The Royal Green Jackets Regimental Associa on
3,000 MILE CAMPERVAN TOUR OF GERMANY - in June 2013, following Germany’s worst floods in 100 years. Acres of fields were flooded by the River Aller, and the campsite at Winsen was closed i.e. flooded. The next site was open and we just got in before the gate closed at 10pm. German campsites are marvellous clean and orderly, and the toilet blocks have all mod cons. It was 29degrees C on 7th and 8th June when we explored CELLE where Roger was stationed about 43 years’ ago towards the end of the sixties. First stop was the old Trenchard Barracks - very nostalgic for Roger. The place has been locked up for a year but is still in tact. We took lots of photos and Roger excitedly pointed out A Company block on the left-hand side where his room was. On the top floor, A Company built a bar in the loft area from bamboo and wood to give it a Caribbean theme. To set it off and give it authenticity, above the bar was a large wicker basket bird cage containing several brightly coloured budgies. The opening night was a great success. Roger’s rock band “The Flunky” played with Roger Lead Guitar,
Trenchard Barracks. E-Zine 2013
Trenchard Barracks band block.
Gordon Belcher Rhythm Guitar, Howard ? Drums and Paul Matthews Vocals, as cheap booze flowed and fags and smoke created that familiar atmosphere of the time. Unfortunately on inspection the next morning, the budgies were found at the bottom of the cage expired - due to passive smoking. God knows what it did to everybody else! Opposite A Company was the block that contained the band accommodation where Roger was during his time with the band. He recalled that, prior to a gig, whilst they were waiting on the square to board a coach that was still manoeuvring, somebody slid his trombone case behind the back wheel and someone shouted, “Is that your trombone?” as the coached backed over it, to the amusement of all present. At the end of the road was the Sissi Grill. Roger said originally there was a quick snack (snell imbiss) wagon there. A couple with a son about 9 years’ old used to run it, and it was popular with the troops. Anyway, Roger curiously went into the new place and I followed. I thought the
restaurant looked like an adult playpen in an array of coloured small wooden chairs with lots of model chickens. Whilst ordering his Bratwurst, Roger struck up a conversation, in pigeon German, with the man behind the counter Yes, it was the very same 9 year old boy, now well grown-up and running the café in place of his parents who had subsequently died. Then it was on to the War Cemetery near the River Aller. It backed on to the M.T. part of the barracks where Roger could see the A.P.C. garages where an unmentionable incident happened i.e. some private cars were stored which unfortunately got squashed under the tracks of an out of control 432. Oops - I wonder how that happened! Celle, like many old towns in Germany, is very well maintained, with 16thC tall terraced pretty houses with shops and outdoor cafes on the ground floor. We walked around the streets and into the 14thC St Mary’s with its artworks. It was Friday and entry to the Museum and Castle was (To be con nued on next page) Volume 5 Issue 3 | 29
