REME LAD Albuhera Barracks

Hi Guys
I was posted on promotion to Corporal to the 1st Bn Black Watch LAD in 1983. Served with them until they left in 1985 and replaced by 1st Bn Royal Scots. I left Werl in 1987. My daughter was born whilst serving with the Royal Scots.
Still talk today about the times i had in Werl and besides the racism i received from the RSM of the Black Watch (Starchy Smith) i still regard my time in Werl as the best of my career.

I was there about 74, 75 I would guess. it was 2 queens then. as you say a great place.

Small world, I too was there with Steve Jones and have had the pleasure of meeting and befriending Hardrations who served there before us.

great posting, especially once the REME boys discovered a place called Hohenlimburg, famed for its disco and the fact that the girls there had never met brit squaddies before and were easily impressed.

i remember Pete and i both getting nicked for speeding on the way there one night !

steve jones wrote:

I was there about 74, 75 I would guess. it was 2 queens then. as you say a great place.

You are quite correct Jonah, 74 was the year that my wife and daughter were very graciously 'taken in' by your mrs, lot of water under the bridge since then of course, my daughter is a mother herself now, married to a Reme lad and stationed here in Canada, you still roughing it in Fiji?

Very true Steve, the disco was a fantastic find and we spent many a happy night there. For the speeding ticket, I had to pay mine at the local post office as it was over Dm 60. Halcyon days.

Ian, were you there at the same time as Steve and myself?

Pete G wrote:

Ian, were you there at the same time as Steve and myself?

No I knew Steve from 1[BR] Corps in 71, his wife was kind enough to allow my wife and daughter to stay with her while we were waiting for a quarter in Minden.

Many happy memories of my time in werl with the Black Watch and then 1 Royal Scots n playing darts with Pete Williamson in the red hackle club later the crown and one

Welcome Dickied..Two great regiments to be attached to..

We were there 81 to 86 attached to the Black Watch & then the Royal Scots Good times!

Sorry to jump in on your post but I served with 1 Royal Scots LAD in Osnabruck from 66-68. The storeman at the time wouldn't let us REME types have anything unless we quoted,

"First of foot, right of line, Pontias pilots bodyguard, the Royal Regiment."

They were a rum bunch though. I was once down town in Osnabruck with my German girlfriend when a group of 1 RRF lads decided to pick on me. A tap on the shoulder and as I turned round I was confronted by a Royal Scot who I only knew by reputation as a hard man.

"You having a bit of bother son?" he asked. "On your way."

I was told on another day by the barmaid that the canal outside played a big part in the solution. I saw the Jock in question and offered him my thanks to be told,

"We always look after our own."

steve1226 wrote:

Sorry to jump in on your post but I served with 1 Royal Scots LAD in Osnabruck from 66-68. The storeman at the time wouldn't let us REME types have anything unless we quoted,

"First of foot, right of line, Pontias pilots bodyguard, the Royal Regiment."

They were a rum bunch though. I was once down town in Osnabruck with my German girlfriend when a group of 1 RRF lads decided to pick on me. A tap on the shoulder and as I turned round I was confronted by a Royal Scot who I only knew by reputation as a hard man.

"You having a bit of bother son?" he asked. "On your way."

I was told on another day by the barmaid that the canal outside played a big part in the solution. I saw the Jock in question and offered him my thanks to be told,

"We always look after our own."

Hi Steve

You are quite correct about the lads in the Regiment.
I had an incident with one of the RHF in Putlos at a Milan concentration. The next i knew i had about half a dozen of the Royals behind me backing me up and protecting me from anyone else getting involved.
4 years after leaving them, i met up with Fire Support Company of the Royals in Black Adder Lines in Saudi Arabia before deploying out into the desert for the Gulf War. They dragged me into the tent for a Hogmanay drink. Finally got back to my bed at 5 in the morning. Great bunch of lads and i would serve with them again in any situation as they will always have your back.

Jesus you must be bloody ancient by now, Nobby sodden Clark who'd of believed it aka Seymors Runner

I was at Albuhera with 1 Queens LAD in 1979, (1 Queens - a BRILLIANT bunch of lads), then stayed when the Black Jocks came out in 1980. Guys in the LAD were fantastic as usual, but didn't take to the Black Jocks. I managed to do my Class 1 Course at Bordon then also blag a 6 month winter rebuild at BATUS in the winter of 1981-82 so spent at least 12 happy months away from the Black Jocks. Fond memories of the old LAD bar which I helped run at one stage.

I remember the RMP's from across the road bringing their vehicles in for PRE & we swapped the indicator & brakelight/sidelight lenses over giggling like a bunch of schoolgirls. Much shouting & swearing from RMP MT corporal, especially when he discovered the first two letters of the word 'Police' painted out on the signs that said 'Military Police' on the front & rear of their wagons. He wasn't a happy chap & told me so in no uncertain terms when after being posted to the RMP's in Tidworth a couple of years later, I foolishly recounted the story in the bar one night. That'll teach me...!