RAF No. 20 MU (E), PORT SAID 1950-51

As Remembered By Tony Ruhl

Taking It Easy

In January 1950, after 'square-bashing' at Padgate RAF Camp and Trade Training as clerk - troop movement at RAF Hereford, I arrived at RAF No. 20 MU (E), Port Said, an 18 year old National Serviceman, after an horrendous voyage out on the Empire Pride.

It became a real learning experience living under canvas, with camel spiders, mosquito nets and mostquitoes, 'klefty wallahs', the khamseen winds and the sand in every crevice and orifice. In August 1950 several of us on the camp caught typhoid fever from a carrier working in the camp cookhouse and it was off to the Military Hospital at Fayid for the bullying and cajoling of Sister Baker. I remember my mouth had become one huge ulcer, so it was drinks, drinks and more drinks to prevent anything worse happening. The guy in the bed next to me died one night from a perforated stomach ulcer, which was a real wake-up call!! After convalescence at Deversoir, it was back to Port Fouad and camp life again.

I worked in the Troop Movement Office on the quay at Port Said with other clerks, under Flight Lt. Parkin, but when the Korean War started, the troops ships passed staight through the Suez Canal and no troops disembarked at Port Said, so we took it in turns to man the office and the remainder of us clerks spent time on Port Fouad beach or sailing on the harbour. Idylic life it seemed!

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