Kent School Association

"I'm Louise Webb and was at Kent school from 1979 - 1981. I used to live on Pembroke crescent and remember tthe youth club up Heron road. I would love to see some photos of Wildenrath as I have many fond memories of the place 1 being, I got married there 15 years ago lol. Not married now though hahahaha.

Do you remember going to the cinema on a saturday morning and the NAFFI on the other side of the road? Wot about the schnelli imbis just outside camp next to the BP garage. I remember it well as i used to ride the ponies round the back lol. OMG I could talk about this forever lol. Lets see if you can jog and more memories."

Louise - I lived at 52 Pembrooke Cresent from early 76 to late 77. Definately remember everything you mentioned. Our house was at the bottom with the hole in the fence to the outside world. Me & my big brother used to borrow my dads moped and go around the woods on it.

"Hi Bev, cant remember wot number we were at but know it went around in a horse shoe and we were near the end (about 3rd block from the end) and remember the woods at the back of us and the park in the middle lol. When I went back in 1991 I met a service guy and married there and had our reception in the Pigs Bar (as it was called). I remember working in the NAFFI bar, and slamming the shutters down on a squadies hand. Wot about Fantasia Land? OMG that was great. Come on more memories please. Life in the carribean is great but can be lonley, now I have found this site I havent stopped smiling."

"By the way - you might have known my sister Hazel, she is 3 years older than me."

"Sorry Louise - won't know your sister as I left before you came there. I remember some huge pipes in the center of Pembrooke Crescent, can't remember what they were for. Spent most of my time in the swimming pool, but it was never as good as Bruggens pool. My brother used to sneak back into the house via the coal chute into the cellar, so my parents didn't know what time he came home. We were there when the queen celebrated her silver jubilie and everyone decorated the houses and we had a street party - things like that don't happen anymore."

"OMG we were there when the Queen celebrated her silver jubliee. We had a big street party if you remember. I went to Griffon school b4 going to Kent lol. We also played on the pipes and looked for tadpoles in the little stream they were above. How sereal is all this lol. We also used to go bowling at the bowling alley behind the NAFFI. My mum was the manageress of the NAFFI and my dad was down at FDC. Do you remember when it used to snow there? Snow shoes with plat blades lol, oh and snow boots. We dont see snow like that anymore. Well I look forward to the next installment of the Wildenrath memories Take care"

Didn't realise you where there the same time as me!! I was at Cheshire Middle at Bruggen before Kent and only went to Kent because of moving to Wildenraft.The street party was held at the bottom on the crescent. My mums got some photos from the party I'll have to borrow then and scan them in.

"That would b great, would really love to see the pics."

"Hi I was at Wildenrath (Harrier Way) 74-76 moving onto Rhinedahlen, eventually ending up at Deal House. Some great photos of he old place can be found here. http://uk.msnusers.com:80/RAFWildenrath/shoebox.msnw Also some great images can be seen if you ""Google Earth"" Wildenrath."

OMG thank you very much. Wow what memories. When were you there?

"Doh at me, just re read your thread. lol"

"Hello Louise, I don't know weather you remember me or not ,I used to live on Britannia way. & I used to travel to school on buss WK5. My Dad started the Judo Club in the old Pegasus school."

I still cant put a face to your name but i went to the judo club and went on a comp with them once (first time away from home for me) lol People keep asking what bus i used to go on but i cant remember lol.

just reading about all your memories, i was there from 71 -73 i think it was number 29 Andover road, I was on Kent 1 the coach. my mum use to work at the cinema so got in free. use to go bowling alot and swimming. great times.

i used to work in Wildenrath bowling alley in 1980-1982 when i was with my ex husband martin clancy.we lived in Gerderath Village and then we moved onto the camp and lived in Britannia way.I ow live in Plymouth.If anyone remembers me please email me emmasnan@hotmail.co.uk

does anyone remember Val and Jim Henderson 2 children Jamie and Heather born 1982 and 1984/5 Jim worked Harrier flight sim in 1980s. where are they now?

I lived in Harrier way '79-'81 number 49 I think. Had a great time there and remember all the things you mentioned.

I lived in Wildenrath (31 Heron Road) - across from the GSO. I used to go to the Youth Club and to my "embarresment" was also a Girl Guide....lol - my mother +Helga and my brothers Michael and Alexander were in the Judo Club across from Merlin School. Maybe you remember them? I was always very quiet and easy to overlook as child, my brothers were wild and always messing around. Mike was 16 as we left Alex 11.
Best wishes Steffi

Hi guys, I lived at 27 Andover Crescent and down in the village (just up from the Scnelli and next door to the Coke factory) 1977-81. My Dad worked in the Harrier Sim and my Mum was a bus escort to Kent School from Laarbruch when they moved there in 83-86. Looking for Dave Grant if anybody knows his whereabouts, maybe living in New Zealand?

I lived in the flats next to the Coke factory from 81-84 - the single block by itself with plum trees out the back. Ground floor right, think it was Rosenthaler Str. Then lived in flats on other side of Coke factory from 86-88, side block of three flats attached to the main block directly on the main road and almost opposite the schnellie. Dx

I lived for just over a year(74-75) in Gerderath(16 Meister-Gerhard Strasse)which was nicely situated about 300 meters from the airfield fence. In 1975 we moved to 6 Harrier Way.I started off at the old Wildenrath School(left 74) and then went to Kent.I was on bus K6 which left Kent from the sports pitch side of the metalwork block

Steve - do you remember Brain Knight or Ian Sewell? I last heard they were in Norwich but lost track of them in the mid 70's

In 77-80 I remember a girl from Wilders whose last name was Sewell. Howevre, she was just known as Frog because of her big round specs

Hiya Louise... I lived at Wildenrath from 1971 to 1973 at 4 Beaver Close. I remember VERY well going to the cinema every Saturday morning, and also in the evening, too. Yes, the NAAFI was across the road, and the swimming pool was just behind the NAAFI. I think the bowling alley was nearby too? I remember the tennis courts being nearby, as was the part of the NAAFI which sold electrical goods. My dad was a fireman, and worked not far away from the Malcolm Club. I remember having to cycle all the way to the fire section to collect the post, and also buy a newspaper on a Sunday morning from the Malcolm Club. Do you remember the GSI Canteen ? Also "Devil's Hill and Bog Island". I went to Geilkenkirchen School, briefly and then to Kent School for the rest of the time I was in Germany. I've been back to Germany many times since then, sadly not to Kent School, though. I lived there for three months in 1993, at Hagen, but returned to UK as things didn't quite work out. Anyway, I've been to university since then (1997-2001) and got a bit older, as we all do. I can't believe it's been 37 years since I first went to live in Germany!!! I have a map of Wildenrath camp, showing the NAAFI, Cinema etc., which I could scan in and send, if you want? Regards David.

David,do scan the Wildenrath map and post it on the site ,google maps shows they have changed the street names on the quarters area on the camp which makes it hard to find my bearings.Used to spend ages fishing in the little pond at the end of the runway,playing football,think I used to go to the cinema about 2-3 times a week and brutally murdered many hours just hanging around.I managed to fit in a bit of school around that.

Forgot to add that my Dad was in 21 Sigs(although he was originally in the RAF) and my Mum taught at Merlin School from when it opened until we moved to Soest in July 1977

Hi - I used to live in Pembroke Crescent but I can't remember much as I was only 2 when we arrived and left when I was 5! I do remember however the pipes behind our house - they were water pipes. I also remember watching movies and the huge gorgeous birthday gateaux that we used to get! Dad was a sgt there. I went to kindy, my sister (Fiona) went to Merlin. I went back to Wildenrath in 91 and those pipes looked a lot smaller than I remember and the balcony of mum and dads room had gone.

The pipes were what children at Wildenrath had instead of toys.

looking to get in touch with louise webb

looking to talk to louise webb.

looking to talk to louise webb.

To Louise
You will remember me(?)as Helen Smith - we were in the same class at Griffon(4th Yr). Go to Friends Reunited and you will see our Class photo with Mr Jones. I lived off camp for a year and then at Wildenrath for 2 years (76-78). Remember the place well, same as everyone else; the Naafi/pool/cinema etc. We travelled all over Europe in those 3 years, hardly going back to the UK at all. Really enjoyed my 1 Year at Kent, although I don't remember that many names, even though I can recall quite a few faces. I had an older sister Sarah,who would have attended 75-78 years 1-3 at Kent.
I went back to Wildenrath when I was a student at Uni in the holidays as my dad was back working there then. I'm really glad I didn't get to see it being run down and closed, much the same as Kent. It seems such a shame, but I guess the school was so big, there's only so much you can do with a place that size.
If anyone remembers me, would love to hear from you.

Hi Louisa, I don't remember your name but I feel I should as everything you said I remember, I lived in Heron Road (GSO) as it was commonly known, I lived in Wildenrath until Aug 79 when I moved to Ireland for 2yrs then moved back to Wilders.
Funny thing is, myself, Elaine Boneham, Sharon Webb (was she your sis)or was it Jones used to ride those Shnel Imbiss ponies, Peter being the owner and Mona, Blackie, King, Chicco being a couple of names of the ponies, yes I used to go to the flicks on sats and hung out in the Naafi canteen/club, I was Lifeguard at the pool in 79 before leaving.

I just found this site, sorry but absolutely nothing to do with Kent School, but I did coach the Judo club at Wildenrath from 1981 - 84, hey I remember a lot of the names here, especially Stephanie Vavasour, how is Mike, Helga and Michael ? great memories of it all, did any of you carry on with the Judo ?

Heading across next week for a fortnights worth of mooching around Europe, will have a nosey around Wildenrath, I dont think it would have changes much since our last visit in 2000. Will take some up to date photos of Kent too.
Ken

Only just stumbled across this page.....I lived in Pembroke Cresent from 1980-82 (the house on the right end as you face the wood). Our house had a cellar which used to creep me out. I remember "devils wood" nicknamed because the stream used to turn red. I remember a massive well in the wood, we used to think it was miles deep. I went to Griffon school, my best friends were Matthew Kent, Simon Pilling and Melanie Fitzpatrick. I remember ginger haired twin called Ceri and Kirsty. The Zur Post was a pub in the town we used to eat at on special occasions. I remember the outdoor pool on camp and the famous water pipes we used to play on. I also enrolled in the cub scouts whilst I lived there (I was 9 at the time!

lived at 16 Harrier Way 1972-5 left aged 16 sister Caroline aged 13 in 1975. Recall other lads Paul & David Collins Marcus Allen. Mark Roper Russell Ingham Tim Brick ( 1970s fashion monkey!)
Also 2 girls Linda Phillipps & her friend Theresa
& a girl called Patricia Brick ( tim' sister. ) sister' friend was Jakki Boyle Also a guy called Bob jones 7 John young Any of these people visit this site/

I lived in brittania way from around 1977 to 1980 and went to griffon school. As I recall there were two mr jones there. I also remember the pipes, many a fun summer walking on them. Anyone remember the Mally Club?

Hello,my names Marie Honniball and I left Wildenrath when I was aged 10 to move to England this was in 1978-79.My friend at the time was Andrea and I went to Griffin School it would be great to hear from anyone who remembers me.The pipes were the best place to go with your friends ...we would follow them deep into the woods.Such great child hood memories if only for a short time .

Stumbled upon this site! I went to the school within the RAF camp decades ago (mid 1950's). We were trucked in from the army housing (lived @ # 5 Frankenstrasse); my father being attached to Mercury Barracks. Great times, fond memories; I do recall a Mrs McCulloch, likely years before any of you were there, let alone born?

hi louise im not sure if i know you did you go around with louise waddington,i was there between 79 -81names i remember steve and libby jenkins paula durbin debbie cascade ,i to remember the pipes ,good times,won't say to much ,pete tomlin

I lived in RAF wildenrath around 1973 till 1979 I remember the street party too would love to see some pics I remember the cinema and naffi I went to Kent school I remember Nicola hinks Alex Duncan and a girl named penny Amos x

Jayne Coupland - I used to hang around with Penny Amos. She lived in the big houses near the station commander's as her dad was an Air Commodore, if I remember correctly. You may also remember then, Kim Daimond. Her dad was the padre. I'm still in contact with her. Not found Penny though.

Hey I remember loads about penny shame we don't know where she is now x

Sarah barwood didn't I know you ? X

Bev do you still have the street party pics x x

Jayne, there is another message thread on here "Was in Chatham house boarding school 1970 ish" back in 2012 where a few names from that age group are mentioned.

We lived at 4 Robertson Drive Wildenrath from 2007 till the end. it was sad in the end with only a few living their but most of the place was abandoned. Naafi closed down, no more guards, school closed, it was upsetting that we had to leave our beautiful bungalow. Now, what I have heard, some investors want to change it into a holiday park, but until now there is only a big fence all around the camp with some nasty dogs so nobody can enter. We bought a house 20 km from Wildenrath so we are still in the neighbourhood. Also it's not possible to enter JHQ anymore. It is sad that they fenced it so badly that nobody can visit the place anymore to get nice memories.

Hi Elaina, I'm on hols in Germany this weekend & was planning on looking around the MQ area. I lived in Gosnell Ave 69 to 73. Is there definitely no access at all to the MQ area?

Hi all,
I was at Wildenrath from 78- 81 and worked in the Harrier Simulator, so knew Jim and Val Henderson (and Mo Khan) but I'm afraid I've lost touch. I have some photo's from my time there - do you remember the Bed push - the Harrier Sim won it and I was the 'pilot' as I was the smallest in the sim! I remember being pelted with eggs and flour!
I'm not sure if there is a link on the website to upload the photo's - perhaps someone can let me know?

Chris