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Looking Back
In the fourth instalment of his ‘Looking Back’ column, Former WO1 (and former Deputy Editor) John Worrall shares some memories from his time at Arborfield.
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Scribe: John Worrall
In 1980 I was posted to SEE as *Superintending (or Pete Davies was well known to many who passed through Superintendent) Clerk, which turned out to be my last tour in the Arborfield. His ‘day job’ for many years was, of course, Print-Room Army. My quarter was in Biggs Lane, which was convenient both Manager in SEE. The Print-Room in my time serving there was the for work and Bailleul Sergeants’ Mess. Then, there was no security ‘hub’ of the School. If you wanted know what was going on, good or fencing round the camp, which is hard to believe now, so access to bad, that was the place to go! the Mess was perhaps too convenient! The Christmas parties were legendary; if you got an invite you
One Saturday afternoon, not long after I had been in station, I knew you were on the A list. Unfortunately, Pete died in 2015 whilst wandered over to the football pitches by the Mess near the Sports on holiday in the Dominican Republic, where, with Dianne, he had Pavilion. I met up with Pete Davies, who was running the line. Not a spent many happy holidays. job he liked as he was the Team Manager of REME Arborfield. At half I did continue refereeing in Army matches and in local league time we had a chat and when I mentioned that I was a qualified football, mainly on Sundays, but I never qualified as a Class 1 Referee, referee, (I had qualified at Sennelager Trg Centre before I left BAOR), due to my commitment to REME Arborfield. The highest level of he then asked the obvious question, ‘Would I like to take over the game I was involved in was a 1st Qualifying Round of the FA Cup in flag for REME Arborfield?’ September 1981; St Albans against Grays Athletic. All officials were
Anyone who has been involved in local club football will agree from REME. Peter Pittaway (Major QM) was in the middle with WO2 that to have a regular linesman running the line was a godsend, as Bob Smith (Chief Clerk) on the other flag. Peter was a top referee and without one the ‘duty’ would fall upon one of the substitutes, a team in 1981 he was promoted to the Linesman’s List of the, then, first official or any passing ‘stranger’. Well, what could I say? So, for some Division of the Football League. 18 years I acted as a Club Linesman for the club. More about REME Arborfield Football Club next time…
More snippets from the Golden Anniversary Edition of the Craftsman January 1996:
January 1949 REME’s Show (extract from the Daily Telegraph)
‘It seems to be REME’s show’ someone remarked as the Lord Mayor’s Show moved up Fleet Street yesterday. Most of the tableaux REFs tenders had been designed by the Army’s REME – a fact advertised on the front of each lorry.
To REME and its cousins in the other two services went credit for what was technically, one of the best shows…’
May 1949 Basketball REME and the new game.
‘It is now only a matter of time before Basketball takes its place in the front line with the three ‘old faithfuls’, Soccer, Cricket and Rugby.’
The beginnings of Corps Basketball based at REME Training Centre.
September 1949
To assist Officers who were attending the REME Birthday Ball at Hazebrouck Officers’ Mess, a list of local Hotels was published; one example was:
Ye Olde Rose Inn, Wokingham, Bed and Breakfast 17/6d (87.5p)
October 1949 Was this your Unit - No 1 Det 82 LMU REME BAOR?
The unit was located at the Volkswagen factory at Wolfsburg and was responsible for the overhaul of vehicles and assemblies used by BAOR. There was a small REME permanent staff with 550 civilians. On 20 June a ceremony took place marking the completion of the 1000th rebuilt Volkswagen.
December 1949
The last ‘Pin Up’, Film Star Jean Crain, was published.
The Fifties
During the Fifties the British Army withdrew from the Suez Canal area only to return during 1956 as part of the UN Force, to reopen the canal. We saw conflicts in Korea and Malaya, and East Africa with the Mau Mau. Whilst this was going on, the Cold War was freezing over and the BAOR strength was at maximum. In the UK, the Corps had a total of 11 Training Battalions, and Phase 2 involving the transfer of personnel from other Arms was completed.
1950
The magazine appeared in a new format consisting of a larger page size, with a corresponding reduction in the number of pages.
The REME Staff Band tours MELF
The Band, 28 strong embarked on the HMT Empire Windrush on 29 November 1949. They played concerts and later in Malta.
Central Rifle Meeting Bisley
‘WO2 (AQMS) Mitchell won the Corps Championship for the second time. 30 Officers, 125 WOs and SNCOs and 259 Other Ranks competed. Over 59,000 rounds of ammunition were fired during the week…’ At this time the magazine was having a great deal of difficulty in getting articles.
Royal Guard of Honour for HM The Queen
The Queen visited HQ Midland District at Worksop on 25 July. The Guard of Honour was provided by 1 Regimental Training Unit REME based at Tuxford.
Her Majesty was heard to remark ‘These men are REME, how smart they look’
From the Four Corners – Depot REME
The move of Holding and Drafting Centre REME from Otley to Poperinghe Barracks in Arborfield took place in November 1949 and was renamed Depot REME.
1951 REME in Korea 1 Infantry Workshop
The President of the Republic of Korea, Syngman Rhee presented 27th British Infantry Brigade, of which 11 Infantry Workshop REME formed an integral part, with a Presidential Unit Citation for outstanding and heroic performance of duty during the period 5-15 September 1950 in the Kumchon Sector.
