Hannover, London - Ediburgh Barracks

ritter wrote:

How's that for stretching out the string-Hannover, Alert, Moosonee and Churchill, MAN?
Bob

Okay, I'll throw in Norway. First time I was ever above the arctic circle was in Norway in 71 on a Northern Defence of NATO exercise. Nope never been to Churchill, but my 1st father-in-law did a tour there. Does that count? Also our old C.O. in 2 SSM (Trg) Bty RCA almost got asphyxiated there on the rocket ranges in a Nodwell

Hello Again JPW
Further to my last post to you about the RCASC Barracks at Stonehenge, Germany in 1952, I did some further research and found a site on the internet which supports a RCASC deployment at a Barracks called Stonehenge. Google "From Pharmacy to Helicopters by Lt. Col. Jim Grant " It's an autobio by Grant, very detailed but also very interesting and I recommend it to you. There is a short paragraph in which he says," I first served with 55 Tpt Coy in 27Bde at Hannover, Stonehenge Barracks." Like all other references to the elusive location of Stonehenge, he does not provide a specific location other than Hannover. Is it possible that there never was an official Stonehenge Barracks and that it was a name coined by service personnel who called it by that name because the site was surrounded by rubble like many areas of Hannover ca1952? Just a thought.
While you are using Google look for the following site, " National Service 1953-1955 Surveyor RA 115 Locating Battery BAOR." Scroll down to the pictures and you will find some good pictures of the Hohne Practise Camp 1954. Sounds like a good homework project for you LOL
Take care
Bob

In reference to your e mail I was at my branch library this PM and ordered the RCD History book and as well picked up "Semper Paratus" which had just arrived.

Thanks to Bob for sending photos now on the London Barracks Hannover page

http://baor-locations.co.uk/LondonBarracks.aspx

Regards
Steve

Bob
I find your memories of Hannover fascinating. I was based in Hannover 88-91, Langenhagen Barracks, with 63 Station Workshop REME, and am able to identify many of the places you describe so well after all these years - keep up the good work. As an aside I had the pleasure of serving in a combined Brit Can trials unit (RA and RCHA, I was REME) in 1965 - 67. We formed in Montreal and, after equipment training, moved to Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona, then to CFB Shilo, returned to UK Dec 67 after completion of the trials. A great posting and one of the highlights of my service career.
BobG

Hi Steve,
Thank you very much again for posting my pictures taken at 27CIB Hannover in 1952 in this forum. I'm sorry that I am being such a nuisance; hopefully I will eventually learn how to host these pictures.
Regards,
bob

Hello BobG,
Nice to make your acquaintance and thank you for your kind remarks about my memories of Hannover during my service there with the RHLI, 27CIB. There are more pictures which I hope to include with further accounts to follow. When I was there in 52 and saw the unforgettable destruction, it was clear that it was going to take many years to make a full recovery even with Marshall Plan financial aid. In 1976 my wife and I toured Germany to research our heritage (4th generation descendants) and we spent considerable time in Hannover and noted that an economic miracle had restored Germany and this city to its former greatness.
I have reviewed your outstanding military service with much interest and wish you the best in your retirement.
With friendly regards,
Bob

I just realized that I knew a fellow (possibly two) in the RC Sigs who did tours in all three locations of the Canadians in Germany. Hanover, Soest and Lahr. Couldn't have been to many of them.

Hello hardration,
I think that you can legitimately add Winnipeg to the string and BTW you didn't tell me if you were going to follow the Winnipeg Jets this season. I hear that they have sold out the arena for a couple of years. I don't know if you listen to Dave Hodge (not military) who is a colour commentator on the ESPN network for hockey; he asked the hockey crowd to submit names for the Winnipeg team. I sent him an email suggesting that the new name for the team should be Winnipeg Rifles to honor the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Regt. As expected the team went with the old name, the Jets. In today's newspaper they showed some of the players wearing their new sweaters on which they are using the round Logo and colours of the newly named RCAF who are based at CFB Winnipeg. A good idea!!
Take care
Bob