ago, after a very windy Saturday night, two unfortunate islanders went to check their caravans only to find that one had been blown on top of the other. I am informed by reliable sources ;hat all caravans on the island are now to be fitted with wings and all vehicle drivers are to be in possession of a pilot's licence. Private Capewell recently swapped his typewriter and scriber for wellies and sou'wester and took to the high seas. It would appear, according to reliable information received by your scribe, that Private Capewell spent more time hanging aver the side of the boat than he did ere wing. This may of course be due to the fact that this poor landlubber was helping to crew a thirty six foot Nicholsan yacht enroute to Oban from Lochboisdale. Unfortunately when he volunteered to go, no one told him what the Sea of the Hebrides can be like in a force eight gale. He now knows. He is, however, safely back with us but is still looking decidedly green. We say farewell in the near future to Staff Sergeant Brian Bragger who is preparing to leave for sunny Cyprus as — 207 6th Field Force WE start this month by offering our sincere congratulations to Major Geoff Browne on his award of the MBE, the announcement came during Exercise Bold Guard and placed everyone in * High Spirits,* so we are told! DGOS visited the Headquarters recently. After a briefing on the Head- quarters, he toured the offices and met all the staff, A highlight of the month must also have been Exercise Bold Guard where we spent four weeks in rainswept/windswept Schleswig-Holstein under canvas. Exercise awards for services above and beyond etc are as follows: Award Awarded to Gofa (for most moaning when Private John Mooney (Force told to go for this and go for Ordnance Private) FOP that) Dunno (when asked various Private Steve Connolly pertinent questions gave the most Dunno) Lowenbrau (for most beer Private Martin McCarthy consumed during the Exercise) Bloomer (for dealing with sus- Captain Desmond Townsend pect enemy and later finding out they were friendly forces) |
| Book number | R0247 |