RAOC Gazette - page 169
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 |
lands to Privates Brooks, Meek, Jackson, Ruddy, Brocklcbank and a further welcome to Privates Gilbert and Peebles. Farewell to Sergeant Walsh, Lance Corporals Curzon, Salmon and Young, and thank you all. 'B' COMPANY. July has been a very quiet month for the fighting ' B ' Company although the postings out seem still to be outnumbering the arrivals (Battalion Headquarters take note). Staff Sergeant Jim Parker has taken over as CSM and can now be seen pedalling around the Depot on his red bike wearing a big hat. He has been likened to Postman Pat of TV fame, but this is purely coincidental. As a gift to ' B " Company, Staff Sergeant Parker arranged a range day. in typical fashion the heavens opened for the first day in weeks and everyone got a thorough soaking. This did not dampen the overwhelming en- thusiasm of all who attended and Staff Sergeant Parker should be congratulated on his efforts. Privates Dunne and North- Hearn have just returned from FILOG and the rest of the Com- pany arc now sitting on sandbags waiting for the war stories to start flowing. The Depot at large was somewhat ' upstaged from within ' by the organization within Traffic Branch of a Raft Race on the River Severn at Ironbridge. Organization was a splendid solo effort by Malcolm Hine, appropriately employed as SOG Overseas Issues, with some assistance from local Sea Cadets. Winners were Priority Issues Team in one of the many semi- pro vessels begged, borrowed or stolen from 34 Central Work- shop REME. It was noticed that the raft manned by 25 Squad- ron RCT ran aground and holed when leading within sight of the finish—usual position for the RCT! First 'home-built' product was piloted by members of Home Issues. The event raised the sum of £174 in sponsorship for a local school for handicapped children, was enjoyed equally by participants and spectators alike and threatens to become an annual event—possibly even open to the more earth bound departments of the COD. Arrivals this month are: Sergeant Kidd, Lance Corporal Mallett and Private Whitely. Lance Corporal Mallett was posted in for a full five days before he starts his terminal leave prior to discharge. All ranks in ' B ' Company would like to offer their con- gratulations to Lance Corporal Nick and Mrs Carey on the birth of their first child, a son Mark Ashley, and to Privates Mick O'Neill and Tracey Towers on their marriage. Materials Handling Trials Unit WE now have The Fork Lift Truck Driver of The Year Com- petition behind us details of which can be read in a separate article, and life is now becoming more normal. Trials, on behalf of the RAF, of a possible replacement for the ubiquitous Eager Beaver have now been concluded along with a degradation exercise for operators working in an NBC environment. Evaluation Trials of Pedestrian Operated Fork lift trucks have now begun and this is part of the five year best buy programme. Our OC Major John Staples has had a few weeks leave in Greece where unfortunately he had to undergo the ancient but daily Peloponissian ritual of forcing ice cool retzina through sun parched lips. A few others have also managed to abscond whilst the good weather is with us but for the majority, well, we've had to hold the fort. This though does have some compensations as there was a requirement for some- one to visit the Falklands. Needless to say this was arranged for the OC. As it happened almost immediately it was a case of alighting of the flight from Greece, at Heathrow, a quick change of clothes at Beaconsfield and then on to Brize Norton. The Falklands visit was literally a flying one and so we now have a sun tanned, wind swept, jet lagged, prop flopped leader! Most of the unit accommodation is now looking extremely smart and tidy and ex-members of the unit would be surprised to see the new face. Much of this is due to the prodigous efforts of Captain Doug Triggs who continually hounded DOE and their contractors. We now have fully carpeted class- rooms, cinema and display area and along with all the recent re- decoration and building improvements this makes a very pleasant working environment. The Sputnik was deployed to Bicester Garrison Fete in the capable hands of Sergeant Ray Carse, Corporals Dave Floyd and Colin Greenwood. This once again proved a very popular attraction. Lance Corporal Bill Goddard successfully completed a Fire NCOs course and this is evident by the sudden appearance of new fire signs, extinguishers and lectures he gives everybody. Our Chief Clerk Pat Quartermaine is rumoured to be planning her next trip to Germany as we have reason to believe she is fresh out of Applecorn and Samba. Needless to say WOl Dave Lewis and Staff Sergeant Leo Green are still trying to brew these two drinks as they think there is a fortune to be made from them. We say welcome to Sergeant Ray Carse and family and Corporal Colin Greenwood and family, all from BAOR and hope you enjoy your tour of duty. Finally we bid good luck to Sergeant Dai Wood who is posted to CAD Kineton on pro- motion. RMCS Shrivenham THE month of July was highlighted by the Graduation Day. At that occasion the Corps had three officers gaining degrees and four getting Master of Sciences awards. Brigadier Spackman represented the Director General of Ordnance Services. The combination of robes and uniforms is guaranteed to cause comments by arm- chair experts on dress however the details are now well established, if not in law, then by Custom and Practice. The officers leaving 35 Degree Course with their new BSc are Lieutenants Iain Brant (Engineering), ; Central Ordnance Depot Donnington OUR new Commandant arrived on 18th July to take command of the Depot and the Garrison. To Brigadier and Mrs Higgins we extend a warm welcome and a happy tour in Donnington. We also welcome Captain John Ore, fresh from the Falklands, and trust he will enjoy his tour in Building B5. Farewell to Captain Doug Riddell on posting to West Moors. The COD Donnington swimming team have been working extremely hard under the sadistic training sessions designed by their team captain and coach, Captain Bart Spicer. Fortunately the hard work and dedication is paying off because the team have qualified, through the District Championships and the Zone Championships to reach the finals of the Army Senior Swim- ming Championships (Minor Units). We wish them every success. 15 BATTALION HEADQUARTERS COMPANY. Welcome to Staff Sergeant Roger Shepherd and also Private Dusty Miller who is busily practising duties. We say farewell to Corporal Hall and Lance Corporal Stevens on discharge and welcome back from detach- ment Sergeant Fazackerley, Corporals Balfour and Lane, the latter, who broke the record for a Staff Clerk from Donnington, by remaining in the Falklands for sixteen days before CASEVAC. W/Corporal Cooke is having a well earned rest after the rigours of Summer Camp which, we hear, was much enjoyed by one and all. 'A' COMPANY. Activity within 2 Sub-Depot since 24th June has been extremely hectic, even though we have one building less to administer. The staff from B6, shocked at the loss of their building, have been redeployed throughout the Sub-Depot and are now settling down in their new posts. Congratulations to Lance Corporal and Mrs M. E. Young on the birth of their son Jamie. Welcome back from the Falk- Brigadier Spackman PhD, MSc, with Lieutenant Dyer BSc. Paul Dyer also gained the RAOC Prize and a College Prize for his work on 35 Degree Course. 140 — |
| Book number | R0406 |