RAOC Gazette - page 150
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 |
Training Centre HEADQUARTERS THE retirement of the Commander, Brigadier Short, takes pride of place this month. He became extremely practical during February, having just finished his house maintenance resettle- ment course and has been a source for much advice, particularly by some of our Retired Officers, such as Ernie Etherton and Reggie Stocks who had trouble with their plumbing, but Brigadier Mike solved these problems. The Aldershot and Blackdown branch of the Association said farewell to Brigadier and Mrs Short in the Headquarters Sergeants Mess—the date was Friday 13th February—a sad day. The officers of the Headquarters had a farewell lunch for the Commander which was followed two days later by a Ladies Dinner Night where some one hundred and twenty officers and their ladies bade farewell to Brigadier Mike and Tony and their three sons who had been secretly invited for the evening. The occasion was unusual and caused great amusement with an assessment of the Brigadier ' a la pre-RCB ' from Colonel Tony Camfield and his team. At the end of the Commander's hand- over, on 26th February, a tour of the Training Centre by Scimitar was the final farewell. He began with a Regimental break- fast at the School of Ordnance Officers Mess, and dressed in full regalia, with Captain Fifi Elliot in black tank suit in the next cupola to remind him of ' tanking' days (no, they did not have mixed crews in those days!), all the Training Centre turned out on the route. Brigadier and Mrs Short planted two walnut trees before moving at high speed to the Apprentices College. We wish Briagdier Mike and Tony good fortune in civilian life and thank them both for all their work and guidance during the last two and a half years. We welcome Brigadier Thornton to the Training Centre and hope he enjoys his tour as our Commander. A farewell tour by Scimitar to remind him of his tanking days. CENTRAL VOLUNTEER HEADQUARTERS THE news that I of E will be carrying out their inspection of CVHQ in May this year has caused a flurry of activity. Job specifications arc being re-written and questionnaires com- pleted. • Everyone is hoping their will be no more cuts. Wishful thinking! We welcomed Brigadier Thornton the other day when he paid his first visit to CVHQ as the new Commander RAOC Training Centre. We have said goodbye to Staff Sergeant John Dadd who is off to BAOR, and we congratulate him on his promotion to W02. We welcome Staff Sergeants Trevor Griffiths and Ian Daniel, and their families, and hope their stay here will be a happy one. We hear that Lance Corporal Roger Payne is doing a great job as goalkeeper for the Training Battalion and Depot football team. Wembley next? Planting a commemorative walnut tree near the entrance to the Training Centre. Congratulations to Major Robin Watts on coming fifth in the South East District Veterans Cross Country Race, and to Colonel John Gregan who was also a member of the winning team. SCHOOL OF ORDNANCE READERS will have noticed from their newspapers on 26th February that the School marked the departure of Brigadier VI ike Short from the Training Centre with a Regimental break-. fast. Not only was the protocol for such an event a little difficult to trace but it was noticed that some who attended blanched at the prospect of drinking Black Velvet or Bucks Fizz at eight o'clock in the morning. However, the relish with which some older members got it down should perhaps give rise for concern. Brigadier Persson having returned from his visit to Australia mentioned that whilst there he had met up with a number of retired Corps personalities including: Lieutenant Colonel Stan Devlin, Lieutenant Colonel L. G. Peters, Lieutenant Colonel Miles Pickering; Also Sheena the wife of the late Dougie Galbraith. AH wished to be remembered to their friends in the Corps. Our cross country runners continue to cover themselves with glory: Sergeant Binks efforts in the Inter-Services event have won him Combined Services Colour and Malcom Bryant came second in the Officers Veterans race for the fourth year in succession. We have said farewell to Lieutenant Colonel John Woodliffe and W02 Braithwaite, and welcome Major Ray Turner, WOs2 Davies and Brooks R. Signals. TRAINING BATTALION AND DEPOT CONTRARY to vicious rumour our absence from recent issues the Corps GAZETTE is not due to an unashamed indulgence of alcohol but an unrelenting devotion to duty (next month: nailing jelly to the ceiling). The Christmas period did not pass without its notable moments and many thanks must go to CSM Bonta for an excellent Training Company party. Sadly it was also his fare- well, since, after among other things and having attended some thirty four Passing Out Parades he has moved on to 3 ADOC. We extend all our good wishes to him and his family. Sport played its part, with the Corporals versus Senior NCOs challenge matches in both rugby and football, both narrowly won by the Corporals, and in which Lance Corporal Loynes was seen in his true colours—black! (suspenders and all!). The gym staff organised a quick whip round for him! We also said farewell to Lieutenants Alan Lloyd and Alan Inions; Corporals Rowlands and Weddle, the latter on promotion. We welcome Second Lieutenants Bob Ling, Alan Bristow and Ray Le-Var. Sergeant Osbourne, Corporal Somerton, Lance Corporal Eddershaw, and of course CSM Miller who has moved down from Apprentices College. |
| Book number | R0404a |