Richmond Barracks - Update

Some of the information published on baor-locations is not quite correct.

Correction to Units - Barrack Services RAOC, not Accommodation Stores Depot, were in occupation; they were re-titled Accommodation Services RAOC in 1977; re-named later ASU 6 Ord Bn RAOC. They subsequently moved to Reeth Barracks as ASU 4 Ord Bn RAOC.

The Sgts Mess was located on Leibnitz Strasse (not Lessin Strasse) - which allowed it to be entered either from the Barracks or from the Street (as it was fenced off with entrance gates from both sides). When it was formally returned to the Federal Authorities, the Town Authorities (Stadt) took possession (with a pair of bolt-cutters). A Court Battle ensued to determine whether Town Authorities or State Authorities were the Legal Custodians - the Town won! They then housed the Needy and Immigrants in there. Ironically we had just modernised the Mess shortly before handback but the Town ripped out all the perfectly good fitted bedroom furnishings!

I started there in 1973 and, at that time, was able to reach all the Cellars - on handback (at which I was present) , only the 1st Cellar could be reached; the rest being flooded. The 2nd Sub-Cellar (when I first entered) was empty apart from one large room full of old Wehrmacht Fire Equipment. The Cellars were a 'rabbit-warren' at that time and I used it as a Initiation for new staff working for me - I would give them a guided tour of the barracks and then (whilst in the Cellars) disappear and time how long it would take them to re-appear in the office!

Interestingly, when I emptied the Cellars for Handback there were quite a few rooms which had been 'kitted out' with bed/TVs etc where civilian employees had created a nice 'place of escape'. These rooms had always been locked and therefore hadn't been checked on our regular Boards of Officers as it was assumed they were unused!

I was stationed at richmond bks RAOC from 74/78,DMED were above my room and a noisy lot with their electric battery kit. i am still here just outside of bielefeld.