New Zealand Advanced Ordnance Depot

The ANZUK Ordnance Depot was established in 1971 to provide logistical support to Australian, New Zealand and British forces stationed in Singapore and Malaysia as part of ANZUK Force. It was commanded by a Royal Army Ordnance Corps officer of the rank of lieutenant colonel and staffed by Australian, New Zealand and United Kingdom personnel and Locally Employed Civilians. This organisation operated for only a short period. Australia changed Government in 1972 and the incoming Labor Government decided to withdraw Australia’s commitment to the region. This took effect in 1974 and was followed later by the withdrawal of the British forces. It was then decided that New Zealand should form its own Advanced Ordnance Depot, designated the New Zealand Advanced Ordnance Depot (NZAOD). This was the start of a commitment which was to last until December 1989.
Formation and personnel.
The NZAOD came into being on 1 October 1974 to support the New Zealand Force which was to remain behind after the withdrawal of Australian and British forces from Singapore. It was a self-contained and independent depot with all the normal Ordnance supply functions. It was the first such depot raised by New Zealand since World War II. Although Australia was leaving the region, at the outset it was planned that the United Kingdom would also remain and as a result there was intense competition between New Zealand and the United Kingdom for stock, locally employed personnel (LECs), plant and materials handling equipment and warehouse accommodation of ANZUK Ordnance Depot. The creation of the two forces developed a working rivalry between the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and the Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps personnel. However, before the first of the NZAOD staff had completed their full tour, the RAOC personnel returned to the United Kingdom following the confirmation of the British withdrawal from Singapore.
The main units NZAOD had to support consisted of headquarters New Zealand Force South East Asia (HQ NZFORSEA) and the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (1 RNZIR). In addition, there were a host of supporting units. Initially these had been scattered all over Singapore Island but they were then concentrated in the Sembawang area in the former Royal Navy Singapore Naval Base, leaving 1 RNZIR in Dieppe Barracks located next to Sembawang Airbase.
NZFORSEA undertook a wide range of training exercises, exchanges, formal functions, as well as assistance to the Singapore and Malaysian Armed Forces. There were also New Zealand Government non-military requests such as logistic assistance to trade delegations, the attendance of the band at receptions, support to the local school and a host of sporting engagements. NZAOD support to the force developed over the years and at its peak the strength of the depot was over 100 personnel. This number was made up of approximately 25 military personnel, including a small group of female staff, and more than 75 civilians. The majority of the LECs came direct from service with the British forces, and they brought with them a lot of experience. Only a few hundred civilian employees were required, though, and as a result of the withdrawal of the British and the Australians many thousands of Singaporeans were made redundant.
Organisation.
The organisation of the depot was based on a New Zealand Ordnance Depot with a few additions to meet the needs of the force.
Operations.
Although the size of the NZAOD remained small, the Force HQ also conducted many training exercises at various levels and supplied manpower assistance to fill enemy party positions and provide umpires, logistic backup in refuelling or rationing, and staff appointments for Command Post exercises.
Withdrawal.
As part of Operation Kupe, the withdrawal of New Zealand forces from Singapore in 1989, and the NZAOD was disbanded.
Dress Distinctions.
NZ Army personnel posted to NZAOD wore the following dress distinctions:
DOAZN Club.
Established during Major Cross's tenure as officer commanding, the DOAZN Club was established in vacant area of the NZAOD warehouse as the focal point for all NZAOD social activities. the Club not only catered for the military staff but also for the LEC members of NZAOD Over the years the club hosted RNZAOC Corps day, Christmas and Waitangi day functions, hosted regular and impromptu happy hours and as the NZAOD was a multi ethnic workplace many function to celebrate all of the local holidays and festivals.
Billy Beck Club.
Unlike other RNZAOC units a Henry Tucker Club did not exist, as NZAOD was over the water and there was no real affiliation with the first colonial Storekeeper. As Billy Beck was the first New Zealand Ordnance soldier to set foot on a foreign land operationally, his name was chosen for the Club for all RNZAOC military members posted to Singapore.