612 MSO and then 16 Tank Tptr Sqn RCT, Fallingbostel Germany

Hi All, I just joined (after 38 years !!).

And I noticed there does not seem to be any reference to the above Squadron.

I joined it in 72 when it was still MSO. (Mixed Service Organisation to those who don't know). I was one of the first ten brit squaddies to be posted in and we lived the 'Polish' life until early 1973 when it was officially turned into 16 Tank Transporter Squadron RCT. I stayed (on and off) until 1975 when I moved back to UK - 19 Tank Transporter Sqdn in Wiltshire.

Came out at end 1976.

My name then was Davie Hargreaves. Since then I have gone back to my (Scottish) roots so hence the name Davaidh and my (deceased) fathers name - Beal. (He came from Weymouth) Mum was a Scot, I was born there.

I was known as 'Jim' Hargreaves after the Industrial Revolution Spinning Jenny Inventor.

So my obvious question is: Anyone out there remember me? Or the Squadron, or the MSO guys or ????? Or the ghost at the Barracks? Or the ranges and roads through to Hohne, etc etc If so contact me............

If not, well I guess I dreamed it all. Cheers Davie Beal.

I was REME attached to 16 Tk Tptr Sqn in approx 79/80 in Fallingbostel. There were still a lot of the old Polish drivers still there then. It was a lucky posting for me as I was promoted to Sgt and posted to HQ REME 3rd Armd Div from 16.

Hi Eric,

Nice to meet you, although I guess we never did then. I had a whale of time in 612/16. As I said when I got there there was no Brit hierachy or BS. A Corporal in stores, who later died. And a corporal and us (10).

I played on motorcycles all the time - B40's and an old Speed Twin Triumph. I did all the out riding (donR 'ing I think we called it) when we went on convoy with the MSO guys (Mojo's we called them) I still have a souvenir badge of their's.

When 16 Tank started officially it was still pretty good, although I had to get a bit more serious of course and it gave me my HGV 1. (Just drive out of the REME onto the tank road up to the first turn and back - YEP you passed !) Hey good days.

Spent some time in 7 Reg in Sennerlager as well. Then back to 16 and then to UK, to 19 Tank at Bulford. (It became 414). In between all that going to other climes as on my first email.

So there you go, now I am in Tanzania digging for gold ! Changed days.

Times have changed for all of us my friend, I left in 84 and started my own business but after 12 years of the military (gypsy) style life I longed to travel and thus I did for years. Now in China with a Chinese wife and have been here since 94.

One of our young Craftsmen took an escort bike out onto the range road for a road test, Wksp OC got a call saying there had been an accident and the lad had broken a leg, so he sent me out there to take a look.

This was going to be the start of a really bad day for me, when I got there I found he had hit a Dutch DAF head on and he was certainly dead. Poor lad had a young wife and a newborn child.

Aye we can all tell stories similar to that one. But for the grace of God....and all that.

I have a Tanzanian wife, I have been here for 8 years. Actually not so much digging for gold but I am a technical man for Lubrication and Filtration Systems and we supply the mines, and other industry.

I have never been to China...yet. Still time though! I hope.

I had no idea there was such a wealth of interest ( on the net) in all things BAOR and specifically Fallingbostel. It is quite enlightening. And somehow gives a warm glow. Or not I suppose, depends on how your service went, I suppose. Mine was OK to good really and it did give me a good grounding for the rest of life. I look back with rosy specs I guess.

Davaid

Welcome, I think you are the First Contributor to be based in East Africa

Any memories of your time in BAOR will always be welcome

Hi,

Thanks for the welcome. I will maybe do that.

Cheers.