Noddy
Fremlins Beer Pump Clip
Noddy's Tale

 Noddy’s Tale Sgt Noddy
Or, the saga of how 37 Field Squadron Gained a mascot, Mislaid him, then by using their Sapper Initiative, combined with a bit of subterfuge and downright cunning, they managed to Retrieve him.
 
Essentially, the story goes thus; Sometime during 1955 whilst 37 Field squadron were based at Invicta lines in Maidstone, someone from the squadron procured, by some allegedly nefarious means, a small figure of an elephant. This wee beastie was the property of the well known local brewery company, Fremlins Ltd. Those readers of a certain vintage will recall that Fremlins had long connections with Kent, and in particular with the town of Maidstone. For it was in Maidstone that their brewery was located.

Fremlins Brewery
Fremlins Brewery ColouredThose readers of a certain vintage will recall that Fremlins had long connections with Kent, and in particular with the town of Maidstone. For it was in Maidstone that their brewery was located, as the photograph on the left will clearly show. Their logo was the figure of an elephant. The author recalls seeing this logo on much of their publicity materials as recently as the 1970s. His image was included on Fremlins beer-mats, beer-pump-clips and much of their other advertising paraphernalia etc. As can be seen from the image below.

Noddy became a much travelled little elephant. Wherever around the globe that 37 Field Squadron R.E. happened top be posted in those halcyon days of “end of empire”, and before the final withdrawal from British army bases east of suez, then, Noddy dutifully accompanied the squadron. The little elephant saw service in various garrisons including Malta, Christmas Island, and Germany. Then in 1976, when 37 Field squadron moved to Hameln, poor little Noddy was somehow left behind in Osnabrück. However, there is a happy ending to Noddy’s tale, and by clicking on the Pdf image below, you can read an account of how Noddy found his way home.

For an account of how Noddy was recovered when lost, please read the PDF file to the right, courtesy of the Sapper Magazine.
To view the official 37 Armoured Engineer Squadron version of Noddy’s History, visit the squadron  “traditions” webpage.

 

Noddy's Return - Sapper Mag4
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