A "BRATS’" 6 YEARS ON THE NILE

As Remembered By Roger Wheeler

Sometime in 1946/7 my father (Richard [Bert] Wheeler – 4 RTR) was posted to Egypt. A few months later Mum (Edith [Vicky] Wheeler) and I joined him, to a camp called Shandur. We stayed there for approx. 3 years in SNCO’s married quarters. There were four houses – ours, the RSM’s (he had a son Patrick Wall), a sergeant in the REME (who had 3 sons – David, Derek & John Norris) and another couple who had no children.

When I arrived in the camp my father said “in that house there’s some boys – go and make friends with them”. I was very shy but they made me welcome. They were building a wooden boat which later we sailed.

I was the youngest and David Norris became my best friend. John Norris was the oldest, and the protector – Patrick Wall was the bully and always picking on me and David. We all went to the same school in RAF Kabrit camp. We travelled in a 1 ton truck but, after getting shot at, the transport was changed to a half track, then, after the next shooting, we were taught in our camp.

We were typical boys according to my mother. The first film we saw was the Wooden Horse and for days after seeing it we were digging tunnels in the sand. We had a couple of special places where we would get out of camp through the barbed wire and generally run wild. There were some quiet times playing on the rifle ranges and with our toys and bikes.

About 1951 we moved to Tewfig camp for a short time, then to Curragh Village and Kensington Village. I had some friends in these places but I cannot remember any of the names. I have never forgotten the four boys in Shandur camp though and would love to contact them again – but not knowing their fathers’ first names or army numbers the army has not been able to help – Does anyone know where they are?

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