John Walker - Erhwald, Austria

Hi Guys, couldn't arrange them as John labelled them, its a Photo Bucket thingee, but you will get the drift .... Len


These are taken in the village of Erhwald. Austria.
This was an Army Leave center Winter & Summer.My father was here for about 8 months.
We then went back to Hameln.
Photo 1 = My Dear mother my twin sister,younger sister and I.The mountain in the back ground is the Sonnenspize.
Out on our regular walks.My mother also helped out at the local school.
Photo 2 = Taken coming up from the village to our Hotel where we lived for all that time. Called Buchenhain the building on the left.
(Still there today) now called Villa Buchenhain.......(I will post up a very interesting story about this Hotel at a later date with ref when I and a former Army friend payed
a visit there about 10 years ago, plus photos. You will not believe what happened !)
Photo 3 = Myself on our balcony at the Hotel.
Photo 4 = This was the Border into Germany. A day out with my father & friend CPO Mac Donald R.N.(don't ask me what the navy were doing there!!)
that is him you see with me.
Photo 5 = The local Butcher had this dog. There is always a St Bernard some where.
Photo 6 = This is the local trio who always played when the leave train arrived/left .This is at Ehrward Station.
I have since meet relations of this group.As I said above a story will will follow.

Regards to all looking in.
John.



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

Here are some more photos for the Ehrwald thread.

Photo 1 = Another shot of the greeting trio.
Please note the Sgt.His name I feel sure was  Jack Wilson of RASC.He was the RTO/QM Sgt.You will note the Div Sign.
Photo 2= Myself taken at the same place where the trio play.
Photo 3= Again taken same place MANY years later.
Photo 4= Me by a local Train.
Photo 5= Near as poss the someplace by a modern Train.
Photo  6= This was The WO's & Sgt's mess at the time.This was taken by my father.
We use to have a fair amount of good times here.
Photo 7= As it was when I was there last time.Now back to a Hotel.Very nice to.Made us very welcome.
Photo 8 = Hotel where we lived taken then by me.You may just pick out my Dear father on the balcony.
Photo 9= Hotel now(called Villa ) taken by me on the last visit.

Now here is the story.
My dear friend Jack & I arrived in the village of Ehrwald mid day more or less .Drove straight to this Hotel(Villa) where I use to live.
Pulled up parked the car (and I add here my car was the latest Ford Scorpio) we were both well dressed albeit casual.
(You will see why I make this point in a moment.)
Went to the reception and asked if we could stay for 3 days. Young lady checks and it would seem all is well !!!!
However a few minutes after this a middle aged man came and asked if that was our car ..Yes.Oh so you are English.Yes.we are.
Now the reason the young lady would not have know that like a lot of you I speak fluent German.(Well after 8 years as a child there and 4 years as a
serving Soldier it should be) and I will also say I have a strong  Westphalia accent. So here we go......I asked why no now as we were just told that there are
plenty of vacancies .Also under my arm Had with me a photo album of photos of this Hotel taken back in 1953 when we lived here etc.
You would not believe what then happened. Her said he was not interested what happened all those years ago and we don't need English customers now.
For a few seconds  both Jack and I were amazed. (the owner spoke in perfect English I add). I stood my ground and said during those times back in the 50's  you had no customers at all and we the British Army kept you afloat. Also saw you had better rations etc.
He was a very Bitter/angry man and we could see we had better go.I have NEVER forgot that day.

Going on from there we drove down to the village and found a very nice place called Haus Edith. Still there today. Lovely Place and Owners.
They could not be more welcoming. That night as we were all sat having a few drinks I showed them the photo auburn.
The response was fantastic.(I add here some of these photos you see here are but a few that are in the album).
They knew so many of the faces.The Trio at the station.Others etc  and one elderly man even remembered the Butchers dog!.
So the following  day they ask me if I would be able to be at the local hall with them!!.......Well a good few people came along and we had a really good night.
Many of the people were looking at the photos and remembering their relations etc.
They all thank Jack and my self and we were not allowed to pay for a single BIER or food.They said they knew of the times when the British Army were there in great numbers and were
very thankful of those times. Unlike the Man up at the hotel on the hill.I did have a quite word with someone..no names..ref the hotel on the hill !!
He said ..did you notice the few cars in their car park. No but I did the next day. All from Switzerland and top of the range jobs.
Point he was making and I understand the then owners were very anti Brits .They were the only ones in the village who never contributed to anything that took place.
That might have all changed now but that is the story of then.
When the day came to pay the bill at Haus Edith .No, we here in the village have loved seeing the photos and the conversations etc so no charge at all.
What could we say.
Yes some wonderful people there in Ehrwald.

I am planning to return there this summer.............Please don't tell my dear wife as it is a surprise holiday for her.

I Thank Len as always and regards to all his family and all others here looking in.

John.
Oxford.
https://s717.photobucket.com/user/payne928/slideshow/John%20Walker%20-%20Erhwald%20-%20Austria%20-%202