RAOC Gazette - page 109
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 |
Central Ammunition Depot Kineton AS we get into the 1980's the various sports teams are getting back into their stride and at the time of going to press, the hockey team is still in the Army Cup and the soccer team is still in the Richards Cup. Ski-ing is also now in season and Unit members — male and female — are participating in Exercise Knees Bend with encouraging results. Small Bore Shooting is well into its stride and the Station is doing extremely well in the winter competitions. WOl Pugh and Staff Sergeant Hooper have both had their talents recognised and arc currently shooting for West Midland District. The gymnasium is one of the main focal points for action at the moment with our new SSI—Staff Sergeant Larnder purging all and sundry taking BFTs. Comes a bit hard after the festive season but early results are encouraging. I think the instigation of the early morning sessions, necessary for the ' remedial' squad, is having the desired effect, well no one wants to do PT in the middle of the night do they? ! 'A' COMPANY. Our new SATO, Major ' F u z z ' McDermott, has arrived at last. He was immediately brought down to earth, however, as on the occasion of his first duty his bed collapsed (with him in it). We also welcome Staff Sergeant John Robinson back from Northern Ireland. Somehow he managed to hitch a lift back in an RAF Wessex. He describes the flight, which took place in gale force winds, as being like flying in a Kenwood Chef. You know there are some queer goings on at CAD Kine- ton ; a twenty five-a-side transvestite football match has been held—raising some £140 for ' Guide Dogs for the Blind.' Our congratulations are due to Corporal Graham Wells and W/Lance Corporal Sue Deely and to Corporal Jock Islam and W/Private June Ovington on their marriages. A nasty rumour has it that Corporal Sammy Sansom is engaged and Corporal Shamus O'Brien is soon to get married, some women have no pride at all! Congratulations also to Staff Sergeant Curly Thynne on his MID from Northern Ireland. He has been seen buying frames for his letters from the GOC and the DGOS. Thumbs up to Lance Corporal Frank Mclntyre who has given up biting his fingernails, courtesy of a pallet of 105mm Field Ilium. Castor oil is being indented for to remove the blockage in the Quartermaster Store, or should it go to COD Bicester? (I don't understand that but am assured it is relevant). We bid farewell to Captain Jim Carr, Staff Sergeant Nobby Clark and Conductor Dave Oldham on Commissioning. We wish them and their families all the best for the future. Welcome to WOl John Rolison and W02 Eddie Weeks and their families on posting in. Central Ammunition Depot Longtown IN this newsletter, I do not intend to dwell on the Depot's Christmas festivities and all the jolly parties that took place or hardly mention the severe earth tremor that shook the area at 0357 hours on Boxing Day morning. It has been said that a slightly more severe earth tremor would have confirmed the need for a Depot rebuild. I was hoping to continue my trek through the Depot and meet Mr Bill Harvie SOG B in charge of the Ammunition Storage Depot (yes THE Bill Harvie) but today the rain is lashing down and I must get the notes to the Editor in time. In an effort to publish news as soon as possible after it occurs, it is necessary for me to make a few predictions. The Officers Mess held a farewell dinner to say goodbye to Colonel and Mrs Rogers after three years as Commandant and wished him luck in his next appointment as Inspector. We also said congratulations and goodbye to Mr Bill Fleming on his promotion to SOG B and transfer to Regional Depot Thatcham and last but not least, farewell to Major Charles Jackman on posting to AIDU Catterick. We welcome (another prediction) Colonel and Mrs'Musson as Commandant and hope that your stay with us will be as enjoyable as you would wish, also welcome to Major Price as SATO. It appears a takeover by 3 BAD is imminent. Central Vehicle Depot THE highlight of the month was unquestionably the farewell visit of Major General and Mrs Callan on 9th January. Regrettably the earlier part of the DGOS's programme had to be abandoned as he diverted to Donnington but, more im- portant, he was able to return in time to take tea in the Sergeants Mess and, later, with Mrs Callan attend a Ladies Dinner Night in their honour in the Officers Mess. The Commandant expressed the hopes of all members in wishing General and Mrs Callan a long and happy retirement. To mark the occasion Mrs Callan was presented with a pen and ink drawing of Tewkesbury Abbey. The DGOS was presented with a photostat of a letter which he wrote following his last visit to Ashchurch: negotiations for the purchase of the original are said to have reached four figures! We congratulate the Sergeants Mess on their superior organisation. At New Year their honorary members presented the Mess with a handsome clock: PMC Officers Mess please note. Finally we welcome three new arrivals to Work Study: W02 Roger Sumner via Shrivenham and additions to the Mulligan and Cleaver families via the maternity ward. Con- gratulations to all concerned. VEHICLE DEPOT ASHCHURCH OUR Cannon Club Committee organised a visit of local pensioners to spend an evening with the boys. They showed considerable dismay with the flashing disco lights but the music was tempered and after a drink or two all were soon seen en- joying themselves. They left fully replete with convivial smiles and a Christmas hamper to help with their own family festivities. The Junior Ranks held their Christmas dance, well organised by those two foreigners of the committee (well I think a Scouse is foreign). The gymnasium looked the best ever and even the powder room would shadow any palace. Dancing to the band and discotheque went on 'til one o'clock, at least that was the time the guests left. Now came the quick change as the gymnasium was being used for the Station Sergeants Mess Draw—a quick sweep, roll in new barrels and change the candles, and the job was done. This was, for some, the highlight of the season, with little or no expense spared. The prizes were well distributed this year but there was one major disappointment for WOl Ron Ball, he failed to win the pair of stepladders he'd been coveting for weeks. The combined Christmas dinner and Stag party was the last event of the year. All the Junior Ranks sat down to a wonderful meal and all thanked the kitchen staff for all their magnificent efforts but we wish to know what goes wrong during the other three hundred and sixty five days. After the final speech and presentation, the assembled retired to the Cannon Club for port, cigars and the barrel of beer most generously donated by the Sergeants Mess. Now, to the members of the Kenny Everett fan club, comes the ' naughty' bit.' Those remaining, of delicate and discerning natures, were entertained by a Mr Jango and a Miss Tuesday, (Rick and Ruby to those who know them well). Mr Jango exposing the various idiosyn- cracies of many present and Miss Tuesday bearing—well never mind, but well done and much admired. Some Senior NCO thought she was promoting shaving cream but we know it was really a derusting agent. The CSM was heard to say how he must have his eyes tested; he might have to wear spectacles. VEHICLE DEPOT LUDGERSHALL VOLVOS are the order of the month with Staff Sergeant Jeff Patton, a recent arrival from Ordnance Depot Antwerp, getting to grips with Salisbury Plain Volvo training prior to Winter Warfare training in Norway on Exercise Hard Fall. 48 Com- pany Volvo Section is soon to be formed with Staff Sergeant Patton being assisted by Lance Corporals Allen (a recent arrival from BATUS) and Ockwell, together with Privates Grey and Mounsey and four others. Corporal Ambrose Thomas has just returned from his Army Methods of Instruction Course at Beaconsfield with mutterings of ' physicians who will not heal themselves.' Mrs Pape, wife of Private Pape, is a recent addition to the staff of the Kit Stores. Sergeant Ralph Jackson, our chief clerk, has passed his motorcycle test—congratulations. We were pleased to welcome Major General Callan to Ludgershall for his annual inspection. The DGOS took the opportunity to present Lance Corporal Shooie Clarke with the GSM for service in Northern Ireland. We welcome W02 Paddy Quinn who takes over the appoint- — 318 — |
| Book number | R0403a |