Hi Folks, My name's Kenny and i am part of a living history group "16 PARACHUTE FIELD AMBULANCE". If anyone knows any snippets of information or have any interesting photos of RAMC medics in the Airborne Role i would always be pleased to hear from you. As it's so near to Christmas, i wish you all a very Merry Christmas & an even better New Year. Best regards Kenny 16 PARACHUTE FIELD AMBULANCE | Home
There might be some data here!! www.nwha.org/news_1Q2003/news_page5.html Not familiar with RAMC but this also speaks of Red Devils with whom I had some association during Operation Varsity (Red Devils and American 17th AB Divs) Sgtleo
16PFA (Kenny) My Bad I forgot to welcome you before I gave you that data. Hope it has what you are looking for or at least it's helpful !!! If this question is not inappropriate, "Are the 6th Brit AB(alias the Red Devils) still at Aldershot. I know Lancashire is fair distance North and West but thought you might know. Have distant relatives in Hants and Buckinghamshire. Sgtleo
Sgt, the division does not exist anymore. The airborne role was long ago relegated to a brigade group/regiment role. The battalions with supporting cadres, of engineers, artillery etc still exist as an elite regiment in the UK, 1,2,3 paras being the permenant cadres, and 4th battalion territorials. 10 para I believe is long gone??? Pathfinder platoon is a recent formation within the regiment and is probably the elite of this elite....?? P coy the tough training regime and ariel assault course still exists...The regiment now trains and I believe is based at Catterick now after move from Browning barracks in Aldershot. Bound to have some ex paras of recent service on here that will answer better. My brother is ex 2 para mortar platoon. QMG holder. One of the last Brit guard force for Hess at Spandau. Loved his time. Paras are still the elite of the Brit forces, unless your a Royal Marine and will think differently.
URGH Thanks for that info. Our association with the "Red Devils" during operation Varsity was something to remember. Those men were all 4.0 as far as we were concerned and a sort of a brotherhood was established. Paras do that. Sgtleo
Hi again and thanks for the welcome The Brigade reformed in the 1980's to become "5 AIRBORNE BRIGADE". As has been said we are no longer in Aldershot. The Brigdae reformed yet again in 1999 to become "16 AIR ASSAULT BRIGADE" and moved from our long time home of Aldershot to our new home in Colchester, Essex. We started the initial move in Nov 1999 and most units where in place in Colchester by 2001 as there was a delay because of a lack of accomodation for the units. The primary units are 1,2,3 Para (Regular battalions) and 4 Para which is our TA battalion on par with what you call the National Gaurd. The brigade is supplimented and indeed could not work without the support regiments, such as Artillery, Engineers, Medic, Signals, etc, etc. Again as has been said by "URGH" the DEPOT PARA & AIRBORNE FORCES is no longer located in Browning Barracks, Aldershot, but now resides at Catterick Garrison in Yorkshire. The AIRBORNE FORCES MUSEUM which was co located with Depot Para has been moved to a new purpose built complex in Duxford at the AIRBORNE ASSAULT museum. The address is as follows: Airborne Assault Imperial War Museum Duxford Cambridgeshire CB22 4QR There web site can be found here: Airborne Assault I hope this helps, and i wish you and your family a Merry Xmas. Kenny
