Catterick memories
Here are memories of Catterick and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Catterick or a Catterick photo.
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
Training
Trained with the 5th Dragoon Guards, cannot remember intake number, only that it was April 17th 1956 by a Cpl. Blinkhorn. What stands out a Sgt. D'arcy riding around on an Indian motor bike, he sometimes rode side-saddle.
Catterick Camp 1944
Following completion of my initial Army training at Squires Gate Camp, Blackpool and at Warley (Essex) I was posted to the School of Signals at Catterick. Le Catau and Baghdad Lines. After several weeks of Training as an Operator, Wireless and Line, the whole training school moved to Scarborough, what a pleasant change this was, we were billeted in an Hotel, I think it was called the Cambriudge, on the opposite side of the Ravine with the Grand Hotel on the other side. I cannot say that I enjoyed my stay at Catterick, everything was military with no pubs and very limited entertainment available. I recall that Sandys Soldiers Home was an oasis, the nearest pub was the Hillyard Arms, about 20 minutes walk from Le Catau Lines. My subsequent stay at Scarborough was a different proposition, I was there for several weeks and enjoyed it all. MY first arrival at Catterick was via the railway station at Richmond, the scene was set when we were made to... Read more
Whinney Hill Catterick Camp
During 1946 and 1947 aged 5/6 I went with other friends from Whinney Hill to the 'School for Officers Children', which I now believe is a military dental hospital, on Scotton Rd. I lived at No 11, Whinney Hill, now a training area, and moved to Bournemouth at the end of 1947, my father having retired from the Royal Corps of Signals. I clearly remember travelling to both Richmond and Darlington by bus with my mother and, on leaving Catterick, the last railway journey from Richmond station. In the vague hope that someone from those times may read this please contact me at ian.dunningham@blueyonder.co.uk Regards, Ian Dunningham
Captain Evers
Does anyone remember a Captain Evers, who gave his address as The Wirelines, Catterick Camp? He is mentioned on a document in connection with the marriage of my grandmother, Amy Sarah Hopper to Private Harry William Sutton no.S.12354 R.A.S.C. in April 1925.
I have used the Army List but there are several Captain Evers. Alternatively, finding out which regiments were there at that time would be a help.Thank you
Memories of The Second World War
My father was a band master in the Duke of Wellington's Regiment (regular army). I was born in India in 1939 and my mother and father had to come back to England at the start of the Second World War. I can remember Catterick Camp although I was only young. I can remember having whooping cough and the Army doctor was Dr Pye. I also remember the tanks and the Italian prisoners of war, and army manoeuvres in the field opposite our house. I went to a private school when I was about 4 years old but can only remember one teacher, Miss Winter I think. My mum taught dancing there. Is there anyone who was at Catterick Camp round about that time?
Roberta J Parker
Family History
My grandfather was at Catterick Camp during the 1930s. I Think his full name was Henry Roland Castell Viles. My dad hasn't seen his father since he was 2 years old.
I would assume Henry is no longer alive but I am convinced he had another child to someone else after he and my nan parted. If you can help shed some light on the whereabouts of Henry or any information on him or any of his family, please contact me. I believe that Henry left Catterick Camp sometime after 1936.
In Search of Pictures or Information
Hi there. Myself and my fiancee have just moved into a cottage in Catterick village called 'Old Crown Cottage', this I've been told used to be a coaching inn/public house called 'The Crown'.
I am looking for anyone with information or photographs of my cottage, any other photos of the high street in Catterick where the cottage is located, or anyone who knows how I would find out more info on where I live.
Going For A Drink at The Oak Tree
When I was stationed at Catterick in the RAF regiment, 1966 to 1971 we used to walk down to the lovely village and go for a drink at the Oak Tree pub. Then on the way back to camp would stop just past the Bay Horse pub and call in the chippy. Lovely. Have been back to see the village in 1976, 1985 and 2006 2008. Will call again sometime. Anyone who comes from Catterick or who has a love for the place please get in touch. keethyboy@aol.com or 07919927546
Memories of North Yorkshire
Madame Le Terrier?
Watching the Wainwright Walks programme this week, which covered the Swale valley part of the coast to coast route, I was reminded of Brompton on Swale. My best friend's sister and her husband went to Brompton on Swale in the 1950s to work at a local hall/big house for a lady named (what sounded to me at the time, like) Madame Le Terrier. They lived in a cottage nearby and grew their own vegetables etc. My friend and I were invited to stay with her sister and family at the cottage and we spent an idyllic week roaming around the local countryside. We came from Middlesbrough and although we lived in houses which had gardens, we did not have the beautiful countryside on our doorsteps and Brompton on Swale seemed like heaven. I would love to know whether the hall/big house is still standing and whether anybody remembers Madame Le Terrier and could tell me more about her and the family.
The Grange (the Hall)
Hello, in reply to your memory about the Hall which I know as The Grange, the present owner is now a Mr Valance who has lived there for over three years, before him it was a Mr John Meakin and his family, they lived there for a long time. The field next to the Hall is now a small housing estate. Do you know the name of your friend's sister and husband? As my dad was born in the village and he is now the grand age of 80 plus, he is called Stan Hugill and still lives next to the King William pub. Hoping to hear from you, Yours, Sally Hugill.
The Grange
The Grange always brings back memories of our life growing up in the village. We are the Blackburn family and we lived at 11 Curtis Drive. We used to play in the field at the front of the big house as we called it but if 'madame la la" as we knew her caught us we got into big trouble. Many memories of the village and the people there. Coming up in the new year and always stop in the village to look around and to have a drink in the King Willie or the Sun Inn, sometimes go up to the Farmers Arms. Lovely days.
RAF Scorton
Stationed at RAF Scorton in the little medical facility which was reached by passing through a farm (I believe). My memory is not good as a result of a stroke. We were lucky to have our own hot water supply as the majority of the camp sites had only cold water. Looking at recent maps, I get the impression that the medical facility is still standing and now presumably used for other purposes.
Scorton Grammar School
I was a pupil at this school from 149 to 1951
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