Demolition training In January the squadron went to Hohne for demolition training. We had a French made digger to bore holes for explosive charges. The ground was frozen and it was difficult to penetrate the ground. I’m not sure if this machine was on trial or not, but I never saw it again after this exercise. There was snow on the ground and it was very cold.
Squadron Training I don’t remember all the schemes we did, though we did many small schemes and non-tactical exercises like practicing bridge demolitions on the local canal bridges.
FV432 APC
This was the year we were issued our FV432 APCs, and many of the drivers had to go on a 6 week FV432 APC driving course prior to their arrival. There were fittings and auxiliary equipment to learn about as well as an intensive maintenance program required to keep the vehicle serviceable. After a scheme it would take many hours to get it cleaned and maintained to a minimum standard of inspection.
Part of the training included swimming the vehicle across rivers, which we called ‘floatation’ training. This involved at the waters edge, raising the floatation screen which was permanently fixed and folded away at the top of the vehicle. To raise the screen, several struts were placed in set positions to hold the screen upright. We had to ensure that all the drainage bungs were in position and put silicon or grease around the lights to make them watertight. A buoyancy tank had to be opened at the front of the vehicle to aid buoyancy. There was also an upright extension to be fitted on the exhaust. Looking at these vehicles, it was amazing how they managed to swim. They were big chunks of steel loaded with men and equipment. When we received the new APCs the sqn went to Petershagen for a few days for floatation training on the river Weser. This was a complete novelty to everyone in the sqn, the drivers, commanders and combat engineers.
I did my APC course within the Squadron in the summer. The first drivers and instructors to train on FV432s went to do their course in the UK earlier in the year.
Soltau & Bridge Camp
In July the squadron were on exercise at Soltau for about 7-10 days then moved directly to Hameln for our annual Bridge Camp. We arrived at Hameln on the day of the 1966 world cup football final. It was a nice sunny day and most of us packed into the NAAFI marquee to watch the final on TV. I managed to have a night out in the town on at least 1 occasion, and of course a few visits to the, ‘2 fields and a ditch‘ Gasthaus.
The 1966 World Cup Final On the morning of the 1966 World cup final, the Sqn had just finished an exercise in Soltau. Next on the sqn’s programme was bridge camp. That morning we drove from Soltau to bridge camp in Hameln. At the time my vehicle was a 3 tonner, as I was only part way through my Sqn APC course. Before we set off, I wrote on the canvas sides what I thought would be the final score. I was going to write Eng 4 Ger 2, but I was out numbered by suggestions of Eng 4 Ger 0, so that is what I wrote with white chalk on both sides of my vehicle in large bold text. En-route to Hameln, many passing motorists were sounding there horns gesturing their forecast of the result, which was much different to mine. When we arrived at bridge camp a RMP came up to me and told me to clean the text off my vehicle. We off loaded the vehicles and moved into our tented accommodation. The NAAFI beer tent acquired a TV set, (black and white of course) to show the world cup final. The tent was packed with Brits and Canadians who were at bridge camp at the same time. The sound was turned off the TV and an English radio station was used for the commentary, which was very effective. There was a great atmosphere to what turned out to be a thrilling final, and not without it’s nail biting moments either. This was a great day for English football and an experience I will never forget. ( Don't mention the third goal, I think wev'e got away with it!! )
The main exercises this year: Ex Check Mate & Ex Channel Link
Regimental Ski Team
In October the regiment agreed to send a regimental ski team to the 2 divisional ski championships. The team would be split up into the 2 different ski disciplines, Cross-country skiing (Nordic Langlauf) and Downhill skiing (Alpine) The langlauf team had to be very fit to achieve a good result, so the regiment decided to have a cross country race and choose the first 5 runners for the team. I was in the first 5. Capt Lipscomb from 16 sqn won the race and he was the team officer. The other guys were Taff Galsworthy, Brummy Ruffle, both from 16 sqn and the other guy was Pete ?? From 7 sqn. We were all complete novices and I remember trying to imagine what to expect. We did some fitness training in the November. Before we left, some second hand skis and equipment arrived, and I remember trying on the skis with excitement. In early December the team would meet up with 35 Engr Regt at Hameln, who would train us on snow in Zwiesel, near the Czech border. Little did I realize that this would have a major impact on my life. For me it turned out to be a major success, and I continued to be involved with the sport at different levels until 1994. At the 2 div ski championships we won the team novice prize and qualified to compete in the Army ski championships. In the patrol race, there is a team rank structure to be adhered to, as well as certain equipment and weapons to be carried by the 4 man team. Each team must have an officer, a Cpl or above and 2 privates. The officer must carry a pistol and binos and the others, SLRs and rucksacks with x amount of weight between the team. The men each shoot 5 rounds on the shooting range part the way around the 20 km course. There are penalties added to the ski time for each miss on the range. An officer from one team fell on the course somewhere and lost his pistol. He didn’t realize until the end of the race. A search of the course failed to find the pistol. 2 x mine detectors were sent down from a Royal Engineer Unit, and Taff Goldsworthy and myself skied around the course with mine detectors searching for the lost pistol. Unfortunately we didn’t find it but our efforts were appreciated.
On the day of the World Cup Football Final in July 1966, 7 Field Squadron Royal Engineers were at Hameln on Bridge Camp
Me with my 3 tonner 09EL92 at Hohne Jan 1966
Squadron APC Course 1966
It was some time in the late summer that I completed my APC course, Chris Ellis was one of the instructors.
These photos are of, the 'floatation' training part of my course, on the river Weser, Wouldham Hard, Hameln 1966
Chris Ellis commanding. I am driving
Me entering the river on the far bank
Exiting the river Chris Ellis is seen above the floatation screen
Building Heavy Ferry on exercise. I think it is 2 troop in 1966
Some names ;Dennis Connelly, Kev Ella, Eric Elgie, Paddy Hooks, Yorkie Walker,Taff Lewis, ? Bennet, Bill Fotheringham, Tich Peacock, Alex Sharp, Taff ?, Pete Rayner, Sgt Pilgrim.
Amsterdam Trip by car
Myself, Fred Lasham, Paddy Hooks and Pete Borthwick went to Amsterdam in my car. On the return journey we called in at Arnhem and Oosterbeek war cementery and paid our respects to our fallen heroes.
Fred, PMH & me poseing in front of a flashy sports car
Not quite so flash, my car outside Amsterdam
Myself & Pete Borthwick outside Arnhem
Other main events this year:
The Squadron received it's much awaited HMLC Stalwarts, with an allocation of 1 per troop.
Earlier in the year some of the Squadron participated in the international Bramsche marches,
which consisted of marching in squads for so many kilometers each evening. The event lasted several evenings. I remember the Americans and the Dutch took part and there was a P--- up on the final evening. We all thoroughly enjoyed the whole event.
In May 1966 a 'British week' was held in Roberts Barracks, Osnabruck, to promote friendship and trade.
Funny stories
One weekend I looked out of my room window, the squadron duty vehicle (Landrover) was parked outside facing the squadron block. Behind it, the OC parked his light blue Sunbeam sports car. Paddy Heron was the sqn duty driver, and I saw him rush out the block, jump into the landrover and reverse it into the front of the OC’s car. It was quite funny, but I felt a bit sorry for Paddy as he always seemed to be in a hurry, and always tried to be helpful. I don’t remember the OC’s reaction or the outcome of it, but he wouldn’t have easily got spares for it in Germany in those days. I remember the headlamps were smashed.
Mock Shooting
One day, late in the year, Eric Elgie, and 3 of others, can’t remember their names now, I think one of them was Tony Rowntree. They all jumped in a car and went down town to stage a mock shooting. They dropped a lad off in the busy street and drove around the block and returned to where they dropped the lad off. They stopped the car and another lad jumped out of the car and shot the first lad with an imitation pistol. The lad fell to the floor and exposed fake blood. They bundled him into the boot of the car and sped off. The German criminal police and the RMP were alerted and started a manhunt. In the meantime, Eric and crew drove out of Osnabruck and stopped at a gasthaus and had a few drinks. On their return to Osnabruck the RMP stopped them and put them up against a wall, and searched them for weapons. They asked where the body was and Eric told them in the boot of the car. They checked the boot, and sure enough there was a body in there, very much alive! well almost, he’d had a few drinks! The RMP arrested them, and took them to the guardroom of the cavalry barracks. When Eric entered the guard room he asked the provost Cpl,”is this the cavalry barracks?” “Yes” he said, with that Eric said, “CHARGE” and they all ran into the cells. The SSM thought it was quite funny. They were put on ‘orders’ and they each received a fine. These days you wouldn’t dare do anything like that because of the way things are today. In those days shootings were rare and so to terrorism. How things have changed!
In Memory of our fallen Buddies
Tragically, we lost 2 members of the Squadron in 1966. Lcpl Paddy Humphries sustained serious injuries in an accident while on exercise and died a week or so later. The Squadron held a church service for Paddy, and I had the honour to read the lesson. Paddy was an excellent soldier, who knew, and did his job well. He was a very pleasant guy and was well liked by everyone who knew him. R.I.P
Tragedy struck the Squadron again, when sadly, Spr Tony French was killed in a motorbike accident while on UK leave. Tony was always smiling and joking, I don't think he could ever have had an enemy. R.I.P
Entrance to Oosterbeek
war Cememtry 1966
Inside Oosterbeek war cememtry 1966
My leave pass for my visit to Holland
This was part of the promotional material given out for the British Week
1 Troop's Stalwart 08ER63
Regimental Signals Course 1966
In late autumn the regiment ran a signals course. The course concluded with a short exercise. I was detailed to drive my APC, on the course, which was 1 troop’s Command Vehicle (CV). Mushy Turner and Jock Orr were my commanders. The students used the vehicle’s radios for their training.
Mushy Turner & me driving for Regimental signals course 1966 The 2 guys on top are course students from 16 sqn
The Regimental x country ski team being inspected prior to the Patrol race at the 2 Division Ski Championships
L-R Capt Lipscomb (16 sqn) Taff Goldsworthy (16 sqn) Me (7 sqn) Pete Whittle (7 sqn)
Me on the range during the Patrol race at the Army Ski Championships Capt Lipscomb is spotting for me
11 Engr Bgde Ski Hut Zweisel where we learned and trained to ski December 1966
Heavy Ferry transportation in the 1960s
True Fact
It is common knowledge that in 1966, Leslie Grantham was arrested while serving in Osnabruck for the murder of a German taxi driver. When he was brought into the guard room, I think it may have been Quebec barracks, a member of the Squadron, and a good friend of mine, was in the same guard room serving sentence for GBH. He was sentenced to 56 days detention but had already done 28 days before he was sentenced, therefore did not have to go to Colchester. He told me the story about when Grantham was brought in. I can remember there were rumours that following the murder, taxi drivers stopped some military vehicles and 'beat up' the drivers in retaliation.
In May 1973, SSM Ian Donald was killed in northern Ireland by a remote controlled bomb, detonated while searching a house in Cullaville, County Armagh.
Ian was a former member of 7 Squadron and well remembered for his time as Provo Sgt. R.I.P
In general, any free time we had while in camp was used to do our laundry, civvies, shirts and underwear. The army provided a weekly laundry service for army uniform. Reading and the bar was the most common options, unless you were one of the few who owned a car, in which case, you would most likely be doing a repair on it as there was only 1 brand new car owner in the Squadron and that was Bert Bates. He bought a brand new Hillman Imp. Lucky guy! The cars we owned were old, and usually had several previous owners. Some guys bought cars but never managed to get them on the road. Our spare parts supplier was the local scrap yard. I think Eric Elgie had shares in it, as he was always running us down there. Actually, Eric was a great help, he was always working on somebody’s car, usually with a ciggie dangling from his lips. He had on occasions added a couple of extra nuts and bolts to a pile of a car being worked on to confuse the unsuspecting victim. All in good humour!!
In Barracks in between Exercises and Projects
Me outside the 'Bratty' Stall Achmer 1966
New Sqn Pronto, Ssgt Doughy Baker
Car park behind the sqn block
Me looking out the window
Owners of the cars shown
VW Beetle Bob Blakey
Ford Ted Cox
Opel Olympia George Cowie
? Wingy Thompson
? ?
Hillman Imp Bert Bates
The Hillman Imp was the only brand new car in the sqn at that time