GEORGE TAYLOR

42 SURVEY ENGINEERING REGT, FAYID

21ST MAY 1953

 

This is a copy of an original that I still have – it might be of interest to other Canal Zoners.
At this time I was serving on board the HMS Rampura and on Coronation Day we had a fire in the engine room – one day I will never forget.

H.Q. PORT SAID, GRN
M.E.L.F. 9.
TEL. PS. EXT. 334.


SUBJECT : INCIDENT – 21ST MAY, 1953.

LIST “C” (PORT SAID UNITS ONLY)

COPY TO : HQ 32 CDO BDE
OC TPS. EL.BALLAH
1 SG.
NLO. (2). – S.N.O. (A).
20 (EMB) MOV. UNIT RAF.

  1. I want all ranks to know the real facts of the incident in PORT SAID on 21 May, 1953.
  2. About 14.20 hours a lance corporal and a sapper of an Engineer Regt. were knifed in the main street of PORT SAID near BARCLAY’S Bank. The lance corporal was wounded and the sapper died from his injuries. Both men were in civilian clothes and on leave at SEAVIEW Holiday Camp.
  3. The attackers escaped and little is known about the details of the incident. The lance corporal has not so far been able to make a statement. The assailants were dressed in gall-bieha.
  4. The British Consul made an immediate and strong protest to the
    Egyptian Governor. The governor appears to be co-operative and is taking steps to apprehend the assailants.
  5. The leading British Shipping agents have proved most co-operative and are not, for the time being, going to allow any passengers ashore from British civilian ships. This move will bring home to the Egyptians in a forceful financial manner that attacks upon British subjects will result in effective retribution.

- Sent in by Peter Evans

 

INCIDENT, 21ST MAY 1953 -

FROM BERT ROSS, THE LANCE CORPORAL THAT SURVIVED

Regarding the above article regarding the Incident on the 21st May 1953, I was the lance corporal that survived on that day. My friend was George Taylor from Newcastle who died and is buried in the cemetery at Fayid. We were both from 42 Survey Engineer Regt stationed at Fayid. I did not have the opportunity of visiting Georges grave before leaving for the UK. Below is a copy of The Daily Mail of Saturday 23rd May 1953 which covered the story. – Bert Ross

 

Peter Arnett 42 Survey Eng. Regt remembers: To the best of my memory, the Sapper who was killed was due to return to the UK to get married two weeks after this event. On the day of the funeral the only people left in camp were those on duty (unfortunately I was one of them) and I might add that the locally employed staff had to tread very gently for some considerable time after this event

 

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