A litte snip of my life
I went to live in army quarters in June of 1970, we caught the mail train from Ulverston around 9pm the day before we flew. We arrived at Euston around 3am , and had to sit and wait on the station until 6am until we could get a taxi to Luton. We waited there until early afternoon , and we were then transported by coach to Luton Airport. I remember the’ Ajax ‘team were on the airport blowing horns and generally making a racket.
We flew to Gutersloh at 2pm it is around a 50 min flight , and it was a lovely day. When we arrived at Gutersloh , we were picked up by a camp Sergeant and driven to our flat in Sennelager.I remember the front room covered in items that were spread out ready for counting.I told hubby you can forget that tonight, I am taking sheets Pillowcases and blankets, the rest can stay until morning.I was shattered.
I loved the flat though, and soon got everything sorted. I met the neighbours as we were on the second floor of the flats, there only was the two floors.I soon made friends and as I was shy and quiet this did bring me out of my shell a little.I remember the squaddies thought I was stuck up , only because when I walked into the club there were lots of them sitting around , and I used to put my head down as I was too shy to look at them.
We did end up having three soldiers coming every weekend on a Friday evening and staying until Sunday as long as they were in camp.They just liked a break from camp life I think, and we went around all the German dams and several places on Sunday afternoons.We also went to Beer Festivals , and Fairs with them, I did not drink.
I found Germany to be a very clean country, much cleaner than we are here.I got on well with the few that had shops near to us, we had a bakery, butchers, and a grocery store.There was also a beer House just behind us after a market garden. We were quite rural which I loved, but only a five minute walk from camp.
I believe the camp has now been demolished as has the Sud-ring in Paderborn where lots of us did shopping. You could buy anything at that store. I had never seen the like before.
I know when we came on our months summer leave to Blighty, I could never wait to get back after a week , I missed being in my home , with my friends so much.
Well all good things come to an end and we spent five happy years in Germany, before returning back to England, in 1975.
Tania
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Hello, tania. Most interesting blog. It is a reflection of Army life. Like you we had time in Germany and when on leave in the UK we could not wait to go home again. Keep writing David x
Thank you, Slimjim, My family never thought I would settle in Germany, but rather than come home, I would have loved to have lived there, too expensive on civvy street then.
Hi Tania, my late hubby was German, but I only ever passed through it on the way to Austria…….his ashes are buried over there in Rastatt Baden Baden….I have photos of the grave but his family in Germany sorted out the burial……I know they make yummy cakes because his mother used too……delicious Torte ones……..should have got the recipes while she was still around……
Hi Starlette, yes you should have got the recipes. I was not with the German people to get such things, but the chefs from camp used to give us demonstrations of lots of things , when the men were away. I love the life there……
Silver lady……..You have not had it easy It is not much comfort for me to say……We have to play with the hand of cards, we are given……… No doubt about it life is often unfair and bad things happen to good people all the time. Cliche but all this is true. I would say…enjoy your family, try to get out and help other people if possible. You have so much experience, lived through so much, who better to help someone going through similar trials. This will make you look outwards and that is good for us all me included. Take care and best wishes for your new journey.