RAOC Gazette - page 69
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 |
Training Centre SCHOOL OF ORDNANCE THE DGOS, Major General Whalley, threw caution to the wind and visited the School on Friday, 13th May. Lieutenant Colonel Charles Foskett was less ad- venturous and maintained his long estab- lished custom of taking a day's ' sporting leave.' The DGOS served a short sentence at the School many years ago so it was decided that he need only meet the present staff and see the latest computer and CCTV teaching aids. Permanent staff may have noted that the DGOS accepted a second cup of coffee with a degree of alacrity, therefore, Captain Bob Willox intends to treat future complaints regarding the coffee's quality with the contempt they deserve. Another dis- tinguished visitor to the School this month was Brigadier MacGreger-Oakford recently appointed COS SE District. A clutch of subalterns was hatched at Sandhurst in April and the escaping fledglings were recaptured at Deepcut and sentenced to attend hard study on 96 YOs course. Their arrival coincided with a succession of unfortunate accidents involving course tutors. Captain Roger Patrick kept his eye on the ball whilst playing soccer and woke up several hours later in the Cambridge with regained sight, albeit, outwardly at least, a technicolour version. Two evenings later, at the Regimental Dinner held to wine in the YOs, Major Mark Blatherwick demonstrated to all assembled, including the DGOS, how not to fall forward from the kneeling position with hands clasped tightly behind the back. Scots would now recognise him as a modern Desperate Dan. Later that same evening (or was it next morning?) both Mark and Roger were forcibly en- couraged by their students to take their Military Swimming Test. This took place in the local baths of the Headquarters RAOC Officers Mess. Fortunately, Lieutenant Colonel Ian Bradley who has been on leave to participate in a Jazz Festival at Breda in Holland, has now returned and restored dignity and decorum to the wing. Regrettably standards might drop again should Captain Gareth Davies insist upon taking his ' doggy- bag ' to the next party. It is reported that Lieutenant Colonel Bob Cannons was seen playing his first ever round of golf recently. Could it be that the rigours of rugby and squash are at last taking their toll, or are the grey hairs and wrinkles beginning to show when he looks in the mirror or is he just preparing himself for the spacious estate he is to oversee at COD Bicester? Major Harry S. Truman set two personal golfing records on the same day. He played twice in the same year and shot a best ever eighty three—for nine holes!! To be fair this total included four shots played in six inches of water which he believed to be an intended hazard rather than casual water. We offer congratulations to Mr Vic Lyen whose meritorious service to the MOD was recognised by the award of the C-in-C's Certificate of Commendation, and to A/WOl Stu Madden, W02 Buster Crabbe and Sergeant John Watton on being provisionally selected for promotion. Mrs Carol Foxon is currently undergoing a traumatic experience and suffering from withdrawal symptoms due to her latest attempt to kick one of her habits. She is trying to give up smoking but is spending a fortune on carrots and chewing-gum not to mention crossword and word puzzles! Meanwhile Lance Corporal Lynam's smile gets broader by the day as her husband's return from the Falkland Islands draws closer. EMPLOYMENT TRAINING SCHOOL THE Vehicle Specialists take pride of place this time and so it's over to them first. Since we last wrote we have sadly said cheerio to Sergeant Bob Law now ensconced in Belize. (However, we note M and RO have posted you to Canada and in the rank of Staff Sergeant.) From Berlin we welcome Sergeant Larry Hallmark and his family to the best posting for Vehicle Specialists in the UK. but don't whisper it to M and RO. We are very busy on the Home Front, but standards are being kept high. Sergeant Mick Cumberland will deal with any queries or suggestions that you care to send him, but please enclose a SAE. This is no idle invitation, W02 (SQMS) Copland would be interested in feed- back from Vehicle Depots about Vehicle Specialist Training. The syllabus is set for some time, but serious suggestions will be evaluated. The current course visited Ludgershall at the time of the British Military Vehicle display. We appreciated the chance to take numerous photographs and video film of the occasion for which we must thank Sergeant Tim Murphy from Sup Roll-a-RoII-a-Roll, Corporal Arnison getting the students into the swing of things—making rolls. Specs (not unknown to Vehicle Specialists in FVD Reckling- hausen) who acted as Cameraman, Director, Editor and Gopher. He's a real dab hand with his video camera. Now over to the rest of the School for their news. Nothing in last month's GAZETTE and apologies to all our readers, but suffice it to say all's well here at the School. Since we last wrote the Training Centre Football XI under WOl Vincent, late of this School, won the Richards Cup beating Bicester in a terrific match four three. Congratulations to all members of the team including Captain Wally Auton who previously sat in this chair until his move to RMAS. The Fire Training Instructors, Messrs Jim Titley, Alec McDowall, Mick Goodey and Adrian Dean-Netscher recently formed the nucleus of a fire training team to train fire fighting crews drawn from various regiments. They used the Green Godess fire fighting equipments and with a small Administrative Cell ably controlled by Chief Clerk, Staff Sergeant Long, completed training for over a thousand men. Staff Sergeant Long appeared on BBC2 in the programme about Fort George Volunteers. Staff now hopes to appear with the Blackdown Players or—preferably in the Bicester area. Staff Sergeant Davidson from Equipment Repairers is back in the swing of things with his Golf and many Congrats on representing the Corps. WOl Craig has arrived from BAOR to relieve WOl Upton who hasn't quite departed for his civilian job yet. Whilst on the subject of Advanced Clerks, four of their Instructors, namely WOl Craig, WOs2 Sanford, Derek Monk and Bill G-H (Cliff Myatt had to stay behind) visited Head- quarters UKLF to see ultra modern office technology at work. By all accounts the experience was mind boggling but they had a worthwhile trip and appreciated the excellent hospitality. W02 Cooney now has the reins in the Sup Specialists Branch where he served three years ago as a Sergeant! One to watch! By the way, Sergeant Murphy has been warned that he will be going to the Falklands in September—which means there will be three from School there! Is there a plot to move the School there? We wonder how our Master Butcher Sergeant Lloyd is getting on in Belize where he is on detachment, but Sarge, when you get back in November three of your Abattoir counterparts will have gone, notably WOl Jackson on Commissioning, Sergeants Robbins and Miller on retirement. Staff Sergeant Jarwood our Baker assisted by Corporal Arnison from AMF(L) has been busy training tradesmen as Bakers for emergency tours in the Falklands. The first of these courses produced nine students and our picture shows some of them at play. Last but not least we welcome Staff Sergeant Austin our new CQMS. — 56 — SEND IT TO THE GAZETTE A short article about events—places—people is always interesting particularly when accompanied by a photo- graph. Send it to THE GAZETTE. |
| Book number | R0406 |