RAOC Gazette - page 165
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 |
to test the skills of the Permanent Staff. Testing rumour control to the utmost he managed to keep the details of the last check point under his belt, resulting in various heavy heads and red eyes the next morning! RAOC STAFF BAND. Most of our time recently has been taken up with garden parties, beating retreats, and summer balls in various Corps locations. During June we were in- volved in the Wembley Musical Military Pageant which is a wonderful spectacle for the spectator but it involves a great deal of work for the Bandsmen. We have also taken part in a number of Carnivals and shows in such places as Rochester, Stroud and Fleet. Perhaps one of our better engagements was a week of sunshine, sand and sea (plus two concerts a day) in Bournemouth, many thanks to all at West Moors. As you can imagine the lads are looking forward to our summer leave when we can don shorts and sandals as opposed to Blues and George boots! APPRENTICES COLLEGE HEADQUARTERS COMPANY. The External Leadership Training Wing returned from a beautiful sunny and hot Exercise Hard Slog near Capel Curig in North Wales. The exercise lived up to its name as Sergeant Edwards crawled off Mount Snowdon with the warriors of Burma and Arakan Platoons. On his return he discovered to his delight that promotion to Staff Sergeant awaited him. Corporal Snelson also found himself on the CO's carpet as he received promotion to Sergeant. We offer congratulations to both of them. Welcome to Lance Corporal Mumford who joins us from Bicester. Maybe the Chief Clerk W02 (SQMS) Baron will be able to do more PT now that he has his office back up to strength. We also welcome back Staff Sergeant Gibson who returned from the Falklands looking fighting fit. Unfortunately, his presence will be short-lived. He leaves us soon for a tour at Viersen. Finally, we say our farewells to all the REME personnel who have served us so well and in particular Corporal Ryan, who leaves soon for Arborfield. 'A' COMPANY. The second half of the Summer Term has proved far more hectic than the relative quiet of the first. Summer Camp, Recruit intake and End of Term preparations saw to that. Arakan Platoon are currently sweating it out in Snowdonia, taking part in their annual adventurous training camp, prior to this they have been actively involved in the College training with special emphasis on JAEC and EPC. It was during their battle camp that they managed to gas the OCs dog. Platoon Officer, Lieutenant Smith bears a somewhat studious expression these days as he struggles with the mysteries of PQS 1. The Company's fourth Platoon was formed soon after Summer Camp, consisting of all fourth termers from both 'A' and ' B ' Companies, and was named Aden. Second Lieutenant Gilbert and Sergeant Burns were on hand to mould them to- gether. They were soon out on a Southdowns walk, a long ' tab ' lasting three days. Highlights of the exercise were Second Lieutenant Gilbert getting lost, the beautiful scenery, the local hostelries and Second Lieutenant Gilbert getting lost again. Posting orders and trade course results are raining down, the results look favourable and the postings bear BFPO numbers. Athletics and swimming have dominated the sports scene. Both stall' and apprentices have been very active. The following athletes from the Company represented the College in both South East District and Army Championships: Grade, Gregory, Black, McPherson and Patterson. During the Army Individual Championships Black won the triple jump and was third in the one hundred metres. Gracie was second in the two thousand metres Steeple Chase. Captain Johnson and Sergeant Christopher have represented the Training Centre team. The College swimming has had good representation from the Company, with Fuller winning Army titles at: one hundred, two hundred and four hundred metres free style, one hundred metres backstroke. He has since been selected to represent the Junior and Senior Army team. ' B ' COMPANY. Another month has passed by and it is time again for more diary extracts. With the onset of warmer days and blue skies there has been a renaissance in the ancient pastime of bronzing, here elegantly illustrated by the CSM, W02 Trevor Long. There still seems to be no mention of it in the EM A list! With the College looking at its best we welcome to the Company the new faces of Lieutenant Malin and Second Lieu- The CSM of ' B ' Company takes it easy. tenant Challinor from Sandhurst—(time to watch the Orderly Officer rota again)—just in time to greet the latest great influx of new Apprentices. It certainly is ' business as usual' again with two new recruit platoons numbering in excess of forty. All this after a hectic Summer Camp at Tenby. Parascending was a great success, excellently executed by A/Private Gleghorn who, with dexterity and finesse, landed neatly in the middle of a large cow pat. However, he did improve on his rock climbing skills. Burma Platoon's short holiday/ELT Camp in Betws-y-Coed produced a winner for the bridge-jumping competition. A/Private Naylor underestimated his Platoon Commander, Lieutenant Saddleton, and challenged him to jump but refused to part with the prize money. At the same time A/Private Hunter gained a deeper understanding of fluids by discovering that if DMS boots are dropped in a fast flowing river they will never be seen again. We live and learn. Finally, congratulations to our OC, Major Roy Lennox, on his selection for promotion. Well done, Sir. Western District CRICKET takes the headline in this month's article. Commander Supply and S02 Mat both notched up half centuries when playing for 11 Ordnance Battalion in the DGOS Knock Out Competition and returned to Shrewsbury with a run- ners up medal. The S02 Mat performed amazing feats with the GOC's XI where, some say, our intrepid Major Goldring is the General's tame professional. In a recent game against Shropshire Gentlemen our Major G, in between serving teas, took all the wickets and did all the batting. We have not been able to confirm the rumour that his knee injury was caused by carrying the team's bags or by erecting the marquee single handed. Readers may wish to note that Lieutenant Colonel Tony and Sile Beaumont are keeping well and are leading busy lives in their civilian ventures in Devon. Among these are holiday flats which, despite a busy first season, there are a few vacancies. Address to note: Didworthy House, Didworthy, South Brent. Devon (03647 2655). REG ZONAL DEPOT HEREFORD THE month of July has got off to a busy start with the in- loading of chemicals into Group 2 area from Ruddington. Dennis Searl our SOG ' C ' is keeping a very watchful eye on these proceedings. For those of you who know the Depot, Group 2 has taken on a new lease of life, the receipt of chemicals has necessitated the re-cladding of a number of the old Romney huts there. Our Admin Officer, Vera Ashcroft, is looking forward with tremendous enthusiasm to the annual visit to Hereford of the Commonwealth and Foreign Officers Course. It gives her an opportunity to teach them all the mysteries of ' Steam' Provisioning. — 136 — |
| Book number | R0406 |