RAOC Gazette - page 116
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1981 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | Yes |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1981 |
| Late date | 1981 |
| Transcription |
We failed to mention Captain Miller's and Captain Barrow's arrival to replace Captain Hartley and Major Jones respectively. After Captain B's official visits from Headquarters South West District it was such a surprise that THE GAZETTE notes were stunned into silence. All the best to Staff Sergeants Wick, McNee and Keelor and only sorry that they could not stand the pace for longer. Best wishes also to Corporal and Mrs Hummerston posted to Ordance Depot Antwerp. Central Ammunition Depot Kineton IT would appear we in the CAD are Western District Major Unit Basketball Champions. Sounds good—but when you stop and think that we were the only Major Unit to enter, brings it more into perspective. The test comes when we have to field a team for the Inter-District competition and training for this is now under way. In rugby the Kineton Ironsides have notched another two victories. They disposed of Long Marston twenty nine to ten and POW Lich- field thirty eight to three. The wet, heavy conditions have made open, running rugby very difficult and the forwards have had most of the ball and the glory. Sergeant Bill Pullen might not agree for he was in full flight for the line when the referee— from Kineton—blew for no-side. Private Steve Clancy deserves a mention for his performance at Long Marston. AH around him floundered in the mud but Steve never dropped a ball and seemed to walk on water—he does only weigh seven stone! On the WRAC front a special mention to W/Private Bain for achieving an 'A' Grading on a GW course held in the Army School of Ammunition. Second Lieutenant Lindy Turner and Lance Corporal Bowden the PTI attended a Sports Officers and PTI Course held at Bulford and she returned sporting a swollen finger for her troubles—should be the subject of a few ' war' stories for weeks to come! We have recently said farewell to ' Q ' Larnder APTC and he will be sorely missed by all for his keenness in many activities particularly mountaineering and climbing. Welcome to SI Douglas who is his replacement. In 'A' Company Staff Sergeant John ' J R ' Robinson and Corporal Gavin Dunhill have been seen in the local Chinese take- away swatting up on the lingo in readiness for their postings to Hong Kong. Talking of postings W02 Eddie Weeks has been polishing his brown shoes and has been heard saying: " Roll on April" and " Watch this space." The Company Clerk Lance Corporal Pelling has been watching the space but swears nothing has happened yet. There have been a lot of comings and goings since the last edition and we'll try and catch up on a few of them now. We say farewell to W02 Hubbard and Corporal Holmes on post- ing, Corporals Howard and O'Rourke on detachment. Sergeant Bob McLelland has also left us for BAOR and we wish Bob and his new wife Jan all the best for the future. We welcome W02 Ian Munro from Didcot and Corporals Bott and Holmes back from detachment. Last but by no means least, we say good-bye to WOl John Rolison who is leaving the Army after twenty two years service. May we take this oppor- tunity to wish John and family the best of luck for the future— and we'll see him back in about six month's time. An amusing note,—but not for yours truly—to end on! There I was sitting at my desk busy writing when I experienced a warm damp feeling on my right foot. A hurried glance down reveals the RSM's dog looking very pleased with himself. I leave the reader to draw his own conclusions! The Rt Hon Francis Pym visits Longtown. Pym MC DL, MP, accompanied by the GOC NWDIST and Director Base Depots. On the same day, it was announced that he was to move from Secretary of State for Defence, and we would like to take this opportunity of assuring all that it had nothing to do with his visit here! Were it a move to Combat Supplies Battalion, and not Leader of the House, that would be different. The latest victim of the exodus from Longtown to Combat Supplies is Sergeant Gary Craggs who leaves us in March. Farewell Gary, enjoy your tour in Germany. Rumours about an agreement with MRO that people experiencing difficulty in passing BFT will be sent to Combat Supplies for two years fitness training are also unfounded. With the departure of the I of E Team, leaving the Depot reasonably unscathed, a huge sigh could be heard throughout Cumbria (mainly from which office in X8?) Friends of Bob ' Jonah' Snowdon will be pleased to hear that his moves back and forth between Longtown and Bramley because of establish- -ment changes, appears to be at an end. This time he is staying! Corporal Pete Williams should by now be looking forward to R and R during his OP Banner Tour in Omagh. Don't forget your EPC studies whilst you're over there, or else! Dave Couling recently gained his substantive W02, and an OP Banner Tour in March. Congratulations Dave, you've won the jack- pot! Staff Sergeant Jim Ball has returned from his four month holiday, sorry four month tour on Long Look in New Zealand plus a few extra nail biting days in Bahrein whilst the blue jobs sorted their VC10 out. Welcome back Jim, just in time to start planning Elbow Room 81! The younger element of the Sergeants Mess have successfully bid to have installed a ' Space Invaders' machine, with the Senior Member, WOl Maurice Cuthbert allowing the installation so long as members were happy to play the machine in one of the cubicles provided in the ablutions for this type of activity. Corporal ATs are renowned for their inventiveness in saving money, but a recent escapade by one who will remain anony- mous (begins with C ends in Ronin) is not recommended. That is, to obtain free processing of your camera film stand in the middle of the perimeter road of a military base and photo- graph the MOD Police Patrol as it passes. When the film has been returned as ' innocent' to you on your release from police custody a week later, you can pat yourself on the back for saving the processing costs! Central Ammunition Depot Longtown WE are, very pleased to report that a previous long serving member of the civilian element of Longtown, Billy Hall, has received the British Empire Medal in Her Majesty's New Years Honours List (See February GAZETTE). Corporal Kevin Cronin recently attained an 'A' Grading on his RPC1 Course at Bicester, with the consequence that MRO are furiously trying to divert his energies to the Regimental Depot to instil this knowledge into others less blessed. A rumour that on hearing of this the SAT was heard to utter " Thank Goodness, that's the last of the ATs seconded, peace and quiet at last " is strenuously denied. A lightning visit to the Depot was made immediately after the Christmas and New Year Holiday by the Rt Hon Francis — 339 1 Ammunition Inspection and Disposal Unit IT is with a sad heart that we say farewell to three of the nicest people you could wish to meet. WOsl John Mills and Chris Newman, and Staff Sergeant Gavin Bailey are part of Corps history. They helped make the unit what it is today, and in the past twenty odd years have given so much in the way of guidance and encouragement. We salute you, Gentlemen, may health, happiness and prosperity always be with you and your families. Civilian life does not deserve you. HEADQUARTERS. We are having great fun here, if any work arrives we just pass it on to the SATOs—it's so easy. Captain Bill Banfield is about to be replaced by Captain Dave Oldham. SATO NORTH. Congratulations to W02 Kevin Callaghan on the award of his QGM, he would like to thank all the Security — |
| Book number | R0404a |