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RAOC Gazette - page 37

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Corps RAOC
Material type Journals
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Full title RAOC Gazette
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Publication date 1981
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Early date 1981
Late date 1981
Transcription duct Medal. The presentation was made by Lieutenant Colonel
Ransby on his last day as Commanding Officer of the Regi-
ment.
After the presentation we retired to the Mess for drinks and
then back to work, ' oh the dedication to duty.'
The scribe of this piece, like so many others here, is on
tenter hooks wondering where his next posting will be.
On the sporting scene the Workshop took part in the 1 Artillery
Division Septathlon here in Hohnc, our six-a-sidc football team
(4 RAOC+2 REME) won the Plate Competition.
We have also won our first match in the Craftsmans Cup
competition so spirits are high this season.
In fact nine members of the Stores Section play sports for
the Workshop and the tenth is the football team manager.
Congratulations this month go to W02_ Brian Fratcr on his
promotion, also to Corporal Stcxc Jessamine, Lance Corporal
Dusty Miller, A/Lance Corporal Jock Shields and Private Brook
Wimbury on selection for promotion on the recent board.
Finally we say farewell to Private Pete Ridley and welcome
Private Alan Bates to our flock.
5 Field Force
ORDNANCE
COMPANY
A quick flurry of snow
this month had W02
Geoff ' Not 'aving i t '
Collingc rushing to get
his skis out. Alas! it
was all in vain as the
snow soon departed.
Staff Sergeant Ted Curtis seems to have settled into PC and A
since his arrival. He really must inform his civilian staff about
it though—as they don't seem to know. Perhaps it has some-
thing to do with Unit bar checks, ten pin bowling or the foot-
ball team.
Captain ' Zorro' Burr has been flashing his epee in Luxem-
bourg and Recklinghausen this month. The OC emphatically
denies that he is trying to have him posted early because of his
long absences despite what the Corps GAZETTE said last month!
It has been noted that our intrepid Chief Clerk Staff Sergeant
' Super Ced' D'Souza is now the proud owner of a brand new
Audi 100. Who said crime doesn't pay?
Our much revered CSM John Matthews has decided that
things are getting too much for him and has gone off for a
fortnight's leave to Colchester! I wonder if he knows some-
thing that we don't. His greatcoat and pacestick are sadly
missed.
The football team are enjoying a good season so far, having
suffered only one defeat. Corporal Phil Hussey maintains it is
all due to his sterling performances at the heart of the defence.
Private ' Paddy' Walsh at the moment languishing in BMH
with his teeth wired up refuses to comment.
Congratulations to Corporals Phil Hussey and Dave Roberts
and to Lance Corporal Brian Smith on their promotion. We say
farewell to Staff Sergeant John Beck off to join the ' Bean-
stealers ' at Bicester, and to Sergeant Arthur Warburton who
joins Kineton.
Finally welcome to the Unit Staff Sergeant Paul Thayre our
new CQMS, Staff Sergeant Ted Curtis of PC and A fame, and
our three new drivers Privates Richard Nauyokas, Tariq Rizvi
and ' P a r a ' Cowie.
£:•
Roberts and Mr John Bcvan, all from the Butchery. They just
failed to win the XV Garrison tournament, losing to 1 Glosters
in the final.
We wish everyone a prosperous New Year.
3rd Armoured Division
HEADQUARTERS
RAOC
THE month began on a cold and wet note
as members of Headquarters RAOC made
their first appearance in the Ridsdale Cup
Cross Country event organised by the
Company. The four mile course was to
be completed by the team, carrying a
burden over obstacles which included the
assault course, changing of wheels on a
half ton trailer, NBC net scrambling, weapon assembling and
the crossing of fifty metres of ice-cold deep water just before
the finish. Our team captained by Staff Sergeant Art Matthews
finished a very creditable third of eight. The other team mem-
bers were Corporals Paul Lidstcr, Ross Hale, Lance, Corporals
Nobby Clarke, Terry Shepherd and Private Billy Shanks. The
event did serve to promote and increase interest in fitness within
the Headquarters and lunch breaks arc now utilised by many
as an opportunity for a run and some weight training.
The heavy snows which fell earlier in the month rekindled
thoughts of ski-ing and Snow Queen. Lance Corporal Clarke is in
strict training for the Langlauf competitions ahead whilst Major
Gerry Page is greasing his skis with thoughts of Christmas in
Bavaria. We have one new arrival this month Lance Corporal
Simon England who will assist our hard pressed Chief Clerk, W02
Danny Danvcrs or at least allow him time to sort out the
fixtures for the Army Hockey Umpires Association.
ORDNANCE
COMPANY
THE dominating feature this month was the OC's deployment
exercise at Soltau. It proved to be an excellent exercise enjoyed
by all, well, almost all! We were blessed with reasonably good
weather throughout. However, the temperature in the early
hours of the morning provided us with a good reason to try
out our new Parkas.
During a visit by the CCRAOC he presented Sergeant Dougie
Ellsworth with his richly deserved Long Service and Good Con-
duct Medal. Congratulations to Sergeant Ellsworth from the
Company.
Training for the Unit Langlauf Squad is now conducted on
a daily basis leading up to Exercise Viking Lope III, the Lang-
lauf techniques course sponsored by BOBC Norway.
We have had quite a number of new arrivals this month.
Welcome to Sergeant Ridley and to Privates Barry, Buchanan,
Bennett, Jones and Canavan. We say farewell to Sergeant
Moss and to Lance Corporal Hooper. All the best in the
future.
Congratulations are due this month to Lance Corporal
Egan promoted to Corporal and to Privates Duffy, Richardson
and Hynd on their promotion to Lance Corporal.
4th Armoured Division
HEADQUARTERS
RAOC
THE RAOC staff here in Herford have been
busy since the last report. The pinch o(
financial stringency has been particularly
noticed in the combat supplies office. Majot
Ricard Jarman with his worthy assistants
Sergeant Knight and Mrs Yetis have been
allocating, re-allocating and monitoring
ground fuel allocations. Each day Major
Jarman seems to soak one handkerchief
after another as he wipes away the tears induced by Units' heart-
felt pleas for an additional allocation of vehicle fuel.
CCRAOC 1(BR) Corps, Brigadier Skinner visited us and had
an afternoon of discussion with the GOC and staff of the head-
quarters. Corporals Luke O'Neill and Bennett have been away
on a course over the last few weeks being educated. Good luck
with the exams. In the RAOC Orderly Room we have Private
Briddon, who has recently joined us from training.
In the materiel office W02 George Strugnell has obviously
had enough of European winters and has applied for a Loan
Service appointment. Lance Corporal Croft is continuing his
varied and mobile career and is off to join 42 Squadron RE
for the forthcoming Northern Ireland tour.
Lance Corporal Rees has just returned from UK having
successfully completed his Bl course, and is now in hospital
having a ' nose job'—'ope you 'ave a 'asty recovery!
87 Supply Depot
LAST month we reported that Staff Sergeant Enno Oldens
beast, the Computer, had a further postponement to its go live
date. Guess what—yes, another postponement this month. At
the current rate Enno will be Mr before we finally go live. We
do sympathise with you Enno, but it is all good experience for
civvy street—that is if you intend going into the computer
world.
We congratulate Major Mclnnes, OC 86 Supply Depot,
on eventually finding his way to us in Munster recently and
acting as our OC whilst Major Johnson went on leave—no
doubt to show off the new Mercedes to his family.
Staff Sergeant Paul Robinson recently took delivery of his
new VW Derby. Rumour has it that he has requested W02
Dick Rose REME of 15 Field Workshop to calibrate it for him.
The local VW garage didn't know what he meant. I'm not so
sure that anyone else does either.
Corporal Ian McGill is currently propping up the Rams,
the Garrison Rugby XV, strongly supported by Mr Julien
274
Book number R0404a