Fact and Stories about 12 O.F.P.
12 OFP was formed up in Ironside Barracks, Scheuen, Nr Celle, alongside 7 OFP on the 4th February 1959. The OC was Maj R L Jones. In early 1959, if my memory is correct, 12 OFP moved, lock stock and barrel to Scarborough Barracks, Osnabruck. The Brigade flash was 'Lazy H'.
We shared the Barracks with 122 Tipper Coy RASC, and had our own entrance at rear of Barracks but, if I recall it correctly, we shared guard duties at Guardroom at Main Gate. There was a small bar across from main guardroom and ther was a bar at bottom of hill calleed, I believe Depot Schanke and, I think, the owners had a daughter called Yvonne. I also recall a Frau Fuermeir (spelling may not be correct) worked in OFP Orderly Room and there was a couple of young ladies working in PC&A, one of which was a Fraulein Marian Schade. Sgt Jim Woolley was Regimental Sgt and was succeeded by Sgt Paddy Manning who was made CSM. I also remember Sgt Joe Stemp (Stm).
How many remember that 12 O.F.P. was going to move to Roberts Barracks in 1965. The plan was shelved and never took place.
Re-designation Parade, in way of a Drive Past of the whole 12 Ord Coy/2ADOC unit Bath Unit and all! on the very limited Square in Scarborough Bk's. The high point must have been when the Chief Clark's venerable auld Office Box Wagon, as it turned for the drive past the dias with The Brigadier taking the salute, the Box Wagon driver almost lost it and just about run the brigadier off the dias, some say, the chief just got a pull on the wheel in time. Can't now remember the Clarke's name, thinish chap, and nice bloke in and out of the 94 Club.
In Dec 1959 12 Infantry Brigade Group OFP had a very good football team which up until Dec 1959 was thriving with maximum points from all its games a s good goal total of 14. How ever the basketball team has not fared well with no wins so far, but plenty of enthusiasm and lots of willing team members wishing to play. The only way is up from here.
At the start of the year Feb/Mar 1961, 12 O.F.P. changed formations from 1 Div to 2 Div along with its store section attached to 12 Inf wksp. For a short period of time as reported in the corps Gazette 2 Div had three O.F.P. they where 6 and 11 O.F.P.
In May 1961 12 O.F.P. was minor unit winners of the 12 Infantry Brigade Group Athletics Championships. Also a win at the 1 (BR) Corps Athletics meeting which was keenly contested by 7 O.F.P.
Nov 1969:- History remembers the special news item for all past members of the unit, especially those who went on to higher thinks in the wilds of Scotland. " Betsy " the venerable box body is no more. She was gracefully retired by REME who decided that enough was enough.The OC made sure that the bed was salvaged before allowing the recovery team to tow the grand old lady from the square. For them that did not know Betsy had been in service in North Africa with the 8th Army and advanced through Italy and finally stayed in German where she gave sterling service to all who worked with her. Her legend and stories will be told for many a year.