Name of Barracks in Varrel, Germany in 1940s

I've noticed that many of the barracks were given British names, and wonder if anyone can advise me if the barracks at Varrel were so named? If so, what?

Looking at my research notes there are no barracks (kaserne) recorded in Varrel, Landkreis Diepholz, believe your Uncle's unit would have been in requisitioned civilian accommodation as was most of the British Army then, in most cases then barracks were used for prisoners and displaced persons.

Thank you.

Brewins Girl

As you may know Steve and I are currently searching our data base looking for clues as to the precise location of your uncle's unit in early autumn 1945

I agree with Steve that it was rare for a REME unit based in the rear areas to be allocated space in a former Wehrmacht or Luftwaffe barracks. Attitudes seem to be that REME units had a lower priority than the "Teeth Arms" and they were more than capable of making themselves comfortable in the relatively dry summer months using a combination of their own resources and latent internal cunning. I am currently investigating whether the unit were based in a former Wehrmacht ammunition factory and storage depot (MUNA) for a time.

Again I agree with Steve regarding the official policy on British Barrack names but I have seen instances in individual war diaries where both British and Canadian units in the Diepholz area did use unofficial local names for their accommodation (possibly due to difficulty in deciphering/spelling German place names). I will have a look on your behalf when I next visit Kew (but this is unlikely to be before the New Year).

Brewins Girl

The grid reference for the 674 Infantry Troops Recovery Unit REME, as at the 18 Nov 45 as in the middle of a field! I have checked with an online conversion website and a 1945 map and confident that have found the location, very slightly to the west of the grid reference, will send you a PM with the address as this a public forum, in case you wish to research further

Best of luck with your research

I'm sorry JPW but I missed your reply(where you mention the munitions factory etc)

I intend going to Kew at the beginning of December - could you guide me as to where I might find the information you said you'd look for when you go in the New Year?

I have another question - the day before he left Varrel, at the end of March 1946, he wrote that had had been "out all day to the NASAFI getting supplies for the unit". Would you know where the NAAFI would have been located.

I do appreciate the help you have both given me

Good evening

Sure JPW will not mind me “jumping in” having the War Dairies/Historical Records for the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division and pretty sure the NAAFI store you mentioned was in Verden-Aller (202 Bulk Issue Store RASC)

On re-checking records for your uncle’s unit, it is recorded that they moved from Varrel to Hemsloh by 1 Mar 46, back to the original location 5 Sep 45, sorry only have a grid square so unable to pin down to an exact location

“History is a mystery and only as good as those who wrote it down”

The move from Varrel to Hemsloh "by 1 March" doesn't actually tally with my Uncle's letters. Apart from 3 days at the Leave Camp in Bad Harzburg he was in Varrel continually between November 1945 until his departure to be demobbed on March 27 1946. He was still writing 674 Inf Tps Rec Unit REME up until his last letter dated 26 March

Will go with your Uncle and hope you can piece things together

Brewins Girl

Sadly family commitments/eye problem will prevent me joining you for a combined assault oh the National Archives this month.

Will pm you privately with my current Kew shopping list