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RAOC Gazette - page 220

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Full title RAOC Gazette
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Publication date 1983
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Early date 1983
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Transcription camp chef (anyone for cheese and jam butties?). We began
each day at 0700 hours with physical jerks in the woods much
to the amazement and curiosity of the other campers. Obviously
some people don't appreciate a good healthy living, as on our
second morning a few tents had disappeared from our stamping
ground!
First on our agenda was hill walking up Helvellyn, which
was immensely enjoyed by all.
Windsurfing was the talk of the camp as it was a com-
pletely new experience for us all. Sergeant Caroline Johnson
took to it like a duck takes to water and Private Jan Hague, after
a long hard attempt and many dips, started to master the art also.
Second Lieutenant Margaret Wilton, well, say no more, except
keep trying!
Canoeing was taught by Staff Sergeant Ian Gore. A swim-
ming test was undertaken by all participants, followed by the
capsize drill in the canoe. At long last we were allowed, under
supervision and guidance, to paddle about in Lake Windermere
with out hearts more content
Pony trekking proved interesting, we were taken down the
road, up a hill, turned round and then returned to the stables,
it is more than surprising that the horses haven't died of boredom
before now. Lance Corporal Helena Swift (need I say more!)
soon had a fast lesson in how to trot. With good sound advice
from Lance Corporal Cyndy Inglis. she dug her heels into
the horses side and bravo, was off like a shot to catch up with
the other equestrians, the only problem was, she didn't ask
what to do prior to setting off, so she temporarily suffered the
result of a fast trot. Lance Corporal Ellen Normington led the
fashion parade with a riding hat with a wobbly peak and strips
of the material hanging over her eyes, very chic.
During the week the following people celebrated: Private
Sharon had her twentieth birthday while at Low Wray and was
ceremoniously plunged into Lake Windermere as had been
Lance Corporal Ellen Normington a few days earlier.
All in all a thoroughly enjoyable time was had by all.
This month has also seen many comings and goings within
the Company. We welcome Private Reid to ' D ' Company
office. Private Jago. our new medic, and Supply Specialists
Privates Edgar, Nicholson, Parsonage, Hall, Bennett and
Kearney. Privates Ewing and Fairhurst have flown off to the
Falklands for five months, so we wish them well in their
posting with Penguin Ale. Congratulations to Corporal Mandy
Jackson on her recent marriage to Corporal McMillan RAOC.
On the sporting front ' D ' Company has yet again featured
well, winning the South East District Rounders League and
Tournament.
The swimming team also did extremely well
coming second in the RAOC meeting.
Sergeant Caroline
Johnson and Corpora! Linda Wilson came a commendable
second in the South East District tennis competition.
Finally we welcome back Lieutenant Vanessa Raine after her
high jumping which landed her in hospital for a month. Hope-
fully she has now fully recovered.
Participants
in
the
3
Raft Race organised by
Sub-Depot, Donnington.
Traffic
Branch,
organized and motivated by Corporal John Nevatte who did
a superb job as Team Captain. The outstanding performers
were Lieutenant Colonel Graham Browning and Private Andy
West who thrilled the spectators with an extremely close run
finish in the one hundred yards breaststroke. Private Andy West
won by a fingertip so is now wondering how many points to
expect on his next Confidential Report. Both Privates Barstow
and Andy West were regular members of the Battalion Swim-
ming Team which finished a close second in the Zone * B ' Finals
in Catterick.
The Company has said goodbye to Staff Sergeant Jim
Parker who has been recalled to the labyrinths of the Training
Wing to achieve an immaculate resurrection. His parting gesture
was to organise a smoker in the Sports Bar which proved a
great success and allowed everyone to air their views. Many
thanks Staff and best of luck back in Parsons Barracks. In his
place we welcome Staff Sergeant Ronnie Johnson who is busy
finding out where everyone works. Private Kevin Mawby is
congratulated on passing his HGV3 at Leconfield and instead
of terrorising B5 with his pallet transporter can now be seen at
the wheels of a four ton vehicle. Lance Corporal Mark Percival
eagerly awaits an addition to the family so we are all keeping
our fingers crossed.
We welcome WOl Taff Horner back from FILOG.
Corporals George Tomkinson and Chris Pollock from BAOR,
along with Lance Corporal Carl Evans and Private Chris
Collings from Blackdown. We hope that the mysteries of the
Priority Issues Team do not prove too daunting.
Central Ordnance Depot- Donnington
LAST year we reported the loss of one of our landmarks when
the four chimney stacks were removed from the old boiler-'
house known locally as the ' Queen Mary.' Now another land-
mark is to disappear. Contractors will soon be moving in to
remove our local beauty spot. Monkey Hill, much to the annoy-
ance of the sunbathers. Before they do remove the hill our
staunch conservationist, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Chilcott, is
trying desperately to save the trees by having them rep'anted
elsewhere in the Depot. Where he will find the space goodness
knows. The place is being littered with contractors' equipment
and materials, they are even laying siege to Parsons Barracks
and the sewage farm.
Congratulations to Mr Reg Ashley of S and R, Mr Jim
Calder of B5 and Mr John Lane and Mrs Winifred Fletcher,
both of B3, on the award of the Imperial Service Medal.
On a sad note we have recently been informed that a
certain officer, senior in years, and rank, is shortly to leave
Donnington and the Service. More information will follow
next month, in the meantime watch for a fall in bar profits.
Farewell to Major Bob Atkins on retirement and Major Ian
McKinnon to FILOG. One newcomer to report, looking keen,
fit and eager to work is Lieutenant David Cousins—welcome.
' C' COMPANY.
Sorry we missed you all last month but we
were taken up the M6 to Halton Camp for our summer holidays.
All of ' C ' Company went for the event as we had three weeks
to fit everyone in at one week at a time. The weather was
excellent, the activities more suited to the Commandos, still
everyone had a go. Activities included canoeing, rock climbing
and hill walking, plus an overnight camp. The camp site for our
overnight stay was next door to a hostelry with excellent open-
ing hours. After tramping the Penine Way, that lager did
refresh parts others do not reach. Corporal Sue Blackburn PTI
said compo was better cooked in Brown Ale, I disagree but,
having said that, nothing was left. Maybe starvation was setting
in. Lieutenant Colonel Stobie paid us a visit and left suitably
impressed, no doubt due to the hard work being done by our
permanent staff on Summer Camp, namely Captain Blake (2IC
' C ' Company), Staff Sergeant Angie Hamilton and Corporal
Blackburn. A big thank you to them from all of us. Thanks
also to the experts on our activities who managed to get every-
one reasonably proficient.
It was hard work: breakfast at
0700 hours each and every morning, but everyone, or nearly,
thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Farewell to Corporal Brooks on posting to Kineton (see
you on the hockey pitch) and hello to Corporal Greedy and
Lance Corporal Robinson.
15 Battalion
' B ' COMPANY. In the swimming gala ' C ' Company achieved
a notable victory in a photo finish with Headquarters Company.
The team consisted of fifteen swimmers, who were suitably
9 Ordnance Battalion
ON the sporting front our cricket team have been proving
themselves (yet again), this time by winning the DGOS Cup in
a very hard fought and close match at Deepcut
Special

183

Book number R0406