tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post606266953745941160..comments2024-02-28T05:32:40.078-08:00Comments on A-Schnitzel-and-a-glass-of wine: Former Canadian Military Base in Lahr, Germany (Part 2)Janet MacDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827315033903114616noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-88488447353001639982016-07-11T22:40:56.339-07:002016-07-11T22:40:56.339-07:00I worked at CFB Lahr in 1969 from May till July.
...I worked at CFB Lahr in 1969 from May till July. <br />I and a buddy had left Canada in August of 1968 on a backpacking trip with no particular itinerary. In May of 1969 we found ourselves on a night train from Ostend to Frankfurt and met up with a small group of American GI’s heading back to their base in W. Germany after a weekend leave in London. They were a good bunch of guys and they generously shared their Belgian beers with us; they were curious to hear about our backpacking adventures. These fellows told us they knew there were a few Canadian military bases in southern portion of W. Germany were we should check out for possible employment. <br />Upon reaching the Frankfurt train station, we accepted the GI’s offer to accompany them to a US military reception area in the station were they again generously shared sandwiches, good coffee, and homemade pie with us.<br />In this reception area was a gigantic map of West Germany that, if I remember correctly, took up a large part of one wall. It showed the various Allied Occupation Zones and the names and locations of the respective military bases in these zones. We decided on CFB Lahr as we were informed this would probably be the most likely to require workers.<br />We ended up being hired, I believe through the W. German government somehow, to work on CFB Lahr, I building Dexion shelving in a huge quonset to store CF 104 tires and US Phantom jet tires. I also assisted in receiving and warehousing materiel from a base that was being closed down, I believe it was Zweibrücken. My boss was a Master Sergeant McDonald, a great guy who would buy us beers on the base on Friday afternoons after work. <br />My buddy worked for a Warrant Officer. One of my buddy’s job was to clean out barracks rooms after airmen had vacated them. Another job was to pick up trash / paper with stick and nail. It was really hot one day while he was doing this and he wasn’t feeling too well as a result of too many good German beers the night before. He decided to take a break/nap in a shady out building when he was prodded awake by MP’s with machine guns demanding his ID and reason for being where was found. Apparently there was an Alert on that day and I was told later that sometimes a “plant” was used to see if the security sweeps were effective. I don’t know if this actually was the case or not.<br />We lived at Gasthaus Zur Guten Quelle or, also known as “Walter’s Canadian Spring”. This was the first watering hole on the way into Lahr from the air base. It was owned by Walter and Mary Schottmueller, a truly wonderful couple who were so kind to two Canadian youths from Saskatchewan who had been on the road for over a year. We wanted to save money, so for the most part, we didn’t spend hardly any time in the pubs; rather we helped Mary and Walter a lot in their garden and orchard. Also, if things were busy, we would help in their pub clearing tables and, if needed, in the kitchen.<br />Mary would serve one meal menu item each day in the pub and it always tasted spectacularly good. We had been away from home for over a year and mainly in England which wasn’t known for its tasty cuisine in those years. <br />When we left for Sweden in July of 1969, Mary insisted that she would only take a $5 bill from each of us for payment which she had us sign and then tacked them up behind the bar along with many others. She was a wonderful lady as well was Walter a great guy.<br />Does anyone remember these great people and their son Walter Jr. who used to ride a motorcycle like a wild man? <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-16866571239634038662016-05-14T01:53:50.975-07:002016-05-14T01:53:50.975-07:00Hello Katie, My husband and I were posted to Germa...Hello Katie, My husband and I were posted to Germany from 1985 to 1988. I gave birth to our first son at the old hospital CFHE in the main base in Lahr, Germany. I think that the hospital was considered to be on Canadian soil, not British. We have a large birth certificate for him, which is written in English, French and German, which we were given when we were still living in Germany. We had to present that when we applied for a Canadian Citzenship for our son when we moved back to Canada, the card of which we did receive. He is an adult now and is in the Regular Armed Forces. It was a bit of a challenge to get the paper work done for him going overseas because he was not born in Canada, and then some of his ID was stolen when he was over there, but it all worked out OKay in the end. One note of caution: chidren born overseas of parents also born overseas will not be able to get a SIN card, so second generation Canadians born overseas cannot work in Canada nor get other Canadian privaleges (possibly medical coverage and pensions etc). So make sure that your children know this so that if they live overseas when they are adults, that they come home to Canada to give birth to their children. You can access military medical records through: Director Access to Information and Privacy (DAIP), National Defense Headquarters, 101 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa ON, K1A 0K2. Formal requests for personal information are made under the Privacy Act. To do this you must make your request in writing and sign it, identify the Personal Information Bank (PIB) number or provide sufficient information (such as your parent's name, rank and military idenfication number) and the location of the personal information (ie military medical records regarding the birth record of the baby born to the military member) to render it reasonably retrievable, abd be submitted in person, by mail or fax at (613)995-5777 to the DAIP. Do a Google search on "Access to personal information"+"NDHQ"+"Canada" and you will get the following article: DAOD 1002-1, Requests under the Privacy Act for Personal Information Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04768459111633357921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-27442926355442801102016-05-14T01:51:37.679-07:002016-05-14T01:51:37.679-07:00Hello Katie, My husband and I were posted to Germa...Hello Katie, My husband and I were posted to Germany from 1985 to 1988. I gave birth to our first son at the old hospital CFHE in the main base in Lahr, Germany. I think that the hospital was considered to be on Canadian soil, not British. We have a large birth certificate for him, which is written in English, French and German, which we were given when we were still living in Germany. We had to present that when we applied for a Canadian Citzenship for our son when we moved back to Canada, the card of which we did receive. He is an adult now and is in the Regular Armed Forces. It was a bit of a challenge to get the paper work done for him going overseas because he was not born in Canada, and then some of his ID was stolen when he was over there, but it all worked out OKay in the end. One note of caution: chidren born overseas of parents also born overseas will not be able to get a SIN card, so second generation Canadians born overseas cannot work in Canada nor get other Canadian privaleges (possibly medical coverage and pensions etc). So make sure that your children know this so that if they live overseas when they are adults, that they come home to Canada to give birth to their children. You can access military medical records through: Director Access to Information and Privacy (DAIP), National Defense Headquarters, 101 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa ON, K1A 0K2. Formal requests for personal information are made under the Privacy Act. To do this you must make your request in writing and sign it, identify the Personal Information Bank (PIB) number or provide sufficient information (such as your parent's name, rank and military idenfication number) and the location of the personal information (ie military medical records regarding the birth record of the baby born to the military member) to render it reasonably retrievable, abd be submitted in person, by mail or fax at (613)995-5777 to the DAIP. Do a Google search on "Access to personal information"+"NDHQ"+"Canada" and you will get the following article: DAOD 1002-1, Requests under the Privacy Act for Personal Information Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04768459111633357921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-84604584642592882562016-02-04T18:20:04.061-08:002016-02-04T18:20:04.061-08:00Hi Janet, about an hour ago I realized that I mi...Hi Janet, about an hour ago I realized that I might 'find' you on. Google and I've been reading your blog ever since. I'm truly amazed and pleased that I can read everything you've written and see all the pictures of Lahr..... brings back so many wonderful memories of our time 'over there'..... what a great new career you've created for yourself....CONGRATULATIONS! on all your success as a journalist. Hopefully you'll receive this. Cheerio, Olive. (olivia4j@gmail.com)<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05977268448231153577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-82008553084182267412015-12-24T13:53:04.065-08:002015-12-24T13:53:04.065-08:00I was glad to see this. I was a member of 1 RCHA &...I was glad to see this. I was a member of 1 RCHA "A" battery and also of the Air defence battery. in the mid to late 70's 1974 to 1979 to be exact. I had a great time there and made some very good friends. Just seeing some of the pics was great. I also was a volunteer at the CYC for a couple of years. Donevon Hiebnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-23426550685025545182015-12-24T13:47:40.662-08:002015-12-24T13:47:40.662-08:00As a former Gunner with 1 RCHA A battery I had man...As a former Gunner with 1 RCHA A battery I had many a fun time there in Lahr. Had many friends and good buddies. I still keep in touch with a couple of them. It is good to see again after all these years. I was in Lahr in 1974 for 3 months then back in 75 for 3 months then was posted there in 1976 stayed there till my release in early 79. It brings back some very fond memories, and some not so fond Thank You for sharing this with us Donevon Hiebnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-65367652636273409622015-12-24T06:22:13.628-08:002015-12-24T06:22:13.628-08:00I was LMPS same time as you. Probably worked toget...I was LMPS same time as you. Probably worked together when you came down guardhouse.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-23786775723952815252015-10-30T17:32:50.099-07:002015-10-30T17:32:50.099-07:00I went to Gutenburg as well. My brother played ho...I went to Gutenburg as well. My brother played hockey all over Europe. Amazing experience most CDN kids will never get to have.Theresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00948148571415167380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-26273358657503839782015-09-18T09:17:24.135-07:002015-09-18T09:17:24.135-07:00would anyone know how to get medical records from ...would anyone know how to get medical records from the hospital? Where did they go since the old buildings are down? I was born in 86 on the army base. im canadian. im trying to get a hold of my records and birth certificate and it's impossible. canadian army says to call germany and germany says to call england because apparently canadians were born in a british hospital but they say to call canada. it's a loop. :( thanks. katieautumns@hotmail.com Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-31222282174035075512015-09-18T09:15:22.949-07:002015-09-18T09:15:22.949-07:00hey i used to live at a similar address. i think i...hey i used to live at a similar address. i think it was 3-22-1 but maybe it was your address ;) 1986 -katieautumns@hotmail.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-63304458310352338702015-09-13T14:45:18.621-07:002015-09-13T14:45:18.621-07:00Janet, Thanks for the memories. I worked as a Medi...Janet, Thanks for the memories. I worked as a Medical Officer there 1982-1985 and 1991-1993.<br />It is interesting to me that a whole generation of Canadians was born in Lahr and is interested in seeing and discovering that special area.<br />My colleague, Dr Warren Harrison was one of the obstetricians there in the 80's and 90's, delivered most of those now adults. He passed last June.<br />Pat NguyenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-39725397862443818882015-04-22T07:01:06.112-07:002015-04-22T07:01:06.112-07:00Thanks for the interesting blog. I posted a link t...Thanks for the interesting blog. I posted a link to it on the Lahr Brts Facebook pageDave Howletthttp://www.realhumanbeing.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-4777922671005875292015-04-08T17:33:57.407-07:002015-04-08T17:33:57.407-07:00Wow ! flows of memories and emotions !! was in L...Wow ! flows of memories and emotions !! was in Lahr from October 1988 to August 1992. First lived next to the Basar (not sure of the spelling) on the way to Offenburg, then lived in area 31. My daughter was only 9 months old when we moved there (from Petawawa) and my son was born in June 1992 at the new hospital at the Kaserne. I was a member of TOPS, sang in the choir and have the greatest memories of all the trips we took. Loved going to the EuropaPark...anyone remembers that place ? :DAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05127935825094865793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-54076142041186391072015-02-23T12:06:52.780-08:002015-02-23T12:06:52.780-08:00lived in area 7 on mozartstrasse (now Max Reger) f...lived in area 7 on mozartstrasse (now Max Reger) from 69 to 71 my father was the mess manager of the officers mess at that time the second time my family was posted back to germany from 78 to 84 my father was the manager of the europahof and my mother worked at the LX on the caserne great memories Marie-France Perriernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-11599338631497509962015-02-22T19:11:57.349-08:002015-02-22T19:11:57.349-08:00My son, who was born at the old CFH Lahr in 1978, ...My son, who was born at the old CFH Lahr in 1978, sent this blog to me. It has been wonderful to go down memory lane and to see all the changes. I was in Soest from 68-70, and Lahr from 70-73 and again from 75-83. I graduated from Lahr Senior in 1972 and while a teen wrote a column for Der Kanadier and also did a few broadcasts from CFN. I cherish the years I spent there and would love to go back for a visit, especially since I've stayed in contact with some German friends. Janet, thank you so much for this site. By the way, your name is very familiar to me! My name is Sherryl (Hutchinson) Carroll.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-18514744332192585852015-02-11T12:17:05.052-08:002015-02-11T12:17:05.052-08:00Was there from 67-69 , the original campers (6 mon...Was there from 67-69 , the original campers (6 months camping) Worked on first line (104-s) for the duration, after the camping we got one of the best pmqs in area 9 just beside trails going in the black forest.<br />these years were the best of my life and every dayi think about these days.I am thinking of going back this year or next. Unfortunately I never met anybody that was there a the time .<br />My name is Claude Beauchamp I was called Beau. I live now in Gatineau and I am 73 yo.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-61327516727365126212015-01-28T17:51:40.634-08:002015-01-28T17:51:40.634-08:00My Father in-law was the former Commanding Officer...My Father in-law was the former Commanding Officer CFHE. Col. James C Dunfield MD CD.<br />Jim passed away 4 years ago in St. Stephens NBAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02309810194216728964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-35930076547088414912014-12-22T21:09:34.857-08:002014-12-22T21:09:34.857-08:00as a airforce brat one of many homes and lahr was ...as a airforce brat one of many homes and lahr was the best 1969 71 age of 11 12 liveng down town away from pmq just down from the storks nest brother born there moved to comox bc still see friends from tjere 45years later good times thats forsurebob bill veronica timmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-87429698401982387512014-10-28T20:21:13.104-07:002014-10-28T20:21:13.104-07:00Yes Lahr was great
I lived there 1972-1994 great ...Yes Lahr was great <br />I lived there 1972-1994 great city great friends great historyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12611825237258471233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-91455240822933151752014-10-28T20:17:37.452-07:002014-10-28T20:17:37.452-07:00yes of course live music in the summertime outside...yes of course live music in the summertime outside in the beer gardenAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12611825237258471233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-30037542448023190452014-08-03T16:54:01.271-07:002014-08-03T16:54:01.271-07:00Was there from '73 - '77, lived in Area 31...Was there from '73 - '77, lived in Area 31 and went to Lahr Senior. The photo of the CYC made me cry a little! Could it have been either Stephan or Jurgen who bought it? Many wonderful memories of the people and the place, think of it often....... closest thing to a "home town" that I had as a kid. Thanks..........Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14620703711824922486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-14492841485008927862014-06-06T01:53:51.398-07:002014-06-06T01:53:51.398-07:00Hi together, i say only 3 Words: "We miss you...Hi together, i say only 3 Words: "We miss you!". I grow up with the canadians, we life together and partying together. It's so long ago. Please come back. All these good things are gone, the Christmas parade, the us cars on the street's, the friendly drivers, the tanks and the aircraft action and the canadian's. Greets also from Titts Hill (Schutterlindenberg) please vist Lahr again and look what we have done with your Base. Lahr is calling now "Little Moscow". :(Tomasohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14951748983607412443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-41671432435090188792014-01-12T13:57:31.822-08:002014-01-12T13:57:31.822-08:00What a great place to live. I am still thinking a...What a great place to live. I am still thinking about Germany almost every day. It was our best posting ever. Thank you Janet for these photos and you were the best supervisor I ever had. Johanne Bouchard from Ottawa.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-78647976911276120632014-01-09T09:18:48.254-08:002014-01-09T09:18:48.254-08:00What a great site. Thank you for this Janet. I d...What a great site. Thank you for this Janet. I don't know you but appreciate you taking the time to remind all of us who served in Germany. My wife and I were there for 5+ years and both of our daughters were born there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923837398846970254.post-76594209386317060382013-10-28T05:20:49.403-07:002013-10-28T05:20:49.403-07:0023-4-4 1979-83, 4CMBG MP Pl,,,,,,had a blast, peop...23-4-4 1979-83, 4CMBG MP Pl,,,,,,had a blast, people were great, food fantastic, country outstanding, would go back in an instant,,,,,my german is a bit rusty though,,,,,had great neighbours, broken german, broken English but we understood each other after a beer or two.....lol......thanks for this site,,,very interesting,,,,,things have changed a lot I see,,,,,,and that's a good thing I guess...did a lot of travelling both work wise and vacations.....mostly work being with the army......loved it.......keep posting,,,,great site.......wayneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com