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RAOC Gazette - page 222

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Corps RAOC
Material type Journals
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Full title RAOC Gazette
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Publication date 1983
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Colour Yes
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Early date 1983
Late date 1983
Transcription People seem to be coming and going at the moment. Fare-
wells to Sergeant Geoff Bruce to the Falklands, Sergeant Mick
Kettle to Northern Ireland but welcomes are in order for
Sergeants Steve Holmes, Dave Stewart, John Mackie and Lance
Corporal Wally Hunter.
Commando Ordnance Squadron
TOP of the list for this months notes is
the Regiments birthday affectionately
known as Log Day, which fell on the 14th
July and provided many families and
friends with an opportunity to look around
the Regiment and to see where their
husbands disappear to all day, day after
day. We all send our sincerest con-
gratulations to Major Welch and although he has not quite
gone yet, we wish him and his family all the very best in his
new job at MOD.
Further afield we find Lance Corporals Sutcliffe and
Duncan in Canada on an Adventure Training (holiday) Exercise
led by Captain Wilson. Staff Sergeant Chris Donal has recently
returned from Australia with 45 CDO, Staff Sergeant Trevor
Edge from Switzerland with the M and AW Cadre. Also abroad
is Lance Corporal Ali Carrasco in Belize and Lance Corporal
Keenan in Kenya.
Petroleum Centre
26TH JULY. Last months Corps GAZETTE
Notes went to press.
27th July. Commandant and family
attend Garden Party at Buckingham
Palace—don't tell DGOS (who was also
there) but when the Commandant was
presented to a Royal he was introduced
as " commanding the RAOC."
29th July. DGOS and Mrs Whalley
visit West Moors.
General Whalley
toured the whole establishment, saw jerrican filling, a fire brigade
demonstration, school courses and made five presentations. He
presented Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medals
to Sub-Officer Jock Shea, Leading Fireman Taffy Rowlands and
Fireman Derek Baggs and Commander British Forces Certificates
of Commendation to L/Lance Corporal Neil Hinks and Private
Lee Hayes. After the ceremony he also promoted both soldiers
to the rank of paid Acting Lance Corporal (it's a good job we
had vacancies in the Unit!). Mrs Whalley attended a coffee
morning at Firbank and afterwards joined DGOS and the
Officers of the unit and their wives for luncheon in the Officers
Mess.
Sub-Officer Jock O'Shea, Leading Fireman Taffy Rowlands and
Fireman Derek Baggs with the DGOS after the presentation.
Mr
Ken
Badge receives his Commander-in-Chief's
from the Major Ceneral Royal Marines.
Certificate
As you can appreciate with all our overseas commitments
the Squadron manpower is dwindling, so in an effort to recruit
more volunteers, 'A' Team went to Blackdown to give a Com-
mando Ord presentation. This consisted of an introduction to
the Regiment and the Squadron, followed by a film and an
opportunity for the recruits to talk to members of the Squadron
as well as to look at four Static Displays showing the Squadron
at work and play.
The main theme of the evening was " Come and Join " ;
you don't need to be Superman just fit and determined. The
offer is extended to you all!
In a renewed effort to confuse each and any issue, the
Regiment is to move its accommodation to Seaton Barracks
(formally 40 Commando) along with some of the Squadron them-
selves. Ord alas stays here at Coypool although we have been
provided with new offices.
The Chief Clerk Sergeant Paddy Woods is off on a work-
ing holiday in the Sinai Desert and Sergeant Ken Hollows is off
to BAOR.
Arrivals include Sergeant Steve Donaghue (who's nearly
completed the Commando Course) and who takes over as new
Chief Clerk. We also welcome Sergeant Barry Crook from
BAOR and Lance Corporals Burgess and Wheatstone who
completed the Commando Course in August.
REMEMBER THE DEADLINE—
THE 28th OF EACH MONTH
30th July. The unit junior ranks barbeque/discotheque
turned out to be an all ranks affair. Every one appeared to en-
joy i t
7th August. Unit team in the Chichester March gained the
award for the Best Regular Army Marching Team in UK.
Congratulations to all who took part we are very proud of you.
8th August.
Our second tranche of S Type one year
Regular TA reinforcements arrived for our special blend of
technical and regimental training. Welcome to Sergeants Francis
and Dickinson, Corporal Stephenson, Lance Corporals Berry,
Woodhouse, Jones and D'Silva and Privates Cross, Holt,
Sergeant and Oatey.
14th August.
Our attached RAAOC Sergeant Souter
organised a cricket match with a difference. It was played by
' Raffertys Rules' which we still don't understand (Sooty
Souter is apparently Rafferty). The only real rule was found to
be that the game ended when the beer ran out. Everyone
appeared to enjoy the day.
18th August. Three of our Regular soldiers received call
out papers for TA Training. We wish we could print their
replies as a couple were quite witty!
22nd August. Visit by Colonel Marzetti the new DCOS
G1/G4 at Headquarters South West District. This was also a
nostalgic visit for him as in RASC days he was adjutant here.
Regrettably no one has inspected the Petroleum Depot on horse-
back since his day. (Perhaps Comd Sup London District would
care to visit)
23rd/24th August. Mr Tandy, the Inspector of Army
Fire Services carried out the technical inspection on AFB West
Moors. It must have gone well as suddenly the Station Officer
was seen to smile (albeit wanly) and we are reliably informed
that the DFA stopped taking tranquillisers.
— 185 —
Book number R0406