Author: Graham Mottley

The first reunion of this year took place in Hohne from the 6th to the 13th of July and was attended by 11 of the members.

Graham and Pat Mottley

Steve and Mary Westley

George and Shirley Poole

Bob Jordan and Helen Whitman

Peter (Chalky) Whyte

Mike Escott

Dave Gargett

Seven of us arrived by car via the Eurostar on Sunday the 13th after meeting in Ashford and staying the previous night in a Travel lodge. The drive was uneventful and luckily this time all the sat nav systems took us all on the same route.

George and Shirley caught the later train but to all our surprise got to the hotel in Bergen before us (Well done George). Chalky flew in to Bremen and hired a car and arrived on the Monday. Mike flew into Hannover on the Monday and were picked up from the airport courtesy of the Med Regt transport.

We all stayed at the Michealsof Hotel just 3 km outside of Bergen Hohne as we had done on previous occasions and were made most welcome by all the staff. The food served for dinner and indeed every other meal was absolutely delightful.

On Tuesday two mini buses arrived at the hotel to transport us to Hohne Barracks to visit 1 and 2 Medical Regiments locations. The drivers were WO11 Toby Bailey (who was our host throughout the whole visit and Sgt Ray (Snowy) Adams. At the Regimental Headquarters we were met by the OC Maj Mike Fernando (Who had done a great deal of work towards the visit to Hohne) and briefed on the roles of the Regiments and the itinerary of the visit. We then met the CO of 2 Medical regiment LT Col Graham Johnson who welcomed us to the Barracks and gave us a brief on the roles and future deployments of the Regiments.

We then were invited to the Officers Mess for lunch and made very welcome.

On returning to the hotel we gathered at the little Snellimbiss just over the road from the hotel for the usual few beers and chinwag.

On the Tuesday evening we had a semi- formal dinner in a room at the hotel. We invited member from all ranks of the regiments and low and behold the numbers attending came to 28.

We held our little ceremony for the departed member of 28 Fd Amb and a really good night was enjoyed by all.(Graham, Bob and Steve were the entertainment and as usual they were asked for an encore.)

On Wednesday we were picked up by coach and along with 14 member of the Regiments travelled to the Munster Tank Museum along with packed meals. The Museum was a history of German Tank warfare throughout the ages. The guide was very informative and honest about the two world wars and didn’t hold anything back.

On returning to the hotel we again retired to the Snellimbiss for the usual few beers and Bratwurst/Bockwurst delights.

Thursday we were taken to the Squadron locations where a demonstration of the role and equipment was held (not like the old days, these men and women were high tech in their role and equipment (sorry boys but they would have put us to shame). We then visited old Glynne Hughes Barracks (A complete wreck now with flooded cellars and demolished rooms due to the live training carried out there)

Were then invited into the Regiments WOs and Sgts Mess for lunch, courtesy of the RSM WO1 Richie Mason, and excellent lunch and few drinks. That evening we were invited back to the mess and providedthe entertainment to the delight if the members who attended. We were given free access to the bar compliments of Toby, Snowy and other members and really enjoyed the evening.

Friday the 11th July.  On Friday we were picked up by the minibus (courtesy of Med Regt) at 1000hrs and taken too Becklingam War Cemetery. On the stroke of 1100hrs we held a ceremony and laid wreaths at the memorial. The bugler played the last post and reveille. (Sgt Johnathon Karl Wadock care of the Royal Armoured Corps Military Band) It was very moving and after the silence we laid crosses on some of the graves of the fallen.

On the journey back we were taken to the Belsen concentration campwhich was again a very moving visit. Bob, Dave and Helen also visited the Soviet war graves and the cattle truck used to transport prisoners and Jews to Bergan sidings, for their last journey to the concentration camp 5 kilometers away, many died on the route.

We all had dinner that night and invited Toby, we made a presentation of a German stein to him in appreciation of all he had done for us, it was duly filled and a toast to all was given

Saturday 12 July. Toby picked us up and off to Celle for last minute shopping, and of course Chalky got his ice cream. The afternoon was left to the veterans disposal and we relaxed and packed for the journey back starting at 0600hrs on the Sunday.

Sunday the 13th. We set off on the long journey back at 0600. On the way we called at a little village in Belgium called Adinkirke for some duty free goodies. We happened across a military cemetery in the village with first and second world war graves where we paid our respects.

All in all the visit was a great success and we send many thanks to 1 and 2 Medical Regiments for their hospitality.

The next reunion will be in November at Catterick (watch for the e-mail) for the veterans who were unable to make it to Germany and we all look forward to meeting all our comrades who are able to attend.

IN ARDUIS FIDELIS

Hi All.

Our Reunion was in Munster between the 10 -14 May 2012.

We were the Guest off 1 Medical Regiment who are at this time, making the move to our old patch Hohna.

We kicked off with a few beers at a local Pub on the Thursday night.

The food, company, beer and the welcome from the locals was excellent.

We left at some time o’clock with a little drizzle and flashing of lightning.

We had gone but 100mtrs and the heavens opened. Needless to say there was not a single bit if my body that was not wet, by the time we got to our accommodation. But it was all smiles and other than George Poole having to dry and iron is jacket it made the start even more memorable.

Friday the 11th we meet Lt Col Finn, Maj Jones and a list of many others that is too long to list.

Shown around the Unit and with a briefing from Maj Jones that was not just interesting but showed how much effort had been taken.

With a display from all ranks showing their equipment that made our old flak jacket look arcade, But the tentage is just the same. Made me feel quite at home.

Then to the WO&Sgts Mess for a games evening and again the washing down of good beer. A brilliant night and again we were all made so welcome.

Bob and I did a few songs for the lads and I believe it went down well.

Sunday 13th after breakfast in the officer’s mess it was a trip to a shopping centre for the ladies and getting ready for our Dinner night in the officers mess.

I can only say the food was second to none. I have eaten on the QE2, I have eaten in some of the best reactants around but this beat them by far.

Not only that. Maj Finn and his officers made us feel not only at home but gave us a night to remember. Again Bob and I did our little bit to entertain. We were even asked to come back again.

Once again we left the Officers Mess at Some time O’clock.

Sunday 13th we all went to the Mohnesee Dam for the day. We were escorted and driven , not only to the dam but at any time we required transport by a young Cpl , set up by 1 Medical Regt. Me being an old fart has forgotten his name but not what he did for us all.

Monday I am afraid we had to travel back.

There is so many we would like to thank Mostly Maj Jones for his enthusiasm and understanding of us old comrades.

To all of 1 medical Regiment I say you are a credit to your unit and I am sure

When you arrive at Hohna you will make the Garrison proud to have you as a Unit.

We wish you well and hope one day we can come to see you and 2 Med Regiment in all your glory. My Final thank you goes to Roger (Satch) Owen and his Wife Faith. Without you both this would have not happened.

From us all Thank You