7 Field Squadron Royal Engineers
My Memories of
1965-1969 George Cowie BEM
Shiny 7
2/77
Introduction
7 Field Squadron Royal Engineers was based in Osnabruck from November 1957 until January 1968. Most of my time with the Squadron was in Osnabruck. In January 1968 the Squadron moved to Deverell Barracks in Ripon, but was still part of 6 Infantry Brigade. The Squadron moved back to Germany in 1971 as part of 32 Engineer Regiment. While I was based in Osnabruck I was unaware of the history of the town or surrounding area. With the benefit of the internet I have done some research on the history of the town, and events from WW2, up until recently. It was particularily interesting to learn of the fighting that took place in areas where I had been to many times, and was totally oblivious to what important battles had taken place there. You can read about it in the History page. The squadron became known as shiney 7, because of an era it went through, when a high standard of ‘bull,’ was demanded of the men, for their turnout, squadron block and vehicles.
The Barracks
In Osnabruck, the Squadron was based in Roberts Barracks, better known to the Germans, as, Winklehausen Kaserne. It was named after Col Von Winklehausen, a WW1 Colonel. Before WW2 it was the home of Infantry Regiment 37, whom in 1939, served in France and in 1941 served in Russia, where they suffered severe casualties.
The road through the main gate, as seen above, was more or less the centre of the camp with 25 Corps Engr Regt occupying the left side of the road and 2 Div Engrs occupying the right side of the road.
2 Division Symbol.
This flash was worn on our combat kit
This flash was worn on our combat kit
View from the sqn block looking towards 16 sqn block, HQ block, Guardroom and Cookhouse
The L.A.D ( Workshops) was located just behind the sqn block.At the far end of the workshop was 16 Sqn's MT park. 7 Sqn's MT park was adjacent to 16 Sqn's park
The swimming pool at the end of the sqn block
The Winkle Gasthaus located just outside the camp gates
Photo with kind permission of Derek Stevenson 16 Fd Sqn Website
Photo with kind permission of Derek Stevenson 16 Fd Sqn Website
Taxi cards from my scrap book. I used these taxi services many times, and you probably did too!!
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The Squadron Mascot
Please note that all photos and stories remain copyright of the owner. If you wish to use any of the content please contact me and I will seek permission where applicable
The website will be updated as and when new material becomes available, so keep checking folks!
Related websites www.freewebs.com/shiney7/ www.16fldsqnre.com
Send Photos / Memories to
Photo with kind permission of Derek Stevenson 16 Fd Sqn Website
Welcome to my memories of 7 Field Squadron Royal Engineers. Better known by many as 'Shiny 7'. The purpose of this site is to share my memories with anyone who is interested. I hope members of the Squadron during this era will be reminded of fond memories. Additionally, I hope members since this era, and indeed all visitors, will learn something about how life was in those days. Life today is much different from back then. People these days are much better off, and are likely to own several luxury items that had not been invented at that time. It is over 40 years since I joined the Squadron so some memories are now a bit vague, however, I still have some vivid memories and I have written many of them on my memories page, year by year. Visitors who read every site page will be reminded or learn why we were based in Germany. Unfortunately in the sixties there wasn’t so many cameras about, if only I had the digital camera I have today, which almost gets lost in my pocket, there would be countless of interesting photos to share. Nonetheless, former members can make this site more interesting by sending in some experiences and memories they have, something funny or unusual, or something that you remember well, anything from that era will help to paint a big picture of those days. Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you.
Looking through the main gate, the nearest block on LHS was part of 25 CER, 2nd left, Church Army. Opposite was the cookhouse and on the RHS the guardroom, which was contained in HQ block.
2 Division Royal Engineers, was made up of 7 Field Squadron, 16 Field Squadron and 43 Field Park Squadron Royal Engineers
Roberts Barracks Guardroom
An der Nette Heide
Osnabruck
Osnabruck