I've posted similar comments elsewhere on the site, but this seemed like a logical place as well.

The Canadian troops were garrisoned in NRW from approximately 1953-54 to 1971. Around 1955 or so, families started being allowed to come over as well.

The Canadians were part of the NATO commitment, of course, but I am not totally certain of the link our Brigade Area (Hemer-Iserlohn-Deilinghofen, Werl, Unna, and Soest-Bad Sassendorf (and maybe Paderborn?) had with BAOR.

I do recall a fair amount of social connections via the Sally Ann, the Red Patch Club, various Mess doos and, it seems to me, the old Brigadier's Mansion on Am Tyrol in Iserlohn (north hill) while Canadian (and derelict even by 1972) had some sort of connection to BAOR. I know that at one time Princess Margaret stayed there.

As the Canadian government, in their infinite wisdom started moving Canadian troops and families down to the Black Forest Region (Lahr, Baden-Baden, and Baden-Soellingen), my father was one of three Canadian personnel (he was Ordance Corp) who remained behind to complete the Close-out and transfer holdings to BAOR. At that time we lived in Iserlohn, also on Am Tyrol, just down below the old Brigadier's Mansion, and I spent considerable time hanging out with the Irish Ranger kids in Hemer at the youth club and various gasthofs in the area. I was the only Canadian dependent still "Up North" in the old Brigade Area.

As I was about to enter what in the Canadian school system would have been Grade 11, it was a challenge as to where I would attend school. My parents, nor I, really didn't want to board me out down in Lahr and an approach was made to Cornwall Comprehensive in Dortmund which agreed to allow me to enroll in the 6th Form (part way through the school year,however. Canadian school start the year in September. Such is apparently not the case with British schools).

My Dad was attached during this year to BAOR and was stationed out of Wetter.

I spent 4 years attached to 1 SSM Bty RCA in Fort Prince of Wales 64-69. Been back a few times. Fort P of W is now an industrial park as is Fort McLeod. Fort Qu'Appelle has been demolished except the Gym for housing. There's still one Canadian living in Deilinghofen who has been there since 66. All though I understand there are some more around the area . Most of the stores and gasthofs are gone now in Deilinghofen. The Royal Canadian Artillery plaque that was mounted on the stone wall in front of the Church in Deilinghofen has been moved down to the old site of the power house near the road with a memorial site to the Hockey history of Canadians/Germans. Was back last summer, they still miss the Canadians. The only thing that bugged me, was the naming of the street leading into Fort P of W's , " England Strasse". Some how doesn't seem right as the Canadians were the original troops there.

England Strasse??? Harumph!! LOL

Have just looked up Fort Victoria Werl and can help to update with the Royal Canadian Engineers units
58 Independent Field Squadron RCE arrived Hameln 1951 which barracks?
2 Field Squadron RCE arrived 1953 moved to the newly built Fort Victoria Werl
1 Field Squadron RCE arrived 1955
4 Field Squadron RCE arrived Oct 57
Sources
History of the Corps of Royal Engineers
History of 2 Division Engineers as appear to be under their command until 1958

58th Independent Field Squadron, R.C.E.
25, The squadron arrived in Germany 22 Nov 51 and
was quartered in Hameln with 26 Field Engineer Re^imono, R.E,
Here, on the Weser River, good facilities for engineer training
existed, including a wet-bridging area. The unit embarked on
intensive training which continued until the time for rotation
came in 1953*

Steve if they were quartered with 26 Field Engineer R.E. maybe find out where their barracks were.

Have look at the below site.


http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/his/rep-rap/doc/ahqr-rqga/AHQ_89.pdf

Thanks for the update 26 Fd Engr Regt was formed Nov 50 and Hameln was full with 23 and 21 Regts so 21 moved to Neinburg just need to know if Bindon or Gordon Barracks...26 Engr Regt reformed Apr 69 at Paderborn and moved to Iserlohn in Nov 70 when the Canadians moved out of Fort Beausejour renamed Corruna Barracks where I served 77-79

Am I right in thinking that there was a Canadian prison in or around Soest? Went there for some kind of weeks break with the troop and I am sure part of this old prison had been turned into a bar by the local brigade. Either 6 or 7 armoured bde?

I'm sure I never imagined it but I'm afraid I was very very drunk. Let's be honest I was often very drunk.

Not cooperating? Would that be the same as refusing to soldier?

Had one lad who did that because he suddenly got religion. Very likeable bloke and he got put away for a few weeks. Came back a changed man and carried on soldiering.

In one of the other threads...Korbecke, I believe, or perhaps one under "Moehnesee" there was mention a year or so ago of a "Canadian prison" located there.

As a teen, I had my fair share of run-ins with MPs (and I'm not talking Members of Parliament LOL...that came much later!), most notably the unfortunately named Cpl. Christmas. I also remember a friend and I leading some Belgique Red Caps on a merry little chase through the winding streets and lanes of the old city in Soest on our mopeds. We knew the city inside and out, they didn't, plus being on a 50cc and 49cc moped respectively we were able to zip down some very narrow "gasse" the Red Caps' jeep couldn't and by doing so, come out the other end some 3 blocks from where they were. Good fun.

However, we NEVER ended up in jail and really I had no idea such establishments existed, although looking back I suppose I was somewhat aware of on-base detention/stockade.

3 Base Ammunition & Petroleum Depot (3 BAPD) at Bracht on the Dutch Border near Venlo had a RCAOC Ammunition Sub-Depot which was outloaded to a new Canadian Depot [cannot remember the location] by end of 1972. The Canock detachment lived in block 4 of Walthem Barracks and ate with the RAOC lads. I think only the officers lived out? as it was not a 'posting'

I helped in-load NATO sponsored artillary ammunition [155mm, 175mm & 8" (203mm) HE Shells] into a collection of MESH's in 1975 which still had Maple Leafs stencilled on the door frames. Some of the 155mm shells still had American 'Hands Across The Ocean' stickers on them from the early 1950's

Other sheds were still full of WWII 25Pdr and 5.5" Howitzer Shells!