RAOC Gazette - page 150
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 |
South W e s t District ORDNANCE SUPPORT UNIT WEYHILL AFTER many months of delay mainly caused by outside influences OSU Tidworth closed and opened up again for business in a new location at Weyhill near Andover. The site was previously the home of 3rd Armoured Division Workshop and had been vacant for a number of years. After considerable ex- penditure the accommodation now houses a very high standard Stores Depot. The move from Tidworth involved the transfer of two thousand two hundred item headings and some one hundred and thirty five tons of stores. Considerable help was given by The Royal Corps of Transport South West District who sup- plied both contractor and local agency vehicles to move the stock, which eventually totalled over five hundred and twenty pallets. The move was completed without the need to employ any extra staff. The location at Weyhill is excellent, with plenty of room for expansion and by now, after the upheaval, the Depot is functioning smoothly. We are beginning to be beseiged by visitors, both official and unofficial, and whilst all are welcome, if the trend continues it is clear that we will have to start employing guides for the Depot. It should be said that it is only through the extreme hard work and loyalty of the civilian staff that this major move of a large store-holding depot was achieved so efficiently and so smoothly. All of the Depot staff moved to Weyhill, although in many cases it increased their distance to work by seven miles or more. One of the major planners of the move was Mr Fred Fields (SOG ' C ') and he wisely retired before the move actually took place! Before retiring he was presented with the C-in-C's Certificate for Meritorious Service by General Callan. Headquarters Scotland A MILD month has eased the burden of the completion of annual returns and signs of an early spring are on the way. We welcome yet another attractive clerical officer to our fold, Kathy Byrne and hope that she will enjoy her stay in the ration office. This had an immediate effect on our ROWO W02 Ken Marchant who not only started to smile, but developed a little jaunt to his step; unfortunately it was short lived following a merry night in the mess, his resultant injury put him on crutches. A Branch lunch was held in the Sergeants Mess to bid fare- well to Tommy Hadwin (CO) and to WOl Hugh Hainey both retiring, after thirty five years in the Civil Service and twenty four years Military Service respectively, we wish them both every success for the future. Suitable retirement gifts were presented by Major Roynon-Jones representing CRAOC who was away holidaying in Canada. The Chief Ordnance Officer. Brigadier Smith made a flying visit and packed a lot into the twenty four hours that he was in Scotland. Following his arrival in Edinburgh and a quick change, he was whisked away to Glasgow to visit 51 Com- pany(V) on their training evening. The next day he spent in the Branch followed by the Ord Units at Stirling including a visit to the new build Regional Depot. STORES SECTION RA RANGES HEBRIDES ALTHOUGH a one hundred per cent volunteer I must admit to a sinking feeling as 1 drove off the ferry at Lochmaddy and to my new job and married quarter on the windswept Isle of Ben- becula. Nobody had told us that there were no trees and that running water was in abundance. Luckily we were forewarned about the lack of shops so we stockpiled our removal van with all things edible. Having now been here for a couple of months I can safely say that life is what you make it, and I am having great fun. As winter rages and the gales reach their peak, the local bookie makes a fortune as bets fly fast and furious seeing whether the shed roof will survive another force ten for the third successive night. It must have been this very spot that ' thru ventilation ' was pioneered. A fond farewell to Captain Alistair his wife Magdelana and " Trailer' Cartwright who left the island for Shrivenham where Captain C starts the 1980 ATOs course. Also goodbye to Private Capewell. We wish them every success. We say hello to the new OC Captain Sam Slade his wife Colina and their springer spaniel ' Boswell,' who on his first day into work smelt a rat and chased it across the PC and A office floor. Meanwhile our intrepid accounts clerk Joan had leapt over her desk and sprinted to the loo overtaking the dog and rat in the process. All's well that ends well, Boswell caught and killed the rat and Joan is now in the Olympic Squad for the one hundred metres lock the door race. We also welcome Private Nev Stewart and Lance Corporal Taff Jarman who is now serving his sentence on St Kilda (or is it Alcatraz). We hope they all enjoy their stay with us. We also welcome back Corporal Byrne from his emergency tour in Belize, and Lance Corporal Austin from St Kilda who has been banished from the island after causing it to sink a further three feet (his reminiscences follow). Finally congratulations to Sergeant and Mrs Coom on the birth of their daughter Dawn. W e s t e r n District SINCE our last epistle you will note that we have changed our title to Western District, it doesn't alter our efficiency rating it just means that we are now the best in the west. Our Superintending Clerk WOl Ken Giddings has been enjoying the sunshine of Rhodesia as part of the Cease Fire Control Team. Major Adam Woodward our S02 Combat Supplies is off on his travels again, this time he is ski-ing in Austria, while Major Gil Guthrie S02 Materiels has been in the throes of purchasing a house, leaving the hard working S03 Ord/Admin Captain Jim Morgan to hold the fort. WOl Bill Oliver and W02 George Pound have been kept busy on the road this month and as George is sometimes accom- panied by his trusty hound it is not unusual to see the DOWO, ROWO and BOWOW travelling together. REMINISCENCES OF AN ORD REP ST KILDA. The St Kilda chain of seven small islands the largest being Hirta, they are lovingly known as the ' islands on the edge of the world.' The highest point on Hirta is one thousand two hundred and forty three feet above sea level so sleep walking is not advised as a step in the wrong direction could result in a fall where you might break a leg or two, drown, or if you are really lucky, ' both.' The St Kilda sheep are internationally known as their legs are larger on the right than on the left, this helps them walk the mountainsides, and prevents congestion on the small island as they are forced to adopt a one way system. The Puffin Inn is the only bar and is the venue of all social functions. At a recent all ranks do, all in attendance had to perform a party trick. The OCs trick was fire eating, but tragedy struck and now he'll be asking for a new moustache next Christmas. Corporal Austin. — Congratulations to Major Peter Owen who is seen here receiving a " clasp " to his Long Service and Cood Conduct Medal from the COC Western District Major Ceneral W a r d - B o o t h . Un- fortunately the joy of the occasion was marred by the fact that Major Owen was taken into hospital shortly after. W e wish him a full and speedy recovery. 351 |
| Book number | R0403a |