RAOC Gazette - page 321
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 |
1 Aircraft Support Unit LAST month we all had a high powered pep talk in Hangar 5 from General Sir John Stanier who visited the Garrison for the day. Also the unit were pleased to demonstrate our wares to DGEME during the course of his visit from LE(A) to 70 Ac Wksp REME. On the annual military training exercise at Fort Tregantle the range work was enhanced by the beautiful scenery stretching the length of Whitsand Bay to the Lizard in the far west, beyond Pol- perro and Looe. The mackerel fleet from Brixham was deployed just outside the beaten zone and on the skyline was the inspiring spectacle of the Eddystone Lighthouse Mk2. We have recently welcomed our new SOI (Ord) Air Lieu- tenant Colonel Hardie who takes over the Hot Seat from Lieutenant Colonel Franklin. Major General Palmer, DGEME, with W02 Jack Ferris explaining, and Corporal Mick Beverley operating the VDU part of the RAF 4 / 7 2 Supply System. In the Winchester Marathon WOI (SSM) Sam Bartram and Lance Corporal Shore completed the full marathon whilst Mr Dumper our civilian storekeeper and Lance Corporal Durkin completed the half marathon with great determination in atrocious weather conditions. WOI Bartram achieving the fast time of three hours twenty minutes at his first attempt. The Monday Muster Parade run after such a gruelling weekend was naturally reduced to less than a canter once the sewerage works were left behind. Welcome to Sergeant and Mrs Hall, Lance Corporal and Mrs Legge and Private King. Congratulations to Corporal Hallet and Sergeant Crosby who are both leaving on promotion after lengthy stints chasing aircraft spares at Middle Wallop. The following five NCOs have received the welcome news that their past efforts are to be rewarded soon, Lance Corporal Tiny Crews currently in Kenya, Lance Corporals Legge, Coulter and Clyde at Wallop and Lance Corporal Lennon one of our stalwart members of 3 MSD Northern Ireland. Finally welcome back from 6 MSD BFFI to Private Nick Preston and Corporals Bill Turner and Jim Frame from Belize who leaves this month for 3 Cdo Air Sqn on promotion. SEND IT TO THE GAZETTE A short article about events—places—people is always interesting particularly when accompanied by a photo- graph. Send it to THE GAZETTE. TERRITORIAL ARMY Headquarters RAOC TA LAST seen in THE GAZETTE as Central Volunteer Headquarters RAOC we now have a new title and live in a new area. The Headquarters left Decpcut in November 1982 and moved to Corsham in Wiltshire where, in June 1983 wc were joined by 9 Ordnance Battalion. Both units now occupy Basil Hill Barracks the former home of Central Ammunition Depot Corsham. It is nice to be back! Previously commanded by a Colonel the Headquarters was upgraded to a Brigadier's command and, naturally, given extra responsibilities. A small increase in 'Chiefs' did not result in any extra workers and, though life can be difficult we are almost proving that three into two will go. What do we do? Basically train and administer sixty five units of the RAOC Sponsored TA. In addition we have certain responsibilities for the RAOC TA Independent Units. Who's here? Since our last appearance in THE GAZETTE a complete change of both Military and Civilian staff has taken place. Suffice to say at this stage that wc have some twenty eight military staff comprising ten Officers, Staff Clerks, Sup Cons, MTIs, Sup Specs, Pet Op, Ldy Op and RAPC staff. They are most ably backed by twenty two Clerical Officers and Clerical Assistants. We intend, in future issues, to introduce some of our staff. The RAOC TA Sponsored Units Shoot Team again proved worthy of their keep by gaining success at the London and Middlesex Small Arms Meeting held at Pirbright on 17th/18th September 1983. Notable results are as follows: INDIVIDUAL EVENTS—-The Submachine Gun Cup Winner: Corporal P. N. Savides; The Pistol Competition (Volunteers) Winner: Sergeant R. W. Smillie. TEAM EVENTS—The Middlesex Challenge Cup Winners; The Whitehead Competition Winners; The Small Arms Efficiency Competition Winners; The SMG Team Competition Runners-up. RAOC ASSOCIATION Birmingham and W e s t Midlands County Branch OUR branch annual dinner was held on 14th October. The guest of honour was Brigadier Harry Higgins. There were sixteen others too from the Shropshire branch, including Brigadier David Morrison and Brigadier Mike Short. The Loyal Toast was proposed by our President Major Benny Morton. The opening speech was given by Major General Key, and after replying Brigadier Higgins proposed the toast, The Corps and The Association. The recording by the Corps band of The Village Blacksmith came over very well indeed on the loudspeakers. Our thanks to Arthur Maries for wiring things up. People did enjoy themselves immensely—we gather that the Shropshire party did arrive home eventually. Stan Whitfield, secretary of the Birmingham United Services Club, and his wife Freda, gave us a lot of help for which we are very grateful. When members ask for their names to be put down for next years functions we know that they are well satisfied. David Robottom, elder son of our treasurer was ordained earlier in the year in Peterborough Cathedral, and is now curate assisting the Rector of Uppingham, Rutland. We are sorry to record the death of George Thomas who had been a member of the branch since 1953. Once again we wish all readers of THE GAZETTE A Very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year. — 268 — |
| Book number | R0406 |