Prestatyn Barracks

I contributed info on Prestatyn Barracks a few days ago but it seems not to have appeared. It looked OK on the Preview and seemed to get sent OK!!
Must be doing something wrong so I'll just see how this one goes.

Well, what do you know. It seems to have worked this time. Next thing is to try adding an image or two. Had no success with that previously. It told me I didn't exist. Strange that because, as Descartes once said 'Cogito ergo sum', although he probably didn't say it in Latin.
I will try another image.

Hallelujah!! The photo is of a Memorial to the fallen of the 1st and 2nd Lother Field Artillery Regiment who gave their lives at Metz in WWI. It is just inside the main gate to Prestatyn Barracks. I imagine the guns would have been transported by horse power and the drinking troughs are still there at the back of what was once the NAAFI, in 1959/60. The NAAFI is now the Red Rose Cafe and the Barracks are home to Wellington School. More photos to follow. (Ron)

Interestingly, the former Wehrmacht name of Prestatyn Barracks was Metzer Kaserne. Both this barracks, Belfast Barracks (opposite) and Artillerie Kaserne (behind Woolwich Bks) all housed horse drawn Artillery units.

Their guns were still towed by horses even after the fall of France and the same horses drew the guns deep into Russia in 1941. The Wehrmacht of WW2 was by no means an all armoured force.

I was based in Belfast Bks. from 1979 to 1981 and these were supposed to be accross the road from Prestatyn Barracks. I never saw Prestatyn Barracks, was I that drunk for two and a half years

Not sure what you were drinking alanj - but can guarantee that Prestatyn Barracks were opposite Belfast Barracks Any 7 Fld Ambulance miscreants were incarcerated in the cells in Belfast - not that I had first hand experience of them - I was one of the few well-behaved National Servicemen - apart from learning how NOT to handle the booze !!! Had pleasure of serving with Ron in Prestatyn in 1959/1960 and often visited Belfast Barracks. Perhaps it was Wellington School during your time?

I am sure it is there, I have seen other refs. to Prestatyn and have been told it was the school when I was in Belfast Bks. but can't remember seeing it. Oh dear!

The mound behind the work shops is an under ground hospital(WW2) when I was there in 1958-1961 there had been 2 attemps to get into it but the renforced concrete in the entrance was too thick but it was said that it had been entered by the artillery Kaserna at the back but the german goverment stoped them going any farther in to it!!!.
There was things found in the floor where the MSO canteen was in the farright hand corner of the barracks from the gate ,but these were taken by the local goverment as soon as they were found.

Brian Roberts

[b] Yes guys I can also confirm that Prestatyn existed - I did NS there from 1955 - 1957 - In the company office - Got busted from Cpl after a musunderstanding in the NAAFI - Ah !!!! Vince Nolan

Surely part of Prestatyn Bks was later consumed by Woolwich Bks and the school - or even became Woolwich and the school? The photos look familiar - parts of Woolwich are cobbled and old style barrack blocks still remain (I was last there 2001). Woolwich had/has the Garrison AEC, Tpt Sqn (Civvie), NAAFI, Car Sales, RBL, and other bits and bobs. Or am I totally off the mark here?

Woolwich Barracks and Presatyn Barracks were two different Barracks , you are right that Woolwich barracks contained Tpt sqn AEC, but the Naffi was on Sedan Strasse at the side of what was the cinema.
Like Ron and DJ Iwas there in 1959-1961 and in 1974-1982 when I moved to Bunde.

Brian R

You can see some WW2 photos of Prestatyn and Belfast Bks on www.forgottenhistory.co.uk

About an hour's work composing a submission has just vanished. I will have to return at some point to re-create. Damnation!