Fort York - Then and Now

[Dan Martel]

I have some photographs and google earth shots of Fort York in Germany that I thought I would share with everyone.

The first is an aerial view of Fort York as it looked in 1959.  This comes from the Canadian Guards Association site.

               


Next is a google earth shot of how it looks now, after becoming an industrial area.  It looks like most of the original buildings are still being used along with new construction around the outskirts.  Where it says Teigelhof is the rear entrance to the camp.  The main gate is on the right.

                   


I also have a picture of a plaque at the former camp site which shows the units stationed there and the dates of occupation.  This is also from the CGA.  According to the date on the plaque the handover of the barracks to the West German Army took place about three weeks after 3 Cdn Mech Cdo left them.

                   


This google earth shot shows the location of Fort York in relation to Brigade Headquarters at Fort Henry.  Fort Henry is the southern location and Fort York is to the north.

                   


Finally a shot of Fort Henry today.  I'm afraid I don't have a picture of how it looked back in the day.  The annex to the north side of Fort Henry is the site of the former Field Detention Barracks.  I mention this so the Royals reading this will know, as I'm sure none of them ever had any cause to be there while it was still in operation.  The five-winged detention barracks do not seem to have survived the departure of Canadian troops.  The entrance to Fort Henry is to the south of the bisecting highway between it and the detention barracks.

                     


Any memories or reminisces about your time in Germany, either serving with the Regiment or seconded to the Brigade, would be most appreciated.  Good stories all.

Cheers,
Dan.

[Mike Blais]

Great pictures! Hope some guys who were there take up the thread.

[ranrad]

Great pics and info Dan, thanks, they bring back memories..ranrad

[aldi]

The first Google picture of Fort York today must have Danny Cox spinning in his grave.  He was the 2RCR RSM in 1970, becoming the first RSM of 3 Mech Cdo when the unit was formed, and the sight of those two large buildings on his sacred parade square would no doubt be considered sacriligious.  I went the same way as Mr. Cox, moving from 2RCR to 3 Mech Cdo and then south to Baden during the summer of 1970, and I recall that there was a small rear party left behind to do the handover to the Bundeswehr so that may explain the inconsistency in the dates on the plaque.  It might be noted that at the end of his tour in Baden, Mr. Cox was posted as the RSM of the Royal Military College in Kingston where he died, depriving the officer cadets of the invaluable knowledge and experience they would undoubtedly have gained from his tutelage.  I know I did.  aldi

[Mike Blais]

Does anybody have a picture of RCM Cox?