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RAOC Gazette - page 263

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Corps RAOC
Material type Journals
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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 1st- British Corps
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ORD
BRANCH
THIS month we dusted-ofl: our * Indoor' exercise
team, wrapped them up and despatched them to
Rheindahlen to take part in Exercise Jog-Trot,
there is no truth in the statement that the Mais
team were seen trying to Scrim-up the Big House.
Staff Sergeant Jim Gleeson was awarded his
Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (the
shortened version). It was presented to him in the
T
Sergeants Mess by the Chief of Staff, Jim then
bought the drinks all round, and, as he did not have a lanyard
on, he bought drinks all round again (I just d o n ! know what to
make of these Staff Clerks). Nice one Jim!
On the sporting scene, we are still plugging away for the
Commander's Cup and have won the six-a-side hockey com-
petition and are still in the volley-ball. A rare event was seen
during the tug-of-war competition, one of the officers actually
volunteered to take part, we were that surprised that we picked
him for the team, but, not to be outdone, on the actual day he
was away at a conference! Still, the twenty-man cross country
team selection is about to begin.
Our S03 (Ops) Captain Griffiths, slipped oft to take a
PSQ exam, and slipped a disc in the process, he is now in-
carcerated in BMH Rinteln on the rack, we wish him a speedy
and complete recovery.
We welcome to the branch Colin Barrie Fisk, a son to
Barry and Hazell. Blue.
STAFF
CLERKS
R AND D., Deep in the bowels of the Headquarters lies the
Receipt and Despatch Centre (RDC). Since our last article,
many personalities have changed and we take this opportunity
to update you all. Firstly, we have a new chief clerk, Sergeant
Alan Morris. Next in the order of battle is Lance Corporal
Kevin Smith (* K.C' to his friends), Second in Command of the
centre, A mention next for Private George Grant, stand in
post NCO and publications expert. His spirits are high after
recent results in the Scottish Premier League; indeed by the time
these notes are read, he will have been to Dusseldorf to see
whether the team from the Granite City can pull it off (PS—they
didn't). Private Andrew Blatherwick has recently joined the
team fresh from the Depot. W/Lance Corporal Elaine Malcolm
is making a record entitled ' R and D here, we have a priority
for y o u ' l W/Private Denise Flannagan has joined us from
the typing pool. A last final effort to promote sales of the
Corps GAZETTE; we mention our Admin NCO Corporal
Ray Brown (QLR)—ten minutes twenty rive seconds is the time
to beat (BFT)—not bad for a forty five year old! Also worthy of
a mention is our post NCO Corporal Tom Baillie (RPC). We
haven't seen much of him recently and rumour has it that he's
been sent to Bunde to be educated! Also a mention for our
hardworking reprographics lady, Mrs Marilyn Bedford.
The Supervising Officer, Captain Wally Auton and his
deputy WOl Allan Robinson, have been all smiles recently—
could it be due to the most pleasing results of the two recent
soccer matches played against a well known RCT Regiment?
Congratulations to our ten pin bowlers, namely: Staff
Sergeant Will McBurney, Sergeants Dave Leek, Pete Bedford
and Roy Sebastian Coe. They took part in the 1978 RAOC
(BAOR) ten pin bowling championships at Dusseldorf and won
the team competition by more than two hundred pins, thus
becoming the RAOC (BAOR) team champions. Well done.
Congratulations also to Privates Tony Mackey and Steven
July an on promotion.
passing his RPC course. I do wish he would stop muttering
" O n e , Two-Three, One "I
ORDNANCE
COMPANY
THE Company football team went to Berlin to play First
Battalion the Welsh Guards in the Army Challenge Cup but,
on an off-day, was beaten six nil. That is not to say their
morale is low; they fully intend Lo win the three minor Units
competitions entered for.
The Soltau Station rugby side,
thirteen of whom are from the Ordnance Company, had their
first match ever against 26 Armoured Engineer Squadron. They lost
thirteen nil but it was a good game and their performance
augurs well for the future. The cross country team continues to do
well although having suffered the indignity of not coming first
last week,now run for fitness at the week-ends in German events.
On the social side a very successful Unit dance, on a night
club theme, was organised by Staff Sergeant Frank Mines and
bowling tombola and film evenings are in full swing. The
bowling, organised by WOl Stan Sheriff and Staff Sergeant Kitt
Hewitt, is run on very professional lines with no less than ten
British and four German teams taking part.
Finally mention must be made of our ' h e a v y ' squad
Corporal Bob Milburn, Lance Corporal Paul Arnold and
Brummie Austin who have decided to go on a sponsored ' slim,'
rumour has it that they are going to spend the proceeds on a
massive banquet and put the pounds back on again!
Welcome to Corporal Dawson, Lance Corporal Blakey and
Privates Calvert and Vanstone. Congratulations to Staff
Sergeant Chapman on his substantive promotion and also to
Private Rees on promotion to A/CorporaL Congratulations
also to Sergeant Micky Rooke on receiving his Long Service
and Good Conduct Medal, presented to him by the Corps
Commander.
1st Armoured Division
A
HEADQUARTERS
RAOC
THIS month saw our Division Dump
m /KTtfi,
Company in the Divisional area for the
first time. Notes on their exercise appear
elsewhere, but, we would like to make the
point that we were delighted to see this
new Unit which forms such a vital part
of our Divisional RAOC organisation.
Past members of this establishment
will be pleased to note that the office
accommodation has now been painted.
The inconvenience of asking for a file and getting a paint be-
splattered piece of paper, is over. The DO WO was indignant 216
about the inconvenience, as for two days his office was the
corridor.
However,
pacified
when
that the
only Our
alternative
congratulations
would he be was
to trap
Corporal
one or Tick-Tock
two. informed
Winchester
on
The Corps Commander talks to members of the Sergeants Mess.
Afternote.
All Corps members
of the Health Farm worried
1
about Sergeant 'Snoopy Fogg not answering on Ext 237 are
advised he is now kennelled in the CQMS Department on
Ext 234.
1 ARMOURED
DIVISION DUMP
COMPANY
I Armoured Division Dump Company is a very unflattering
name for what has proved to be a very successful shadow Unit,
although some Doubting Thomases thought that it may prove
to be just too much. After all, how can it be expected to work
when formed from a hotchpotch of Units, with the greatest of
respect to the providing Units.
I think it can now be justly said that they were proved
wrong. In fact this very point, which seemed to be detrimental,
was a most important positive factor. The reason being that each
Unit generally tried to provide the right person for the job.
Consequently the task of forming a cohesive Unit, with an
identity of its own, was made a lot easier.
Every soldiers performance was very good, special credit
must go to the drivers and this must also include the Eager
Beaver operators; many of whom started as novices but
definitely finished as veterans. Many lessons have been drawn
from the exercise and there, is no doubt that Exercise Molar
Muscle was both rewarding and worthwhile. Photographs might
be available for the next edition. Finally, all Units must be
thanked for their part, no matter how small, for making it such
a success.
Book number R0247