Osnabruck Garrison closing Down.

It looks like all units will be out of Osnabruck by december 2008.
Here is a link to a letter to parents in Osnabruck giving details of school closing down dates and contains info. when and where units are moving. Most are going to UK with the exception of The QDG, who were due to go to Sennelager in "Late 2007"

http://www.scemarlboroughfirst.ik.org/attachments/Schools%20closure%20letter%20to%20parents_2.doc

Shame that it's all closing down. When you see what's left in Germany (posting wise) in comparison with the amount of locations listed on this site, it's sort of sad that all good things have to come to an end. I would imagine that we'll be out completely in the next 10 - 15 years. Some of the younger serving lads who are out doing the fighting would have loved what was the old BAOR. I did, every bloody minute of it. I wasn't too keen on Oznatraz,but it had its moments.

What are the germans doing with all the old MQ's I wonder. I mean it's not just Osnabruck that's closing is it?

My mum and dad had a lovely MQ in Kleine Moscow

its a shame how politicians soon forget how much the country NEEDS to keep barracks alive and garrison towns!!
they may rue the day they closed them all..

i had a great time in quebec barracks in 212 sig sqn. and remember the days with fondness........

My Dad was stationed in Quebec Bks with the Lancashire Fusiliers, late 50's I think Mick

Yes it's sad that Osnabruck is being demilitarised.
I spent a very happy 3 years there, 1962 - 65.
I found that the local people were very welcoming and tolerant to the ways of the British Soldier and I made a lot of friends there.
What a different Army we served in with the old BAOR.

Jim, Mick,

Can you put dates to the time you spent in Osnabruck?

Philip has The Lancashire Fusiliers as being in Quebec Barracks 1960 to 1964.

Paul.

Checked with my Mum Paul, 60 - 64 sounds about right she says, not late '50's as I thought

Such a shame Osnabrucks closing down, I've spent 4 1/2 years here and don't want to leave, my kids go to school at Marlborough School which is fantastic.

It'll be a very sad day when the camps are empty and handed back to the Germans.

Does anyone know when it finally closes and if there will be a marching out parade?

My father was stationed at Roberts Barracks 1974-77.

What a sad event, after all these years. I spent from about May 1962 to I think Sept 1966 with 1Bn Royal Fusiliers in Belfast Bks, Sedan Str. I got married and lived in a MQ at Gerhart-Hauptmann-Hof. I bought my first car, a Renault R8 Major from the garage on the corner of Sedan Str and Natruper Str. I think back to those days with fond memory's.

Mike

I think all the units will have moved out by Xmas (we'll have moved out of Roberts Barracks by November) but there will be the envitable few that will remain to hand the camps over to the Germans. I over heard a conversation the other day, apparently it'll take a couple of years for all the legalities to be sorted before the camps are fully handed back, but I don't know how accurate that is.

recymech,
Question: Did you play any part in the parade that took place recently - I understand it was a farewell to us Brits from the Germans...
My (German) mother-in-law (God! What a combination - yes, I know) went, and she told me there were many tears as they played "Time to say goodbye". Knowing ze Germans they will not have been nostaligic tears - rather tears of sorrow as the city's economy will suffer
I'd be interested to hear how it went from a squaddies point of view. I would have gone myself, but alas I was in Ludgershall training for Afghan (!!!! - work that one out).
'ta,
Archie

I lived in Osnabruck from 60-71 and have some wonderful memories. Father was with RASC(RCT), Scarborough Bks. Met and married my ex hubby he was 1st Royal Scots. Went to Windsor Girls in Hamm (1965-1968)Worked as Regtl Typist for various units 9/12RL, 1RTR,(Imphal) Engr Regt (Roberts). My name is Jean Cavanagh (nee Cooke). My father Cpl Jack Cooke (Sgt on leaving)did a lot of social work in Osnabruck in the early 60s. He was a Bingo Caller, and run a lot of social evenings,Teenage Dances on Monday Nights which i used to go to. Whist Drives etc.I have a sis Linda. We lived in 15 Kastanienstrasse Dodesheide, and i attended the little school there. Then on to Lancaster in Blumenhalleweg. I loved Osnabruck and was sad to leave on posting to Tidworth.Still here now.Remmarried to Terry, who sadly passed in Jan this year he was 4/7 RDG, 4 children and 4 granddchildren. Would love to hear from anyone who remembers any of me or mine. Only found this site this morning as I couldnt sleep.

Welcome to the Forum Jean.

We hope you enjoy your visits here, and come back many times.

I take it you have looked at the main site, especially the locations pages. Anything you could add will be most welcome.

Paul.

Take a look at this site:-

http://www2.army.mod.uk/osnabruck_garrison/community_information/key_drawdown_dates.htm

It gives a final handover as March 2009.

Paul.

I regret haveing just returned from a reunion trip to the TRaz that most of it is now left to rot ,the MRS is fenced off unsafe, my old unit 2ADFA is over grown with weeds some of the blocks are waiting to be knocked down as unsafe.
The only place standing and still going strong is Jim Blakes sneli in Dodesheide where I had my Quarter for 8 years, happy days then but not now.
The garrison is officaly closed now but some units still in place for the hand over of Barracks.

Brian R exRAMC

This is indeed sad news. It has to be said the Traz wasn't my fave posting (I was att to 23 Engr Regt Quebec Bks 89 - 92) but I never thought I'd see the day the garrison was closed. I remember in the early 1990's when Tom King the Tory defence secretary announced "Options for Change" (what a cock up that was, but thats another thread) the locals were concerened about the garrison being reduced in size, top brass went out of their way to reasure the stadt that garrison Traz was safe and there to stay!

First time I ever went to the Traz was in the early 1980's, me & a mate drove down from Soltau to see our kid who was stationed at 12 Armd Wksp. Quebec Bks was the first camp we came across so I approached the guardroom and asked for directions to 12 Armd Wksp. It was a Scottish Regt in residence (KOSB if memory serves) anyhow, I couldn't understand a bloody word they said! The Provo Sgt was the sort of chap who looked (and sounded) like he ate babies, he was pointing out the route I should take on a large map on the wall while grunting in some jockenese dialect. I got back in the car and my mate said right where too? I said ***k knows, just drive!

We eventually found the right camp, our kid had previously told me to ask for directions at the Duke of Edinburgh's guard room, which I did. I walked in and asked the Provo Sgt if this was the Derrs camp! I wondered why he looked at me as if he was about to run me through with a bayonet! Outside the guard room my mate hissed at me that you dont ask the Provo Sgt of the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment if he's a bloody Derr!

It wasn't a good day as far as Provo Sgts go, but I did eventually find our kid

So sorry to hear about the closure of the garrison. I served in mercer barracks from 1965 to 1968. First with the Queens own Highlanders and then with .1 Royal Scots. I was with the REME LAD which stayed in the camp regardless of which infantry regiments came and went. I had a great time while there and wondered if anyone remembers the Schloss garten where they used to hold tea time dances on Sundays for the teenagers. Great times were had and where I met my German girlfriend. We also used to frequent a place called the Milk Bar, which didnt serve milk! I watched the 1966 world cup there. I also remember a pub in Dodeshiede ,opposite the cinema ,run by a really nice German guy whos name escapes me but he was football mad and managed Tus Haste who were a local team then. He did a fantastic vanishing act during the world cup in 66, even fooling his wife. I suppose Osnabruck is where I grew up as I was only 18 at the time and fresh from Army Apprentice collage at Carlisle (intake 62B). I also served in Hemer/ Menden. I am still very fond of Germany and spend a fair amount of time there with work.
The one thing that is different now is the exchange rate. Yes I know it is now euros but when I went to Osnabruck we were getting 11DM to the pound!!!!! Hope you find this interesting and if I can help in any way please get in touch.
Yours

Steve Dawson ex REME

i served in 122 Tipper Coy RASC which then changed 15 Sqn RCT in Scarbourough Barracks 1964-9. had a great time and asked for an extension to my posting which was granted, hence the 5 years. i would love to hear from anyone who served or lived there during these dates. i note that a Jean Cavanagh said that her dad, and she, was there during this period but i don't know how to contact her can anyone hepl?[img]

alanwilton wrote:

i served in 122 Tipper Coy RASC which then changed 15 Sqn RCT in Scarbourough Barracks 1964-9. had a great time and asked for an extension to my posting which was granted, hence the 5 years. i would love to hear from anyone who served or lived there during these dates. i note that a Jean Cavanagh said that her dad, and she, was there during this period but i don't know how to contact her can anyone hepl?[img]

Alan,

Welcome to the Forum, I hope you enjoy your visits to it. any information or photographs you may have will be most welcome

I will send you a PM as to trying to contact Jean.

Paul.

Hi all,

Just found this site, great place by the way. Yes it was a shame Osnabruck Garrison closing, but im proud to say i was one of the last out of Roberts Bks as it was handed over on the 18th Dec 2008. Now back in the Uk........

Rag & Oil wrote:

Hi all,

Just found this site, great place by the way. Yes it was a shame Osnabruck Garrison closing, but im proud to say i was one of the last out of Roberts Bks as it was handed over on the 18th Dec 2008. Now back in the Uk........

I have just sent you a PM.

Paul.

OOh another Rag & oil, Hi.

Shame about Osnabruck, I have many happy memories of the place from when I was a Kid.

Rag & Oil wrote:

Hi all,

Just found this site, great place by the way. Yes it was a shame Osnabruck Garrison closing, but im proud to say i was one of the last out of Roberts Bks as it was handed over on the 18th Dec 2008. Now back in the Uk........

Rag & Oil,

Your comment is now on the Roberts Barracks page on the main site.

Paul.