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RAOC Gazette - page 86

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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 Quinn and Sergeant Ian Chilcott. on being selected for pro-
motion in the year to come. Additionally to A / W 2 Gordon
Lloyd-West on being selected for substantive W02 on the same
Board. Congratulations are also in order to Sergeant Dawn
Lewis and her team of girls—winners of the WRAC Rhine
Area Skill-at-Arms pistol competition.
We welcome this month Sergeant Ian Zykinski who arrived
to find that not only was he to be taking over from Sergeant
Paul Grant, but was also assuming the duties of Sergeant Roger
Kershaw whilst the latter is detached to the Falkland Islands.
Also welcome to Sergeant Bryan Thomas, Corporal Tony
Morehouse, Privates Phil Crowley, Andy Marshall and Eddy
McManus. May your tours in Wulfen be happy ones.
We say hello and goodbye this month to Sergeant Graham
Busby who having returned from Northern Ireland is now off
to Headquarters BAOR, to Corporal Dave Loynes on posting
to 11 Ord Company, and to Lance Corporal Rash Murphy on
detachment to the Falklands.
FVD Recklinghausen
MAIOR DAVID BRAITHWAITE was duly towed out of the
depot astride a BSA stock motorbike, mounted on the back of a
Bedford. The ' pullers' consisted of all the officers and senior
ranks who would have had an easier task if Private Paul Slattery
had left the brake off! {See page 43.) After two and a half
years Major Braithwaite moves up to command 9 Ordnance
Battalion. Both he and his wife Liz will.be sadly missed by
the Depot and Wulfen Station in general, where they gave so
much time and effort for others, we wish them all the best in
their new posting.
Our new boss, Major Charles Bayley assumed command and
within three days found himself in Arlon, in Southern Belgium
for Summer Camp. Summer was an optimistic word because it
rained every day for three weeks. The unit came to the
Belgium Armour School in two phases for ten days training
each. Ex-Reeky warriors will remember the camp well. Cap-
tain Warwick Stanton organised the camp this year ably
assisted by his three WOsl, Colin Payne (REME), Roy Davis and
Dwight Gumbs. The format was similar to previous camps in
that the various days training involved plenty of driving and
physical fitness training.
Many memories flood back
The RSMs happy smiling face as he greeted all his merry
runners for a nature ramble before breakfast. Corporal Bob
DougalFs polite easy going manner as he cooked and served all
the meals with never an angry word for anyone; the dulcet
tones of the bugle blown by the CQMS Staff Sergeant John
Woodcock as he serenaded the campers; the calm greeting
given to Lance Corporal Billy Shanks by his section after he
went astray on the orienteering course and lost them points (at
least he bought them a crate of beer to apologise); Lance
Corporal Paddy Rhodes' impression of a sack of potatoes as he
was thrown round the assault course by Corporal Bill Stott and
Private Paddy Pickard; Private Worzel Fowler proving you
do not have to speak french to chat up the local Belgian
WRAC; Private Mac Mcwilliams practicing acrobatics—it would
have helped if he had not tried it from the back of a motor-
bike ; helping President Banana of Mbongoland defeat rebels
on the night exercise; Captain Mike Lacis leading a Platoon
attack of eleven men because only one section turned up.
On a slightly more serious note the memories also in-
clude the tremendous efforts put in by all the sections on both
phases especially on the last day. Special congratulations to
Sergeants Pete Gee and Ross Clark for leading their sections
to victory on the two phases. Forgettable moments include the
football match against the Belgian Armour School. The score is
lost in the mists of time, but our goalkeeper Corporal Andy
Carrington performed feats never seen before on a football
field. In spite of the rain everyone seemed to enjoy them-
selves (which goes to prove we must all be mad).
For some it was their last camp. A mention must be made
of Corporal Chalky White who looked after the MT superbly.
His expertise on recovery came in handy when fourteen vehicles
' bogged-in' in the mud (including all the officers, the RSM, the
CQMS and the two REME personnel who shall remain name-
less). As can be well imagined, the barbeque and smoker on
the last evening was much appreciated. Corporal Bob Dougall
laid on his usual excellent spread, and sore heads the next
morning testified to a memorable night. The final quote on
camp must go to one nameless officer who, less than fifty yards
before he ' bogged-in,' was heard to say " I think I'm getting the
hang of this cross country driving!".
Congratulations to the shooting team led by Sergeant
Gordon Lovejoy and Corporal Bill Stott and Private Smokcy
Bacon in particular on their fine performance in the Rhine Area
Shoot.
We welcome Staff Sergeant Paul Farrelly back from penguin
land, our new CSM, W02 Tug Wilson, Sergeant Les Law,
Lance Corporal Scouse Powell and Private Paul Abraham.
We bid farewell to Private Gerry Holmwood and Lance
Corporal Rick Edingborough on rejoining civvy street, and Lance
Corporal Steve Daniels on posting. Finally farewell and con-
gratulations to RSM Dwight Gumbs on posting and promotion
to FOD Dulmen.
1 s t British C o r p s
HEADQUARTERS
NOT having had a mention in THE GAZETTE for
some time, this is our opportunity to re-introduce
ourselves, the RAOC Staff Clerk members of G2
Branch.
Making a name for himself on the rugby field
is Staff Sergeant Ray Dawson, the Chief Clerk.
Recently he took part in the Bielefeld Garrison
Seven-a-Side Tournament. The team, The Bielefeld
Javelins, all of whom work in this headquarters,
included Major John Burnage and Major David Elson (both
Royal Signals and also of G2 Branch), Sergeant Phil Jeffries
and Corporal Bob Adams of G l / 4 / 5 Branch, Private Chris
Owens of Supply Branch and Mr Ed Haysler of the Operations
Analysis Detachment. The Javelins finished the competition,
held at Oldentruppe, Bielefeld on 20th April, a commendable
joint third. They were narrowly beaten in the final game, of
what proved a hard fought competition by 6 Ordnance Battalion.
Striding business-like down the corridor of G2 is Lance
Corporal Paul Day. Paul is our resident philately expert and
stamps being his forte, we can safely assume that the date stamp
is correctly maintained.
Congratulations go to Private Johno Johnson on his recent
marriage. Best wishes are in order for Johno and Michelle from
everyone in the branch. Johno has also been busy in other
sporting pursuits, football and cricket, representing Headquarters
Regiment in both. Liverpool selectors—watch this space.
Having arrived in early January, Private Ringo Gibbs has
somehow found the time to assist in running a mobile disco.
At the risk of commercialising these notes, he has mentioned
that a take-over bid is on the cards. Look out BFBS, you may
have a rival!
Corporal Mike Robinson departed from the Headquarters
in February and was posted, not a thousand miles away, to 63
Ordnance Company. You're not forgotten Mike, your farewell
party is on Thursday!
Penning these biographical notes is Sergeant Stewart Coxe
(yes the very same) like a well oiled Swiss Watch—keeping
things ticking over nicely in Special Projects.
Our other sporting achievements have consisted of the
branch winning the badminton in the Coe Cup Competition. We
had a good try at winning the volley ball but put on a brave
face and came second from last. We are nonetheless un-
perturbed and will have more from us (bragging aside) regard-
ing our social and sporting achievements.
HEADQUARTERS
RAOC
THIS month has seen the beginning of a new tour for our
present Commander Supply; after emerging from a hectic
handover/takeover period the Brigadier's first visit was to the
Staff College Demonstration at Sennelager. Since then visits
to Headquarters BAOR and initial calls on 1, 4, 5 and 6 Ordnance
Battalions units have proved to have been successful.
Theatre 39's Amateur Dramatic Club produced yet another
exciting production, this time a comedy, ' How the Other Half
Loves,' which was also an entry into this year's BFG Drama
Festival.. This production was unique in having six members
from Supply Branch involved in one way or another; their
roles were, Major Peter Gibson (Chairman), WOl Chris Kelly
(Assistant Stage Manager), Staff Sergeant Dave Craze (Secretary
and Sound Effects), Sergeant Nigel Ings (Actor), Sergeant
Roger Child (Front of House Manager) and Lance Corporal
Chris Deakin (I/C Bar). We wish all the members of Theatre
39 lots of luck for their recent production.
Now that the ' winter season' Coe Cup Competition has
ended, we look forward to the summer season with the next
sporting activity being tennis, this being our strongest sport
with the recent arrival of Brigadier Paviour who is seeded No. 1
Book number R0406