4th AIR FORMATION ROYAL SIGNALS

RAF ISMAILIA & ABU SUEIR 1949

As Remembered By Derek Blain

 

Cable Out - We're Out

We had cables up and down the Canal and these were frequently stolen by the locals for scrap metal. Once there was a rumour of 'Cable Out', the Sergeant would come through one door of our hut to gather a working party while we were piling out the other door to escape! When we did get caught, the working party was no fun - often on the bank of the Sweetwater Canal with two armed guards. Whilst the CO was around we were digging like mad to get in the new cable 2 or 3 foot deep. When he turned his back, we slapped it in 12" deep, to save digging in that dry sand in a shallow trench.

Aboard the Empress of Australia on our way to Egypt

Outside H.Q.

 

No place like home - RAF Ismailia

 

Port of Arashia, from the back of the camp at RAF Ismailia

 

AKC, Fish & Chips and the New Garden Army Cinema down the road on the left

 

The Open-Air Astra cinema at RAF Ismailia

Met Unit at RAF Ismailia

Moascar Church

 

The YMCA at Moascar

 

Got Leave for the first time! Rusty, Norman & Willy on the 2 tonner that broke down on the way. Behind is the kitchen, above the cookhouse for the NAAFI

 

Showing off my civvies at Lake Timsah Officers Club. We were not invited to join so we chatted up the wives whilst the husbands sailed off!

 

 

Our D.R. He tipped a tray of sausages over the cook, who chased him - he ran into our hut, jumped into bed with his clothes on and got away with it!

 

Ivan as "Mercury", the mascot for the 'Senior Regiment'

 

Ginger Stowe & Ivan. Ivans' kit bag has the 4 AF flash at the top and below the names of places he has been to

 

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Les outside the Alanby Club run by the C of E at Moascar

 

Defense du Canal de Suez War Memorial at Gebel Maryam

Cairo Museum

The Sphinx - looking good from here but is rather 'moth eaten'

 

HMS Amethyst approaching the Canal. We were paraded on the banks to cheer them home

 

Port Said

 

Douglas, Joe, Peter & Me - outside our tent in 1949

 

 

 

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