RADIO & TRANSMITTER MECHANICS/SIGNAL SECTION

RAF DEVERSOIR & EL HAMRA 1953-56

As Remembered By Peter J. Harris

Terry Rogers & I first met at RAF Deversoir where we were serving as Radio & Transmitter Mechs/Signal Section. Our main base was the Transmitter Station, Homer Station, Control Tower and Operations Room.

My first assignment was the Homer Station - what a bore - half an hour job and then twiddle your thumbs until finishing time. Terry was at the Transmitter Station - another bore - a 10 minute job!

My next assignment was the Operations Room - a little more interesting as I was responsible for looking after all equipment. However, it was situated on the opposite side of the airfield to the Transmitter Station where I was billeted. No vehicle, no bike, just a hell of a long walk there and back every day around the perimeter track. I was only visited once by our Sergeant and he suddenly decided, because we were on Active Duty, we should have communications between Ops Room and the Pilots in the dispersal area. Terry was sent to assist in digging a trench between the two areas. Terry was AC1, I was LAC - guess who did most of the work! He has never forgiven me! If you think it was easy digging, think again. However, Terry didn't last long and eventually got a cushy job at the Bombing Range directing the Vampires. I could elaborate more with our stay at Deversoir, but to suffice to say it was the most boring station in Egypt.

What a relief when we were informed Deversoir was closing down - Hooray! Perhaps a better posting. How right we were. Terry was posted to Amman and I was posted to El Hamra to be attached to the RAF Regiment (what thoughts go through your mind?). However, I accepted what I was letting myself in for. I asked Terry if he would like to join me if we could get an exchange with another colleague who was posted with me. They both agreed.

What a lovely surprise we had when we arrived at El Hamra. We were treated as the 'Elite'. All tradesmen were sited in tent line 'J' on 8 LAA Wing.

Myself, Terry and our Corporal had our own little workshop and were left to our own devices.

In the afternoon we would build our own amplifiers to supply our 'J' Lines with the Local Radio Stations. No RF Section was required, just a piece of wire and a coil. We also built our own 50 K W Transmitters which we were able to transit to most of the world. Our call sign was SUUK.

However, we never did realise how important we were to the Regiment, as all trades were responsible for servicing all the equipment on Desert Rescue Exercises for which El Hamra was known as one of the main stations.

On numerous occasionsd we were called out on Exercises and how we loved them. Life was so different. The camaraderie between the Regiment and all trades was excellent with a firm bond of friendship being established between myself, Terry, Morien (Taffy) Hughes and Smuggler Smith. The latter two being RAF Regiment Radio Operators.

Our life attached to the Regiment was very varied, sometimes chaotic, always eventful and our excursions into the desert, including Mount Sinai, will (hopefully) be the subject of further articles.

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