REME 3 INF. WORKSHOP EL KIRSH 1051-54
As Remembered By Geoff Wise
In June 1951, I was posted to 3 Inf Workshops REME, El Kirsh. Although we were part of the El Kirsh Garrison, we were in ‘canal cottages’, in a new camp, set up outside the perimeter of the main garrison.
Most nights we were fired upon by snipers, under cover, on the canal embankment. On this particular night, the Sergeants Mess was having a celebration, with plenty of liquid refreshment. The shooting started, the alarm sounded and we were called out. We formed up, in front of the armoury, with all of the camp lights blazing; no one had thought to turn them off as a protection against the snipers. The armoury comprised a Nissen hut divided in two. One half contained the arms and the other the ammunition. As we were detailed, we would collect arms from one half and the ammunition from the other.
I was ordered to collect a Bren gun and with two others, drive about half a mile to defend one of our outlying workshops. I duly collected the Bren and went to get the ammunition, only to be told that the Bren magazines had all been issued and there were none left. There were three serviceable Bren guns in the unit plus a ‘drill’ Bren gun. The ‘drill’ gun which was minus a firing pin, had already been issued out, plus the necessary magazines. I had a serviceable gun but no ammunition. I reported this fact to the sergeant, expecting to be issued with another weapon but was ordered, with the Bren gun minus ammunition, to go and defend the workshop, the two squaddies with me each had asten guns, with ammo, so off we went. We were ‘guarding’ the workshop for about two hours before we were stood down, fortunately, during that time, the only ‘enemy’ we sighted were a couple of pyads sniffing around for food.
I often wonder if the unlucky
soldier with the ‘drill’ Bren realised the predicament he was in.
Luckily, he too did not have to put it to the test that night