RAOC Gazette - page 299
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 |
VISIT OF THE DGOS TO CYPRUS IT is said that behind every good man there is a good woman. In this case not only was the woman a full day in advance of her husband, but also managed to travel on a VIP Executive jet as opposed to the scheduled VC10 conveying her husband. Thus by Thursday, 6th October, both Major General and Mrs Whalley had arrived in Cyprus. That same evening, the DGOS and Mrs Whalley were entertained to a Mcze in a local taverna by the RAOC Officers and wives based in Akrotiri. Bright and early the following morning, DGOS visited the Headquarters of British Forces in Cyprus, meeting all the senior staff and receiving a Command Brief. It was with particular delight that General Whalley met the DCOS LFC, Colonel Forshaw (late RAOC) and recently selected for pro- motion to Brigadier. This was followed by a visit to Head- quarters RAOC, the ASU and the Episkopi Fire Brigade. The afternoon was to have been spent watching the Cyprus Walk- about however the runners, including the two RAOC Cyprus teams and one from Dulmen, had run so well that all had passed the viewing points and were only glimpsed crossing the finish line. That evening General and Mrs Whalley attended a supper party hosted by the 2IC, Major Bird, and his wife Katharine. The weekend was largely a free programme and General and Mrs Whalley took advantage of this to explore the Island. Saturday evening witnessed the annual RAOC Reception, hosted by the Commander Supply, Lieutenant Colonel Elliott. This year it was quite a spectacle. It was held at the Vehicle Depot with stands displaying all the facets of Ordnance Services, cocktails contrived by Major Davies and a night parachute display by the RAOC Cannonballs. On Monday the DGOS was unfortunately indisposed but Mrs Whalley visited the Supply Depot where she met the staff and their families. The star of the moment was young Toni Gardiner, daughter of the Chief Clerk, Sergeant Gardiner, who presented Mrs Whalley with a bouquet of flow?rs. In the afternoon Mrs Whalley presented the Trophy for the Inter Service Angling Com- petition to the Army Team Captain, WOl Jennings, WOIC Vehicle Depot. The following day DGOS was fit enough to visit UNFICYP and return to Episkopi for an RAOC Dinner Night attended by all Corps Officers, Warrant Officers and SNCOs on the Island. On Wednesday, the General visited RAF Akrotiri, touring the Ammunition Depot and the Stores and Vehicle Depot. Presentations were again the order of the day as the DGOS presented Long Service and Good Conduct Certificates, for twenty five years service, to four of our locally employed civilians and Long Service and Good Conduct Medals to W02 Leach, Staff Sergeants Robson and Salway. This tour was rounded off when General and Mrs Whalley joined Unit members and their families at an informal Kebab Lunch at the Unit Club. The same afternoon General Whalley presented the trophies at the Services tug-of-war. The event is run annually by the RAOC and this year also featured a parachute display by the Cannonballs. Once again Ordnance Services Cyprus were among the prize winners, taking away the six hundred and forty kilogram cup and being. narrowly beaten in the Open Com- petition. On the final day of his visit General Whalley again paid a flying visit to Headquarters RAOC where he presented three more Long Service Certificates before departing to RAF Akrotiri for his return flight. Ordnance Services Cyprus win 640-Kg Trophy. On the rope: W 2 Bailey, Staff Sergeant Thorogood, Lance Corporal Hartnell, Sergeant Hills-Avery, Sergeant Aitchison, Staff Sergeant Ceary, Staff Sergeant Brough and Corporal Rcstarick. — 248 — |
| Book number | R0406 |