Bodies found in the Sweet-water Canal

Extract from: ‘THE RED BERET – EGYPT.’ 24th November 1951.
Forwarded to this Website (through a Canal Zone Veteran in England) by Mr D Atkinson, an ex Para now living in Canada.
                    The names are not given in full due to the sensitive contents of the material.

The mutilated bodies of L/Cpl F…… and Bdr R …… who have been missing since 18th November, were yesterday found in the Sweet-water Canal opposite a Police Post in Ismailia. L/Cpl F ……’s body was found floating on top of the Canal yesterday morning, this section of the Canal was drained and the body of Bdr R…… recovered, he had been badly beaten up, his skull had been smashed in, his legs broken and there were bayonet wounds in his body.  There were rumours that the body of an unidentified officer has also been dumped into the Canal.  Steps are being taken to find out if this is true.

The past two days have given further proof that acts of terrorism are to be seriously reckoned with, although at present they are
sporadic and do not bear any sign of any co-ordinated plan.  But the fact remains that advantage is more and more being taken to attack soldiers who are not in company with others and are off their guard.  It has been proven time and time again that the Civil Police are unable to assist or prevent these acts.  It is very doubtful even if they co-operate to the fullest extent that they could prevent the incidents.  Each man must be alert and not finish up in the Sweet-water Canal.

A meeting of the Ikhwan el Muslimeen (Muslim Brotherhood) took place in the native quarter of Ismailia on Wednesday.  It
has been learnt from reliable sources that the future policy will be to stop all incidents in towns and attacks on Service Families and concentrate on parties moving over open roads.  Mohamed Farghally,  the leader of the Canal Zone Branch IEM was present at the meeting.  The Egyptians are calling Ismailia a Front Line Town.

All Service families have now been evacuated from Ismailia.  In four days, 1200 families have been taken to safer areas.  Some will return to England whilst others  will go to specially protected areas in the Zone.  Ismailia is now “Out Of Bounds” to all troops not on duty.

Aye Jock Marrs.