RAOC Gazette - page 268
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 |
This year the entire Headquarters took part in the Tid- worth marathon. Everyone ran at least five miles with Staff Sergeant Ormiston, Sergeants McAleavy and Bennett com- pleting the half marathon and Major Geddie finishing third in the marathon. Sights are now set for London 84. Some may say that to run in a second marathon is, to paraphrase Dr Samuel Johnson, ' a triumph of hope over experience." The pace of life is quickening now that summer leave is done and we prepare for an exercise in Zealand (CPX) and an FTX in Aldershot and SPTA. More about this when next we write. 9 Ordnance Battalion WITH block leave over, it was back to work with sun tans fading fast. A busy round of activities welcomed us with the Army Minor Units Cup Final, our monthly Regimental Training Day and preparation for Exercise Ample Express (Denmark), Wing Victory (Scotland) and Champion Hurdle (South East England). On the sports side we completed a successful season by adding the Army Minor Units Cricket Cup to the RAOC and South West District Cups. Well done the cricket team. The Battalion also held a Half Marathon at Corsham with all three Companies competing. 81 Company had a good win, beating Headquarters Company into second place. A sweet revenge after being pipped at the post on the Regimental Training Day by 91 Company. Honours went to Corporal Adam (Headquarters Company) one hour twenty two minutes, Private Hat (81 Company) one hour twenty two minutes nineteen seconds and Staff Sergeant Osborne (Headquarters Company) one hour twenty two minutes thirty nine seconds. Next the Cross Country! HEADQUARTERS COMPANY. The Silly Season could be an appropriate name for our FTX on Salisbury Plain and Aldershot in October, for just about everyone is new to the game. The Second-in-Command is busy changing hats from OC 91 Company, to Ops Officer, back to Second-in-Command, the Chief Clerk is puzzling how to make coffee working off a twelve volt battery and the MT are wondering where they are going to get the drivers from. It should be a very interesting exercise! We welcome into the fold Staff Sergeant Osbourne our new MTI, Corporal Johnston (MT), Lance Corporal Langsford (MT), Privates Chapman (Battalion Headquarters), Allingham (Orderly Room), Crombie (MT). We bid farewell to Sergeant Holmes (QM) after a fine innings of twenty two years. Corporal Cook (ACC) to 3 Queens, Corporal Straw to 154 FAD, Lance Corporal Smith to 5 Ord- nance Battalion and Private Ryan to Headquarters Northern Ireland. 81 ORDNANCE COMPANY. Due to the organised chaos of , the unit move to Tidworth and block leave, the following notes ! incorporate the months of July, August and September. i June saw the Company at Tregantle Fort in Devon for two weeks summer camp. Fishing, canoeing, hill walking, abseiling, yachting and range work were priority, ending up with a march and shoot competition which everyone enjoyed—didn't they! I Seven members of the unit were fortunate enough to accom- pany 5 Infantry Brigade Signals Squadron for four weeks sum- mer camp in Cyprus. They came back bronzed, just failing to see the Company run into Tidworth—all the way from Aldershot —with the Corps flag. Every man ran at least nine miles, with the exception of the PTIs who ran at least six miles! (or was it sixteen?). The Company even had to repair a road for the four tonner to get past! Lieutenant Colonel Braithwaite raised the flag to the strains of an RAOC bugler. • We say farewell to Major Thomas and wish him success in his new appointment at Sandhurst. We welcome Major Wilson- Ing on assuming the appointment of OC. We then proceeded on block leave for three weeks—return- ing just in time for a BFT and Regimental Training with the rest at Corsham. It should also be mentioned that the Company took part in and won the Battalion Half Marathon. We are now in the final stages of preparation for a Denmark holiday for some fortunate members of the Company. Happenings: Lance Corporal Tom Donald passed Basic and HGV3 driving test (only twelve attempts!). Privates Chippy Woods and Jerry Rainford are congratulated on their marriages —not to each other—and also to Private Charlie Brain and his new wife. Arrivals: Lance Corporals Chas Sloan, Yorkie Sturdy, John Crane, Rob Roberts, Corporal Johno Johnson, Privates Robert Milne, Paul Fray, Scott McLauchlan, Sergeant John Regan, Staff Sergeant Bill Cammack and W02 Alf Scott. — 223 Departures: Sergeant Pete Baker, Lance Corporals Russ Dolan, Jock Clifford, Ginge Lane, Staff Sergeant Ed Tuckcy, Corporal John Goulden, Sergeant Jim Highes, Privates Lcc Anderson, Scouse Hanley and W02 Tony Matthews. 91 ORDNANCE COMPANY. Having completed block leave and caught the good weather, the Company returned to barracks and 3 Platoon immediately deployed on Exercise New Union in Lanarkshire. Exercise New Union not only gave 3 Platoon a chance to practice their operations but, being in Scotland, gave 94 (Sc) Ordnance Company (V) a chance to come and have a look at the action. The Cambrian March training culminated in the event it- self, a very tough competition in which the Company came a respectable ninth. Taking part was heightened by the pride and pleasure in seeing 6 Ordnance Battalion win the com- petition. Having learnt a few of the tricks of the trade, interest is already aroused in next year's competition. The remainder of the company has stayed in barracks and prepared for the Autumn exercises or attended upgrading and RPC courses. Other, of course, than Staff Sergeant Coelho and Corporal Waddington who have deployed to Nepal on Exercise High Trig. 5 Infantry Brigade HEADQUARTERS THE space outside the Brigade Headquarters, is fast resembling a training ground for ' It's a knockout' contestants, as we prepare for another exercise. The varied tests include; falling over ops tables, folding tents and getting three tons on a one tonne Land Rover. Under the ever watchful eye of Sergeant Mik Shepherd, Corporals Graham Starkie and Dickie Bird RE lead their teams to see who is the most successful in loading their one tonne and trailer. The two teams have been accustomed to two complete Headquarters in the field. But now with the introduction of Para TAC, Para Main and an Airlanded Head- quarters, they have to learn a whole new ball game. The RAOC Airborne Team is starting to rear its head for the future, with Staff Clerks leading the way. Captain Ken Moules is back in the warrior fold, along with the two 1983 models, Lance Corporal Dusty Howarth and Private Bamber Briggs. All being kept fit and happy by the 'Super Inkslinger' WOl Mac MacLaren. Private Gordon Leach is the next in line to offer his body and soul to the Maroon Machine—we wish him well. To all volunteers, we look forward to seeing you in Aldershot on the well-beaten tracks! Congratulations this month go to Corporal Graham Starkie on passing all four subjects, two with distinctions, on his EPC. It is good-bye this month to Private Martin Fox on transfer to the RAPC, we wish him all the best in his new Corps. New this month is Private Tony Ellson a Supply Controller from the Depot, we wish him every success as he takes the first steps in his career. Photo Private D. Warhurst. The members of the Section. |
| Book number | R0406 |