GBZ, Yes, let's just say that OC Supply was anti-aircrew.
Shy,
I wonder if it was the same OC Supply who was asked to write-off a wrist watch that suffered "fire & smoke" damage when the wearer left it his locker in the sqn's flying clothing section whilst he went on leave. Come on guys, who would leave their watch in their locker whilst they went on leave?
The same OC Supply was asked to write-off some NVG goggles "irretrieveably lost over-board" off one of Grey Funnel Lines flat-tops...only for them to turn up in a second-hand shop in Scotland. Perhaps that gave him a reason to treat such write-off requests with some caution.
Going back to the one you lost on a trial, it's instances like that which give stackers a bad name. Common sense should have prevailed and it should have been struck-off as being "lost during the period of aircraft operation " as defined in the AP 320..(?) and a free replacement issued. Whoever dealt with it supply-wise didn't know their job!