RAOC Gazette - page 287
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1968 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | No |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1968 |
| Late date | 1968 |
| Transcription |
unit. MPBW cleared the wreckage with commendable speed, leaving a clump of disconnected cables on the plinth, in splendid isolation. SQMS Merrit and Sgt, Brown have returned to the Am- munition Sub-Depot from Muscat with stories of ancient am- munition found in unusual storage places. The Senior Am- munition Technician has, never before, been required to carry out a disposal inspection at the top of a medieval fort. The * achievement of the month * award has gone to regi- mental policeman L/Cpl. D. J, Allsopp who, whilst serving on an unaccompanied tour in Bahrein, has contrived to marry a British girl in Germany! Such an international start can only augur well for the future life of John and Elizabeth Allsopp. Sport in the Gulf suffers certain chaos as we attempt to play all sports in the same season before the sun sends us scurrying to the swimming pools. The ' Nomads' rugby club, resplendent in new strip of green, white and black, has started training and practice under the tutelage of L/Cpl. P. Rogers and Cpl, R. Goldthorpe. The forwards are being encouraged to pack low by the requirement to have to duck under the cover drives of Cdr. Dennison's cricketers practicing at the nets. At the same time their natural aggressiveness is being noted by Capt. Pearson the boxing officer. A quick count of the names of the departures, arrivals and the promotions indicates that to list them in tabular form would take one hundred and ninety words. We cannot aflord this so must settle for threes—' welcome/ ' farewell/ ' congratulations/ dom to attend the Study Period. He did comment that the rcU would be heneficial after having completed a tour of the major depots with the Chief of Staff, Hud pleasure in accepting a beverage from Capt. A. Rase on his passing the Practical Promotion Exam, also from Staff Quarter Master Sergeant G. Garrick on his elevation. Was delighted to note Major K. Hornsey back from a short stay in hospital, but did note with regret that Mr. M. A/ard, who will be remembered by many over the past twenty two years, is reported to be very ill. We do all hope he will soon recover. By chair again to the ranges to cheer the Directorate team in the Corps shoot, they being runners-up in both Grand Aggre- gate and Minor Units competitions. Did also note that Major J, Martyn-Fisher was the runner-up in the Officers rifle shoot. Our team did finally consist of 'Fusiliers 1 Woodley, Martyn- Fisher, Course and Blay with 'Fusilier* Laine acting as non- firing captain in the Ceylon Cup competition. Did also note that the team acquitted itself with distinction, but alas won no trophies in the Singapore District skill at arms meeting. Was happy to welcome Sgt. Boswell and also Miss M. E. May- cock on her marriage to Cpl, Cornfield. Also did note that there were no departures or increases in our staff clerks, even though there has been a considerable move of offices. Am promised some succulent tales as a result of these moves and do look forward to hearing them. Having burnt my candle at both ends did extinguish, and so ! 1 ORDNANCE SERVICES SHARJAH: The name 'Composite Ordnance Depot' is not used any more although the Depot is still here. The " Services' now include Barracks previously controlled by Mr. C Dahdal at Bahrein, Very soon we military will number only fifty so the opportunity for service in this outpost is getting smaller, Congratulations to: SSM J. E, Latimer; Cpts. Massey and Fielding; L/Cpls. Sawkill and Wrightson—on their promotion. 3 BOD Ordnance Directorate HQ FARELF •J • " ^ \ y * ^ y^/*^y ^fV^Ktl A S^l^^^ua^* X^^^^/v^ %V I Jy v \ B / y ^ ^ j ^ ^ ^ y 1 ^ ••^•HH^MH j^^^^^^^^^H BY CHAIR to the airport to meet col- leagues back from Mount Kinabalu, Sabah. Was given to understand that the name means "place or home of the dead" and am prepared to believe it for they did for certain look as if they had returned from the Styx. These worthy travellers having left for Anduki, by RNZAF unhealed Andover, at five-fifteen on twelfth August did spend three nights on the mountain. Their worthies had suffered many trials and tribulations to reach the peak, including some two thousand five hundred feet of steps, winds of forty miles per hour and rainstorms which turned trickling streams into raging torrents and caused rocks to be hurled down the mountain side. The weather throughout the journey, as described by divers mem- bers of the party in their Anglo Saxon terminology, was, 1 discerned, atrocious. Similar adjectives were used to describe the two thousand five hundred feet of steps and the accom- modation. They did all, however, exclaim on the beauty of the flora and fauna which, seen through the mist and rain, had made the journey worth while. Have noticed my married colleagues looking less haunted and did discern that this was due to the return to the United Kingdom of children and visiting parents. Do understand that Colonel Spencer in particular is relieved but is looking forward to Christmas with dread. He hopes that, by then, his abode will have recovered from its last young peoples party. By chair to Headquarters Mess for refreshment at the Army Commander's cocktail party, to note divers colleagues making sport with the visiting members of Parliament. Did hear sharp comments on our economic situation, particularly in relation to overseas investment, cuts in the Army and reduc- tions in local overseas allowances. To the airport to welcome Colonel P. N. W. Besley who is visiting the theatre. Did hear from the horses mouth news of the latest postings. Did note that Staff Sergeant Major Thomson is offering his car-eating dog for sale. Do understand that his garage is running short of trim for seats due to the animal's latest activities. Did wish our Director a safe journey to the United King- THE last days of August and the opening days of September saw the Depot ravaged by a severe epidemic of Asian flu which swept through Singapore after its unpleasant attack on Hong Kong. At the peak of the crisis there were almost three hun- dred civilians away from duty and many others were struggling to maintain a semblance of alertness at their posts despite feverish heads and streaming eyes and noses. Happily the epidemic is now over and the Depot has settled down to that traditionally congenial and optimistic period which precedes Christmas. On 21st August the BOD was represented in an RAOC Base Units team competing in the Singapore District swim- ming championships. The flu epidemic had depleted the original team and the remaining competitors were only able to achieve fifth place in the competition but the prestige of the Corps was considerably enhanced by its victory in the chain of com- mand race. Winning, amidst great excitement, by a short head from, HQ 3 Commando Brigade and 29 Cdo Regt RA, the victory was assured by Capt. Clouter of 3 BOD who fought- off a very strong challenge in the final length. The photo- graph is of the team which consisted of; Left to right—Pte* MeEvoy 221 BVD, SSM Moorhouse 3 BOD, Capt. Clouter 3 BOD, L/Cpl. Rashid 221 BVD. — 238 — T Photo SSM Moorhouse RAOC |
| Book number | R0238 |