RAOC Gazette - page 101
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 | No |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1981 |
| Late date | 1981 |
| Transcription |
hanging ledge to slop unwanted creatures getting in was used. None was one hundred per cent successful because rats can jump very well, especially when hungry! I would respectfully suggest that the motif also symbolises defence from enemies and prevention of rapid losses lo stores or in our terms, ordnance! Hetterg to tlje Coitor * * * MASTER OF ORDNANCE MUSHROOM STONES ROBERT A. BROOKS writes: — Dear Sir.—(January 1982 RAOC GAZETTE article: 'Another First' page 284). The ' mushroom 1 in front of Messrs Tones, Elliot and Higham which is the Rowallan motif symbolising rapid growth and development, interests me I It looks like, in fact, a staddle stone. The mushroom in question. This medieval innovation was used primarily to stop rats and other vermin getting into the timber-framed grain stores, which are built on them and is easily recognised by the flattened top to the cap-stone and the squared tapering shaft-stone. There were very many in use in this country and the idea stems from Roman times when a similar pedestal with an over- LIEUTENANT COLONEL A. J. MACDONALD. Deputy Governor {Administration), Ordnance Officer and Receiver of Fees, HM Tower of London writes: — Dear Sir,—Because of the position I hold I feel bounden lo reply to Mr Chalkley's letter in the December GAZETTE. As I only assumed by duties in June 198I I had to seek assistance in researching my answer and I wish to record the help given by Yeoman Warder Brian Harrison (ex-QMSI SASC) who, since he joined the Yeoman Body in March 1977, has become an amateur historian of some repute on HM Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London. In ' The Tower of London: it's Buildings and Institutions, 1 preface by John Charlton; it is recorded that there is virtually nothing printed elsewhere on the Board of Ordnance and there- fore the contribution by Sarah Barter-Bailey FSA, Librarian, Tower Armouries, is of particular value as it is based on original research. Tt is to be assumed that as a military building the Tower of London always housed an armoury, if only for the supply of its garrison. In the reign of King John (1199/1214) one Constable was ordered to hand over to his successor the Tower with ' its prisoners, arms and other stores.' In earlier times it is known the Keeper of the Privy Ward- robe accounted for warlike stores and the last holder of this appointment was Henry Somers in 1405. The Patent Rolls refer in 1414 for the first time to a new official ' Master of the works of the King's engines and guns and of the Ordnance. 1 Therefore it is accepted the first Master of Ordnance was one Nicholas Merbury. (There arc no Merbury's in the current Corps List or 1981 London Telephone directory). He was commissioned to requisition craftsmen and military stores and in 1415 took part in the Agincourt cam- paign. Primarily the Master of Ordnance held responsibility for all firearms, allied tools and other warlike equipment As firearms were mainly cannon in this period these were part of his charge. The Master of Armouries controlled armour and hand to hand weapons. Charles Ffoulkes in his 'Arms and the Tower' tells us the duties of Master of Armouries were ab- sorbed by the Master of Ordnance in 1671, until the title was revived in 1935. The Brick Tower was rebuilt between 1510 and 1520 to be the residence for the Master of Ordnance. It is now used to store bladed weapons not on display. We also know this expanding department built ' great new storehouses for all the King's Majestie's store and provision of artillerie Ordnance and other municions' between 1545 and 1547 at a cost of over £2,894. Other interesting facets of the Master of Ordnance can be found in the book I refer to in my second paragraph. You may purchase a copy when visiting the Tower or send a cheque for £10 plus 90p p and p made out to the Department of Environ- ment. to The Receiver of Fees, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB. For interest The Ordnance Officer was additionally ap- pointed Receiver of Fees in 1903 and the minute was approved by the then DGOS (full cycle!). The signature is not shown only his initials. In 1968 he further became Deputy Governor (Ad- ministration). I too, wonder where the writer of the notes enclosed with the first day cover for the Lord Mayor's Show got his date of 1380. * * * MISSING MEMBERS 14 OAC BELGIUM 1945. MR W. ADAMS writes:^ Dear Sir,—The above Association, formed in 1945. was disbanded later and was reformed last June. We have seventeen of the original members, five of the old members having passed on. To keep the unwanted out. i OLD COMRADES ASSOCIATION 2 BAD — 358 |
| Book number | R0250a |