RAOC Gazette - page 6
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1980 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | Yes |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1980 |
| Late date | 1980 |
| Transcription |
S T O R M Y AND WELL EARNED APPLAUSE IN the Concert Hall, filled up to its very last seat, the Royal Army Ordnance Corps Staff Band, under the baton of the Director or Music, Major Tom Griffiths, earned stormy and un- questionably well earned applause. The band, founded in January 1939 with its home depot in Blackdown in the county of Hampshire organises concerts with a completely varied repertoire in all corners of the world; at the moment it is visiting Rhine Army and was on this occasion a guest of the town of Bad Salzuflen, who in turn handed over a plate bearing its coat of arms as a souvenir of the concert evening. TWO GEORGE MEDAL HOLDERS MEET AT the Headquarters British Forces Belize, Airport Camp, there was a rare occasion recently when two holders of the George Medal met for the first time. Mr George Washington Griffiths GM, despite getting soaked in a heavy rain storm on the way to Airport Camp, met Brigadier Charles Smith GM, Chief Ordnance Officer, United Kingdom Land Forces—in Belize on a visit. Brigadier Smith talks to Mr George Washington Griffiths in Belize. The Staff Mr Griffiths who is the Contract Tailor for the British Forces Belize lives at 15 Racecourse Street, Belize City and won his George Medal in 1950, the only Belizean to win such an award. He rescued a man from a burning building and suffered very severe burns doing so. Brigadier Smith won his award on bomb disposal duty. Hall in Bad Salzuflen. The traditional blue uniform with red cuffs reminded one of the Prussian infantry from former days in peace time; nevertheless the Prussians did not have the decorative golden aiguillettes and the broad red piping on their trousers. Thereto, justice was suitably done to the visual aspect, when during the course of the evening, events worthy of note were revealed to those present. Musician French, for example, gave a posthorn solo, ' The Hunters,' during which a rifle was used as one of the instruments. Then mention must be made of the three trombonists who were not allowed to return to their seats without an encore. After his clarinet solo young Musician Ghigi was even applauded by his Major for his outstanding per- formance. No less inspiring was Sergeant Bond with his saxophone solo, and also the sounds which the three trumpeters let flow from their instruments enhanced still further the quite excel- lent atmosphere. Things became especially lively towards the end of the concert as the songs of John Denver were sung in an arrangement by Musician Burton, with guitar accompaniment and the support of the orchestra, whilst at the same time the audience clapped heartily in timely unison. The Royal Army Ordnance Corps March then gave way to the two National Anthems which brought to a festive con- clusion a band concert which will certainly be remembered for a long time. (Extract from the Bad Salzuflen Zeitung) NEW MOBILIZATION PLAN FIFTY THOUSAND Regular Army reservists are to be issued with uniforms and equipment as part of a new mobilization scheme designed to enhance Britain's capacity for emergency reinforcement. Under the scheme the reservists will report once a year to a military centre near their homes and will receive a taxable reporting grant of £100 and travelling expenses. Under existing arrangements, reservists are required to report in writing their availability at quarterly intervals and, when mobilized, to report to a central depot according to their regimental affiliation. Under the new scheme, Regular Reservists will report in person to a specified local Unit, will have their fitness for role assessed, and their uniform and equipment— which they will maintain at home—inspected. They may also be required to do some refresher training. Equipment will be issued in November 1980. Members of the Regular Reserve have a liability to report annually for training, though this has not previously been invoked. It is hoped that other categories of Army reservists without this liability will be encouraged to join the scheme voluntarily. NATHAN WINS GERM!AN DESIGN COMPETITION EIGHT YEAR OLD Nathan Green has won a design com- petition sponsored by one of Germany's largest banks. Nathan, son of Sergeant Derek Green, was one of forty thousand entrants in the competition sponsored by the Commerz Bank. The bank, which has close links with Lloyds, is about to start a new children's savings scheme. They decided that the children should design their own savings book so the com- petition, the first of its kind, was born. Nathan's entry, a vivid mixture of greens, yellows and purples, displaying the symbol of the Commerz Bank, a hamster, gained him first place in the six to eight year old section of the regional competition. His entry is now on its way to Frank- furt, where the national competition takes place. GOLDEN GIRL LIEUTENANT COLONEL JACK JARVIS went off from BAOR to Buckingham Palace recently with a proud smile on his face. His nineteen year old daughter Gwynne had won the coveted Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award and was allowed to take her parents along to watch her receive it from HRH himself. Gwynne is now at Surrey University studying languages and law, but it was as a schoolgirl that she worked for her award; amongst other things, at a holiday home for the handi- capped, going on an expedition in the Peak District and a year teaching in Sunday School—to name but three. Colonel Jack's smile froze a little when mother and daughter passed him the bill for two complete new outfits, but after all, the ladies have to look their best when they go to the Palace! Ordnance Depot Viersen claim Gwynne as their Golden Girl and add their congratulations. — Band playing at the Concert 235 — |
| Book number | R0403a |