On My Lonesome
By Jim Munro
Cyprus or Aden was the choice I got from my Adjutant in April 65. In those days EOKA were causing mayhem I on the Mediterranean island and the British Army was watching their backs on the banks of the Red Sea. I vividly remember boarding the VC 10 at RAF Brize Norton (I'm sure it was there) for the direct flight to RAF Khormaksar, which took about 7 hours.
The first thing I recall on alighting from the aircraft was the tremendous humid heat in the early hours of the morning. As I was going on attachment and heading up to Anzio Camp I was 'on my lonesome' and must have been a forlorn figure whilst waiting on my transport which NEVER turned up. A kindly RAF officer secured a vehicle which took me 'up the causeway' to Little Aden and a welcome rest as I was already knackered from the heat - and I had only been in the place for a few hours. I was beginning to regret choosing Aden over Cyprus.
Not for long - I soon settled to the task and started to enjoy myself; after all I was only 19. The daily trips to the little village of Bir Fuqum were enjoyable and I almost ran into a camel one time when I was the driver of a Land Rover with 'L' plates on. I stopped just in time and the angry looking beast just hissed and spat in my direction. The AVGAS and AVTUR gasoline tanks, which were gigantic and looked very imposing against the night sky, were safe in our hands.
I recall one time I broke my wrist playing football and had to go into Steamer Point Hospital - and this was on a Saturday afternoon. Medical staff were at a premium and I had to wait ages before I got my 'stookie' on. When I finally got discharged the driver was nowhere to be seen so I headed along the 'Murder Mile' which was the Maalla Strait and the rooftop snipers opened up. Luckily I made it to the roundabout near the airport where a passing military vehicle whisked me back up the causeway to safety. I was in the Middle East for seven months only but what an experience. I often wonder what became of Flt Lt Symonds who was also on secondment with me.
Jim Munro
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