RAOC Gazette - page 68
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1979 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | No |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1979 |
| Late date | 1979 |
| Transcription |
3rd Armoured Division A HEADQUARTERS ONCE again the festive season has arrived and left All agree that this year, Christmas was a success. We define this as enjoyable without being too physically damaging. Since last we wrote, Captain Ginrt has left to take up an appointment in Headquarters DGOS. Eventually and after a number of alarms and excursions, he and his family were reunited in UK after their separate moves. Although this may sound trivial, there was very nearly a major scandal involving husband located in Andover, wife and children camping out in Graven and a variety of persons in temporary and involuntary accommodation. However, it all ended happily with everyone in the correct place, but like Waterloo, it was a close run thing. Replacing Captain Ginn in the Adjutant role, came Captain V/ylde posted in from a Stores Platoon with the Royal Regi- ment of Artillery in Dortmund. A good background for an Adjutant you may think. After the one day takeover permitted by the Manpower Planning experts, Captain Wylde received a swift baptism of fire with a couple of highly emotive practise call-outs of the Divisional Headquarters, with the attendant writing of new instructions, finding vehicles etc, etc. He now knows a great deal about call-outs, it is called learning the hard way. Before the weather (and Christmas) closed sporting activity, Headquarters RAOC was invited to field a team in the Ordnance Company's Ridsdale Cup competition. Lance Corporal Chris Eades volunteered (roughly speaking) to be team leader. He selected a team from the RAOC in the Headquarters, which in addition to himself comprised Privates Tarty Jones, Jeff Haw, Meaty Maxwell, Steve Du Feu and Terry Clarke. They put in some stern training, running cross country with a log burden. This paid off, the team put up a creditable performance coming in fourth out of seven entries. We are assured that there will be further appearances by a team from the Headquarters after that most encouraging outing. Division 4th first Armoured So, we move into 1979 with a Command assurance that the 1 1 HEADQUARTERS RAOC recent turbulence and upheavals are a thing of the past and that ^ ^ ^ ^ HELLO again from cold, windy Herford. the next year will be one of stability. Watch this space for ^ ^ H ^ ^ k Firstly, Headquarters RAOC extend a further news of a stable Iron Division. flHH^^^ft warm welcome to Majors J. J. Evans and ^^^^^^^H A. H. Wilson-Ing and their families and ^^^^^^H also to W02 George Strugnell and family ^^^^^^m who have arrived from exotic Brunei. ^^B^^^ Farewells go to Lance Corporal I ' Jock' Cuthbert who has chosen to try the joys of ' ciwie street' along with Private * Ernie * Wise, the CRAOCs driver. (Anyone wishing to buy a second hand Hillman Hunter Saloon, a thoroughly reliable vehicle!), Corporal Neil Quin, our only teetotaller, received a shock when informed that he was being moved into the Materiel Office; the thought was enough to drive him to drink, or it would have—had his car been on the road. (Is there any truth in the rumour that CRAOC has finally agreed to AQ Ops ransom demands for the release of Staff Sergeant * Ken' Dodd, who was borrowed for a week or two early in 1978?). More from the * Fighting Fourth' next month G AND AQ OUR intrepid underwater explorer Corporal Mark Lynam has just returned from a diving expedition in Gibraltar, joyous in the knowledge he has been posted to SHAPE. We welcome Sergeant Bob Boughan from Belize, who will be our new AQ Ops Sergeant, replacing Staff Sergeant Ken Dodd, who returns to Headquarters RAOC after completing his ' time' in the Operations room. Our registry has just received two new items of equipment, one of which looked like it could withstand anything, after three days it was proved that it was not soldier proof, just for good measure the other machine was broken two days later. There is no truth to the rumour that the Super was actually seen weeping. ORDNANCE COMPANY A VERY busy month for our Unit cross-country runners; we played host to eighty six competitors who took part in Exercise Long Run an event in the 4 Division Cross-Country League. Lieutenant Couch and Second Lieutenant Walker selected a very tough twelve kilometre course. Our team. managed a commendable second place among the minor Units. Special mention must be made to the efforts of Corporal Martin Moorhouse who, despite a very severe nose bleed, started eleven minutes after the rest and still managed to overtake several of the other competitors. The team also came fourth in the 4 Division Minor Units Championships, and took ninth place .in the RAOC Champion- ships. We wish them well in 1979. The Officers and Senior Ranks enjoyed a Ladies Dinner Night. Once again the evening was a great success thanks to the efforts of CSM Tom Flowers, Captain Train and the lads who set the place out, not forgetting Sergeant Jock Shields and his cooks for preparing the excellent cuisine. On the subject of enjoyable evenings, against all the odds and the elements, Corporals Taff Whittle, Jock Anderson, Colin Inglis, Yorky Dawson and their committee transformed the gymnasium into a very tastefully decorated dance hall for our annual Christmas draw. Although not everyone could win one of the excellent prizes, everyone was able to enjoy the splendid buffet. Once again our thanks to the cooks, and turkeys who did not die in vain. We are happy to report that the CQMS and his team are now back on terra firma. Could it be the Defence Auditors have left? Or was it the Clothing Inspector? DOWO please in- vestigate. We celebrated St Barbara's Day together with members of the Royal Artillery stationed here in Detmold and took part in two separate church services—depending on one's religion. After the services everyone, together with their families, returned to Elles Barracks where we held a parade in honour of Sergeant Ray Skekel who was presented with his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal by the Officer Commanding Major Walton. After the presentation we all enjoyed lunch and drinks in the Park Inn Club. Our congratulations this month go to Lieutenant Chris * Lloyd and Mrs Lloyd, also Lance Corporal Ami Arnison and Mrs Arnison on their recent marriages. Also congratulations to WOl Mick Matthews, Staff Sergeant Brian Frater, Sergeants Andy Alder and Pete Mead, Corporal Kevin Panter and last but not least Lance Corporal Alex Francis on their recent promotions. We extend a very warm welcome to Corporal Southern, Privates Walters, Copeland, Browne and Smith. 80 SUPPLY DEPOT THE coldest day of the year so far coincided with our biannual Fitness Test and results have never been so good. It was a case of running faster and faster to keep warm and even our illustrious Chief Clerk, Sergeant John Singh, after many failures, at last achieved a pass with seconds to spare! As the thermometer continues to drop Corporal Lennie Loughran is looking a little more cheerful at the prospect of spending the next six months in Cyprus with UNFICYP. Congratulations are in order for W02 Ivan Jones our NCO in charge POL Section on his substantive promotion. This was quickly followed by a Posting Order to Hamm in March and a WOs and SNCOs Provision Course at the School of Ordnance. Corporal Dave Montgomery suffered a slight injury when a pedestrian pallet transporter was pushed over his foot and unfortunately it prevented him from defending his title at the RAOC BAOR squash meeting. Our jovial Depot Superintendent Dave Cartwright was selected for the role of Father Christmas at the Hannover Station children's party and he proved a great success. What price a repeat next year? FVD Hiltrup WE have now been operating at Hiltrup for nearly ten months; I apologise to those discerning readers who missed our last months notes, a combination of exercise commitments and the numerous, but very welcome, visitors are my excuse. The OC assures me that I will not miss again • Sergeant Pat Track rejoined us from BMH Woolwich, it has been suggested that he only needs a parrot on his shoulder, to go with his Hmp, to play Long John Silver in the Unit panto. His reply, however, would not be suitable for the kiddiwinks ears. — 281 — |
| Book number | R0247a |