Maltese contingent on the Ruhr

Memoir of a former Maltese Gunner:

"Between 1961-65, Dione Aquilina was posted in Dortmund Barracks at Camp 10 (West Riding Bks ?) serving in the Royal Malta Artillery (RMA) as part of the peace-keeping force. Still remembering his army serial number as 18136026, he vividly recalls his experience when he was on duty with the RMA when they were attached to the 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery.

The Barracks was divided into different sectors for the British, French and American forces. One of the first tasks of the RMA was to assist in the transport and disposal into the sea of the remaining German Panzers (tanks) and military trucks from the Second World War which had been stored in the said compound. Dione remembers clearly the British vehicles towing these trucks and tanks and the long convoy that made its way to the coast to dump these vehicles far away offshore, to rid a sore reminder of the Second World War.

The RMA, at the time formed part of the British Army and was used as a transport wing for the British and US Army. The main role was to transport missiles. The average age of a soldier in the Regiment was just 20 years of age. The 1st Regiment, Royal Malta Artillery arrived in BAOR during 1960 where they were accommodated at Moore Barracks, Dortmund. They then moved on to Wrexham Barracks, Mülheim, where they served until 1978.
Unfortunately, on being recalled to Malta the Regiment was disbanded, with the crown being removed from the badge. The Maltese Army is now called Armed Forces Malta (AFM).

The early 1960s were the years known for the Cuban Crisis and the assassination of President J.F. Kennedy of the United States. After Kennedy's assassination, Dione remembers that the base camp at Dortmund was on full alert as the possibility of a nuclear war was looming."

Source: http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2016-10-10/newspaper-lifestyleculture/Historical-sketches-from-an-old-Maltese-family-album-6736164971

Pborn4 and any RA historians

Camp 10 did become West Riding Barracks Dortmund when free of displaced persons or prisoners of war

5 Jun 45 – 69th (West Riding) Field Regiment RA of HQRA 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division from Holland
RHQ: Dortmund-Horde – to Camp 10 later West Riding Barracks Dortmund
15 Jul 46 – to 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division
273 Battery – 448 Battery – 189 Battery
Oct 46 – redesignated 10th Field Regiment RA*
30 Battery – 46 Battery – 51 Battery*
1 Feb 47 – to HQRA 2nd Infantry Division
1 Apr 47 – redesignated 40th Field Regiment RA
78 Battery – 109 Battery – 129 Battery

*this information was taken from another website and with details from the “Gunner Magazine Jul 47 for the 1 Apr 47 RA reorganisation”, however according to the order of battle for 1st Corps District for 1 Jan 47 this unit was still 69th (West Riding) Field Regiment RA!

“History is a mystery and only as good as those who wrote it down”

The badge of the Royal Malta Artillery
The badge worn by members of the Royal Malta Artillery
during the Second World War consists of
a 12 pounder Victorian field gun superimposed on an 'Eight-pointed' cross,
or as better known, a Maltese Cross.
Below is a scroll with 'TUTELA BELLICÆ VIRTUTIS', meaning
'Custodian of Military Prowess',
the whole topped by a Tudor or King's Crown.

http://maltacommand.com/about-us/the-royal-malta-artillery/the-badge-of-the-royal-malta-artillery/
http://maltacommand.com/events/