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RAOC Gazette - page 320

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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 " Eh? That's the middle of the Thames on my map!—over."
" That's
right—Bravo—Oscar—Alfa—Tango—Out."
Yes, you've guessed i t The yomp took the marchers to the
Thames but at the crossing point—No bridge, so they hitched a
ride with a local sailor. The terrain was rough and blisters
many. The team is to be congratulated on a magnificent effort.
Stop Press. The OC has at last received a posting. After
more than three years in Ludgershall he is off to Supply Branch
Headquarters 1 (BR) Corps. Is a knowledge of the rules of
tennis and the workings of Daimler Armoured Cars is a pre-
requisite for a posting as S02 Sup(Maf)? The Depot is currently
stacking Saracen APC in order that the incoming OC Major
Walcroft can practice his mountain climbing.
Petroleum Centre
OCTOBER was Brigadiers' month at West
Moors when we welcomed three of the
—what is the word for a collection of
Brigadiers?—pride as of lions perhaps?
Brigadier Hulme the DDGOS visited to-
gether with Mr S. E. Harris a member of
the Council of the Institute of Petroleum.
Brigadier Berragan D Sup Ops (A) was
also our guest as was Brigadier Parker
Commander RAOC Training Centre.
Brigadier Berragan besides touring the whole unit met all the
members of the Sergeants Mess at lunchtime whilst Brigadier
Parker was guest of honour at the farewell Regimental Dinner
Night for the Officers Petroleum Course.
Dave Wagstaff and Desmond McEneany to Lance Corporal,
congratulations all.
Finally as these notes are for December we think of our
extended West Moors family the Petroleum Operators and the
pi officers and their families throughout the world especially
those in the South Atlantic (some ten per cent of the total trade
roll) we wish you a very Happy Christmas and look forward
to your eventual return here one day.
Regional Depot Thatcham
PREPARATION for the unit's ARU is
now under way. A number of Regional
Depot and Management Services Unit
officers and warrant officers were recently
seen dressed in their DPM and webbing,
making their way to the Arborfield Ranges
for the mandatory annual ' shoot out at
the NOT so OK Corral.'
By the end of the morning, how-
ever, smiles were to be seen everywhere,
as all members present had passed their annual test for personal
weapon, including the CO, Lieutenant Colonel John Evans and
the 2IC Squadron Leader Bill Tootell, the latter having achieved
a possible! Captain Ashworth the acting OC of the Manage-
ment Services Unit also produced an exceptionally good
performance. WOl Wroe of the Management Services Unit,
who, with CSMI Snaddon and Sergeant Lacey of the Training
Battalion, and Depot, REME, had helped organise the day's
training, was best shot, and for his efforts was given a further
test with an additional twenty rounds under more difficult con-
ditions, in which he acquitted himself admirably.
At the end of September, Major Eric Foster's daughter
Caroline, left us to enter into the happy state of matrimony, and,
after her honeymoon, to commence work at RAF Abingdon,
near her new home at Didcot. We all wish her and her husband
the very best of happiness and prosperity for the future.
The Commanding Officer recently had the honour of
presenting the Imperial Service Medal to Miss Betty Walsh
who served a total of twenty six years with the depot. Our
picture shows Miss Betty Walsh in receipt of her medal and
framed award citation. Congratulations Betty, and may you
have a long and happy retirement.
Photo G. K. Gillberry.
Brigadier Berragan has the intricacies of Pipe Grooving explained
by Lance Corporals Hinks and Fletcher Students on the B2 Course
under the watchful eye of Major Taylorson OC School.
The departure of CQMS Eric Blunn on an expedition with
Chay Blyth round Cape Horn by catermaran is reported else-
where in this issue. We welcome Staff Sergeant Tom Dewhurst
as his stand in.
Other arrivals include SQMS and Mrs Tony Biondic from
4 Pet Dep, Lance Corporal and Mrs Billy Meecham from Kine-
ton and Privates Arnold, Barry, Hollands, Ireland, Perrin, Rolf
and Wright as Potential Pet Ops from Blackdown. Corporals
Mai MacDonald and Tommy Plunkett have returned from the
Falklands and Corporal Malcolm Barrett from UNFICYP.
Welcome back. The most important arrival was undoubtedly
Victoria Ruth, congratulations to Captain and Mrs Colin
Bamford.
Corporal Lee Kennedy our one and only supply specialist
has set off for the Falklands whilst Lance Corporal Lee Hayes
has left us for Kinnegar. More permanent departures are Lance
Corporals Harrow and Kirby who have left for civilian life.
Our football team'in its second league game of the season
beat an unfortunate REME team twelve one. Our statistician
tells us that they have now scored more goals this season than
in the whole of last.
Recent promotions in the unit previously unrecorded in these
columns include Lieutenant Chris Walker to Captain, Bill
Lindgren to WOl, Steve Anderson and Leslie Wicks to Corporal,
Miss Betty Walsh receives the Imperial Service Medal at Thatcham.
THATHAM
TIE
THE newly introduced Regional Depot RAOC Thatcham Unit
Tie is now available from Mr W. Fleming, OIC RSG and OIC
Commanding Officer's Fund. (Thatcham Military Ext 245.)
(Civ Thatcham (0635) 62741 Ext 245.)
The tie is available to all past and present military and
civilian members of the unit.
The tie motif represents the Board of Ordnance and the
Coat of Arms of the Town of Thatcham, on a green background
representing the green fields of Berkshire. The Coat of Arms
itself shows a rising fish in the Kennet River, with a fishing
fly in the shape of a dragon fly being drawn across the water
above the rising fish.
The design is quite attractive and the price per tie is £4.20,
including VAT.
— 267 —
Book number R0406