RAOC Gazette - page 140
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 |
THE ROAD TO HONG KONG MAJOR FLEMING left the ice and snow of Bielefeld in style for the sunshine of Hong Kong recently. 1 (BR) Corps Stores Company thought it only fitting that the first leg of the journey should be by rickshaw. What else? Major Fleming had just handed over command of the Com- pany to Major Hastings from 1 (BR) Corps Headquarters. FETCH FELIX BEING published on 9th April is a book by the late Lieutenant Colonel Derrick Patrick OBE, whose untimely death we sadly recorded in the last issue of THE GAZETTE. Titled " Fetch Felix" it is his account of his tour as Chief Ammunition Technical Officer Northern Ireland in 1976/77, parts of which were recently serialised in the Sunday Express. It is a story well known to many in the Corps for it is, in many respects, their story—for obvious reasons, so seldom publicised in such a personal way. Of it the publishers say: — The heraldry of war contains many famous signs that mark down a man as belonging to or having belonged to a distinguished unit. Felix, a pop-eyed, red and white Disney-style cat, is now one of these signs. He is the proud symbol of a band of men who do one of the most nerve-wracking and worthwhile jobs in the fight against the indiscriminate bombers of Northern Ireland. From snow to sunshine. OUT IN Since the Troubles started in Ulster in 1969 the ammunition technical officers of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, com- missioned and non-commissioned, have ans^vered thousands of calls to deal with unexploded devices ranging from gas-pipes stuffed with nails to sophisticated radio-controlled bombs con- taining hundreds of pounds of high explosive. Some have died in the act but many more have been successful, saviyig lives and the country millions of pounds worth of damage. Their record of courage and skill is second to none. 81 FETCH PROBABLY more like out in around thirty five judging by the trophies. Well known Corps Golfer, Major Jim McLachlan of the Supply Depot RAOC Bulford, with some of the trophies which he won in 1980. Major McLachlan is due to retire in May after completing a full career which started with boy service in 1943. THE FIGHT i H f R AGAINST f P ( K 9 THE ULSTER mEm BOMBERS I f P P 1976-77 Wm tIEUT-COL Iflelf DERRICK 13f PATRICK Jl Major J. McLachlan. COST OF THE ARMY THE Army Estimates have now been issued in detail. The net cash expenditure for the Army is £125,000,000. Sums estimated at £47,000,000 and £34,000,000 respectively due from Germany for the maintenance of the Rhine Army and from the Dominions for the maintenance of their forces in the field are not appropriated in aid of Army Estimates, but will be brought to account as Revenue, when received. It appears that the cost of a soldier at home—the average of all ranks—ranges from £232 to over £250 a year. (From THE GAZETTE of February 1920). His story is a highly readable and interesting account deal- ing in great detail, yet in frank and human terms, of his life as CATO Northern Ireland. Apart from the dramatic portrayal of the many incidents which occurred, he captures well the at- mosphere of routine, of danger, of tension, of fear and the incidental humour which inevitably creeps in. He has managed to cover almost every aspect and in particular is able to convey to the reader the unique atmosphere of the Province itself. It is published by Hamish Hamilton at £7.95 but should any of our readers have difficulty in obtaining a copy or wish to have further details, they should contact B. M. Parratt, Controller Distribution Services, TBL Book Service Ltd, 17-23 Nelson Way, Tuscan Trading Estate, Camberley. Telephone 0276 62144 who no doubt many will remember as Major Brian Parratt, late of the Corps. (Those entitled to wear the Felix tie will receive a ten per cent discount). 357 — |
| Book number | R0404a |