RAF ABYAD 1953-54
'MEMORIES'
As Remembered By Jim Oxley
Here are just a few of my memories of my time spent at RAF Abyad:
? The vast container of boiling water outside the Cookhouse
in which you washed your irons
? When your mug got somewhat brown, scouring it with sand. Worked beter the
Vim
? Those toilet buckets which were emptied daily – kept out of the way!
? Water chatties outside the billets
? On Guard Duty outside the Powerhouse – remember those cats?
? Sardine sandwiches in the Guard Tent
? Training on the Sten gun. I managed to get 9 rounds stuck up the barrel! I
then had to fetch another one from the Armoury where the cactus plant outside
came into flower once while I was there.
? I remember whilst on escort duties in a car taking the C.O. to Port Said and not being able to get the magazine in my Sten gun. I was afraid to hit it too hard in case it went off.
? Of going outside when it rained (briefly) in the 10 months
I was out there
? Guard Parade at Abyad was full of ‘bull’, whilst I believe at
107 MU there were no shiney brasses
? Those crickets in the bushes outside the Sergeants Mess in
the evenings
? Last Post & Evening Hymn – I helped run a music circle and once
had one of the Forces Radio announcers with me in the YMCA. We ran a ‘Parade
of Ackers’ – a spin off from the American ‘March of Dimes’.
I cannot remember what for but the YMCA was full to over-flowing. The most popular
requests were for “John & Marcia” and “Out in the Middle
East” (both were normally banned records). Has anybody got a copy?
The Last Hymn was played by the band from Kneller Hall.
I have heard tell that the YMCA is now a Mosque
? Getting ‘Gippy Tummy’ whilst on Guard on my own in the Airbourne Radio Repair Section. I removed the bolt from my rifle and ran!
? No hot water in the ablutions so to get a good shave I used
hot cookhouse tea
? Who fell asleep after swimming in the Lido and got sunburnt?
These are just a few of my memories; a lot I have now forgotten.
I have not tried to write a story, but hope to just jog a few minds and memories of those days