I knew Frank when I was a Provision Officer at ICP BAOR, Viersen, Germany in 1976 - 78 and Frank was the Capt OIC RSG BAOR, 15 ABOD, Viersen. We had a lot of dealings together, and it’s no small thanks to him that many stores that had incorrectly found their way into the disposals chain from units were trapped and returned to stock, thus saving money and obviating further provision action. One day Frank came to tell me that a 45 Gallon drum of an unknown substance had turned up in his shed. I inspected the drum, which bore a Belgian consignment address and a series of alpha/numeric markings preceded by ‘G.I.N.’ Evidently the drum had been moved around the BAOR Freight Service for months. I contacted the consignee in Belgium only to learn that it contained 45 gallons of 100% proof Gin! The consignee didn’t want it since it had been written off and replaced ages ago. Frank and I had a notion to get it to the Officer’s Mess for dilution, but this was scotched by the onsite German Customs Officer – he wanted import duties et al. Sadly then Frank and I had to destroy the gin by burning it off behind the RSG Building in the presence of the Customs Officer. Frank was a shrewd operator. Regrettably I never met him again on leaving Viersen. My belated condolences to his family.
Colin Buckle, March 2012
Any details, memories or photographs that you may have would be most welcome.