A further 6 copies of “The Rheindahlen Bulletin” have been added courtesy of J. Dannel, Ontario, Canada (May 1971, July 1971, September 1971, November 1971, May 1972, September 1975).
Another 5 copies were provided by the Archives Department of the City of Moenchengladbach, Germany (November 1983, March 1997, August 2011, December 2011, April 2012)
A number of taxi ride videos through JHQ Rheindahlen taken in June 2012 have been combined and edited to include background music from a local Radio Station, captions, photos and picture-in-picture video.
If you want a nostalgic 40 minute taxi ride through much of JHQ then you must watch the video, “JHQ Rheindahlen, Taxi ride through JHQ”, in the Videos section!
A number of drone flight videos of JHQ Rheindahlen taken after the closure have been combined and edited to include background music, captions, photos and picture-in-picture video.
If you want a nostalgic 30 minute flight over much of JHQ then you must watch the video, “JHQ Rheindahlen, Drone Flight over JHQ”, in the Videos section!
A full account of the construction of the new British Army of the Rhine Headquarters (BAOR), Rheindahlen, Germany, 1952-1954 has been added to the website with the kind permission of:
N E Montagu, MA CEng MIMechE FInstRE, Editor of the RE Journal, The Institution or Royal Engineers.
To read the full document click “New Headquarters in Germany”
After RAF Wegberg Hospital had been returned to the Federal Republic of Germany in 2010, the main area of JHQ was officially handed over to the Federal Republic of Germany on December 13, 2013 after it had been completely vacated. Following the closure of JHQ many talks took place between many parties with many different ideas being put forward and it was decided that JHQ should be included in infrastructure improvement plans for “Rheindahlen-Mitte”. This resulted in the creation of the “IHEK” planning document described here. It was also initially suggested that two or three “areas of intensive use” should be provided on the site, suitable for commercial enterprises or research institutions that deal with the topic of renewable energies.
However, during the discussions it was stated clearly that the need for commercial building space within the urban area of Mönchengladbach was adequately covered. For this reason, the provision of a “commercial and industrial area in the regional plan” for the area of JHQ was excluded by the Regional planners. The following uses of the former JHQ and RAF Wegberg Hospital areas were agreed on December 11, 2019 by the City Council of the “Stadt Mönchengladbach”. Click on the map below for details of the various locations (opens in a new window).
Initial Reception Facility for Asylum Seekers (EAE Facility) In the middle of 2013, the site of the former JHQ was included for the first time as a potential location for an EAE Facility by the “Bezirksregierung Arnsberg” and the “Landes North Rhine-Westphalia”. Whilst around 200 places, in the form of emergency accommodation were already used in the facility during the first half of 2016, the EAE Facility was officially opened on August 17, 2016 with an initial capacity of 250 asylum seekers. Since the summer of 2018 there are 1,500 places available, expanding, in the long term, to 2,000 places.
Use of parts of the eastern area of JHQ for Police Training Facility Part of the eastern area of JHQ has been allocated to the setting up of a Police Training Facility which will offer the “North Rhein Westfalia” police, in particular their Special Units, unique training opportunities to practice tactical procedures and actions for special situations under the most realistic conditions possible. The existing buildings and infrastructure will provide ideal conditions for future-oriented advanced training for the “Polizei NRW“. A lease is planned for a period of at least 10 years. The area covered has not yet been published.
Demolition and “renaturation” of the western area of JHQ. The western area of JHQ will remain in the possession of the Federal Republic of Germany and is to be set aside for the purpose of “renaturing” as part of the Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan and will be maintained by the Federal “Forest Organisation”. To be able to use the areas for “renaturing” the existing buildings must be cleared and first area to be demolished has been determined (see map above). The “Stadt Mönchengladbach” is very interested in making the area accessible to the public for recreational purposes after the existing buildings have been demolished. To this end, part of the existing road and path network is to be retained. The large amount of recycling material that will be accumulated during the planned demolition and dismantling work should, depending on the volume, either be installed on site or removed from the area. To increase the attractiveness of the resulting natural area, to achieve a higher recreational value and to reflect the formative use of the last five decades for the city, the resulting demolition material should be used to build landscape structures (hills) with viewpoints. Furthermore, routes from the time of military use are to be preserved. (I also recollect reading somewhere that all street signs will remain in place and a “Memorial Route” will be set up with information boards describing life on JHQ) The landscaping is intended to give the citizens of the city the opportunity to experience the adjoining FFH and Nature Reserves and, in addition, to establish views over the city area in all directions, especially towards the city centre.
Remaining areas of JHQ In the long term, over the next 15 years, it has been indicated that the other areas of the JHQ are also to be “renatured” .
RAF Wegberg Hospital The area of the RAF Wegberg Military Hospital is to be “renatured”.
To read the full document click here “The Future of JHQ Rheindahlen”
Even though we departed almost three years ago, I still cherish you immensely, JHQ.
Your regular appearances in my thoughts make me feel as though somehow you are trying to call out to me, and it’s because of this I long to see you again.
I have thoroughly wasted my time trying to explain you to my friends, as no emotion other than confusion is reflected in their eyes.
Your peculiar name, strange location and unusual concept baffle the untrained brain of a “commoner”.
But to me you are crystal clear – you are my childhood, my good memories and the place I miss so sincerely.
I remember vividly in the height of summer, the stretch of ageing green trees that entwined together creating a magnificent archway over the entry road to camp.
I can see now the straight-faced security guards who greeted us with a check of identification as we pulled up into your territory.
Once inside, the immediate hit of “Mini England”, like cold water striking my skin.
Yet somehow you still managed to stay tucked away neatly into the German countryside, loved by everyone.
There was an ironic sense of freedom as I roamed the five-mile radius of your sanctuary, when really, I was no more than a bird in its cage let out occasionally to spread its wings.
You truly were a magical place in which to grow up; I encountered many out of the ordinary experiences wandering your winding roads.
I was the dedicated constructor of your jigsaw puzzle.
Each new discovery resulted in another piece being fitted together, slowly unravelling your mystery.
Some may categorise me as a “military brat”; brought up overseas and continuously on the move; but that is not the case.
Your peaceful way of life nurtured me for six rapidly passing years.
You treated me well and contributed enormously to whom I am today.
You brought me up to use my legs.
I cycled everywhere (no matter how hard the rain decided to fall).
With this, emerged my love for the outdoors and the ability to take part in wild explorations.
No bog pit or the thorniest of forest stood a chance. I would discover their hideout and any wonderful secrets they possessed.
You taught me to climb monstrous trees with no fear, and for that matter even the feeblest of trees that would blow away in the slightest of winds – just to see if I could.
Wild energy surged through my body as each cracking noise rippled along the thread of branch on which I was precariously perched.
The realisation that I could plummet back to earth with one wrong move, did not jolt my desire to peer over the surrounding building tops or ruin the joyous moment when I had completed my mission.
Although the beloved days of adventures in the woods are sadly behind me, I realise now, you taught me determination and desire.
I will be forever grateful to you, as by possessing these two traits, I am now able to face the hardest of tasks with the belief I will succeed.
Naivety does, however, spring to mind JHQ.
This one characteristic I possess that could arguable be perceived as a flaw.
You hid me from the outside world and the dangers that came along with it, barricading me from experiencing true freedom.
Being released as an adolescent into this strange world has been a challenge and a half, undoubtedly way out of my comfort zone.
Realising that not everyone is a friendly face, that not all my surroundings are safe, and that some places are left not to be explored, have been lessons I have struggled to learn.
You were the “JHQ bubble”, the artificial society; you contained no elderly, no disabled, no impoverished people, and had all necessities only an arm’s length away.
With no need to wander the German streets, you eradicated the desire to get a taste of reality.
You did so well in hiding your shortcomings, JHQ, that you ultimately presented me with a perfect world.
Who care that you may have contributed to my naivety, when on the other hand you gave me everything I ever needed?
I was never reliant on my parents and was never trapped within the small confines of my garden.
You gave me the opportunity to grow into my own skin, to become independent and to be trusted by my parents.
If I wandered inches out of your barricaded camp, I discovered houses of all shapes and sizes, roofs tilted and slanted at all angles and assorted exteriors of various textures; the surrounding land oozed authenticity.
In contrast, your methodically planned streets and houses were, at a glance, similarly built and in the simplest of forms. Undoubtedly you would be perceived as plain and boring by any passing local.
However, to me, you had unique character.
Each street contained slightly different sized houses that provided a game of spot-the-difference, whilst walking to get my friends.
Each street had a cosy blanket of wood that encircled it, providing me with endless adventures (and multiple scars from falls and thorns).
Best of all, each street had a certain house colour whether it be beau blue, cameo pink, deep mauve, or in my case, jasmine yellow.
One day I code named my street “the yellow brick road” and sent my friends on a wild goose chase to find me.
Crouched in the woods behind the rusting garages at the end of my road, I sent texts “hotter”, “colder” and “freezing” as they edged forwards and backwards outside my house, arguing over where the yellow brick road could possibly be.
To me, you were everything.
Whenever, I see a housing estate even remotely similar to you, I feel that sense of warmth and belonging hit me with a jolt.
However, they will never come near in comparison to you, JHQ.
Pictures arrived the other day JHQ, and it kills me to say it, but you are now no more than a ghost town.
Your houses are almost all abandoned, lifeless and in need of love.
You gave me such a wonderful childhood, JHQ, and it’s deeply upsetting to know that soon you will be no more than an empty shell.
Your purpose has been fulfilled and your existence is no longer required.
Nature will soon be glad to reclaim its domain.
You are a place I will never be able to wonder again; a place I will never be able to confide in when upset or confused, or a place that can give others what you gave to me.
However, even though you are starting to pass away, you will certainly never leave me, you are a place I am proud to have experienced.
Thank you JHQ for all you have given me, I miss you and will always treasure you.
24/01/2021
A copy of the pamphlet “Notes for Parents of Boys and Girls attending Queens School” that has been provided by Chris Lawman.
23/01/2021
A link to the video “JHQ Rheindahlen, Queens Avenue” created by © www.vimeo.com / Tony Lewis.
23/01/2021
Links to the videos “ARRC Departure, 18th June 2010” and “Wegberg Hospital Handover, 29th October 2010” created by © www.bfbs.com.
23/01/2021
A link to the video “Queen’s School, JHQ Rheindahlen – The Final Countdown!” that has been provided by the ex-pupil, Barbara Simpson.
Thanks Barbara!
21/01/2021
A link to the video “The Spirit of Windsor School” that has been provided by the last headmaster of Windsor School, Mr Brian Davies.
Thanks Brian!
20/01/2021
A copy of the book “New Headquarters in Germany” written by Colonel H. Grattan (C.B.E.) in 1956.
17/01/2021
A copy of the “Rheindahlen Bulletin – 2013 (Commemorative Edition)” has been uploaded thanks to the “scanning” efforts of the last headmaster of Windsor School, Mr Brian Davies.
Thanks Brian!
13/01/2021
A copy of the “Queens Courier (1960)” has been uploaded thanks to Chris Lawman.
Thanks Chris!
13/01/2021
A copy of the “Queens Courier (1957-1958)” has been uploaded thanks to Chris Lawman.
Thanks Chris!
01/01/2021
A memory provoking collection of internal and external photos taken of Windsor School on New Years Day, 2021, by an anonymous photographer.
Thanks Anonymous!
20/12/2020
A copy of the “Rheindahlen & Elmpt Bulletin – July 2004 (50th Anniversary Edition)” has been uploaded thanks to the “scanning” efforts of Graham Fuery.
Thanks Graham!
14/11/2020
Copies of the “Queens Courier (1961)” and “The Annexe Special (1960)” have been uploaded thanks to the “scanning” efforts of ex-pupil Penny Denby.
Thanks Penny!
13/11/2020
A copy of the “Queens Courier (1969)” has been uploaded thanks to the “scanning” efforts of ex-pupil, Ray Chase.
Thanks Ray!
11/11/2020
A copy of the “Queens Courier (1956-1957)” has been uploaded thanks to the persistent “scanning” efforts of Paul Sieloff.
Thanks Paul!
Visit the “Documents” section of the website to see the collection of documents that have been scanned and uploaded to the website.
Have a look at the different maps of JHQ, in downloadable PDF format, that have been created by Fred Williams.
The “interactive” maps allow you to navigate around the current “Google” map of the JHQ area.
Of particular interest are the “buildings” which have been overlaid to show the location of houses that may no longer be visible on the latest “Google” map. Clicking on a building or road will display it’s name in a text bubble.
If you are registered you will be able to add your own location to the “Where did you live” and “Identify a Location/Building” interactive maps!
If anyone has other digital maps that may be of interest for placing on this website then please contact webmaster@jhq-rheindahlen.com
Click on the map below to see an example in a new tab:
WELCOME!
Welcome to a new website for people who have had a connection to JHQ, Rheindahlen, BFPO 40, Germany.
The website will focus on the history of the JHQ Rheindahlen and it’s schools.
The website will contain photos, videos, maps, newspaper and other media articles.
It will also have a library of documents that tell the story of JHQ.
If anyone has anything that could be of interest for placing on this website then please contact webmaster@jhq-rheindahlen.com
