Updated 29 July 2024

Kettwig was the responsibility of the following higher formations:
53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division 9 Jun 45 – redesignated X Division 1 Oct 46
2nd Infantry Division 1 Feb 47

Requisitioned civilian accommodation

HQRE 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division arrived from Schloss Garath south-east of Düsseldorf 25 Jun 45 – Schloss Landsberg – moved to Mülheim 23 Sep 45
555 Company arrived from Düsseldorf-Einbrungen – moved to Xanten south-west of Bocholt 28 Jun 45

More to follow
Source: 21st Army Group later British Army of the Rhine to Mar 49

Part II

Home to:
68 (Air Despatch) Company RASC
130 (Motor Ambulance) Company RASC

Kettwig is a district in the south of the Essen area, SSE of Mulheim and SW of the main Essen urban area. Little is known of this area except that a contributor has stated that he was with 68 Company (Air Despatch) RASC, stationed here about 1951 to 1953. If anyone has any other details of this area, they will be much appreciated.

Two photographs of Madchenheim (Home for Young Women) where 68 Company were billetted
Apparently built to house the many non-local girls who worked in Johann Wilhelm Scheidt Fabrik, a textile factory in the town.

A trip to Hamburg – Gerry Wood is front right

Photographs courtesy of Gerry Woods ex-68 Company Air Despatch RASC

Another contributor has given information that he was also in Kettwig around 1955, but with a different unit. He has sent a number of photographs connected to Kettwig. One is the same as the first of Gerry Wood’s photographs (of the Madchenheim), but the others add to what has already been posted.

Company photograph of 130 Company RASC – 1955

The rear of the Madchenheim

From 1954 to 1956 I was posted to 130 Coy (Motor Ambulance) RASC, Kettwig (BAOR 4) on the banks of the Ruhr. Before the WWII the camp was a girl’s home. It was situated on Rinstraße with Bachstraße to its left. The rear it backed on to the railway and the River Ruhr. The CO was a Major Eastern, his 2i/c being Captain Wilson. In total we had about 50 Austin K4 ambulances in the MT park on the west side of Kettwig Barracks (also backing on the railway and Heiligenhauser Straße).

While at 130 Coy I was sent on attachment to 115 Coy (MT) RASC, Hook of Holland (BFPO 27) for a few weeks as a postman. I was also sent to BMH Hostert again for a few weeks with ambulance. On my return I was transferred from A Platoon to HQ as Capt Wilson’s driver and in my spare time I was duty driver every other day and ration truck driver three times a week to Ratingen Supply Depot (Düsseldorf). I had two ration trucks which were Austin K5s: one for bread which was painted white inside and the other was for fats, tins and veg. I also had two coaches. The Deutz coach was roughly a 20 seater and used to take families shopping in Essen and children to school in Essen Kray. The other, about a 40 seater, was used to take the lads to the YMCA at Essen and Düsseldorf.

My vehicles were: a Jeep for the Captain of Transport, 2 Austin K5s, 5T and 2 Deutz buses. On top of all that I was allocated as ‘house guard’ because the officer to which the house was assigned was single, thus residing on the Officers’ Mess at Mulheim. The house itself was very nice, having a maid and a boilerman. I was quite spoilt and was sorry to go back to camp after 3 months.

23012599 Dvr Tom Monks

130 Company Vehicle Park – Kettwig

Garage area where I kept my Jeep and Bus

Our Troop – Nijmegen Marches 1955

Me and my Jeep on Battle Royal

Photographs courtesy of Tom Monks