Canal Zoners - Royal Signals

I joined the Royal Signals in September 1953 and was posted to Catterick Garrison in Yorkshire. Our accommodation had air conditioning (no heat) with holes in the walls and it gave us lots of fresh air – looking back on this I think is was done so that we welcomed doing our ‘square bashing’.

There were 35 of us from various backgrounds. We all got on very well with each other. This photo shows we were 34/201 Troop Royal Signals Sept 1953. Our Instructors were Sgt J. O’Brien and Cpl Laidlaw.

From Catterick some of us went to Ripon to train as Depatch Riders. I was friendly with a chap named Perry. In the photo with two of us kneeling down, I am on the right, Perry on the left. After training Perry and I went to join the Paras in Aldershot – I failed the eye test but Perry passed. Unfortunately, I lost contact with him and, if he is still around, I would love t hear from him – does anyone recognize him?

From Aldershot I was posted to 3 LoC, Fayid from February 1954 to February 1956. From Egypt I went to Cavalry Barracks, York but missed my demob date because of the Suez Crisis. I did an extra 3 months over my demob date.

I was stationed for two years at the Royal Signals, 3 L of C, Fayid from February 1954 to February 1956. Our camp was on the Treaty Road with the railway line just behind us. The entrance was opposite the British Military Hospital.

Just inside our entrance was a ten set mast some 60ft high - whilst there I did manage to get some photos from the top of the mast. The Signals Office was some distance from the mast. We did daily deliveries of mail to Moascar and Suez; other communication was by Teletext.

I did Life Guard duty at the Olympia swimming pool with a guy named John from Birmingham, whose surname I cannot recall. We did this for about 6 weeks and it was great as married families came with their children and we had good fun teaching them to dive.

In 1954, four of us had a two week holiday in Famagusta, Cyprus. Myself, David Geekie, Ray Spookand Ray Berry. We hired motor bikes and had a great time touring the island. Does anyone remember David Geekie? He was sadly buried alive, with a corporal, whilst digging a new toilet in the sand - Ray Spook was buried up to his waist and therefore saved.

In August 1955 our Corporals Club organized a Tramps Ball at the Olympia Centre. We all had a fantastic night - the best "Tramps" were Bob and Jack (both Scotmen from the RE camp). They arrived in good suits but once the Stella beer took over other Royal Engineers helped them look more the part!

Tents at Royal Signals 3 LoC Camp Fayid .....

note the train line in the background in the first photo

Signals Office from the ten set mast including the telephone switchboard. We also had a Teletext office linking all the Garrisons in the Canal Zone

The mast inside 3 LoC Royal Signals Camp

David Geekie in sea near Kyrenia, Cyprus

Myself in the sea near Kyrenia, Cyprus

Our first meal out in a small hotel in Famagusta - Ray Spook, Myself & Ray Berry

One of the motorbikes we hired

John from Birmingham at Olympia swimming pool

Me on duty at the Olympia swimming pool

Invitation ticket to the Tramps Ball from our Corporals Club 27th August 1955

Allan, myself, Geordie (wth hat) and 2 R.E.'s

Some of the "Tramps" at our Tramps Ball

Jack & Jock (both RE's) - The two "Best Tramps"

At last going home on board "Dilwara". After some Leave, I was stationed at Northern Command Fulford Barracks, York.

Due to the Suez Crisis in 1956, I was not de-mobed until November 1956

Tents at Royal Signals 3 LoC Camp Fayid .....	note the train line in the background in the first photo
Signals Office from the ten set mast including the telephone switchboard. We also had a Teletext office linking all the Garrisons in the Canal Zone	The mast inside 3 LoC Royal Signals Camp
David Geekie in sea near Kyrenia, Cyprus	Myself in the sea near Kyrenia, Cyprus
Our first meal out in a small hotel in Famagusta - Ray Spook, Myself & Ray Berry	One of the motorbikes we hired
John from Birmingham at Olympia swimming pool	Me on duty at the Olympia swimming pool
Invitation ticket to the Tramps Ball from our Corporals Club 27th August 1955	Allan, myself, Geordie (wth hat) and 2 R.E.'s
Some of the "Tramps" at our Tramps Ball	Jack & Jock (both RE's) - The two "Best Tramps"
At last going home on board "Dilwara". After some Leave, I was stationed at Northern Command Fulford Barracks, York. Due to the Suez Crisis in 1956, I was not de-mobed until November 1956