Verden - 1 ADSR and 1Div HQ

Just found this site. My family and I were the very last to leave the camp in Feb 94 after living there for 5 years. Looking at the photos brought back happy memories. Sadly I never thought of taking any.

Me to never took any pics, but some fond memories but really glad to geta away after the options for change got into full swing...........bloody politicians should stay out the military business.....

The Royal Arillery Marksmanship Training Team (RAMTT) moved from 24 Msl Regt in Paderborn to Verden under the leadership of Major Arthur Harvey, RA (former BK of HQ Bty). The team were all Smallbore enthusiasts (.22 LR firing was an in-barracks past time before BFBS TV reached Germany!)

Apart from teaching young gunners to be rifle shooters, and improving the capability of RA biathlon teams, they also entered competitions and won prizes in an infantry dominated world. Other names that come to mind are Sgt Ron Sadler, and Bdr Ricketts (deceased).

The lasting legacy of the RAMTT was the construction and operation of Smallbore Ranges indoors in attics and cellars, one or two pipe ranges, some air rifle ranges in the KAPE team Bedfords, outdoor biathlon ranges. All to the consternation in later years of a Team of two (2) SASC officers who were the BAOR Ranges Advisers - working out of Range Control Sennelager - whose working life was heightened finding and condemning "Arthur Harvey Ranges" that failed to meet the contraints of Infantry Trg Pamphlets, and /or RE Sect drawings.

Pborn3

Seem to recall in the 1950s most units had an indoor smallbore range, often constructed by self help.

In addition to the activities you describe, a number of "crack shots" emerged from the Wives' Clubs' who booked the range from time to time with the unit RD staff as their Coach/Instructors

Agreed JPW   -  these were the energy outlets before TV arrived,

Maj Harvey became established in mid 1970  in Verden,  the team were also the suppliers on Anschutz target rifles for the skiers, and individuals -  though I felt the enfield '38 pattern jungle rifle with small bore conversion was more accurate and a better tighter grip,  believe most of those were swallowed up by the Infantry and Armrs REME.

I seem to remember Arthur Harvey won a Schützenfest competition in Paderborn area in the early 1970s and was possibly one of the first recipients of a Wilkinson Sword award!  -  bound to be some one out there who knows.