Hi, I’m Roy Coleman, a DIO Senior Estate Surveyor. I’m based in Germany and currently working on the military withdrawal from bases in Germany to return to the UK under the Army 2020 plan.
As the British Forces Germany (BFG) Drawdown Programme continues to gather pace, we’ve seen a number of significant milestones of late.
Saying Auf Wiedersehen to Hameln
Hameln may be best known for the famous story of the Pied Piper, but it has also been home to a British Army garrison for almost 70 years. This ended in November 2014 when Gordon Barracks, the final piece of the Federal Real Estate in Hameln Station, was handed back to the German office for the Federal Estate (BlmA). Lt Col Ian Scrivens, Quartermaster of 28 Royal Engineer Regiment, locked the main entrance front gate to the barracks for the final time and handed over the keys to the representative of BlmA.
![Gordon Barracks, Hameln Garrison, Germany - Regimental HQ and Officers' Mess [Crown Copyright]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2015/03/Gordon-Barracks-Hameln-Garrison-Germany-Regimental-HQ-and-Officers-Mess.jpg)
Returning Assets
The DIO real estate hand back programme was managed as a phased activity, and secured the controlled release of a number of assets back to the German authorities and private landlords. These included training areas, two schools, communication towers, sports facilities and a couple of shops.
![The estate being returned to the German authorities includes training areas. [Crown Copyright/MOD2003]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2015/03/Challenger-2-tank-Hohne-Ranges-Germany-2003-Cpl-Paul-Jarvis-RLC-Crown-Copyright.jpg)
The release of the leased estate in Hameln, which comprised of Service Families Accommodation and a commercial shop and storage unit used by the NAAFI (Naval, Army and Air Force Institutes) should generate an annual saving for Defence in excess of €2m. Of course, there are also further savings from no longer having to maintain the buildings or paying utility costs.
The returned leased estate will now be re-let on the open market. The local population has always been interested in occupying surplus Service Family Accommodation so they should be happy! BlmA will decide on the future use of the federally owned estate and market it accordingly. Some of the buildings saw improvements which were funded by the Ministry of Defence for the benefit of the Army. In the event that a continued use is secured, DIO should receive extra income from the sale.
The delivery of this piece of work was achieved by a continued team effort within DIO Europe. Our customer interface will enable DIO to continue to support the British Forces Germany Drawdown Programme through the next few years, to bring the project to fruition. It’s a big job, but I believe we’re up to the challenge.
18 comments
Comment by arnd posted on
Cool, my photo of the HQ and Officers Mess!
Comment by Tony Moran posted on
Hope that's ok! It was sent to us by the team there.
Comment by arnd posted on
Yes Tony, maybe you will give the credits to my website: http://www.british-army-in-hameln.de! And if you need more, let me know! Cheers Arnd
Comment by DIO Communications Team posted on
Hi Arnd, that link is broken unfortunately. It says no content has been uploaded.
Comment by Arnd posted on
http://british-army-in-hameln.com
Comment by Norman posted on
AH, No more bridge camps, and freezing in the Weser!! Happy days and nights-in my youth
Comment by Eddie Cunningham posted on
..and the sunflowers will be left in peace to grow in the gardens leading up to the Bridging Camp! :-))
Comment by Lesley Coleman(ex wife of Sapper Coleman) posted on
I loved my time in Hameln, I lived in Jahn Strasse from Feb 84 until Aug 85.
I think living in Germany made me grow up a lot!
And thank god for the med centre, you saved mine and my son's life!
Comment by Carol Hewitson posted on
Myself and family have just returned from hameln after a short visit after nearly 30years. Shocked to find the military had gone!! Hameln however was as beautiful as i remember. We also lived in jahnstrasse in 1982 for 7yrs.
Comment by william smithI posted on
I arrived at Gordon barracks in december 1967 to join the REME light aid dept as a craftsman electrician, it was snowing hard .The town of Hameln was lovely, very clean streets and nice architecture.I used to kayak on the river Weser in my time off. There was a pub overlooking the river called the "Weser Terressen", although my spelling might be amiss. I used to sit with a drink and watch the night flotation exercises, happy days. unfortunately I was posted to Bahrein (as it was spelt then ) after only one year. I also remember "Georges " the pub opposite the barracks that was out of bounds to squaddies but was full of them every night !
Comment by Dave Finn aka Mick. posted on
Hi William. I was in 29 Field Sqn RE from 1960-65. The pub opposite was zum Schultheiß. Remember George. He attended a boxing tournament in Gordon Barracks, between The Middlesex Regt (who were stationed in our barracks. (Linsingen Kaserne) and The Cameronians. Ten bouts and the Diehards won 9 and poor Jocks the other.
Dave Finn.
Comment by brian none hedges posted on
i boxed in one of those bouts against The cameronions and lost the only one i lost whilst serving in the Middlesex that was a tough nut to crack ,jusxt picked up on your story ,really great...
Comment by brian hedges posted on
i boxed in one of those bouts against The cameronions and lost the only one i lost whilst serving in the Middlesex that was a tough nut to crack ,jusxt picked up on your story ,really great...
Comment by Sapper Lawrence Tee (aka Pip) posted on
I was posted to Hameln in the summer of 1947 and remained until Christmas 1948. My troop was 1 and 51 Plant Troop attached to Engineer Training Establishment. I was Captain Penistan's driver. I am now 90 years old, and still have fond memories of my time in Hameln.
Comment by Margaret Gardener posted on
I have just arrived at this site, doing my family history.
I was born in Aug 1947 and must have been brought over in the early part of 1948 - as I still have my invite to Gordon Barracks Christmas party in the WO's and Sgts mess on 22 Dec 1948.
My brother James was born in Rinteln Hospital, on 7 Oct 1948, and we were both Christened in the camp church in 1948
We do have a few photos but not enough to show the married quarters where we lived
I have a few anecdotes of the time as I seem to have been an adventurous child.
My late father worked as a pay NCO in 23 Eng Regt. 1947 - 1950
Obviously being an army brat I know my fathers army number which was 1878209 Jack Speight.
Are there any family records/photos of married quarters of that era that you know of?
regards
Margaret Gardener -
Comment by DIO Communications Team posted on
Hi Margaret, thanks for reading. I'm very sorry but we don't have any records like that I'm afraid. You could try the Army Families Federation but I think it's unlikely they will have any either.
Comment by Margaret Gardener posted on
Many thanks
Thought I would try
Comment by Derrick Brown posted on
I served with 29 field Squadron 68-72
Best time ever
A shame i can’t find anyone that I served with
What happened to all the silverware?