Royal Army Ordnance Corps facts for kids

The Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC) was a very important part of the British Army. Its main job was to make sure soldiers had all the weapons, ammunition, and other military gear they needed. They also kept this equipment in good working order.

Until 1965, the RAOC focused mostly on weapons and ammunition. But after that, they took on many more supply tasks. They also started providing staff clerks, who are like office workers, for the army. This made them a central part of keeping the army running smoothly.

Army Ordnance Corps Cap Badge (pre-First World War)

What Was the Royal Army Ordnance Corps?

The Royal Army Ordnance Corps was a "corps" within the British Army. A corps is a group of soldiers who specialize in a certain type of work. The RAOC's job was all about logistics. This means they handled the planning and movement of supplies.

Keeping the Army Supplied

The RAOC made sure that soldiers had everything they needed to do their jobs. This included:

• Weapons: Rifles, machine guns, and even large artillery pieces.
• Ammunition: All the bullets, shells, and bombs for those weapons.
• Other Military Equipment: This could be anything from uniforms and boots to tents, vehicles, and spare parts.

They didn't just give out supplies. They also maintained the equipment. This meant repairing damaged items and making sure everything was ready for use.

A Big Change in 1965

Before 1965, another group, the Royal Army Service Corps, handled many general supplies. But in 1965, the RAOC took over most of these supply duties. This made the RAOC responsible for almost all the supplies the army needed. They also started providing staff clerks. These clerks helped with paperwork and organization across the army.

Why Was This Important?

Imagine an army without supplies! Soldiers wouldn't have food, weapons, or even uniforms. The RAOC's work was vital for the British Army to operate effectively. They made sure that troops on the front lines and at bases had what they needed, when they needed it. Their work helped the army win battles and keep peace.

The End of the RAOC

The Royal Army Ordnance Corps served the British Army for many years. However, in 1993, the RAOC was combined with several other corps. These included the Royal Corps of Transport and the Army Catering Corps. They all joined together to form a new, larger group called the Royal Logistic Corps. This new corps continues to handle the vital tasks of supply and logistics for the British Army today.

Images for kids

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  St. George's Town in the Imperial fortress colony of Bermuda, seen from Barrack Hill, in 1857, with Ordnance Island at left, used by the Ordnance Stores Department and its successors since the American War of 1812

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  Red Barracks, Woolwich

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  The former Barlby Ordnance Depot, dating from 1889 (one of a number of small depots established at that time).

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  British Army logistics in the Boer War: mule train, 1899.

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  Soldiers of the AOC repairing an 8-inch howitzer at Passchendaele, 1917.

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  Inside a Base Supply Depot at Vendroux, 1917.

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  RAOC station in Palestine, 1941.

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  Women of the ATS working on a Churchill tank at an RAOC depot, 1942.

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  Wheelbarrow bomb disposal device being operated by a team from 321 EOD Coy RAOC, Northern Ireland 1978.