Page 78 - RADC 2020

OR JOBS
pillar and helping guide it forward under the direction of the strategic team.
Subsequently, I worked as the project manager on several of the projects within Army Health, most notably for the Women in Ground Close Combat (WGCC) team which had a large portfolio of projects assessing the effects of undertaking combat roles on the human body. Some of this evidence
was subsequently used to shape the Soldier Conditioning Review (SCR).
An advantage of working within the Army Headquarters is the further development opportunities that occur. I was able to
take the Association for Project Managers
Professional Qualification which was useful at the time but has also been vital on future tasks. The latter part of my time at Army HQ was spent helping develop agile working practices to improve the efficiency of the pillar.
What have I learnt?
I have a greater understanding of how the Army operates specifically within the health pillar and, subsequently, how DPHC(D)
and the RADC fit into this. I am also aware of how I can implement change when I recognise it is needed and the most effective format to present this in.
I fully appreciate how useful attending ICSC(L) was in enabling me to add an element of non-clinical value to our organisation and the importance of developing these skills in a staff assignment. It may also allow further opportunities away from full-time clinical dentistry to add to a varied Military career.
A positive is that this has allowed me to progress deployed dentistry within the Fd Army whilst at 5 Medical Regiment and also support the continuing effort to ensure the RADC stays current as a deployable organisation.
OBITUARY
Ex WO1(CRSM) Terry (Tab) Abbott RADC 27th July 1946–27th July 2020
Most will be aware of the passing
of our Chelsea Pensioner, Terry (Tab) Abbott on 27th July 2020.
Tab’s funeral took place on 18th August 2020 with his long-standing friend and fellow In-Pensioner, Hugh Craig, delivering the following eulogy:
“Thank you for inviting me to present Tab’s eulogy this afternoon, it is a great honour and indeed a privilege to do so!
May I say at this very moment, at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, there is a memorial service taking place, simultaneously with this one, and it will be conducted alfresco, in Light Horse Court, by the resident Padre, Steven Brooks. In attendance there will
be a large number of Chelsea Pensioners dressed in their scarlet uniforms, staff members, and Tab’s Captain of Invalids of the Margaret Thatcher Infirmary, Major Phil Shannon, who will recite the eulogy.
The service will be poignant, and indeed reflective of his life and styled with a military ethos to commemorate his life and achievements during his service to Queen and Country! It is a lovely thought that so many are remembering Tab at this very moment, and if the restrictions were not in place due to COVID 19, this very chapel would be packed to the rafters to commemorate his life!
Lisa, Mathew and Lauren, please accept my condolences and those of the Royal Army Dental Corps in respect of your loss!
Tab joined the Army on the 22nd of 76 RADC BULLETIN 2020
October 1969 into the Royal Engineers, and in 1970 transferred to the Royal Army Dental Corps, and it was during the basic class
3 Dental Clerk Assistant training that our friendship was forged! This was the beginning of Tab’s very successful military career!
Due to his previous skills as a trained dental technician prior to joining the army and with his doing exceedingly well in his basic DCA 3 exams, he was fast-tracked to train as a Dental Hygienist, which lasted a year! During this period, Tab’s charismatic, mischievous and hijinks character became well known and loved!
During Tab’s time in the RADC, he saw service both at home and abroad. Tab was serving in Singapore in the mid 1970s and during that time the British Forces withdrew from the Singapore and the Malay peninsula! In the 1980s Tab became a Tutor Hygienist and later, the Training Wing Manager of the Depot! During this period, to Tab’s credit and, with his expert tutoring, he helped to produce in excess of 45 fully qualified Dental Hygienists, both military and civilian!
He also served in Dusseldorf, Germany, the Headquarters of the RADC Dental Group, in the Rear Combat Zone! His role was that of the PDWO BAOR, and subsequently
was tasked with producing a huge Dental Health campaign, aimed at Service Children’s Schools, BFBS radio, and BFBS Television, for Soldiers and their families, which the Colgate Dental Company kindly sponsored and was named “The Sennelager Project’ which resulted in a great success!
Tab returned to the UK in 1988 for
his final three years of service to take up post as the RSM at HQ & Training Centre RADC Aldershot, which was a most worthy accolade indeed, and a superb pinnacle to his career!
After leaving the Army, Tab maintained
a very close relationship with the Corps, attending, gatherings, and annual Corps weekends and reunions, not to forget the famous curry club!
He had a successful life and career in ‘Civvy Street’ and worked for a High Profile Dental Company, Henry Schein, in a prominent managerial role using his vast knowledge and experience in the Dental field!
During his retirement, Tab made the decision to become a Chelsea Pensioner and so, on 28th May 2013 joined the Royal Hospital! He became a great ambassador
to the RADC, being the second RADC Pensioner ever admitted to Chelsea and, indeed, was a great asset to The Royal Hospital Chelsea, attending many important National events, such as the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday! He was a member of the bowling club, the angling club and enjoyed the weekly sing- alongs! We all know how he enjoyed singing!
Tab always looked forward to ex Corps members coming up to the clubhouse
to visit and members of the local Army Dental Centre in Wellington barracks. The young Dental Nurses used to make a big fuss of him! With lots of hugs and cuddles! Somehow, he never complained! I will miss too, our little tipples together in the club, but I am so happy I was able to spend three years of my life at the Royal Hospital with Tab.
Tab was a legend in every aspect of his life, he will always be a legend to all that knew him, to those that served with him, and to those that loved him! Tab! Legends never Die!”