2 PORT DETACHMENT, ROYAL ENGINEERS, PORT SAID 1950-51

As Remembered By 22314672 Charles A. Otter

 

On leaving Pinefield Camp, Elgin, Morayshire, Scotland in March 1950 we travelled by train to Liverpool, staying two nights in Seaforth Barracks because the ship was not ready for us. We were finally taken by lorry to the docks to board the S.S. Orduna. I can remember being shown around the ship and in particular the deck with all the hooks above to hang your hammock on.

The Pacific Steam Navigation Co, S.S. Orduna

My tent - when the sandstorm hit us

We were soon on our way and I remember seeing the Rock of Gibraltar upon entering the Mediterranean. We stopped for a short while at Malta but were not allowed ashore. The smell was awful as we approached Egypt and disembarked onto the RASC ‘ Z’ craft for 156 Transit Camp where we stayed for two weeks. We were then taken to the harbour and the ferry to Port Said where a lorry was waiting to take us to our permanent camps. Along the way we stopped for a meal at Ismailia and then arrived at a large camp surrounded by barbed wire, I can’t remember the name of the place but possibly it could have been Fanara or Fayid. The Guard Room informed us that there was no room for us in the camp and told us that we would have to stay in a couple of tents located outside the perimeter, only entering the camp for meals and washing. We spent our days crossing the Sweetwater Canal and going through a native village with camels, donkeys, goats and very unfriendly people, and onto the Great Bitter Lake.

Our Billet - 2 Port Detchment, Port Said

I'm on the r& Mauritian guard is on the left

After about three weeks we were told to report to the Guard Room where a lorry would be waiting to take us to our permanent postings. Some were dropped off at various places, whilst myself and two others went the full distance back to Port Said to 2 Port Detachment Royal Engineers. Our accommodation was basic on the docks with a five foot wall around it and an outside cold shower with many lizards. A captain and a sergeant were in charge of us.

Myself on a gun on the docks	My best mate with two native workers
Leaving work	Ship coming through the Canal Searchlight box on front of the ship
Passenger ship "Chusan" refueling at Port Said on her maiden voyage to Australia	Aircraft carrier entering the Suez Canal

Our off-duty time was spent at the Britannia Club in Port Said and down at the statue of Ferdenand de Lesseps at the entrance of the Canal to catch the sea breezes. That was until Col. Nassar came on the scene and then everywhere became “Out of Bounds” outside the docks. We had our meals at Movement Control (also on the docks) or at the NAAFI.

Outside 2 Port Detachment & Other Regt's. I'm in the front with the dog, the billet is on the left

N.C.O.'s Christmas Dinner 1950 - Age 19 years old 2 Port Detachment, RE, Port Said

Time eventually arrived for us to hand in our rifles and ammo into the stores and board a RASC launch to take us out into the shipping lanes to wait for the troopship Dunera to arrive. We could see it coming in as it left the Canal and entered the harbour in a convoy with other ships at a rate of about eight knots. It never slowed down and the launch pulled up alongside it and, with the help of some crew members, we and our kitbags got on board. It seemed like a very dangerous move.

On the journey back we stopped at Tangiers, North Africa and this time we were allowed to go ashore for a few hours. On arrival back at Southampton on a cold and rainy morning, we were taken to Winchester before being discharged.

These are just a few of my memories from my time in the Canal Zone but I will never forget the flies and the sandstorms etc.

Where my photos were developed

 

Charles writes further:

 

Leaving from Liverpool, on entering the Mediterranean Sea I can remember seeing the Rock of Gibraltar After a few more days we arrived at Malta and were greeted by all the bum boats trying to sell us all kinds of things. We were not allowed to go ashore and after a few hours we were on our way again to Egypt.

Rock of Gibraltar in the distance	The Bum Boats at Malta
The Tug Boat at Malta Harbour	The Suez Canal

Upon arrival in Egypt we disembarked onto a RASC ‘Z’ craft, taken to Port Fouad and 156 Transit Camp, where we stayed for about 14 days. The first soldiers I met were two lads from my own home town!

Eventually, we left the Transit Camp and boarded the ferry to Port Said, where we were put on lorries to be taken to our camp. Having travelled the full length of the Canal, stopping a various camps along the way, it turned out that no one wanted us, so we were taken back to Port Said and 2 Port Detachment, Royal Engineers.

2 Port Detachment had a captain in charge with a sergeant and two other sappers. All the cargo ships used to drop anchor and swing round with the stern facing the quay about 50 yards away and then tied up with ropes. They had to do it this way as the water was not deep enough for the larger ships. Two ships – the Snowdon Smith and the Humphrey Gale – were L.S.T.’s which were flat-bottomed and therefore they could discharge their cargo (mostly vehicles) straight onto the quay. We were often invited onto these cargo ships for a drink in the evenings.

All R.E. stores were marked with a brown triangle. These were unloaded into barges to be brought ashore by steam cranes on tracks.

The Canal Company Buildings	Two Royal Navy ships tied up at Port Said
Myself on a tank in the docks	Passenger ship on her way to the Med

We often visited the Britannia Club in Port and would always be stopped by traders trying to sell us their goods. I did get measured for a two-piece suit, which was ready in two days, and was a perfect fit. I wore it for years so was a good buy.

Most of my time in the Canal Zone was OK but also some not so good like when I ended up in the Sick Bay with an insect bite on my wrist. My hand and fingers swelled up to about twice their size and I also had another bite just under my right eyebrow, making my face also swell up. I was treated with injections and pills for about ten days. The bite on my face still often itches even to this day and the one on my wrist left a large scar.

We used to take our washing to the dhobi on our way to work and watch them as they sprayed a mouthful of starch onto the washing before ironing it and pick it up on our way back to our billet after work. They always did a good job of it. We also had a barber come to the billet once a week.

Everything changed when a “State of Emergency” was declared and everywhere in Port Said became “Out of Bounds” – except the docks

 

 

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