History of the El Gamil Group In 1956 the British Government decided that the town and port of Suez in Egypt had to be taken by British troops and the honour of the assault was awarded to the 3rd Battalion, Para Regt.   Accordingly, on 5th November 1956, the attack was launched, led by the Colonel of the 3rd Battalion P E Crook, but as there was insufficient aircraft for a single drop the planes used, Hastings, Valettas and Dakotas, delivered half of the Battalion in a dawn attack from low level, then had to return to Cyprus to enplane the second half, which were dropped in several hours later. Both drops, of course comprised not only 3 Para but also their comrades from the essential Supporting  Arms  Units, Royal Signals, REME, Medics etc etc, without whom no Parachute Battalion can function effectively. This attack, codenamed “Operation Musketeer” was in every way a total military success which achieved its designated objectives. However, politics intervened and after several days, all troops returned to Cyprus on a troop ship. This attack still remains the only Airborne Operation of Battalion strength since the 39/45 war. Successful or not, there is always a price to pay for doing one’s duty and four of the assault forces  remained in foreign soil.  ROLL OF HONOUR KILLED IN ACTION Pte T Barnett Pte T Bates Pte R Sumners DIED OF WOUNDS Cpl J Woods In remembrance of this event, the Regiment organised a 25th anniversary dinner in 1981 and this being very successful, it was decided to hold a further dinner every five years on or around the anniversary date of the 5th November. However, in 1988 some of the participants who had stayed in touch decided that a yearly meeting would be more in keeping and in that inaugural year ten of them got together at a public house in Aldershot and it was at that first meeting that is was decided to create a formal club, the name of the club to be “The El Gamil Group”, the name El Gamil being the name of the airfield on which they had been dropped and the word Group to define that it quite rightly encompassed all the Supporting Arms that took part. Membership of the Group to be restricted to only those who took part in the first days attack, the colour green to be the definitive colour, 3 Para green of course and an AGM to be held formally once a year. Also decided at that initial meeting was the necessity to have a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer and these were formally proposed and accepted into office and were subsequently ratified at the first AGM in 1989

Achievements of the Group include our own Standard, which was purchased from Group funds following a newsletter to all members and their generosity resulted in everyone giving according to their means and raising £1,000 which sum also purchased the gloves belt etc to complete the outfit. A standard bearer was nominated and accepted and the Standard (in 3  Para green) was paraded for the first time in front of the Regiment’s Colonel in chief, HRH The Prince of Wales on Airborne Forces day in 1990.On that same day our own Banner was proudly displayed on our own beer tent at the rear of 5 Brigades Sergeants Mess.

The Group have only two honorary members, one of course is our President, the other is E Jacubowski, a Polish ex  para who designed and created our superb shield, carved in the finest detail out of a solid piece of wood and painted with an equal eye to detail and which hangs proudly for all to see in 5 Brigades Sergeants Mess and after which the blazer badge was designed. He also painted in oils a magnificent replica of the shield and this was presented to 3 Para Sergeants Mess with due ceremony and is displayed hanging above their bar

The Group has also purchased a ceremonial Union Jack, should it be required for a  military send off to a deceased colleague, at which type of ceremony the Standard has been used on more than one occasion.

Our Standard received total recognition, when in 1991, with full military sanction it was paraded on Airborne Forces Day and was the subject of a Drumhead Ceremony, for which the Standard Bearer and his escorts went to rehearsals to ensure all went well on the day, which it did and the members of the Group that were there were justifiably proud of the occasion.

One further acquisition was a shield presented by a Group member commemorating our fallen colleagues and this has its home a 5 Brigade Sergeants Mess and is always on display whenever we meet, which, as a Group, is never less than twice a year; once at Airborne Forces Weekend in July and again at the AGM in November. Additionally, the Committee meet once a month to update whatever is required and to agree the format of the next Newsletter, which is sent out on a required basis, usually two or three times a year.

To assist in the smooth running of the Group, two bank accounts were opened, deposit and current, and these accounts are aptly named “El Gamil 56”.

At the request of some of the wives, a break-away weekend is organized every year to a suitable resort and these prove to be very enjoyable times for those taking part; all members are invited to participate via the Newsletter.

The Groups “Home” is 5 Brigade Sergeants Mess within which one of the Group is the Mess Manager and acts as military co-ordinator. A succession of Brigade RSMs have proven extremely co-operative and go out of their way to make us feel welcome when possibly, grace our company with there presence on the occasion of our AGM dinner. They also arrange for us to have our own beer tent in July at Airborne Forces Weekend and our gratitude can only be shown by a gift to the Mess, for example framed 50th Anniversary tablecloth. Although 3 Para Sergeants Mess would be the logical meeting place, due to the exigencies of the Regiment, they are, of course frequently deployed away from Aldershot and as a Group it is important that we have continuity, hence the Brigade Mess is ideal.

An annual subscription is paid by all members to ensure financial stability and to cover necessary administration costs. However, a percentage of Group funds is in the deposit account to anticipate any future purchases and to assist the Almoner if any member falls ill or is incapacitated.

The Groups intention is to stay in being as long as any of us are capable of being attendant members and this should take us well into the 21st century.