LIFE WITH 10 RAILWAY SQUADRON - 1952-55
As Remembered By Brian Tosdevin
I was with 10 Railway Sqdn from June 1952 until April 1955 and was very interested in Robin Thorne's article.
At that time I was employed as a signalman, or blockman as we were known, working at Nefisha and El Firdan. What Robin was saying about signalmen travelling from box to box on the train must have ended by the time I arrived in the Zone.
The map supplied shows the railway line crossing the Canal at Al Qantara. Unless my memory is failing me, I am sure it crossed at El Firdan, but was destroyed by the tanker "World Peace" when it ran into the bridge. I also believe there was a new bridge built further south of the one at El Firdan, although I'm not sure if it was just a road bridge.
All the E.S.R. workers I came into contact with, without fail, treated me with the utmost respect and civility. At El Firdan I was often invited to join the Assistant Station Master, and I assume the local village elders, to drink coffee with them in the evenings. I also had safe conduct in the local village if I went in unarmed, again, I was treated well, especially by the children as I always had sweets for them.
My first camp was Moascar Railway Station - our accomodation was a row of old railway coaches.
When we moved to Fanara, I was employed as a
shunter, working between Fanara Docks and the Station. I also spent some time
shunting at 10 BOD Geneifa and a spell as a signalman at El Kirsh, when an
RAF chap was kidnapped.
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Dressed as Station Master - Fanara Station |
Me (standing) with a fitter at Fanara Station |
Me with one of our engines at Fanara |
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Our camp at Moascar Railway Station - I'm on the left |
Me, all ready for Guard Duty |
