RAOC Gazette - page 192
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 |
They did not expect to meet such a professionally laid defence as set up by Captain Dick Carman our Second-in-Command. His positioning of trip flares was really good despite someone setting them off. (Who was it?). The hero of the exercise was without a doubt, Staff Sergeant Des Grumley whose determined defence of his POD Vehicle during the night attack will go down in the annals of Hawley Military History. However, so too will the quickness that light was put up by the PC and A staff. The delay of putting up light caused the Taffs to stumble into the Technical Platoon defences—a good if unusual, tactical move. The AO, Captain Tug Wilson, reckons that Private Nobber Curtin's military skills need to be seen to be believed. Over the Hawley areas could be heard the plaintive cry of an anguished AO, " Nobber, what the have you done now!". All in all the exercise was a good shake up for the Unit and augers well for the future. Welcome to Lieutenant Mike Watkins our new AO, Corporal Taff Preston, Lance Corporal Jock Archibald and Privates Geordie Gordon and Jock MacFarlane. Farewell to Captain Tug Wilson (Green Machine) as he walks into the sunset carrying his log with him (we hope), Corporal John (JC) Chapman to Hong Kong and Lance Corporal Bionic Rowlands to civilian life. 10 Ordnance Support Battalion HEADQUARTERS. In the last few weeks the corridor out- side the Adjutants office has been filled with sun tanned warriors returning from Southern Rhodesia. This of course is all very depressing for the Adjutant who is considering wear- ing shorts and obtaining a sun lamp. Being a mean Scotsman he finds it very difficult to tell Operation Agila personnel to have a good three weeks mandatory leave. There are now a few gaps in Headquarters manning. Lance Corporal Dawber has left on promotion to Cyprus and W02 Bill King is still enjoying Jamaica. Both the Second-in- Command and the Adjutant have visited AG9 and now can- not get their heads out of the clouds. Both are accused of starting postings fever but are not letting on where they are going. HEADQUARTERS COMPANY. The stalwarts of the Battalion are as busy as ever especially the overworked and underpaid Quartermasters department. Or is it underworked and overpaid. I am not quite sure what the Quartermaster said. Seriously all have had their noses to the grindstone with audits and boards of officers. W02 Ken Martin is considering asking the Adjutant to revert back to his old rank. Captain Bob McCusker is off to Cyprus, his replace- ment Major Williamson (known only as sir by the RQMS) has joined us from Nigeria. Like the rest of the Battalion the Company is busy preparing for Exercise Tiger Head and Spring Fever and are all looking forward to sunning themselves at the pebble beach next to Dungeness Power Station. managed within a matter of hours of arrival to have him up to his neck in snow. That same outsider can testify that RAOC soldiers do live out in very cold conditions and under items which pass for tent sheets. As well as all this the Company still carry out Ordnance tasks for the force. The Company has recently elevated themselves to tele- vision stars. A well known ' front row forward ' was seen on the BBC 2 Newsnight programme carving up a piece of meat. (Watch out 1 AIDU; the Battalions first round opponents in the Hill Cup). Central Ammunition Depot Kineton WE altered the clocks which is supposed to herald the coming of summer". From my window all I can see is sleet and soldiers leaning into an icy east wind clothed in p a r k a s or f o u l . w e a t h e r clothing, in s h o r t , t y p i c a l K i n e t o n weather!! The fullbore shooting team have commenced training and if early results are any guide the season could be a fruitful one. The RSM will really have to bid for better weather than that inflicted upon us on day one though. The hockey team made a sad exit from the Army Cup Competition going down by four goals to nil against SEME Bordon. They were however not disgraced and the scoreline flattered the opposition—the game being very closely contested. The soccer team—at the time of writing, is still in the Richards Cup and hope to beat COD Bicester in the semi-final to reach their second successive final. Present league results must be put out of their minds! The newly formed Rock Climbing and Mountaineering Club now have all the kit necessary for success and after this month is over will know whether or not they have the bodies to go with it. They embark on a trip to North Wales this coming weekend and in current conditions—sooner them than me! Pride of place in 'A' Company this month goes to Lance Corporal Harry Pelling who completed his BFT against all the odds but, not without sweating a considerable amount of A HOME of your OWN? Is this Your Problem? FIELD FORCE'CADRE (FFC). Some members of the Corps may not be aware that FFC contains the remnants of 47 Company. This consists of what used to be called a section of a Petroleum Filling Platoon, a section of a Bulk Operating Platoon and an Ammunition Section, two Local Resources sections and an Equipment section. However, this year in addition FFC has expanded by a Detail Stores Platoon and a section of a Supply Platoon. It can be seen that FFC has a wide range of Ordnance tasks and opportunity to serve overseas. Particularly attractive are the Local Resources Sections about which two recent articles have appeared in THE GAZETTE and Soldier magazine. To list all the countries visited would take up to much space and would just make other members of the Corps flood Records with requests for posting. FFC in recent months has in all its operational aspects been involved in Southern Rhodesia and coped with local resources, Ordnance Stores, rations and other aspects of com- bat supplies. As much as any other Army or Service, the Corps- contributed a great deal to the success of the operation and all members of the Battalion involved both in UK and Southern Rhodesia, should be congratulated on a job well done. (We endorse that.—Editor). 48 AMF(L) COMPANY. The clenched fist mob have asked me in their absence to write some notes. What a golden opportunity has therefore come my way. Still I know from personal experience that they do in fact work very hard in Norway. As an outsider on a recent visit discovered they — 385 — I cannot f i n d you a House b u t I can HELP Y o u Buy It. Let me Advise Y o u w i t h o u t any Obligation, w h e t h e r you w i s h t o Buy N o w or In the Future. W h y N o t Consult Doug Gilmour (Insurance Broker) " Green Hedges ", 7 Lindsay Road, Branksome Park, POOLE, Dorset Telephone: 0202 764043 Specialist in Life Assurance, Investment and House Purchase Plans Name/Rank. Address Date of Birth Occupation.. I am interested in House Purchase/Immediate/ Future/ School Fees |
| Book number | R0403a |