RAOC Gazette - page 149
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 |
Newton, Signalman Shane Strawn for their stay here in the Mill. Meanwhile back at Section Headquarters in- Lurgan, ' Splodge' our latest recruit continues with his takeover bid. Having made Felix the cat take a back scat he fancies his chances as the driver of the Section Commanders EOD van as can be seen from the photo. be leaving shortly is ' J C ' Campbell. JC has only a few more months to serve with the Colours and wc all wish him well when he takes up his new career as a ' bobby.' NO. 3 SECTION—BESSBROOK DETACHMENT. Life has not been uneventful down here in Bandit Country since Christ- mas, we have had two Sergeants Mess Dinners, one Officer's Mess Dinner and of course lots of the rehearsals necessary to make them go well. The 1st Battalion Welsh Guards are now packing to go back to Pirbright for what they call public duties. What have they been doing for the last four months? Thank you 1 Welsh Guards for your protection on the ground. We await, in anticipation, the arrival of the Kings Own Borders. For all those who are unable, unlikely, or unwilling to visit Bessbrook Mill let me describe it, the area, and our accom- modation. Bessbrook nestles in a wide valley of County Armagh forty miles South West of Belfast, sixty four miles from Dublin, two and three quarters miles from Newry, County Down. The border with Eire is eight miles from Bessbrook. The Bessbrook Spinning Co, the Mill, was formed in 1845 al- though linen has been worked here since 1760. The village was Quaker controlled and life was pleasant. During the 1939—1945 War Bessbrook Mill supplied twenty two million three hundred and twenty three thousand three hundred and sixty five yards of cloth to various Government Departments. Today the mill still produces linen but on a much smaller scale. The Army moved into the Mill in 1973, and 321 EOD took up residence in June 1973 and is now the longest serving Unit in the Mill. Our accommodation is warm, dry, and thanks to a lot of self help by our predecessors, quite acceptable for the tour. The one room with sleeping areas partitioned off serves as office, bar, rest, briefing, hobbies room; unfortunately, it is not mortar proof but we are working on that. The team works hand in glove with the RE Search Teams, the RESA and Weapons Intelligence Section (WIS). WIS deserve a mention, they go on all significant tasks, take notes, good photographs and produce a good report quickly. They also provide a lot of background information on any area in South Armagh. Not all military policemen are bogymen it would seem. Corporal Paddy Devine now leaves us to join his new Unit in Hereford. We welcome Corporals Craig and Paul EOD Van Driver extraordinary. Splodge the Bessbrook Detach- ment 3 2 1 EOD Unit mascot spotted waiting in the driving seat for the next call. W h a t a study in concentration. United Kingdom Land Forces THE sad death of Benny Lynch shortly after his retirement from the Branch was recorded in the March GAZETTE. We can but echo what has already been said and express our personal sense of loss at his demise and our sincere sympathy to his family. The game of musical chairs in the branch continues with the usual vigour. Ricky Richardson no longer lies in wait for Sam Mulligan sneaking off late, since both now have left. Ricky has gone to find a new pair of hands to accommodate all the fingers he has in multitudinous pies and Sam to barricade himself in amongst his four and a half acres since he has vowed not to touch a single gardening im- plement during his retirement. We wish them both a long and happy retirement. Lieutenant Colonel Bill Stark has been posted followed by all the King Charles connoisseurs in the district. Harry Parry has retired from the Army but has done the Wilton side shuffle and now sits in Sam Mullfgan's desk as an R02 (Mobilisation). We welcome Lieutenant Colonel Freddy Grant in place of Bill Stark, Mike Blake who has replaced j Harry Parry and WOl Redfern who occupies Benny's old j desk. Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lawrence (Retd) completes the chapter of newcomers and sits in Ricky Richardson's chair. Those of our readers who have visited us will be interested to ; know that of our civilian staff Mr Lovelock, Mrs Davies, Miss '•• Horner have left and have been replaced by Miss Pritty, Mrs Tuck and Miss Orchard none of whom scores less than nine on the ERSC (Elderly Roue's Score Card) scale. The branch has been much involved in the activities over Rhodesia culminating in Major Bob Price returning bronzed from the battle front. Major Derek Skinner by contract returned less than bronzed with an 'Advanced Ski-ing Certificate' from the less than sunny Cairngorms. The resurgence of interest in ski-ing follows the announcement that Colonel Berresford is to replace Brigadier Smith in April/May 1980. The latter's current visit to Norway on Exercise Hardfall simply proves that the new COO is not the only one who feels at home in the snow. Holt School BY HADTJINGTON, E. LOTHIAN Tel: 036-85-247 CpS*£5^] Headmaster: J. L. W. READ, T.D., M.A. (Edin.) An independent boarding school for Junior boys aged 8-11 and Senior boys aged 11-18 years, standing near the Lammermuir Hills within easy access from the Al between Edinburgh and Berwick-upon-Tweed. •Jt A wide selection of subjects to S.C.E. Ordinary and Higher level or Oxford G.C.E. Ordinary level. •ff Small classes and a fully qualified staff. Tlr Well equipped laboratories and metalwork shop. •fr Excellent games facilities over 45 acres of ground, •jc Many extra curricular activities including Y.F.C. Tff Transport arrangements made to/from airport and railway station. JL. Fees: Summer Term 1980—Senior School £730. Junior School £660. The School particularly welcomes boys from Service families and offers a reduction in fees in addition to the Service Grant. Entry is by an interview, where possible, and consideration of recent school reports. Parents are invited to write to, or telephone, the Head- master for a prospectus which gives full details of the school and outlines its aims. SEND IT TO THE GAZETTE A short article about events—places—people is always interesting particularly when accompanied by a photo- graph. Send it to THE GAZETTE. 350 |
| Book number | R0403a |