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RAOC Gazette - page 155

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Full title RAOC Gazette
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Publication date 1980
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Early date 1980
Late date 1980
Transcription Scarcely had wc reported our intended visit to Grange
Farm last nionlh than the snow descended on us and the
occasion had to be cancelled. The weather is so mild now
that it has encouraged the Social and Welfare Committee to
get cracking on (he organisation of this years trip to France.
This trip is going to be more elaborate than those of previous
years because it incorporates an overnight stay in Boulogne—
everyone is hoping the park benches arc clean and that there
is no rain.
Just a reminder to our visitors that there is no need to go
away from Hilton hungry. Our canteen, under the control
of Frank and Ann Corsham, will always provide a meal at a
price that is unbelievably low.
Welcome to Mr Brian Land who has joined his wife Eileen,
and son Brian junior, on our staff.
I of E have been and gone and Mike Laighl hurt his leg
practising drill movements in the corridor. In both cases, wc
are all agog to see what is going to happen next.
Petroleum Centre
MAJOR GENERAL CALLAN accompanied by Brigadier Smith
visited the Petroleum Centre recently; he was shown ' Jaws' the
new anti-pollution device for extracting oil spillage from water.
We could have contrived a coincidence by having it operated by
Sergeant Sharkey, but the credit goes to Private Crocker who
had just completed a quick change of clothing after being a
member of the guard. The DGOS completed his tour by in-
specting the almost completed redecoration of the JRC.
Ccncral Callan inspects the Petroleum Centre Ceremonial Barrack
Guard.
SSM Eddie Bullock has been testing his map reading ability
as he prepares for his spring blitz on the Accommodation
Services modernisation programme. Visits arc scheduled to the
north, south, cast and west, though wc believe he will return at
weekends to see the wife and kids. Incidentally he is hoping to
jet away to Kenya to sort out the Training Unit (SOI S Man
please note).
The Sccond-in-Command, Captain Ken Lawton, is a frequent
visitor to West Moors and Devizes as he prepares the plans for
a Newbuild Petroleum Depot. He was being assisted by our
latest clerical assistant Nick Hcnncssy. However, it was all
too much for the latter, so he went sick only to return with his
thatch bleached blonde. Rumour has it he is going to perform
a double-act with the real Blondic with the self same Ken
Lawton as agent!
fife Ssfetotiatum Bttos!
Corporal Smith and Private Crocker operate " Jaws " the new
antipollution device while Major Bcnsaid explains the system.
The Unit football team is going through a lean patch at
the moment but Staff Sergeant Dave Mills the team captain
says they are improving by losing better, whatever that means.
Our intrepid golfers held a Unit competition recently which was
won by Staff Sergeant Brian Bennett. A booby prize was won
by CSM Tony Mclntyre who played off a handicap of seven
clubs and two left hands.
We have recently welcomed to the Unit WOs2 Dodwell and
Elsey, Staff Sergeants Franks and Selby REME and Privates
Moorehouse, Burton, Washington and Brownlow. We said fare-
well to Staff Sergeant Lamond on his way to BATUS. Major
Bensaid OC of the Depot spent a couple of months in Belize
last year, he enjoyed it so much that he's gone back again!
Birmingham Branch
GEORGE LITTLE has now left the Birmingham area to reside
in Suffolk, but he is remaining a member of our branch, and
he hopes to sec us from time to time. During the period that
he lived here he served the branch very well indeed, mainly
as treasurer, newsletter editor, and organiser in chief of our
Christmas draw. He also played a part in liaising between
ex-service members and serving members of the branch, and
other branches as well. We know that he was very proud to
lay the wreath on behalf of the Association at Blackdown on
Remembrance Sunday. Our President, John Marrian, on our
behalf at the AGM presented him with a suitably engraved
tankard as a token of our appreciation for all that he had
done. We hope that he will live a happy life in the country-
side for many years to come. He is looking forward to meet-
ing old friends at the Reunion at Chilwell.
BEGINNERS
IN
BAVARIA
(Continued from page 343)
Management Services Unit
SORRY we missed you last month. You see the OC was attend-
ing the Senior Management Development Course at Blackdown
and he forgot to tell SSM Dick Cheesman to write the notes in
his absence. Not bad things these courses though. The boss
met the OC of 4 Petroleum Depot, yes the same ' blue flash '
(otherwise known as Major David Chapman) and has arranged
an Easter rugby tour with a difference. No tour of South
Wales this year for us, we're off to BAOR.
Meanwhile back at base SSM Jack Redfern having done his
thing at OSU Feltham has been loaned to Headquarters UKLF,
at least I think the COO said " loaned." Actually we believe he's
gone back to his primary trade of baker to produce buns for the
staff now that the work to rule and no coffee strike is over.
enjoyed it as much as the others. On reaching the bottom, we
took off our skis for the last time and packed them in the bus.
After one last group photo memento we set off back to our
hut to pack up, have a meal, and say our last goodbyes. It was
time for the long journey home, and it was during this time that
one had the ' look back ' on the course. I am sure that I speak-
not only for myself when I say that Exercise Ski Tour II was
ideal for beginners to learn to ski in excellent conditions, at a
very reasonable cost to the individual. It also offers excellent
instruction, comfortable living conditions and a chance to get
away from it all for a couple of weeks. It was an experience not
to be forgotten and definitely to be tried again. Altogether it
was a very enjoyable and successful two weeks, a great ex-
perience with lots of fun and excitement.
— 356 —
Book number R0403a