RAOC Gazette - page 123
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 |
that Miss Austin realised the fire had been extinguished with two gallons of face cleanser, one gallon of nail varnish remover and a jerrycan of bath oil. Surrounding villages were hurriedly stripped of like supplies and placed in full view in front of her tent before Miss Austin would remove her balaclava and come out. W/Private Lesley Brownsword, ' Wayfarer Helm Extra- ordinaire ' was seen on the water happily waving to the CSM, who was doing safety boat operator. ' How nice,' thought the CSM, and waved back. We now know that wayfarer craft can travel quite happily along with just the sail showing above water. Her passenger at the time, Private Ken Duffy, who had thoughtfully taken his plastic bucket and spade along, in case he met some sand, learnt the hard way the ' Bale out' is not just a term used for shot down pilots. The Camp was a great success and Headquarters Company would like to thank all personnel who took part for remaining happy and cheerful through some of the most appalling weather conditions ever seen. Here's mud in your eye. 'A' COMPANY. The Adventure Training season has begun with the first day of summer, and each member will have a week away in Wales or Scotland this year. Regimental training is in full swing on a different format to last year. Now a carefully selected squad of up to ten men spend one day revising basic skills, thus spreading the load of absence through 1 and 3 Sub- Depots. There has been some overtime worked in the store- houses this month, caused by issues backlogs and the current shortage of Supply Specialists. Additionally security duties have added to the burden, yet the chance to stand guard or patrol in the open air for an eight hour shift came as a pleasant change for most junior ranks involved. WOl Falcus and Corporal Jeanne both retired from the Army this month and we wish them both every success in the future. Sergeant Unwin, Corporal Cartwright and Private Hiscock were posted out and our depleted ranks received but one reinforcement—Corporal Bickell from ' B ' Company. 'B' COMPANY. It seems to be the time for comings and goings. Rocky Daniel has taken over as our civilian leave clerk. Those readers who knew Rocky when he was serving will be happy to know that he still plays a bit of cricket. ' B ' Com- pany must now be a firm favourite to win the inter-Company Cricket Shield this year. W 2 Steve Duke has taken over as CSM from W02 Alan Smith who has gone into retirement. Poor old Mr Smith never settled down in the Company again after we lost the inter-Company football. The AO has issued a denial that he sacked him. Sergeant Paul Grant has taken over as Training Sergeant from Mick Giles or was it Taff Thomas. Our OC, Major Brian Thompson has gone for a short tour of the South Atlantic, we hope they make tea down there! Our AO Captain Bill Tweddle is to be replaced by Captain Errington-Weddle, at least it will not be too difficult to change the headed paper we will simply snowpake out the T. The only member of ' B ' Company staff not to move is Lance Corporal Nick Neilson, he got married and now wished he had moved—Her indoors refuses to let him have chips! On the sports scene ' B ' Company was well represented in the Battalion football team when they won the 1st Division of the RAF London League and were runners-up in the Richards Cup. We also provided four members of the six-a-side team which won the Corps Shield for the second time. Pride of place goes to Private H. D. Grant who became the Army Champion triple jumper recently. He has now represented the Army on a number of occasions and we understand is near to being selected for the Great Britain Athletics team. Well done. '£>' COMPANY WRAC. ' D ' Company has been busy over the last month with many sporting activities—particularly Ad- venture Training; Members of ' D ' Company had a marvellous time in Wales during Headquarters Companies Training Camp and are now in Scotland enjoying walking, canoeing and sailing amongst other activities on the Battalion Annual Summer Camp. Sadly we say goodbye to Lieutenant Kim Austin who has now left for a posting with the Royal Engineers in BAOR. She will be missed—perhaps especially during Summer Camps as she was an excellent canoe instructor. We wish her all the best for her next posting. Materials Handling Trials Unit THE unit swear word this month is Goddard who has not only endeared himself to the OC of MHTU but has also greatly im- pressed the CO of 16 Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Janes. It all began one pleasant sunny morning when Lance Corporal Bill Goddard requested the use of our Muir Hill Engineer Tractor to improve the Battalions assault course which for some unknown reason terminates at the COs office. For many days he furiously beavered away leaving his mark for all to see but little did we know that for over half the week he had been attempting to dig himself out of the quagmire with all thoughts of assault course improvement thrown to the wind! Finally he realized he was well and truly stuck. Immediately a rescue attempt was launched by Sergeant Phil Brennan and Corporal Dave Floyd in a ten tonner. But alas even this gallant attempt failed when the truck became stuck fast in the mud. The CO of 16 Battalion was now becoming increasingly alarmed as he was not sure whether it was a new MHTU vehcle park, a kidnap attempt, an escape tunnel from Battalion Head- quarters or whether a defensive site was being constructed due to the exposed position of his office. Needless to say back in MHTU a committee was hastily formed to contemplate block leave, a mass break out or a rapid deployment to FILOG. At this stage it was decided that professional recovery was required, and a request was passed to 43 Command Workshop at Aldershot. The next day a six wheel recovery tractor arrived and attempted to pull our equipment free but, imagine our surprise even this became stuck in the mud. Many hours later in the evening after much winching the recovery vehicle finally recovered itself and disappeared in a cloud of mud to Aldershot leaving our two equipments still held fast. A decision was now made that an attempt to free them by shovel and sweat would be undertaken. With much digging and effort and with the laying of railway sleepers the Muir Hill was finally freed after fourteen days captivity. Unfortunately, the ten tonner could not be freed as easily and we had to await the arrival of six by six Scammell the following day which successfully pulled it out. Certain members of the unit are now studying landscape gardening. Both Sputnik and cage were deployed to Ambrosden Village Fete on May Bank Holiday and for once the rain actually held off. Congratulations to Mrs Sally Hamp on successfully com- pleting a course at M and R Office. Captain Doug Triggs has received his posting order and his desk is now littered with LOA calculations and brochures of duty free cars, whilst all files and other matters of admin have been firmly placed on WOl Dave Lewis's desk. Central Ordnance Depot Donnington WE have said farewell to our Commandant, Brigadier Barratt, on his retirement from the Army after thirty one years service. True to tradition the Officers of the Garrison, preceded by the Corps Band, towed the Brigadier from his Headqua'rters through the Depot to North Gate, where he was presented with his bowler by the CAO. A sad occasion but one we hope Brigadier Brian will remember. Colonel Peter Dodworth, the SSO, is currently filling the hot seat of Commandant pending the arrival of Brigadier Higgins. Later the same evening, the Corps Band Beat Retreat in the grassed area to the rear of the Officers Mess. The rain held off and, although it was rather wet under foot, the Band performed magnificently—well done. 15 BATTALION HEADQUARTERS. This month sees the retirement of our CO, Lieutenant Colonel N. S. Bruce and we wish him and his wife a happy retirement. Welcome to Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs D. M. M. Stobie, recently arrived from the ' Big House' Rheindahlen. Other arrivals are Privates Dusty Miller and Bill Whitley, our tame Sup Spec misemployed in the Orderly Room, Corporal Jim Lane has also returned after a very short tour in FILOG and we wish him a very speedy recovery. Congratulations go to Sergeant Zak Fazakerly on the award of the BEM. Ninety soldiers have been taking a well earned ' rest' in the Welsh mountains on Exercise Rhinog Wanderer. Conductor Pete Michael has been showing them the ropes and all seem to have enjoyed the experience. The 2IC, Major Chris Burrow, in between jaunts to Gosport, has also found time to visit the Exercise. We wonder whether he has been assessing the size of shadow cast by the mountains or whether abseiling down the latter in practice for hanging on the end of a rope in the Bay of Biscay. — 102 — |
| Book number | R0406 |