Born in Rinteln in October 1971 - Dad was in REME

Just thought I would post a topic on the off chance that anyone recalls my dad, he was stationed in Rinteln and I was born in the military hospital in 1971.

My fathers name is William Lonsdale.

If it helps, my mother worked in the Nafe (I think that's what it's called) She is called Sylvia Frances Hayes (although most know her as Fran).

I hope to hear from you soon :-)

Sorry mate,after my time,but you never know your luck..Welcome to the site

Thanks for the welcome, I guess it may take some time but it's worth a shot!

What unit was your dad in and what Regiment or Corps?

silky

I'm not sure, all I know is that he was in the REME based in Rinteln, I do have quite a few photos. How would I find out the Regiment or corps?

Will

His regiment was REME = Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, If he was stationed at the BMH then the odds are that his trade was Hospital Technician, which means a lot of people would not see him has he would be in his department working on broken machines and as he was married he probably didn’t associate with the other staff in the NAAFI If he play sports then some of the lads may know him from the games they played.

Silky

Sorry Silky, I have misinformed you.

Apparently I was born in Rinteln (which was approx 50 miles away from his base), his responsibility was working on tanks and other large vehicles. I need to word my comments more carefully in future. I have a few pics but can't get them upload to here?!

Also Silky as a separate point, my mum worked in the NAAFI (Didn't know its spelling). I do have a lot more pics but have uploaded a few that may give pointers.

Will

Will
Looking at the pictures you have posted of your father they all involve Recovery Vehicles, from that I believe your father was a Recovery Mechanic. Also the background buildings leed me to think that the location was Westminster Barracks, Minden, and his unit at that time would have been 11 Field Workshop REME.

Bob

Will

I agree with Bob G the majority of photos were taken in Westminster Barracks Minden., where I spent a number of years in the mid/late 60s. Unfortunately I was posted away in late Summer 1969 so don't recall your father's name.

Westminster Barracks was an enclave in a larger military complex in the centre of Minden originally built for a Horse Artillery Regiment in the late 1800s. The Workshop had its own dedicated access of the Vlothe Strasse. SSO Minden, a MSO/MCTG Transport unit and possibley a BFES Primary School occupied the main complex

Looking at the actual photos
1, The main Workshop Office Block is in the background of the photo of your father sitting astride the Scammel.

2. At some stage your father must have been the Driver of an ARV. Standing next to him in the black and white photo I am pretty certain is Sgt Mick Daly, the Senior Recovery Mechanic and his crew Commander.

3 The next photo shows a Leyland parked outside an original Stable Block which had beeen adapted for use as the Recovery Section Garages by knocking out original doors and then widening and raising the gap so that an ARV or similar could be parked inside. Across the far wall the horse troughs and hay containers used by the original ocupants were still in place. The dividing wire fence can be seen in the middle distance

Finally was amused to see the "Tankie style "of wearing a beret affected by many Recovery Mechanics with the capbadge over the nose and the spare material pulled down equally on either side. When challenged the response was invariably "but Sir its the only way I can hear a message when wearing the radio headsets".

Thank you for your insights, reading what you have written gives the photo's so much more meaning. I love them obviously but knowing a little of the history of the events and places is really good.

It has just occurred to me that my Grandfather on my mothers side would have been based there also (my mother was there with him and the rest of her family). I don;t know what he did except that it was an administration job of sorts (I think) his name was Frank Hayes

I have attached a picture of them both below:



Just wanted to say thank you again for all the info you have given me so far.