York Barracks, Munster?

Hi folks - my first post.

My Dad was in the 23rd Hussars during WW2. They were disbanded at Leicester Barracks, Husum in early '46. Dad then transferred to 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards (the Skins). I have some of his photos taken 'somewhere in Germany' and was wondering if anyone recognises the location. He thinks it's Munster. Thanks in advance. Grimmy

Dad messing around - Comet Tanks in background:


Dad and Comet Tank of 23rd Hussars:

Hi there,
I did 12 years in York Bks from 1988-2000, I cannot confirm either way from these pictures.
atb
Pinky
HUSSAR

Thanks Pinky, I realise there's not much to go on!

Here's a slightly better view of the background - one of Dad's mates on the same Matchless:

Those garages look about ready to fall down.

I wonder if they survived much beyond the 40s ?

Here's a modern pic of Munster. There is certainly a similarity with the windows above the doors, but of course that may be a standard design.

grimmy

Welcome

Steve and I , with the considerable assistance of other members of this site, are attempting to construct a detailed list of units and their locations comprising the British Army of the Rhine in the 1945-1948 period

I was therefore very interested in your father's query and the associated photographs

According to the information I have seen (11 Armoured Division War Diaries) The 23 Hussars were disbanded in Husum in December 1945/January 1946 and were replaced by the Royal Scots Greys. At the time the Skins were relatively close by in the village of Bensdorf near Rendsburg but moved to Munster in July 46 and on to Paderborn the following year.

One pre war German Tank Park/Garages looks pretty similar to the next but I agree that the photos were probably taken in Munster (I have not yet identified any Barracks in Bensdorf- Kleiner Jimmy/Heinz who lives in the Rendsburg area and drops in on this site may be able to confirm this in due course)

Your father might be amused to know that the Skins were back in York Barracks Munster 25 years later in the early 70s this time equipted with Chieftain tanks.

One query for you it was my understanding that the Husum Barracks was not named Leicester till Spring 1946 with the arrival of the 153 (Leicestershire Yeomanry) field Regiment RA. The 23 Hussars geographical link appears to be the Eaast Riding of Yorkshire. Am I wrong?

HI THERE,
The latest picture show the QRIH in York bks Munster before 1988, that tankpark was RHQ's or/and Command troops hangers.
The sabre squadrons tank park hangers were much newer and did not have attics like those dipicted in the above pictures.
I therefore believe the older pictures are in York bks.
atb
pinky
HUSSAR

Sure looks like Gremmendorf Kaserne (York Barracks) to me. I served there from 1952-54 with 4 Sqn 6 Armd Div Signals (20 Armd Bde Sig Sqn).
Armoured unit at the time was 17/21 Lancers.

Len (Ciphers)

grimmy wrote:

Here's a modern pic of Munster. There is certainly a similarity with the windows above the doors, but of course that may be a standard design.

Errr, . . those two on the right. A bit of Mixed Dress creeping in there, I think.
And the figure on the left ? I think he'll regret that photo for a long time to come !

Thanks for your help folks.

JPW wrote:

grimmy
One query for you it was my understanding that the Husum Barracks was not named Leicester till Spring 1946 with the arrival of the 153 (Leicestershire Yeomanry) field Regiment RA. The 23 Hussars geographical link appears to be the Eaast Riding of Yorkshire. Am I wrong?

Quite right - the majority of 23H men were from that neck of the woods and the Roll of Honour (carved in Germany) is kept at Bridlington Priory Church. There is still a reunion there every Remembrance Sunday.

I've never heard Dad refer to Husum as Leicester Barracks (I got the name from an online article), but I'll ask him about that. I think he has a photo of Husum which I will scan as soon as I can.

The Skins were also in Osnabruck for a while - he remembers them guarding a coal dump (in freeeeezing weather!).

I agree with Len. Those tank garages do look like York Barracks. I served there 1962-3 with 6 Inf Bde Signal Sqn (206 Sig Sqn). The Queens Own Hussars vacated the barracks in 1962 and the 4/7th Dragoon guards moved in. Always remember a glass case in the foyer of the 4/7th HQ containing a uniform of one of their former officers - Lt Gen Carton de Wiat VC.

Tank GARAGES Jim ...tsk! tsk! ... STABLES mate STABLES


Len (Ciphers)

heeeeeeoooooowwwww!!

ciphers wrote:

Tank GARAGES Jim ...tsk! tsk! ... STABLES mate STABLES


Len (Ciphers)

To paraphrase Winston;

"Some stables - Some f****** horse !"

Grimmy,

Here's yours truely on my Triumph in Cyprus - 1955

Garages.......Stables ............
Please Gentlemen...........
TANK HANGERS.

I thank you
atb
pinky
HUSSAR

What we would have given for a 'Tank hanger' out in Korea. The 8th Hussars & their Cromwells and later centurions were out in the open.

grimmy

Thanks for your input

In your father's time the barracks in Husum was probably still officially known as Marine Kaserne (Marine Barracks) Did the 23rd Hussars give it their own name which was lost when the Gunners took over?

JPW wrote:

grimmy

Thanks for your input

In your father's time the barracks in Husum was probably still officially known as Marine Kaserne (Marine Barracks) Did the 23rd Hussars give it their own name which was lost when the Gunners took over?

How very dare you!!

JPW wrote:

In your father's time the barracks in Husum was probably still officially known as Marine Kaserne (Marine Barracks) Did the 23rd Hussars give it their own name which was lost when the Gunners took over?

I'll find out this weekend when I see him. His memories of the latter period of the war are much vaguer than when he was in Normandy (not surprising I suppose, given what 23H went through).

pinky wrote:

Garages.......Stables ............
Please Gentlemen...........
TANK HANGERS.

I thank you
atb
pinky
HUSSAR

Oh dear, these Donkeywallopers.

SO pedantic !

If we're being super pedantic then it should be HANGAR not hanger

Stables in the REAL cavalry (17/21 Lancers) Pinky ... now our LAD's had hangers (well they were all males after all) ..

Len (Ciphers)

Good, a fight between the Cavalry. That takes the heat off us Siggys Les and Len !!

Boneheads........good regt.
If you aint CAV you aint !!
JEALOUSY
love it.
atb
pinky
HUSSAR