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RAOC Gazette - page 6

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Full title RAOC Gazette
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Publication date 1968
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Transcription 1966. The restaurant had been redesigned and redecorated, the
completion having been accelerated to accommodate the Associa-
tion Dinner. All present were most appreciative of the result
and the amenities provided.
Before the Dinner the President read out a telegram he
had received from HM The Queen as Colonel-in-Chief of the
RAOC and Patron of the Association.
Following an excellent meal, during which the Corps Band,
under the direction of Captain R, A. Y. Mitchell, played an en-
joyable programme, the loyal toast was drunk and the President,
after giving a resume of the Association's progress during the
past year, welcomed the guests, Lt.-General Sir Antony Read,
GOC-in-C Western Command, and Mr. Ferdinando, the Birming-
ham representative of the Regular Forces Employment Associa-
tion. He also expressed his appreciation to the Birmingham
Branch for their co-operation in making arrangements for the
Dinner and to the manager and staff of the Co-operative
Restaurant for the excellent meal and service which had been
provided.
In his response General Sir Antony Read, having thanked
the Association for inviting him, said that with the reduction
of the Territorial Army Regimental Associations had a big part
to play. The Territorials had in the past been the link between
civilians and the Regular Army. This task must now be under-
taken largely by Associations, and he hoped that members would
play their part and let the general public know that the Army
still had important tasks to perform and that the British Army,
although smaller, was still the most efficient and best equipped
Army,
At the conclusion of the speeches the President presented
the cup and prizes for the RAOC Association small bore com-
petition to the winners, Kineton Branch, and to the runners-up,
Didcot Branch.
Members then adiourned to continue their reunion with old
friends and to refresh memories of past experiences. To sum
up, it was a most successful and enjoyable event.
MIDDLE EASTERS REUNION
THE annual reunion took place on 20th April at the Coach
and Horses Hotel, 2 St. John's Square, London ECU Sixty-eight
members attended, which was an improvement on last year.
We were honoured again this year by the presence of Major
General B. D. Jones, CB, CBE, Another most welcome atten-
dant was a real veteran Middle Easter in the person of S. Brand
of the pre-1914 Cairo vintage!
Brigadier H. C. Whitaker, CBE, in a short speech of wel-
come, thanked the members for their support, read out greetings
from those unavoidably absent, and gave other Middle Easters
news.
It was really great on this 21st anniversary to note the
presence of many who had missed recent reunions, A regular
increase in numbers attending over the last four years is most
encouraging» and a century is seen in the offing- The next
reunion is booked for Saturday, 26th April, 1969, so hold that
date open, come along and help to clinch that century, j j ^ ^
ARMY FIRE SERVICE
INTER-COMMAND QUIZ
THE FINALS of the Army Fire Service inter-Command Quiz
competition were held at Saighton Camp on 24th April. BAOR
was represented by 72 Army Fire Brigade from the Advanced
Base. Belgium, and the UK Commands by the Army Fire
Brigades located at Ashchurch, Old Dalby and Donnington
respectively,
An eighty-strong audience included a contingent of sup-
porters from Germany and Belgium. The result reflected the
measure of their confidence and certainly repaid the personal
expense and trouble of the long journey. Amongst others who
attended were Colonel D. Garden (Commander Advanced Base),
Lt.-Colonel G. C. J. Ridley (COD Donnington), Lt.-Colonel J.
O. Endall (CVD Ashchurch) and Colonel C. F. Allen (DDOS
Western Command).
An exciting contest resulted in a win for the Belgian team
which just beat the Donnington Brigade (Western Command)
in the sixth and final round. The standard achieved showed a
high level of technical knowledge; only eleven points separated
the first and last teams.
Mr. Bellmans (Belgium) and Mr.
Roycroft (Donnington) each achieved a personal maximum
number of points. To decide the individual winner a supple-
mentary round took place which Mr. Bcllmans eventually won by
a half-point after an exciting contest.
The main trophies were presented by Mr. W. H. J. Benton,
CBE. Chief Fire Service Olluer. followed by presentations to
the Belgian Fire Brigade and to Mr. G. Langley (Shropshire
County Fire Service). Mr. Langley, who officiated as question-
master in the quiz, retires at the end of the month after a life-
time of dedicated public service. The presentation to him was
by the Army Fire Service Western Command to express
appreciation for all the help he had given to the Army over many
years.
In the evening some seventy members of the Army Fire
Service and their guests attended an informal supper, a feature of
which was the impromptu choral concert assassinated in the
English and Flemish languages.
It is to be hoped that this competition will be perpetuated
in coming years, as the high standards attained by the teams, who
had previously been adjudged winners of their respective Com-
mands, showed the great value this kind of contest provides
as an incentive to technical knowledge and training.
Great credit is due to Mr. R. C. Vickery, MBE, (CFA
Western Command^ who was responsible for the considerable
administration and organisation necessary. Without this, and
his enthusiasm, the competition would not have been the success
that it was.
BIRTHS
CASHMAN.—On 23rd April. 1968. at BMH Singapore, to
Sandra, nee Allsebrook. and Staff Sergeant J. E. P. Cashman.
RAOC, a son. Stephen Joseph, a brother for Martin and
Philip.
EMAN.—On 25th April, 196S, at the Sofia University Clinic of
Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Sofia, Bulgaria, to Meg, ne'e
Ross, and SQMS John Eman, RAOC, a daughter, Rebecca
Jane.
HOWELLS—On 19th March, 1968, at BMH Singapore, to
Yvonne and SSM Derick Howells. RAOC, a son, Paul, a
brother for Michael, Graham and Shaun.
SWINDELL.—On 25th April. 1968, at the Corby Maternity
Unit Corby. Northants. to Jan, wife of Captain John
Swindell. RAOC (Retd), a daughter, Sally Joanna, a sister
for Tim and Michael.
WHITEHOUSE.—On 2nd March. 1968, at RAF Hospital Weg-
berg. to Wilma, nee Johnson, and Sergeant Alan White-
house, RAOC, a son, Alan Francis Stuart.
ENGAGEMENTS
DIGGLE-—JONATHAN.—The
engagement
is
announced
between Corporal Terence Alan Diggle, RAOC, eldest son
of Mr. and Mrs. C. Diggle of Colchester, Essex, and Patricia
Brenda, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G, Jonathan of
Hastingden, Lanes.
HUTCHINGS—MUSTON.—The engagement is announced
between Lance Corporal Ray Hutchings, son of Mr. and
Mrs, J. S. Hutchings of 42 Southborne Grove, Westcliff-on-
sea, Essex, and Janet, eldest daughter of SSM K. Muston.
RAOC, and Mrs. Muston of the RAOC Printing Press, 3
BOD, Singapore.
MUGGERIDGE—WELLING.—The engagement is announced
between Brigadier David Muggeridge. late RAOC, and Irene,
only daughter of Mr. C. E. Welling and the late Mrs.
Welling of Elstree, Herts.
PHIPPS—HERBERT.—The engagement is announced between
Lance Corporal Charles Tan Phipps, RAOC, eldest son of
Lt.-Colonel K. R. Phipps, RAOC (Retd). and Mrs. Phipps of
Unsworth, Bury, Lancashire, and Elizabeth Anne, eldest
daughter of AQMS V. G. Herbert, REME, and Mrs. Herbert.
WRIGHT—BENNETT.—The engagement is announced between
Robert David, youngest son of Major and Mrs. H. G.
Wright, of Keswick, Admaston, Wellington, Shropshire, and
Rae, elder daughter of Flight Lieutenant and Mrs. D,
Bennett of Llangibby, Usk, Mon.
MARRIAGES
CLARK—EDSON—On 20th April, 1963, at the Church of The
Ascension, Hull, Private James Clark, RAOC, of the
AATDC, Old Sarurn, Wilts, to Miss Christine Edson.
Book number R0238