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Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Wales => Monmouthshire => Topic started by: Sweepdog on Thursday 02 September 10 13:40 BST (UK)
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Does anyone know of any of these places in Chepstow...Newport area?
Army Technical School......Herbert Street Maternity Home or Woollos Road(or St Woollos Rd?
Any help appreciated :)
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Hi
The Army Technical School is situated at Beachley, nr Chepstow directly below the first Severn Bridge crossing on the Welsh side. There are numerous pages about its history on google. St Woollos Road is situated on the Western edge of Newport City on top of Stow Hill opposite St Woollos Cathedral. Its the old route into Newport before motorways and by-pass roads were even thought of. Hope this helps
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The Army Boy's Technical School came to Beachley in the 1920's.
After the WWII it became the Army Apprentices School, where junior army recruits (having joined up at age 15/16) would learn a Trade, ie carpentry, electrical, mechanical, survey, etc etc whilst continuing with general education (maths, english etc, encouraged to take O & A levels), and also, of course, learning all the army skills.
At around the age of 18, or after 3 yrs, the 'Boys' would Pass Out of the Apprentices School and go into the Regular Army, having also obtained a City & Guilds or equivalent, in their trade.
Cutbacks shortened their 3 year training as an Army Apprentice to 2 years, and the School became the Army Apprentices College. I believe this was some time in the 1970's - don't quote me on the date, though the information is correct. My father worked there for 30 years as a (civilian) technical lecturer.
In the mid 1990's further cutbacks closed down several of the country's Army Apprentice Colleges, the Beachley site becoming a barracks for the Regular Army.
If you look up BOBA (Beachley Old Boys Association) you may find some archive information, as BOBA is still in existence.
As for its location, Beachley is a couple of miles outside Chepstow, and is on the Gloucestershire side of the river Wye. It sits right at the end of a peninsula jutting out into the Severn Estuary. The (first/old) Severn Bridge crosses directly overhead the barracks.
Since becoming a regular army barracks, it was necessary to build a lot more living quarters, and acres of fabulous playing fields were given over to housing.
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Dannemois - Thanks
Desert Girl - I have been on the BOBA site but no relevant info for me.
Thank you too.
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Is there anything specific you are looking for.....I'm happy to help.
DG
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I was there at Chepstow as an Army Apprentice, 63-66 before migrating to Australia in 66. Name was changed from School to College in 1966. Yes, a Regular Army Depot now, The Rifles are there.
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NWP - I stand corrected, the name change from School to College happened earlier than I remember! By the way, did you enjoy your time there?
Just curious, what was your trade?
DG
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Hi DG, I was an Apprentice Draughtsman Civil and Structrual. Yes I did enjoy my time there and did not want to leave the Army as I had another few months trade training plus 9 years adult service to serve, but my father forced the issue and I reluctantly emigrated to OZ. I did not continue with my trade, but went into the Australian Army for 4 years then into the Police for 33 years. Such is life. I am going over to England next April to trace a few more ancestors, living and deceased !
The England I knew has changed, having been back 3 times in the past 47 years. :( I was born in Colchester, but last lived in Northampton, pre Chepstow. I visit the BOBA site often, see a few names I know. Note my avatar, the old Army Apprentice Badge, there were other schools/colleges at Arborfield and Harrogate, all closed now. :(
Cheers, Les
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Hi Les,
Well that's a change of career, army to police!
Yes I recognised the AAC badge! Some years back my brother and I were each given an AAC commemorative beer glass (AAC badge is etched onto the side). I think someone had given them to my father, and he passed them on!
By the way, my father started work at the AAC in early 1963 (Survey Dept).
Also, I think staff were encouraged to take part in hobbies groups, and I remember dad ran the roller-skating club (open to families on a weekend afternoon, that's where I learned to skate) in the old sergeants mess. And he took the languages club for some years.
I suppose if you left in 66 then you would have seen many changes during your time there, as such a lot of work was going on at that time, not least the building of the bridge overhead!!
Regards
DG