Letter from Canada

Hi Peter

My name is Ken Bell and I live in Calgary Alberta Canada. I came here from a five year stint with the Shiners in Germany, Lubeck and Ilserlohn to be specific, not to mention trips to Dotmund, Wuppertal and various places in Westfalia etc.  Those were good days but I was too young to appreciate what a good life it really was. There were four of us joined up in the latter part of 1946 all from the same town and after a spell  at Catterick we were shipped out to the Hook of Holland and then Lubeck.  These four are now 80 years old and Two joined the Canadian Air force and stayed until pension time and two of us took up life in civvy  street.  We have always kept in touch and are still great friends. Our names are: Freddy Greenwood, Harold Bird, Victor Newton and me  Ken Bell. All of us were in the regimental band under Mr. Swift and then Mr, Bradbury. We were in HQ squadron when Tommy Wallace was the sgt major, Jock Bell the company clerk, Col  Archer Shee the CO and many others names that escape me now but I have seen them on the shiners site.  Not such an exciting tale I know but to us it was a time we will never forget when we were a band of brothers.  I look back fondly on those days and wish I was 17 again.  Good Luck Peter. and God Bless all those old Shiners.  

Yours truly,  Ken

   left to right Harold (dickie) Bird, Freddy Geenwood, Vic Newton and me Dinger Bell

Harold Bird and I on leave in talybridge, Cheshire. I might add that Captain Powells was the adjutant and perhaps Abel Smith was the CO in Lubeck or it could have been Archer Shee. Mr Wass? was the RSM  Tom Knight was the Quartermaster I think and not forgetting the trooper with the handlebar moustache. Every one knew him but cannot think of his name right now. good luck and hope I have given you a little bit to chat about in the newsletter.   They were good days and I look back on them with great nostalgia.

A motley group of bandsmen - Germany

Dortmund about 1948/9. Left to right is John Lewis, Cliff Corbett, Vic newton Lou Skeels   (?)Collins, Bernie Mcgee Ron chatwin Joe from the regiment down the road apiece  Frisby Dyke and me on the end. (below)

Vic Newton and I

Left, Me and Vic Newton at some weekend gig Westfalia.

Canada is a vast country like Russia and about the same latitude.  In the west, where I live, there are two seasons, winter and summer.  Having said that though, the winters are not all ice and snow.  We get some rain but not too much and the skies are usually sunny and the climate is dry so , all in all, one can get used to it after a long while.   I still miss the UK and am still a Brit at heart but, having lived here since I left the army in 1952, I am finally becoming Candianised.   They are good people,  American in outlook but not so brash or arrogant and we are the poor relations of the Yanks who see to it that we know they are the top dogs etc.  Same old crap but a different pile.

Sorry I could not give you any really good pics.   I heard Ron Chatwin had passed away.  He was in the same room as me in Waldersee barracks in Iserlohn.  Bernie McGee was across the hall   Most of the guys are history now and I have been trying to find my old mate for years but no luck.  Maybe he is emigrated to Oz or some place.  My old mate was named Malcolm Rose and hailed from Marston Green in Birmingham.

Had I had my time to do over, I would have made the Army my career.  Piece of cake with lots of holidays and time off and it was a good life once one buckled down to the bull.  One made some lifelong friends too.   Anyway, take care and it is always good to hear from one of the guys.    I wish you the best of luck in your endeavours.