Gordon Barracks

John/Ciphers

Have created a new thread for Gordon Barracks Hameln

Gordon Barracks is known by many sappers and infantry soldiers who were trained as assault pioneers, I was attached there at the Combat Engineer Training Centre back in Jan 76 for my B3 to B2 Combat Engineer (a late starter in the REs), again in Feb 79 for the B1 Combat Engineer (A1 if you were a corporal), due to a lack of BAOR RE personnel and to avoid a long B1/A1 course in the UK, a short “conversion” course was created at Hameln, on my return from this course to Iserlohn was posted straight back as an instructor for 4 months, so know Gordon Barracks and the town of Hameln very well a great posting!

On behalf of John Walker

This is again  going back a good few years ago when a Regimental friend also 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards (although he served long before I, his name being Jack Bellinger.)
In fact Jack fought with The Regiment  in Korea. We were out in Germany visiting the Regiment The Royal Dragoon Guards then stationed at Barker Barracks. Paderborn.
After the week-end Parades etc we had about four days spare so I asked Jack had he ever visited The Monhe Dam.Now although Jack was stationed in Barker Barracks before they went to Korea he had not.
I think in those days and I say this with the greatest respect  the soldiers never had cars or dare I say the money to do these trips etc.
So I offered to drive Jack there and around the area for a few days.
So off to the Famous Monhe Dam and surrounding area.
We arrived quite early on the day.Parked up.Walked along the top of the dam as it had just opened on the day to tourist.
As we get to the far end a dear old German man was just reeling in his fishing gear.I got chattering and he said he fishes there most days, OK.
He see's we are keen to know more and then tells me he was in fact a tower gunner on the very day of the raid !!!!!!!!.
Oh my god............we are astounded to say the least. We walk with him towards where he had parked his bike.
We then ask him would he please come to the small cafe area and have a beer or coffee with us so we may hear more.
He was not to keen at first but I talked him round.We sat for a good while and he told us all. Fascinating stories and no ill feelings from him at all.After about 45 mins a man came to speak to him who we later find out is the chief engineer of the dam.I explain what we were doing in the area and that I had lived in Germany(BAOR) from 1946-1954 etc.He was quite keen to hear a little about that to.
So he then says to Jack and I would we like to see the dam from the bottom and see the inside etc.Well the rest is history.What a treat.
We exchanged address's and for a good few years after we wrote to each other.On that day We all parted good friends and I know Jack loved it all.
Oh by the way Hans the Fisherman told me he very rarely catches a fish and when he does he throws it back in Never understood fishermen!
For those of you who have not been to this Dam.
Please note the repair section's !!

Hope this was not to boring but I feel many of you would have been to this area and may be it bought back some memories.
It did for me .

Regards to all looking in
John.


https://s717.photobucket.com/user/payne928/slideshow/John%20Walker%20-Hobart%20Bks/John%20Walker%20Uploads

John, Ciphers

Thanks for the photos

I too have memories of the Mohne Dam in the mid 50s when my father was stationed in Hamm and during the KAS School Holidays it would be the destination of a family day out

The jagged scar of the different coloured stonework used to repair the dam wall was easily recogniseable then (and indeed could still be seen in the late 60s when I was based in Munster).

Looks as if there has been some heavy maintenance in recent years (the green litchen might indicate this has yet to be completed)

JPW.

Good that it bought back memories to you and hopefully to others that is what these sites are all about yes ?
May I please start putting on other stories & photos of my childhood in the BAOR on here as well.
If yes do I open a new topic and what shall I call it?
I do have quite a few photos.
Again I shall be calling on Len and his help.

Regards to you and all others looking in.

John.........from a very windy & wet Oxfordshire.

John

Looking forward to your memories and photos, please click on HOME at the top of the forum page and then select a topic or location

Steve............Roger that.
Many thanks.
Hope Len is up & about  

Wait Out.
I will ask Len if he could kindly put it under New-Topic ...Childhood Memories.BAOR.

Regards to you and all others looking in.

John............in a very DRY & SUNNY day OK only 5 oc  but the bonus is  NO WIND here in Oxford.

Up and about on bright, frosty, sunny morning here in Beautiful British Columbia. Going to have my brecky and go for a walk with her who must be obeyed.

Gordon Barracks /Linsingen Kaserne 2021/22

Partial demolition in progress https://www.dewezet.de/dossiers-hintergrund/themendossiers/linsingenkaserne-dossier_artikel,-linsingenkaserne-rueckblick-auf-den-grossen-abriss-_arid,2658792.html