We would visit the Forts to top,up,on water, grab some ‘gophers’ as they were supplied with British Rat Packs, have a chat before moving on. They brought supplies up by donkey. The FNG were amongst the first to start firing at us, they did not realise when we went so did their jobs/cash. When Members of the Aden Veterans visited everywhere they went they were stopped and asked if the British were ever coming back! Look at the place now, a murderous shambles. What people may not know is that the Port and a Town was a British Colony to protect access to the Suez Canal and as a RN Base to command the West Indian Ocean. Once you left Aden you went into Tribal Areas ruled by Sheikhs, and similar who had a British Political Officer to advise. We patrolled to keep the Peace. Later the British had no use for Aden, the massive Oil Tankers could not use the Suez Canal anyway and had to go around Cape of Good Hope, the Empire was gone, Aden was redundant.
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 03 Aug 2020 05:29:24 EDT
Top Row:
Hunt V,Scott,Sheldon,Reay,Spalding, Bennett, Prior, Manning, Reberio
Next Row
Hunt D, Wright, Lecky, Stray, Eccleson,Holden,Fishlock,Brotherton
Next Row:
Addy, Mason R, Mason D, Rose,Barnes, Jones, Macally, Pattison, nk
Front Row:
Gunner Byrne, Staff Sgt Stead RA, Me, Lt Mackie RM, Sgt Jock Wilkinson
Cpl Jack French, Gunner Brown, Rev Taylor RN and Gunner Newman
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 02 Aug 2020 15:52:44 EDT
This was at mile 25 on the old 30 miler and the lads are going strong and looking good. I believe that one looking back and grinning is Recruit Scott who went on to win the Kings Badge. Back then it was 10 miles Moor, 10 miles lanes and 10 miles roads. It would be impossible now with the traffic.
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 02 Aug 2020 15:29:09 EDT
Firing 7.62mm SLR Rifles. The Range at Straight Point used to run North to South but was frequently ‘fouled’ by fishing boats leaving or returning to Exmouth meaning all shooting stopped. The Range was realigned West to East ending that problem.
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 02 Aug 2020 15:23:41 EDT
Recruit on High Regain over water tank. The 30 foot ropes can be seen in the background.
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 02 Aug 2020 15:17:40 EDT
With a lovely view over the Exe Estuary as he swings!8
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 02 Aug 2020 15:15:13 EDT
Sgt Blyth was a top rated climber. His brother was famous in the Corps as an expert on the .303” Vickers Machine Gun and put that to good effect in Aden where he distinguished himself, and surprised a few Arab dissidents when he brought the guns to bear!
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 02 Aug 2020 15:10:57 EDT
The strange looking huts were wartime accommodation known as Mansard Huts made of asbestos sheets and scaffolding poles. Slept 8 Marines and heated by a single coke stove.
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 02 Aug 2020 15:08:09 EDT
The Squad are fallen in waiting to be handed over to the PTIs and are wearing ‘58 Pattern Webbing and carrying 7.62 mm SLRs.
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 02 Aug 2020 15:03:35 EDT
The 30:foot ropes can be see I he background. This was part of Agility and Ropes. Which included the Tarzan Course and Lower Field.
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 02 Aug 2020 15:01:15 EDT
This is Cpl Jack French having a ‘wet’ made on my Primus after coming off the Moor on the old 30 miler. The Cpl with him was a Kings Badgeman but his name escapes me for the moment. This was near North Bovey where Recruits could grab a pasty outside the “Ring of Bells” on the run, no water breaks then! Time allowed 7 hours.
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 02 Aug 2020 14:56:45 EDT
These Butts formed part of a 600 yard Range used during WW2, the Tunnel called Smartie Tubes are on the old 25 yard Sten Gun and Pistol Range.
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 02 Aug 2020 14:51:13 EDT
Leading is Recruit Henderson who came from Liverpool.
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 02 Aug 2020 14:48:52 EDT
Young Officer on CTCRM Tarzan Course.The original Tarzan Course was in Sylvan Glade behind the Drill Shed and if you know where to look you can still see the GPO climbing steps left in place. You can tell he is an Officer they wore pale fawn puttees whilst ORs wore khaki.
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 02 Aug 2020 14:42:20 EDT
