RAOC Gazette - page 9
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1983 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | Yes |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1983 |
| Late date | 1983 |
| Transcription |
PHOTO CALL OUR PHOTOGRAPH marks the sad farewell of Major Vincent from Supply Depot Viersen, who not.only departs the unit, but also the army after three decades service. This we believe is the first time he has been tricked into having his photograph taken. Photo G. K. Gillberry. The nine Territorial Petroleum Operators enlisted on S Type engagements during their training at the Petroleum Centre RAOC. They are Sergeant Philbrick, Corporals Bell and MacDonald, Lance Corporals Menary and Spaven, Privates Hughes, Johns, Loraine and Moss. On their return they will serve the balance of their regular engagement with Petroleum Units in UK or BAOR. The next twelve TA volunteers are due to be attested in August 1983. We often speak of ' One Army'—this integration can only be of benefit to both the Regular and Reserve Armies. A PRECEDENT IS SET RSM DUNN presided at a Regimental Dinner in the 5 Ord- nance Battalion Sergeants Mess. A commonplace occurrence one might say; this occasion was anything but. This was the inaugural 1st British Corps RAOC Sergeant Majors dinner and seated at table were two Regimental Sergeant Majors and ten Company Sergeant Majors. Only two CSMs from the Corps area were unavoidably absent. Their guests were Brigadier Skinner and the Commanding Officers 5 and 6 Ordnance Battalions, Lieutenant Colonels Ford and Hudson. The photo- graph was, of course, taken before dinner. Back row: CSM P. Thayre, C S M L. Cook, CSM N . Botfield, C S M P. Fellows, CSM W . W r e y f o r d , CSM R. Hart, CSM I. Daniel, CSM A . Fee. Front row: CSM J . Finch, Lieutenant Colonel D. B. H . Ford, Brigadier J . H . Skinner, RSM A . Dunn, RSM A . Miller, Lieutenant Colonel H . D. Hudson, CSM W . O'Flaherty. The function ended on a high note with a champagne break- fast and an affirmation that such an occasion would be held annually, the next to be in Bielefeld at the invitation of RSM Miller of 6 Ordnance Battalion. Sergeant Williamson, Corporal Beattie, W 2 Brathwaite, Lance Corporal Westmoreland, W O l Stroud, Corporal Longfjeld, Staff Sergeant McArthur, Major Vincent, Captain Lewis, Staff Sergeant Burden, Sergeant Riches and Corporal Eames. It was arranged during a ' fixed ' fire practise, with the RAOC Photographer hidden on the Cold store roof! At the last moment, the Hysters were brought round and the unit formed around Major Vincent. In a flash it was all over. We all wish Ray and his wife Kathy, all the very best and every happiness in the future. FLYING BOMB DISPOSAL YET another example of the many and varied tasks which have, over the years, faced our IOOs and Ammunition Examiners—as they were once called. The photograph, which I found with caption only, was taken at 306 EADCU in Germany and shows A. E. Sergeant Home checking over a Flying Bomb, prior to breaking it down for disposal. The one ton war heads were dumped out to sea—if safe for transit, otherwise they were disposed of locally by detonation. There were some two thousand in this depot alone. Bomb disposal 1946. It is interesting to consider the work of the forbears of our present day ATOs and Ammunition Technicians—of whose achievements, I am sure, they would be justifiably proud. One unusual aspect though, I would have thought that Flying Bombs would have been classified with the conventional, aerial, variety. Perhaps it was a case of all hands to the pumps in those busy post war years. Any comments? |
| Book number | R0406 |