PRISONERS OF WAR AT KABRIT
J. Phil Rowlands, RAF Kabrit 1950-51 remembers:
The POW's had all gone home when I arrived at Kabrit in June 1950, but I wonder whether they – or the SAS – were responsible for three wooden huts, set behind the NAAFI where I was billeted. At one time Station HQ believed them to be occupied by native workers so we were not inspected for many months! I spent all my 18 months in Hut 228 and many years later found that they were designated "Huts – East African Type". I often wondered how they ended up in the Canal Zone – no glass windows – only wooden shutters, no verandah unlike all the billets round the parade ground.
David Girdler, RAF Kabrit 1953-55 remembers:
It was rumoured that the YMCA at RAF Kabrit was built by Italian POWs. The building had walls 2 feet thick made from sandstone blocks. It was constantly cool inside no matter how much the sun shone. Clearly, the level of building skills required was that of master masons. The YMCA served good bread wads, crispy chips and fresh tea. It was calm and welcomed all ranks. It was said that the chap who ran the YMCA had been in the job since the 1940’s. Also there was a memorial to African soldiers who had been killed in a wartime bombing raid on Kabrit – such reminders were a constant legacy of much which was now buried in the past.
Vincent Ray, 204 Sqdn RAF Kabrit 1948-49 remembers:
When the German POW Camp at Kabrit closed a married quarters settlement was put up on the site, this was just prior to my demob in September 1949. Other camps were still in use though.