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RAOC Gazette - page 217

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Publication date 1983
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Early date 1983
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Transcription Lance Corporal Bob Holmes and family have left us for
BAOR. We wish him luck in his new job. We say hello and
farewell to Lance Corporal Drosdowski who has been snatched
from us to serve on Ascension Island and welcome back Corporal
Tony Billington who has now done his bit in the Falklands.
The Pet Ops received an increase in strength when Lance
Corporal Mark Stepin arrived and then immediately went down
with tonsilitis. He has made a speedy recovery and has now
settled into the swing of things.
Headquarters United Kingdom Land Forces
GA SUPPLY
THE loss of Miss Jane Hardman to the
bright lights of London has been met by
the arrival of the zestful Andrew Miles to
the C Sups side of the house. The other
substitution is Major Mike Turner, from S
Man 1 ' down the yellow brick road' vice
Major Roger Forrest in Ops and Plans.
Obviously the plans were well laid for,
since arrival, Major Mike has managed a
trip to Holland, (an exercise he said), plus
some leave. Major Roger took off, on Friday the 13th, for
Hong Kong from whence he is sailing and diving across the
Pacific, as indicated by cards from Palau and Manila, despite
de-masting and friendly shark and barracuda. The trip should
certainly clear the fog of UKLF away! The balance of the team
remains unchanged.
Lieutenant Colonel Roy Cobb (Retd) celebrated the fortieth
anniversary of his enlistment in May by his re-election to his
local Council as an Independent—he was ever thus! On the
Sup Mat side brows are beginning to de-furrow. Bisley, the
Royal Tournament, Ample Express, Adventure Express, Green-
ham Common, (regularly), and Winged Victory seem to be
'in the bag,' stores-wise; Live Logs and Stagecoaches are taken
without a faltering step, as was the Commander in Chiefs Garden
Party. Planning for Lionheart indicates a close run thing, with
many ' Ifs' hanging in the air; word has it that C Sups are
' simulating' like mad. However, ECW clothing seems to have
been with us for ever.
South West District
BY the time these notes are printed Captain
Peter Osborne, our S03 (Materiel) and Sally
will have been married. This happy occasion
took place on 10th September. To both of
them we extend our congratulations and a
life of much happiness.
Captain Peter
Osborne (late of the Parachute Regiment) is
now fully involved in his PQS1, Military
Law and, of course, Corps Tennis — don't
know which takes priority!
Our Clerical Officer in OSU Coypool, Mr
Ken Badge, was honoured on 20th July by being presented with
the Commander-in-Chief's certificate for meritorious service, by
the Major General Royal Marines Major General Wilkins. Mrs
Kathleen Badge was present and witnessed the presentation.
Ken received the certificate for his hard work in the issuing of
urgent stores to 3 Commando Brigade proceeding to the Falk-
land Islands prior to the campaign and again during Op
Corporate. After the presentation by MGRM our Commander
Supply and Major Ken Collins, S02 (Supply) Headquarters
Commando Forces, returned with the OC of the OSU, Mr Jack
Hockley to the OSU where the Commander Supply broke open
a crate of wine and toasted Ken and Kathleen.
It seems to have been a good month for South West Dis-
trict as three of our Fire Brigade Officers in West Moors have
been awarded the Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct
Medal. The recipients, Sub-Officer H. M. Shea, L/Fireman
T. W. G. Rowlands and Fireman D. Baggs received their medals
from the DGOS when he visited the Petroleum Centre. Our con-
gratulations to the three officers.
To Major Terry Mitford and Major Tony Welch con-
gratulations on their selections for promotion to Lieutenant
Colonel. We have already broken a bottle with Major Mitford
and aim to catch up with Major Welch in due course.
Major Paddy O'Connell is now firmly seated in the chair
of S02 Supply (Combat) and there seems to be (I'm glad to say) a
takeover bid in the Branch of Serving and Retired Officers of
the ' airborne machine.' We have also heard that our new
Commander Supply will be Lieutenant Colonel Roger Dickinson,
another ex-PARA.
Well if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
Supply Branch, including Lieutenant Colonel Gentle and Major
Blake are forming up to do the short parachute course at
Netheravon to get their wings!
We wish to welcome Major David Marks as our S02 Supply
Headquarters 1 Infantry Brigade and wish him a very happy
tour. To his predecessor, Major Colin Airdrie, our best wishes
go with you to Manchester.
Western District
OUR Chief Clerk Staff Sergeant Dickson
chose his native Scotland for his annual
holiday and this time the family was joined
by their son Ian who has recently com-
pleted his training at the Apprentices
College. Congratulations to father and son!
Important social events recently have
included the Shrewsbury Flower Show
at which the Corps Band was heard per-
forming most commendably, and the Headquarters Summer
Ball, where Supply Branch was well represented.
REGIONAL DEPOT HEREFORD.
Highlight of this month
was the presentation of four Imperial Service Medals to Depot
employees. The presentations were made by Lieutenant Colonel
Portman. The medals were duly christened in the traditional
manner.
On the work scene, everyone in RSG/Pools section is busy
receiving the tons of stores which were loaned for the Cardiff
Tattoo—so far no sign of a DR, well done all.
Congratulations are in order for our Clerical Officer IC
Registry Mr David Nicholls, David has recently passed the
examination for Executive Officer, we wish him every success
now for his forthcoming interview.
ASU SHREWSBURY.
We have said farewell to our CASO, Mr
Jack Lawton, who is joining his ex-OC ASU in Hong Kong
(who insists that it was a coincidence!); farewells also to Mr
Jack Todd and Mr Bill Vick on retirement. A hearty welcome
to Mr Ray Ironmonger our new CASO who has arrived from
ASU York.
Headquarters North East District and
Headquarters 2nd Infantry Division
_ _ _
SUPPLY
BRANCH.
Major John
^^^^^_
Hammond and Captain Jack Redfern have
^ ^ ^ ^
been playing successful cricket for York
. I I
Station, and just failing by six narrow
g\
I
wickets to reach the final of the DGOS
" \ •
tournament at Blackdown while Major
Andy Byles (our man with 2 Div—or 2
Div's man with us?) went to some con-
tinental bazaar called Summer Sales, from
which he returned empty-handed!
It's been a busy time for staff changes—we've seen the
departure on redundancy of the efficient, cheerful, Sergeant Dave
Lovick, who did a great job for us during his short stay, also an
old stalwart of the Branch, Graham Walls, on retirement. We
have welcomed Private Julie Bradshaw, believed to be our
first WRAC member, Mrs Sue McDonough and Miss Geraldine
Beesley all of whom are much prettier than their predecessors,
and hope they will enjoy working in this very happy Branch.
HEADQUARTERS
15 INFANTRY
BRIGADE
THE never-ending search for Private Vince Young has now been
made more difficult by his posting to Northern Ireland. All the
best, Vince, from us all! Corporal Kev Duckham, who swears
that in a past life he was an electrician by trade, has been
recommended for a Generator Operator's Course after his
attempts to blow up the Summer Sales tentage complex. (Better
luck next time, Kev!). Lance Corporal Andy Parkes is to be
seen running round the airfield and surounding areas at un-
sociable hours of the day (and night). Rumour has it that he is
practising for a quick get away as soon as block leave starts.
The Chief Clerk, W02 Les Arnold, is still strip searching every-
one he meets in an attempt to recover his stationery items that
went missing in action on Summer Sales.
The discovery of a bid for twenty pounds of explosives for
the Brigade Headquarters signed by Captain Eddie Weeks BOO,
has been put down as the reason why he has been seen with a
large smile on his face for the last few days! This has started
— 180 —
Book number R0406