Polymedhia 1957.
Leaving WAYNES KEEP was not a heartbreak to me, since the sight of those poor souls doubling round a square with full kit scared the life out of me and made me wonder just what lay ahead.
However some two hours later I was advised that I had arrived at 37 Field Regiment, and told to report to the Squadron Office. Having satisfied the duty clerk that I was supposed to be there, I was "Introduced" to the Sergeant Major, a Scot, by the name of George K. Long ( SHUGGY!) as he was affectionately nicknamed,who hailed originally from Greenock. This information I gathered later, since I had not yet made such an impression on G.K. as to warrant him telling me his background.
Tent 64 as shown in the photograph, was to be my home for the next few months, and I was met by the tent NCO. Corporal Eddie Bryant, a member of the MT maintenance team.
In case any other member of the squadron should read this, the names of the other occupants of tent 64 were as follows. Sapper Johnny Gray from Townhead, Glasgow. Sapper Wilson Peacock from Stonehouse, Lanarkshire and later of East Kilbride. Sapper Cameron Craig, from Glasgow and Sapper Ron Rimmer, from Liverpool. All proved to be very good companions and ultimately close friends.
Polymedhia camp was built on a hill -side having been blasted out of bed rock and our tented accomodation built on concrete bases. Close to Berengaria village, we had some connection with history since Richard Lion Heart married Berengaria on May 12th. 1191. (Just before I got there!!)
Having been advised that I had a day in which to familiarise myself with the camp and visit the QM stores for KD's etc. I was able to wander at leisure, I thought, and find out something of what was to be my home.
Somewhat unfortunately I accidently wandered too close to what turned out to be the Guardroom and was questioned as to my reasons for F---- loitering. A welcome indeed I thought on my first day.
The guard commander fortunately accepted the fact that I was new to the camp, presumeably confirmed by twhat appeared to be two bottles of milk which hung down below my un- tailored shorts, in the form of my legs. Excuses accepted, I was left in no doubt that to be found wandering aimlessly in this camp was punishable by death.
In my innocence, at that time, I was impressed to find a building with a notice outside which read "FIRST AID POST". Now to me, who had spent my life in The Boys' Brigade, and gained my fifth year First Aid Badge, I was under the impression that the Army in its wisdom, catered for unforseen accidents, and had made available some of the Medical Corps to attend to minor wounds or ailments. My education was enhanced very quickly when I was told what FIRST AID was provided and for very different reasons from those which I had at first imagined. Fortunately my activities did not extend to those which required me to visit the First Aid Post on my return from visiting Limassol or any other place.
Kitted out and measured by the tailor, to ensure that all of my kit fitted properly, if possible in the Army, I was then to meet with our Troop Sergeant a gentleman who went by the name of Sergeant Lewis or affectionately known as 'LUIS THE BUG' pronounced LOOOY.
Other NCO's and Officers, who will be remembered I am sure were Sgt. Lardner, Cpl. Don Crutchley, Lieut. Bendle, S/Lieut. Robinson, Lieut. Brooks. In my first note to the Editor I mentioned Sergeant Major Aldritch who was quite rightly called "The Pin" since his whole bearing and turnout was a credit to the British Army. Our Adjutant at the time was Captain Sherwood and we were joined by Captain Warwick, who succeeded Capt. Sherwood as Adjutant when we left for Aden.
Security on the Island of Cyprus, because of EOKA, and ENOSIS (Union with Greece), was the responsibilty of the British, and the system operated was that when trouble arose, and there was plenty at times, the Civilian Police would contact the Military Police, who in turn would alert whichever unit was in the area and on duty. It fell to 37 Field Regiment to cover Limassol and Paphos districts in the main, but this often extended to cover Famagusta and if the situation demanded, then Kyrenia was also attended to which took us to Kykko and the Troodos mountains.
Several members of 37 Field Regiment including myself, took part in OPERATION SEARCHLIGHT, a security excercise when it was thought that Col. George Grivas was in hiding in the mountains around Kykko Monastery in the Troodos area.
This was a memorable occasion, when the Argylls and Sutherland Highlanders, under the command of their O.C Lieut. Colonel Colin Mitchel, later of Crater, Aden fame, joined with the Paratroops and the Royal Engineers in an attempt to bring Grivas to justice. As many readers will be aware Lieut.Col Mitchell was accorded the apt nick- name "MAD MITCH!".
Col. Mitchell was undoubtedly held in high esteem by his subalterns and men under his command, as the comments from "The Squaddies!" of his Regiment suggested and for good reason. Until his arrival and taking charge of operations in the Troodos area, and elsewhere, as historical documentation and recorded facts illustrate, many lives had been lost at the hands of EOKA.
Col. Mitchell decreed that enough lives of British servicemen had been lost and that the 'softly' 'softly' approach was no deterant to those responsible for some of the attrocities committed, and we were led to believe, that his instructions were to carry out the usual summons to anyone considered suspicious, by uttering the words spelt out in the official "Instructions for opening fire in Cyprus". But whereas the practice previously, had been to afford a second or even third chance to those approaching, and who it was felt had no good cause, Col. Mitchell gave his soldiers authority under these circumstance to open fire.
This in itself was a complete change and had a very unusual, and to many of us, a most amusing effect. Night patrols by the Argylls were introduced, which really inspired confidence in the rest of us involved in the operation, knowing the these fighting men were looking after our welfare, and on several occasions during the hours of darkness, bursts of light gunfire were heard and of course it was assumed that some poor EOKA had met their end, or at least had suffered some wounds. However much to our ammusement each morning, following the gunfire, we were to discover that the unfortunate recipients of the bullets, due to their lack of response to the Argylls challenges- were the local resident's DONKEY or SHEEP. For the duration of OPERATION SEARCHLIGHT, there were more claims against the British Government for dead animals than ever before or after.
Kykko monastery, it was claimed, was harbouring some of those idividuals who were being sought by the British Military, which caused it to be subjected to search and scrutiny over a fairly long period. If the rumours are true, the basement of Kykko was found to be a harbour for arms, ammunition and supplies for those opposed to British rule.
The facts are well documented to confirm that there were many occasions when we were called out on what were referred to as Internal Security Patrols which usually meant that we were expected to quell some minor riot or carry out a search for someone who had decided to avenge EOKA by murdering some villager. Explosions were fairly regular and of course the Royal Engineers had the task on some occasions of defusing explosive devices.
Another of our tasks was to act as security at the copper mines at Kalavasos and one of my images shows a close friend of mine while in Cyprus ready to accompany the miners to the face of the copper, just like the coal face in mining. The difficulty here was that the guard from our Squadron had to count the charges before the miners went underground, then accompany the miner to ensure that the same number of charges were placed. Following this we had to return to the surface and count the bangs. If the bangs did not tally with the charges placed, then we were responsible for returning wiith the miners to check where the fault lay. This could be quite a nerve racking experience since nobody actuall knew who were EOKA and who were with the ordinary civillians. There was always the lingering doubt that the explosive may only be delayed and we could say farewell to Cyprus.
There were some very funny, meaning humorous, things happened while on duty at Kalavasos which will if I am permitted, be the subject of another epistle at a later date.
In lighter vein our Regimental football team met the Argylls in the final of the Midddle East Cup and i have included one or two photographs taken on that day. Dissappointinglyfor the Engineers the Argylls won hands down and were presented with the cup by The Hon. Sir Hugh Foot who was Governor of the island at the time.
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