Friday 12th December 1986
From the Apprentice Prize Giving Programme:
27 DISTRICT WORKSHOP REME
APPRENTICE PRIZE GIVING 1986
To be held in the
Workshop Civilian Staff Restaurant
on Friday 12 December 1986.
Presentation of prizes and
deeds of apprenticeship
by Mr. Basil Haines.
PROGRAMME
1430. Colonel R.J. Skinner, the Commanding Officer, will make an opening address and review the training and academic achievements.
Mr. Basil Haines of Avalon Components will present the prizes, deeds and certificates of apprenticeship.
1500. Tea and light refreshments are available in the staff restaurant.
MR. BASIL HAINES
Born in Warminster to parents of Warminster origin, he completed a fitter/turner apprenticeship with J.W. Titt & Co. He then gained valuable experience as a fitter/turner in 27 Command Workshop during 7 years with REME.
In 1957 he joined the newly opened plastic shoe component firm of C. & J. Clark, working in the mould making department. He was promoted to Works Engineer and subsequently to Works Manager.
He is a prominent member of Warminster Rotary Club, being a past President and has done much by way of service to the community in Warminster.
APPRENTICES
The Workshop Apprentices during the year September 1985 – August 1986 numbered 25 and had previously attended the following schools:
Kingdown Comprehensive 9
Frome College 6
Matravers School 2
St. Augustines School 1
Clarendon School 1
John Of Gaunt School 2
Devizes School 1
Writhlington School 1
Saltash School 1
Ridgeway School 1
Day release Technical College course attendance during the year was to:
Trowbridge Technical College 8
Chippenham Technical College 9
Bath Technical College 5
Salisbury Technical College 3
WORKSHOP TRAINING STAFF
Apprentice Supervisor – Mr. M.W. Matthews (PTO).
Basic Training – Mr. A.S. Edwards (LCH).
Mechanical Training – Mr. D. Wakeling (LCH).
APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING BOARD
Chairman – Major R.J. Hewton, REME.
Members –
Mr. K.B. Edwards, Production Officer.
Mr. M.W. Matthews, Apprentice Supervisor.
Mr. W. George, }
Mr. D.I. Pratt , } Skilled Employees Representatives.
Mr. G.A. Barnard. }
Mrs. H. Hill, Personnel Officer.
PRIZES AND AWARD WINNERS
DEEDS AND CERTIFICATES
Bruce Gardener – Electrician/Electronic.
David Cunningham – Electrician/Electronic.
Darryl Whiting – Vehicle Fitter.
Shane Garrett – Vehicle Fitter.
Stephen Millar – Vehicle Fitter.
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
Those apprentices who achieved a very high standard.
David Cunningham Electrician/Electronic 4th year.
Richard Lawless – Electrician, 2nd year.
Barry Newley – Fitter Welder, 2nd year.
Michael Lavis – Vehicle Fitter, 2nd year.
PRIZES
Awarded to outstanding Apprentices (Craft or Technician)
Sam Wellington – Electrician/Electronic, 3rd year.
Shane Garrett – Vehicle Fitter, 4th year.
David Pritchard – Vehicle Fitter, 1st year.
CUP AND PRIZE AWARD
BRIAN VOWELL CUP AND PRIZE
For the best academic achievement during the year by an Apprentice Electrician.
Stephen Mitchell – 3rd year.
FRED ISAAC CUP AND PRIZE
For the best 1st year Apprentice.
Richard Newman – Electrician.
TERRY EYRES CUP AND PRIZE
Awarded by the Apprentice Masters, the prize being donated by the Shop Stewards Fund.
Darryl Whiting – Vehicle Fitter, 4th year.
ERIC KINZETT CUP AND PRIZE
Awarded to the Outstanding Apprentice of the year.
Darryl Whiting – Vehicle Fitter, 4th year.
WARMINSTER TOWN CUP
Awarded to an Apprentice in his 2nd – 4th year who has maintained a high standard of effort and displayed a high degree of social awareness.
Ian Marsh – Electrician, 3rd year.
Mr. A. Edwards generously made a donation towards the 1st year prize.
HISTORY OF THE WORKSHOP
Building on the present site commenced in 1938 and was first occupied by the RAOC Depot, Warminster. After Dunkirk the 1st Guards Armoured Division Workshop was formed on the site and in 1941 the facilities were extended for 642 Depot, US Army. The US Army extended the site to its present size in 1943, and in 1945 the War Department took the workshop over. Shortly afterwards 27 Command Workshop REME was formed and in the latter part of 1945 20 Advanced Based Workshop REME took over a large engine overhaul line from 20 Advanced Base Workshop REME when it was disbanded and continued to provide this facility until early 1959.
At this time the Workshop was 700 military and 500 civilians. The soldiers had been billeted in Sutton Veny Camp from 1945 until 1957 when Boreham Barracks (now Battlesbury Barracks) was opened specifically as accommodation for workshop personnel. In 1962 the Barracks was handed over to the Demonstration Battalion and the workshop contracted into its present site with the soldiers accommodated in other barracks.
The current size of the workshop is 65 military and 400 civilians which also contains an element for the repair support of Blandford Garrison. The workshop provides repair and recovery support for all Army, and some RN and RAF units in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Avon, Somerset, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and the Channel Islands. It also undertakes nominated overhaul programmes for the Ministry of Defence, the largest of which is the Centurion tank.