Hi all,
I have just registered after watching this site for a couple of months.

A good history of BAOR is needed, and now before some old soldiers fade away.

I served 1951-1952 with 40 Field Sqn, Royal Engineers, 37 AER at Roberts Barracks, Osnabruck; and cant seem to locate anyone from my time there.
We had a great time, with many great memories: trips to Hamburg, Hannover, Sennalager, Hameln, and six weeks in Belgium in 1952. BAOR was certainly the best posting then; especially food and barracks, not sure about the beer!
Central heating in 1951, no one had that in England then.

What amazes me is so few on this site, bearing mind that during the National Service period there must have been close to 1000 arriving in BAOR every day; where are they all now and how can they be contacted to pass on memories?

Last year I wrote an article for some railway friends regarding BAOR Trains, aimed at locomotives and carriages; in fact it was even difficult to find details of one type which I photographed in Osnabruck.

Regards
Tony [living in Sydney, Australia]

Hi Tony, welcome to the site mate.

"I served 1951-1952 with 40 Field Sqn, Royal Engineers, 37 AER at Roberts Barracks, Osnabruck; and cant seem to locate anyone from my time there."

I was an Army "Brat" in Osnabruck and used to hang around the swimming pool and stables in Roberts BKS during the summer holidays.

Talking about Military trains, there was a thread posted about that recently. I'd be interested in your article as there are many "Train Spotters" on the RAOC Board who'd love to read it.

I found the post Tony,

Here it is:

CLICKY

Thanks Jim,

My article was only the leave Blue, Red and Green trains.
That last post I had never heard of that type of wagon used by Army, although I do remember seeing a few wagons with those sentry boxes, they had been introduced by the German Army to guard trains, what a terrible job, freezing in winter, and hot and smokey in summer.

Strangely, in Roberts Barracks we only went to the areas we had to. Not being a truck driver, I only a couple of times went to the MT yard; half of the barracks belonged to 38 AER so you never went there, except I think if you reported sick the MO was down the far end of 38 AER front blocks?
I dont reember the swimming pool either.
I dont remember seeing Army 'brats' either.
Also looking on line at the map, there is an extensive railway yard and stores area at the back of the site, I dont remember going there.

My article is on an MS word file, which includes a few photos; anyone interested I can send.
Email me at ware@bigpond.com.au for a copy.

I well remember Sennelager, but cant remember where we stayed, only it was a lot of fun, and after a week you could handle a 303 better than John Wayne!!!

More memories are required from all who served there; but I guess a lot of National Service blokes were not happy doing time, and could not get out quick enough Roll on Demob; so have pushed those days out of thier minds. A real pity.

National Service did us all a lot of good when you think about it, should still be on and would cut a lot of crime we have today. Military Law was a lot tougher than Civil Street of today.

Cheers
Tony

Tony, do you happen to know who provided the boarding school trains. I remember that at the begining and end of every term at Hamm, Wilhelmshaven and Plon (should be an umlaut there)
we were all put on trains to the various military garrisons.

Take a look at the "In Theatre Schooling" page on the main site, there may be something in the links there.

Paul.

During the 1970's from Osnabrück to Hamm at the beginning and end of term, we always travelled on Bundes-bahn.

Thanks Paul, I'll check that out

Windsor boy? I take it you got your nic from your school then

Hi Jim,

Yes I went to WBS in Hamm 1974-77.

When were you in Osnabrück and which school did you attend?

Cheers

Mick

Mick,

I was in Osnabruck in the early to mid '60's and I went to Prince Rupert's in Wilhelmshaven.

Tony, I posted you article and gor great responses, see:

http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/raoc/vpost?id=2856535

I can clearly remember joining a troop train at Woking in April 1953 (I've no idea where it started out from), which had just come from Pirbright.

I think that it was a double header (two locos) and was so long it had to stop a few time for squaddies to get on with all their kit.

It left about 1400 and went non-stop skirting London, eventually arriving at Parkeston during the evening.

The "Vienna" troopship had already sailed fully loaded, so we (literally hundreds from mixed units), had to bunk down for the night to wait for the Saturday night sailing to the Hook.

Arriving at the Hook at 0730 next morning (Sunday). We had breakie, and then boarded one of two 'troopers' headed for Germany.

These were very comfortable, and the tucker was A1 in the Restaurant Waggon. No complaints here!

Our train was headed for Berlin and I, together with about 100 others, got off at Osnabrück about 1300 and were trucked on to Bad Oyenhausen to await posting next day (Monday).

Many of us from that era have passed on now, and so are the memories. A shame really, which is why everyone should mention them while they still can!

Hi Redcap,

I have heard of a number of trains to Parkeston from places other than Liverpool Street. Some coming from up north such as Manchester.
Generally this occured when a complete unit was moved the BAOR.
If I remember Pirbright was the MP's training base, would not been a trainload from Pirbright. The train would have taken an interesting route.
So many military bases within 20 miles of Aldershot in those days, the train could have started at any of a number of stations.
Guessing travelled perhaps via Kensington and around North London to Stratford to join the line to Parkeston. Would have taken a few hours, maybe that was why you missed the boat.

Yes many must now have passed on, it is now 55 years, how time flys. However, much has remeained in my memory, I guess because it was a great experience. Free travel is always worth having.
Thanks for your comments.
Regards,
Tony

Hi Tony,

The RMP Depot then was in Woking. Pirbright was the Guards Depot. Various units had also boarded our train in Aldershot I believe! The Vienna had sailed because it was packed full of personnel which had arrived earlier that day I guess!

You are right-where did the last 50 odd years go to?

Cheers,

Ian.

Somewhere on these pages was a reference to Bad Salzuflen and whether any badges were based there?

I have just learned that in 1952 only RMP were based there.

Their HQ was in Park Straße, and the NCO's were billeted in the Park Hotel in Herford Straße. This hotel had been requisitioned by MOD.