Back to Library Journals

RAOC Gazette - page 171

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 CORPS TROOPS WORKSHOP
WE are at present preparing for the first exercise to be held
towards the end of March. It will last a week and be called
March Hare, and we will practise our ability to move at night and
remain undetected during the day. Judging by the size and
number of camouflage nets that Lance Corporal Ogden has
acquired for us, it would seem that the latter test should be a
relatively minor problem.
Private Nock had the misfortune to turn his car over one
icy morning on a notoriously bad road but was well strapped
in and fortunately emerged unscathed.
Platoon personnel have been busy attending courses and the
following credits should be noted. Lance Corporal Harvey has
passed two subjects towards EPC2, Private Guymcr has passed
his B2 driver and did very well on a RPC2 course. Private
Pilkington has passed as driver B2 and Lance Corporal Emerton
did so well on a Colloquial German course that he has been
recommended for training as a linguist.
During the month we have gained Private Wilde from Black-
down and Private Asplen from the Apprentices College, who
travelled overland by motorcycle to join us. We have lost Lance
Corporal MacGregor and family, Lance Corporal Ritchie to
civilian life and Lance Corporal and Mrs Murphy.
Last but not least, congratulations to Private Nock on
acting promotion to Lance Corporal.
STORES SECTION 50 MISSILE REGIMENT
RA
WE apologise for our long absence from unit notes. We will
now try to bring you up to date with what has happened since
our last appearance.
In September, we played a full part in Exercise Crusader as
Stores Section for ACC 10. Corporal Bob Sherwood wishes
to thank 3 ADOC and 5 Armoured Workshop for the endless
cups of coffee and food they provided him on his many visits
to them as our runabout man, collecting and delivering vital
stores.
Private Paul Edwards, did us proud by winning the Regiments
light welter weight trophy in the inter Battery boxing com-
petition, and was then posted to 4 Armoured Workshop
Stores Platoon so as not to lose it next year. Best of luck Paul.
Our leaders WOl Griffin and Staff Sergeant Dardis keep dis-
appearing on Wednesday afternoons to a little bit of clear
ground known as Werl Golf Club, well the boss is the Golfing
Officer for the Regiment and they both need the practice.
Sergeant Doughton has a good partnership going with the 2IC
Workshop every lunch time, he says he is playing badminton.
Many thanks to RAOC Records for sending us his posting order,
all we've had for the last few months is " Where is my posting
order" (Peace at last) and our commiserations to 79 Supply
Depot. Sincerely, Keith our best wishes to you and Liz on
your new posting.
Lance Corporal Gordon Heeps went to Bracht to learn how
to go Tick Tock and came back with his RPC2; his wife
Lynn presented him with a son John Gordon—congratulations
Gordon and Lynn. Private Neil Jones arrived from Bicester
only to find he couldn't drive because of mileage restrictions
and moratorium, but he now knows how to paint/sweep and
select stores. We also welcome Private Trev Emmerson direct
from Deepcut. We all hope they both enjoy their stay with us,
and stay a little longer than their predecessors.
STORES PLATOON 22 AD REGIMENT
RA
ANOTHER hectic period has passed in the Stores Platoon's Life
(and a new one has begun as usual). We had an ARU which
went very well with BFTs all round: except for Private Brad-
bury who couldn't fit it in (and soon after sported a black eye!)
and Corporal Steve Thompson who has finally got his driving
licence! Recent arrivals Privates Houghton and Jarvis have also
been busy (as have a few others) on Snow Queen. Meanwhile,
back at the ranch, a very serious series of friendly soccer matches
versus 12 Regiment Stores Platoon have produced star players in
Q ' Bobby Charlton' Davies and Corporal Jock Nairn. They
do very good impressions of Francis and Shilton, but fail to
impress the transfer market. Our team has a strong defence in
depth in Privates Budgie Burgess, Cox and King, (except King
should have been midfield). Ah, well, I'm sure Malcolm Allison
had similar problems, but our social life is better!
The Platoon does very well on the sports front with Privates
Percy Percival and Burgess running for the Regiment and Work-
shop, and the OC, Sergeant Graham Seymour and Private Mc-
Dowell hockeying for Regiment and Workshop. Private King
and Wycherley also play soccer for the Workshop. Indeed
all of them played in the Garrison pentathlon, which the Work-
shop won late last year.
On the work front, the Hebrides is looming large. How,
when and where it will happen is in the lap of the Gods and
the plans are subject to change, but a few of our tribe will be
up there and with any luck Private Chalkic Grceriidge may
even drive! The cry, however, is MORATORIUM RULES ON-
GOING AGREEMENT SITUATION.
The moratorium did not affect Private Bob Smithson's recent
marriage however, (even if he did lose the certificate) and the
posting of Private Hcaton to the Commandos, (even if he did
miss the flight). No doubt the editor will cry moratorium on
this and cut it, so I'll stop now, but another action packed report
will follow soonest.
Fortress Headquarters Gibraltar
WE arc now plunged into Exercise Wintex. SQMS Chris
Duckworth, our new Chief Clerk ' G ' Branch it is rumoured
was posted here especially to take part in this production. Well
done Q—Welcome to you and your family.
Three stalwarts of the Corps represented their respective
messes in a recent Seven-a-Side Touch Rugby competition. This
competition was organised for the Army and RN youth and it was
a surprise to find the outsiders, the Sergeants Mess; with Con-I
ductor Joe Johnston and SQMS Gordon Jones playing; at one
stage looking as if they would win. The final result was Army
boys winners narrowly beating the Sergeants Mess into second
place, twenty six points to twenty four.
HMS Bulwark visited us and entertained us so well with all
manner of social functions on board including Sunday lunch,
and tours round its magnificent bulk. Sadly this old Commando
Carrier is now sailing on its last voyage from Gibraltar to
Gosport where it is due to be scrapped.
RAOC in Cyprus
t**—^^-^!
HEADQUARTERS
I
W
I YOUR on the spot reporter has overcome the
\
5*1
I difficulties in compiling this report and would
\ ^N% .r/ffl /
like to bring to the attention of all dedicated
\HvfrTjkV
readers the gossip through the corridors.
wjlt^ | W
We just knew that the M and RO had got
ll w r o n
^^Mft)^r
B when we received a posting order for
^^Z^r
the Prime Minister. In fact it was for Sergeant
^^^r
Steve Thatcher who we welcome to Cyprus,
and he takes over the arduous duties of
Sergeant Harry O'Rourke who is departing for Aldershot. In
fact Harry, who happens to be Irish, transferred to the Corps
from the RWF? His recommendation for commission to date
is:—attends every drinking session but never buys a drink—mis-
places two hundred smoke sticks and recovers them from under
his pillow—calling everyone mate if it may gain an advantage—
a wanted dead or alive poster circulated island wide—going to
work (eventually) but never doing any—volunteering for duties
and being the King Bean Stealer. Apart from these good points
Harry did arrange his farewell in the RAPC Abacus Club and
invited about three hundred guests to attend at 13.00 hours.
Little did we know that the bar was closed, he had flown to UK
three days earlier and that he had sent a telegram to the 3 LI IS
Platoon informing them of the riot that was taking place!
Still, we wish Harry all the best in Aldershot and hopefully
he will entertain members there as he has us and he takes with
him our fondest memories.
Welcome and congratulations Staff Sergeant John Hind
BEM on his arrival and award this year. Congrats also to
Corporal Geordie Naisbett on his recent marriage to Janet
and hopefully he will be able to get to work on time. Sergeant
Dave Seddon who is his ' oppo' would like M and RO to take
note that he is waiting for his posting order which will hope-
fully be to the United Kingdom. Corporal Kev Smith is in the
news again after successfully passing his RPC1 and along with
Corporal Janet Robson are trying to become educated.
Fondest farewell to Lance Corporal Pam Lightfoot who is
leaving the WRAC and getting hitched to a CANCON Sergeant.
Anyone in the Corps visiting BATUS will be most welpome to
call in for dinner. Sergeant Dennis Johnson has recently
received his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal from Colonel
Jenkinson and is enjoying an easy life in MS. Sergeant Allison
Clements has at last got some work to do as the new CLFC,
Brigadier Davies, has finally arrived.
Lance Corporal Jackie Taylor had what she calls a wonder-
ful surprise the other day when she was confronted by a Cypriot
' Flasher.' The Legal Adviser Staff Sergeant Wilbur Wright
was consulted as to what action she should take, and when he
replied " can you give me an accurate description of the assail-
— 384 —
Book number R0404a