RECALLED FOR THE SUEZ CRISIS

RAOC Attached 3 Base Workshop REME

As Remembered By Mike Murray

The 13th June 2021 marks the 65th Anniversary of the Flight from Egypt, not the one Moses was on – he had the good sense to leave somewhat earlier! The one in question refers to the departure of the last British soldiers from the Land of the Pharaohs.

For some months earlier there had been a constant stream of units and individuals saying a fond farewell to the Canal Zone, some heading for the U.K., others being deployed in the Middle East.

Early January I found myself aboard the L.S.T. Humphry Gale en route for Benghazi. Most afternoons for the next ten months being spent on the beach – a far cry from the confines of 5 BOD TEK.

This idyllic existence was momentarily shattered with news of Nassers’ takeover of the Suez Canal, so it was back to Suez. As one of a small contingent of RAOC personnel attached to 3 Base Workshop REME, we were told that if the natives got restless our role would be to defend the married quarters. In the event, the only people to threaten the peace were a large group of A.E.R. (reservists) who failed to appreciate the government’s generosity in providing them with an all expenses paid holiday on the Med!!

Fortunately shortly after their arrival I was able to make my own flight from the area – this time on a 36 seater Viking from Benina Aerodrome before demob on the 15th November.

Perhaps this will prompt others to write about their experiences when they left the Canal Zone, especially if they were deployed elsewhere – or even recall during the Suez Crisis.

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