RAOC Memories

Memories of RAOC Units and Depots worldwide since 1945

The RAOC… Living history and recollections

At the end of World War Two the RAOC was holding vast amounts of equipment and stores spread across locations throughout the UK and overseas as far apart as Burma, Singapore, North, East and West Africa, the Middle East, Austria and Germany.

Over the next five decades the Corps supported the British Army on operations and as it fought in new conflicts around the world. But Germany remained its most important deployment and this continued to be the case until the Corps’ amalgamation into the Royal Logistic Corps in 1993.

This page is a work in progress as we collate images and information for our veterans to reflect upon. If you can add to this collection of memories please email: raocassnwebsite@outlook.com

Deepcut

Home of the RAOC from 1955 to 1993. Deepcut units included:

• Training Battalion and Depot RAOC
• Employment Training School
• School of Ordnance
• Army School of Clerical Training (later at Worthy Down).
• RAOC Apprentices College

Photo: St Barbara’s Church

Singapore

3 Base Ordnance Depot Singapore. HQ Alexandria Bks.

Sub units:

• 4 Supply and Petroleum Reserve Depot (renamed 4 Supply Depot – Dover Road)
• 221 Vehicle Company
• 443 Base Ammunition Depot
• 1 and 3 Sub-depots (MT & Tech Stores) in Alexandria Bks
• 2 Sub-depot (Clothing & General Stores) in Keat Hong
• Ammunition Sub-depot in RN Arm.

Photo: Former Alexandria Bks Officers’ Mess.

Berlin

Some of the RAOC units based in Berlin:

• HQ Berlin and Infantry Brigade had RAOC Staff Clarks on its strength
• Berlin Ordnance Company
• Ordnance & Ammunition Depot
• 31 Quartering and Barracks Office
• 121 Barracks Stores
• 122 barracks Stores
• 131 Details Issue Depot
• 3 Station maintenance Section.

Photo: Queen Elizabeth II Birthday Parade 1963 with the then Prince of Wales taking the salute.

West Moors

The Petroleum Centre RAOC in West Moors has had a varied life over its life span as a military depot. Late 2019 the School of Petroleum closed and moved to Worthy Down for all training. The site still has the depot and is still the main POL supply on a tri service requirement.

1970 saw three newsworthy events, all for the wrong reasons. The depot football team made the Guinness Book of Records for the whole team being sent off in the shortest time. A Private Soldier stole a fire engine in order to draw attention to his dissatisfaction with his career. A young ACC chef, attempted to set fire to the whole depot in order to draw attention away from the fact that he had set fire to his own barrack room.