5 Advanced Ordnance Depot Explained

Unit Name:5 Advanced Ordnance Depot
Dates:1 March 1970 – August 1971
Country: Australia
New Zealand
Branch:RAAOC
RNZAOC
Garrison:Singapore
Notable Commanders:Major N.W Spencer, RAAOC

5 Advanced Ordnance Depot (5 AOD) was a short lived Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps and Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps combined Depot in Singapore 1970 to 1971.

5 AOD

As a result of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA). 5 AOD was formed by Australia and New Zealand in 1970 to support the Australian and New Zealand Forces remaining in Singapore post the British withdrawal.[1]

5 AOD was set up from scratch in March 1970 and as the first order of business finding working accommodation was a priority. The Singapore authorities were unwilling to provide suitable accommodation in any of the recently vacated British facility’s, so as a temporary measure 5 AOD was housed with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC), 3 Base Ordnance Depot (3 BOD) at Alexandria and Keat Hong.[2] Eventually 5 AOD was located at Transit Shed No 4 at the Sembawang Naval Basin on 15 July 1970.

In-scaling of stores was achieved by assuming the responsibilities of the Australian Cell of 3 BOD and their existing stocks. Additional stocks were delivered direct from Australia by HMAS Jeparit. By October 1970 5 AOD was functioning as a unit.[3]

The Strength of 5 AOD in September 1970 was:

New Zealand strength within 5 AOD averaged two Officers and 18 Other Ranks.

The Officer Commanding go 5 AOD was:

In 1971 the United Kingdom decided that’s its forces were to remain in Singapore and as an economy measure it would be sensible to have a combined UK, Australian and New Zealand Ordnance Depot and as a result 5 AOD ceased to exist on Aug 1971 and its responsibility, personnel and stock absorbed by the new ANZUK Ordnance Depot.[4]

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Tilbrook. Major John D. To The Warrior His Arms: A History of the RAAOC. 1980. The Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps Committee. 0731674863. 556–557.
  2. Web site: Ordnance Depots Numbered. British Army units from 1945. 6 September 2016.
  3. Book: Bolton. Major J.S.. A History of the RNZAOC. 1992. RNZAOC. 0477015816. 211–212.
  4. Book: Steer MBE. Brigadier Frank. To The Warrior His Arms: The story of the RAOC 1918–1993. 2005. Pen and Sword Books ltd. 1844153290. 207.