RAMC 33 COY, BMH FAYID 1953-55
Central Medical Laboratory
As Remembered By Bob White
During my National Service I worked at the Central Medical Laboratory (CML). The lab was the reference pathology laboratory for the whole of the Middle East, and although not strictly speaking a department of the BMH was situated within its perimeter wire. There was one jealously guarded ‘perk’ enjoyed by the staff of the CML and that was the opportunity to be Cashier at ‘The Globe’. We had about five or six of us on the rota, consequently once or twice a week I would be the Cashier for the evening. For those unfamiliar with the area, The Globe was situated immediately outside the BMH main entrance.
The Globe Cinema (Open Air)
One night when it was my turn on, as I came out of the BMH, I was surprised to see a large queue already waiting at the cinema although it was still half an hour before opening time. It also occurred to me that the crowd was almost entirely made up of East Africans. When I spoke to the Greek manager of the cinema he said that he had been expecting this to happen and that extra seating had been put in to cope. So what was this film which so attracted the Africans? It was “Elephant Walk” and somehow I don’t think everyone came just to see Elizabeth Taylor or Richard Burton!
By the way, the cashier’s pay was 25 akkers per night – not a fortune
but then every little helped.