RAOC Gazette - page 110
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 |
ment of WOIC Training Wing, Staff Sergeant Arthur Seymour who joins the Kit Stores, Captain Ian France who replaces Cap- tain Jim Richie as OIC Storage and Maintenance, also Sergeant Steve Mackin from FVD Recklinghausen for his last six months of service. We say farewell to Captain Richie on posting to BAOR and note that WOs2 Dave Hutchinson and Nigel Smith have been drawing new rank badges and uniforms: portents of good postings to come. OUR YEOMAN WARDERS (Continued from page 305) ment, for all the monies paid by tourists who visit the Tower. During Jubilee year, takings from entrance fees and the gift shop alone totalled £3,000,000! No doubt we have the appointment as the Tower of London was Britain's first Ordnance Depot—in fact until the Crimean War it was still a main storehouse for armaments. The first uniformed military officer from the then Army Ordnance Corps was posted to the appointment in 1903 and the present incumbent is the twentieth. Our four Yeoman Warders live in perhaps the most in- teresting married quarters in the country, perhaps in the world —some built into the walls of the nine centuries old edifice. Of course there are problems attached to living in a fortress which is locked and guarded at night. Any visitor to the quarters must have his car out by 9.30 pm—or it is there for the night. No one may leave the Tower after midnight and even a resident seeking admission after the witching hour must have notified in advance his intention of being late. And after 3 am there is no admission at all until the gates are unlocked at 6.45 am! The Yeoman Warders' full state dress dates back to 1552 while their blue undress uniform, as shown on the cover, was instituted by Queen Victoria. Their state coats are em- bellished with the Tudor rose, the shamrock, the leek and the thistle, to represent the four quarters of the United Kingdom, surmounted by a crown. During its long history many have lost their heads in the Tower and the incarcerations are legion, but the last execution took place during World War Two when a German spy met his end on the miniature rifle range. In World War One, several German infiltrators met the same end. The only firing which now takes place is from the official saluting base overlooking the Thames, when the Honourable Artillery Company fires twenty five pounder salutes on the arrival in London of state visitors. VEHICLE DEPOT HILTON "THE Director General of Ordnance Services, Major General M. Callan, made his farewell visit to Hilton on Thursday, 10th January. He met most depot employees, presented ISMs to Mr T. Davenport and Mr J. W. Orton and, departing from previous practice, took formal luncheon in the Headquarters Conference Room. The occasion was reported in local and national press and every good wish is extended to General Callan from all at Hilton on the occasion of his retirement. The Depot employees Christmas dinner was served in the Civilian Canteen; Mr and Mrs Frank Corsham provided a superb bill of fayre to mark the start of our festive season. The VCC party, organised by Mrs Iris Brown and ladies from the Headquarters, was as successful as ever and helped to extend the Christmas spirit until mid January when we dined at Grange Farm, Toton. Our only soldier, WOl Bob Harris, was treated in a far from gentle manner by one of our guard dogs recently and was pacified by the dog's handler saying " It isn't you he objects to Bob, it's your uniform." On a less dramatic note Mr Bill Colbourne has now left Work Study after ten years to become OIC R and I. Cheerio and good luck on retirement to Mr Roy Wagg, Mr Alan Hayes, Mr Jack Siddall, Mr Thomas Davenport and Mr Henry Neaum. A warm welcome to Miss Jane Currie, Miss Paula Harris and Mr Robert Preston. Congratulations to Mr Ray Walker on promotion to SOG C—Mr Walker is now OIC Storage. TOP OF THE POPS PRIVATE POP MCALEESE seen here as a Supply Specialist working in the Kit Stores at Vehicle Depot Ludgershall filling the role of a Vehicle Specialist. Pop originally came to Ludgershall from Bracht to carry out work on 4030 projects. The project is now disbanded, but Pop was kept on and filled a Vehicle Specialist vacancy. Pop by name, and father by nature, has three boys and two girls. Private McAleese has worked on Chieftain Kits for two years and there is not much he does not know about Pt 2 and Pt 3 items. His hobbies are local Club activities! The Royal Marines take over guard duty. Members of the Royal Marines are eligible, subject to rank and service, to become Yeoman Warders. To join this august body a man has to be under fifty five, in possession of the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal or its Auxiliary or Reserve Force equivalent, and have at least eighteen years service. Service with the Army, Royal Air Force or Royal Marines is the criterion (the Navy is not eligible). The minimum rank is that of Colour Sergeant or its equivalent. Once approved, a candidate must then wait for a vacancy. However, once a Yeoman Warder — always a Yeoman Warder for, although retirement comes at sixty five, he remains a member until he dies and can continue to attend all ceremonies at the Tower. There are a limited number of vacancies from 1981 onwards—Seems like a good club to belong to!—Editor. Private Pop McAleese. — 319 — |
| Book number | R0403a |