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RAOC Gazette - page 18

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Corps RAOC
Material type Journals
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Full title RAOC Gazette
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Publication date 1983
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Early date 1983
Late date 1983
Transcription gtoonatton Mtinti
CORSHAM
BERRIDGE.—On 16th November 1982, at the Jane Crookall
Maternity Wing, Douglas, Isle of Man, to Eve and Nicholas
J. Berridge (elder son of Doris and Major (OEO) Ernest J.
Berridge (Retd)), a daughter, Kimberley Eveline—a sister for
Tamara.
WHARMBY — On 17th April 1983, at BMH Iserlohn, to Sarah
and Captain Mike Wharmby, a daughter, Amy Louise.
A
\
FORRESTER.—On 17th April 1983, Private M. S. Forrester.
of Stores Section 7 RHA.
THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE have notified us of the deaths
of the following officers: —
GREEN.—On 5th December 1982, Major C. W. Green.
GRIFFITHS— On 25th January 1983, Lieutenant (Hon. Capt)
C. Griffiths.
BRANCHES
AT an extraordinary meeting held at Corsham, attended by
members of the Corsham and Bristol Branches, it was agreed
that the two branches should merge to be redesignated the
Corsham and Bristol Branch.
The enlarged membership created by the amalgamation has
now been further increased by the return of the Corps to
Corsham in the shape of the Headquarters RAOC Territorial
Army and the impending move of 9 Ordnance Battalion from
Devizes.
BIRTHS
DEATHS
AND BRISTOL
MERGE
TORQUAY
BRANCH
IT is considered that there may be sufficient support to form a
new RAOC Association Branch in the West Country based
on Torquay.
Ex WOl (Sub-Conductor) T. H. Turner has offered to act
as secretary during the early stages of formation, should enough
support be forthcoming.
Those interested please contact Mr T. H. Turner. 35
Queensway, Chelston, Torquay, TQ2 6BP. Telephone: 605039.
©tutuarp
BRIGADIER G. F. AYTON
COLONEL W. T. BUTLER writes: —
It is with very great regret I report the death of Brigadier
G. F. Ayton who died on 12th April in the Queen's Medical
Centre, Nottingham University Hospital following a heart attack.
George enlisted in the Corps in 1934 and so commenced
thirty five years of distinguished service. During the war he
served in the Middle East, Sicily and Italy. After the war he
had a number of important appointments overseas and in the
UK including the War Office and the Central Depots. He was
a cricketer of a fairly high standard and has represented the
Corps.
His last appointment in the Corps was Commandant, Chil-
well, where he instigated and pursued, the official recognition
for the National Shell Filling Factory which culminated in the
agreement of the government to the presentation of the plaque
inscribed " The VC Factory" on the 50th anniversary of the
explosion. He was also instrumental in ensuring that the
Freedom of the City of Nottingham was granted the Corps at
Chilwell.
George retired in 1969 and soon found a demand for his
wide experience and his keen and conscientious attitude to the
matters in hand. His kindly interest in the welfare of the
community was put to good use and greatly appreciated. He
maintained his interest in the Church and was a Member of the
Southwell Diocesan Synod. He was a Nottingham County
Councillor for a number of years and served on the Leisure
Services Committee. He was also on the Council of Notting-
ham University (where he had the distinction of attending the
first Industrial Management Course in 1948), and was associated
with the Nottinghamshire College of Agriculture and the
National Water Sports Council. For some years he has also
served in various capacities on a number of committees con-
nected with the Conservative Party at National, District and
local level.
Following a service in St Peter's Church, Thurgarton, con-
ducted by Canon Bernard Hill, George was laid to rest in the
village cemetery. Colonel P. J. Warren represented the DGOS
and Lieutenant Colonel D. Booth represented Chilwell Garrison
at the funeral which was attended by a number of retired officers
and friends from the village and his other connections.
We offer our deepest sympathy to his devoted wife Kathleen,
and his son Peter.
T h e Standard Bearers outside the Carrison Church of St Barbara
during the 1 9 8 3 reunion at Deepcut.
BIRMINGHAM
BRANCH
ANOTHER Reunion over, and once again we can say that it
was a great occasion. Our grateful thanks to Brigadier Parker,
Captain Bob Willox, and all the staff of the Training Centre for
all that they did to help us enjoy ourselves. Regular attenders
soon noticed that George Bennett was not acting as toast-
master. The job at times was exacting, and there was the in-
convenience of having to hurriedly have something to eat
before the dinner or wait until all the speeches were over
before partaking of a meal. He has not been too well at times
during the last couple of years, and the strain imposed on him
by being on his feet for a long period was getting to be a
little too much for him, and so he decided to call it a day. We
can all surely say, " Well done George."
This year Pete Collyer, rather nervous for once, acted as
branch standard bearer. Spectators would never have realised
that it was the first time that he had carried a standard since
his days as a Boy Scout.
I was completely taken by surprise when Major General
Speller on behalf of our branch presented me with an en-
graved tankard. I was overwhelmed by the warm hearted
ovation given to me by all those present My sincere thanks
to everybody, and not least of all to Captain Parker, and his
bandsmen for playing incidental music when I moved with a
rather rolling gait towards the top table.
Book number R0406