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Catterick
Catterick maps
Historic maps of Catterick and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Catterick maps
Catterick area books
Displaying 1 of 26 books about Catterick and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Catterick
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memories of Catterick.
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Sandes Soldiers' Home, Table Tennis, Snooker And Swimming
I spent many a happy hour playing table tennis, snooker and swimming, seems like yesterday. The top board of the swimming pool always seemed so high.
Bonfire Night in Teesdale Road in 1955/56
Can anyone remember the Guilders living in Teesdale Road in 1955/56? It was fun the group of 4 quarters watching fireworks from inside, and eating jacket potatoes and parkin made by mom..mm...
SQUARE BASHING
I can remember this scene, had 13 weeks of this during training, although my time was earlier than this from Oct 15 1953 to Jan 1954. The soldier at front with arms swinging was just like me. I am over 6ft and always was the lead man during drills.
Rifle Drill was the worst, as we had very sore shoulders with the Lee Enfields banging on them. Some of us put dusters as pads to stop the pain. We got a rolliking from our Drill Sergeant 'Presarge' when he found out. He was a great guy strict but fair, not like some of the Drill Instructors, who seemed to delight in inflicting their Squads to a lot of grief.
All in all I enjoyed my time at Vimy Lines once i got into the swing of things.
I wonder if there are still any 'bods' left from my time there, I am now 76 but still remember NS with some affection!
W.H.SmithsRichmond Road.
I worked in W.H.Smiths in 1955. So I could have been in the shop when this photo was taken. The shop opposite on the corner of Shute Road was called Crasters (haberdashery) where I used to buy many a pair of nylons etc. It gives me a lovely feeling seeing that road again. I used to cycle up and down that road every day to work. I remember the tanks from 3 T.R Regiment rumbling down this road as they were moving out and going to Germany. It was sad not seeing the tanks again. Another memory was when I stood right next to our Queen Elizabeth II, as she and Prince Phillip got off the train at the camp centre. I was so excited, and thought she looked lovely all dressed in royal blue. (That memory was before 1956.) I must mention the dance halls. I used to go to St Oswald's and the top of Richmond road opposite St Oswald's church. Also the Naafi Club on Shute road. What great... Read more
Information on Marne Lines 1953 to 1955
I was posted to no 7 training unit number 9 troop 5th in February 1953, i did have a troop photo but with 5 house moves over the years they have been lost. If anyone out there has a photo of this group I would love to see it, also any photos of the OTW unit at Marne Lines, or if no photo any memories, as I would love to receve an email. I would like to find out about my best friend Brian Cook, any information would be gratefully received. Bob Brown
The Old Games Room
I learned the game of snooker here as a young lad. My father was based in Catterick. I also learned to swim at the pool there.
Living at Catterick Garrison in 1936/40
I was an Army 'brat. My father served with the Royal Tank Corps/Regiment after territorial service with the Green Howards. We lived on the Garrison[Cambrai Lines] in married quarters. Next door neighbours included a CSM with some sons, one of my age. 'Janker Wallahs' [defaulters] were used to assist in his garden. One of the lads asked if I liked radishes - a fruit/plant/veg that I did not know. We carefully pulled up 2 and found them delicious! A row was lifted, eaten, and then the foliage replaced. The CSM - assuming that his garden had not been watered by the assigned people - had a fit, then lifted one radish from the ground!!! We had always been trained to never lie - owned up and were given 15 minutes on the Kemmel Lines suare -'Jankers'. What our fathers did not realise was that drilling [with toy rifles] alongside the real defaulters was a great thrill!! Colonel Jerram was the Battalion C.O. - a true gentleman who ALWAYS remembered... Read more
Regimental Weekend
National Serviceman OWL III at Bourlon Lines in 1950. A grand announcement was made that all leaves and or passes were cancelled. The reason was the "regimental weekend". I recall it was the Catterick Fair and had all the delights of what a fair was. I, myself was unable to partake of any relaxation as I was put on a 24 hour guard there. I found myself in a tent where there was a huge old fashioned safe. An officer (retired) a Capt Childs ,seemed to be bustling about and seeing to every contingency. I chanced on an old romance novel in hardback called "Malcome" or like that. I read it on my four hours off. The story of a lower class man in love with a fine lady or such. It was not a bad weekend in anyway, guard or no guard.
There was a sports event and I remember patrolling... Read more
