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RAOC Gazette - page 25

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Publication date 1980
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Early date 1980
Late date 1980
Transcription Central Ordnance Depot Bicester
BICESTER held its traditional Remem-
brance Day interdenominational service in
the Garrison Theatre. This was followed
by a March Past of 16 Battalion with
one company from 23 Group RPC and
D Company (WRAC). A contingent of
Cubs, Guides and Scouts also took part.
Lieutenant Colonel W. V. Ford, Com-
manding Officer 16 Battalion was the
Parade Commander. A contingent from
16 Battalion and 23 Group also took part
in a small civil ceremony in Bicester
town.
The PFS Section of Traffic Branch has had a few changes
since their last notes. WOl John Bevans has finally departed
to civilian life within the Oxford area and his successor, WOl
John Geig, is settling down into the system, although he has
been heard to remark " Glad 1 had no hair before arriving
in Bicester," wonder why! !
Our latest arrivals are Corporal De St Croix, returning
after a vacation on the exotic Island of Belize, and is now
awaiting to become a father! Privates Curwen, Kenyon, Top-
ham and Wood. We say bon voyage to Corporal Kettle on
his way to Belize and Privates Baker, Kearse and Lloyd, all off
to boost their bank balances with BAOR LOA.
Congratulations are in order for Corporal Kettle and Lance
Corporal Gibson on their recent marriages and to Private and
Mrs Pankhurst and Private and Mrs Toplass on the latest
additions to their family.
Central Ordnance Depot Chilwell
THE Garrison has taken a new lady on
strength. N a m e d ' C h r i s t i n a ' she sits
proudly on her tracks, guarding the entrance
to Headquarters Chilwell Garrison and
COD Chilwell. Not too long ago she was
a dowdy rusty hulk having escaped death
sentence as a live firing target, but was
»»
X\ //"
/ / cleaned up, refurbished and face-lifted by
VL
\J/
JJ loving hands in the tank shop of 38 Central
>
\A=i% = A^'
Workshop REME.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
C h r i s t i n a , t h e Centurion's a r r i v a l
^^"•"^
coincided with the departure of Brigadier
Macdonald who retired from the Chilwell scene that same day,
the culmination of a week of sad farewells throughout the
Garrison and particularly in the Depot. Brigadier Macdonald
assumed the appointment as our Commandant and Commander
Chilwell,Garrison in January 1977. From that time onward he
instilled upon us the need for a high standard of customer
service for which we are widely known. He was in the fore-
front during the tricky negotiations involved with the decision
to close COD Chilwell and the planning of the outloading of
stores to our sister Depots. We wish Brigadier and Mrs Mac-
donald all the very best for the future and thank them both for
their great contribution during the time that they lived and
worked among us.
Congratulations must go to the Unit football team who
beat the 1st Battalion The King's Regiment away from home
by three goals to nil. Private ' Jock' Williamson scored two of
the goals with the other coming from Corporal Mick Manning.
We are also proud of Lance Corporal Pete Wells on his
selection for the Army Squad. The rugby team play their first
match of the season against 13/18th Hussars this week. Rumour
has it that Captain Martel our Rugby Officer sparked when he
read a notice advertising the sale of uniform and pace stick
etc of soon to be ex-RSM Black and his search for a track-
suit of suitable size with rugby stripes. The hockey team have
played four matches, losing two, drawing one and winning one—
not a bad start to the season.
We say a fond farewell to Captain (QM) Ken Young a
stalwart member of our community, who has gone down the
road to Andovcr. Welcome to Major (QM) R. V. Cook and
his family from Bracht, WOl Goodswan, WOl Swan, Lance
Corporals Saunders and Miller and Privates Ashby, McGarry,
Patey and Howe. A hearty welcome to all RPC soldiers recently
posted in. We are wondering whether there is any truth in the
rumour that 206 Company RPC is planning a takeover bid.
Central Ordnance Depot Donnington
THE Sergeants Mess recently held a Regimental Dinner. It
was a dinner that would delight the palate of most and an at-
tempt was made to reduce the wine lake of the Common Market
to a mere trickle. Guests included RSM Peter Luxton (Light
Infantry) and RSM Tony Perkins (The Queen's Own Mercian
Yeomanry). The Mess entertained—and after dinner was enter-
tained by, Mr Jack Douglas (of TV fame). The Mess was
unanimous in extending an invitation to Jack to return, not as
an entertainer but as a guest, as he enjoyed our company as
much as we enjoyed his talents.
Jack Douglas of T V fame signs in at the Donnington Sergeants
Mess.
Brigadier Macdonald leaves Chilwell.
A Regimental weekend was held on Saturday (next day)
and Sunday. Saturday was cold but dry and sunny, ideal
weather for the annual ' Donnington Scramble,' a cross country
race for both ladies and gentlemen, which was organised by the
Regimental Wing. Some seventy ladies went to post for the
three mile race and the first military home was Private Marie
Whiteoak WRAC, followed by Private Sandra Smith and Lance
Corporal Carol Wilson. The first lady guest runner home (and
also the overall winner) was Miss Louise Pincher, daughter of
our OC, Major Sid Pincher.
There were over one hundred runners in the mens race
which was over a course of six miles. Corporal Pat Mullen, i
Major Sid Pincher, Corporal Ian Paddison and W02 Julian
Thompson led the field on the first circuit. Conditions out in the
country were described as ' heavy.' The crowd leapt with de-
light when the runners came into sight with half a mile to go.
— 252 —
Book number R0403a