NEWSLETTER

Transcription

NEWSLETTER - RAF Oman Veteran`s Association

RAF MASIRAH & RAF SALALAH
VETERANS ASSOCIATION
NEWSLETTER
April 2015
Website–go to: www.omanrafveterans.org
MEMBER’S PROFILE
A PROFILE OF IAN (TED) DUDDING'S EARLY LIFE AS AN RAF CHILD AND LATER AS AN ADULT AND A 40 YEAR CAREER
INTHE BRITISH ARMY’S ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS.
I must begin my career story with my upbringing which affects much of what 'The Salalah/Masirah Veterans
Associations' means to me in two deep and differing ways.
It all began on 'American Independence Day (4th July 1946)' whilst my Father was a serving member of the Royal Air
Force at Holmsley South in the New Forest working on Liberators. My birth date. During the war years my Father'
was serving at RAF Abersinch (now Glasgow Airport). It was here he met my Mother. His war service was mainly
enacted in Iceland working on Sword Fish (the String bag) and numerous Atlantic sub hunters such as the Hudson's.
He worked on the Liberator that conveyed Churchill to the Yalta Conference. My Father's RAF career spanned 29
years.
My first RAF home as an RAF child was, from the age of zero to aged 4, to be at RAF Calshot on the Solent. My
Father was an aircraft engineer working on the Sunderland Flying Boats at that time. We moved from here on
posting to Egypt and the Canal Zone to RAF Ismallia and Elfradan from 1947-49. My Father working on Velleta's and
Varsity's in Transport Command. From here it was back to Calshot and again the wonderful Sunderland Flying Boat.
However, shortly afterwards we were off again but this time to RAF Asmara in the Sudan. We were here for six
months before moving onwards to RAF Khormaksar Aden. This period was from 1951-53. After RAF Khormaksar it
was back to RAF Abingdon where he worked on Hastings and Beverly's for seven years. It was then onwards to RAF
Marham for a further 5 years where he worked on the infamous V Bomber the Valiant up until it cracked up
through unsuitability at low flying. He was finally posted to RAF Chivenor in Devon finishing his career working on
Hawker Hurricanes in 1968.
I could not tell my personal career history without first explaining how my first 17 years of life was spent immersed
and absorbed in total affection for the RAF and all things that flew. It remains that way today. As a child I knew
every aircraft that there was to know. I am blessed to have an uncle who was one of the first Royal Flying Corps
pilots during the 1st. WW. He survived and was considered destined to have been one of the top brass during the
2nd.WW. However, he was killed in a flying accident at Malmesbury in Wiltshire in the mid 30's. The family story
goes that a student he was instructing was at the controls when coming into land and the aircraft clipped some
trees. The student survived, my uncle did not.
My 'planned' career, as much as it was planned, started back in February 1964 whilst living with my parents at RAF
Marham. Having left school in Swaffham with no qualifications I applied for and was accepted as a Trainee Manager
of a burgeoning Super Market in King's Lynn. It was during this time that I had no doubts that my future laid with
military service. So in February 1964 I signed up and joined the Royal Corps of Signals. My aim? Well, I didn't have
one at the time, like most of us, I just wanted to see the world and do something different to that of civilian life.
I did my basic and trade training at Catterick North Yorkshire and on completion volunteered to join the elite
'Airborne' unit of 216 Parachute Signal Squadron. After a gruelling 3 weeks of Pre Para training and then a further 3
weeks of Parachute Regiment 'P' Coy training I, as a naive, skinny, wiry seventeen and a half year old was told I had
passed. This meant after all the depravation and hardships endured under the cadre of the Parachute Regiment we
could now move on to the 'holiday camp' run by the Brylcreme boys at RAF Abingdon. We quickly succumbed to the
RAF way of living and managed to eat ourselves out of fitness whilst completing our mandatory 8 parachute jumps.
Now a fully fledged airborne soldier I moved to Aldershot where I remained for the next 5 years. I rose to the dizzy
heights of LCpl (Senior Aircraftsman). I married here in August 1968.
Pic 1 below shows our P Company on completion of our training. Pic 2 shows some of my colleagues with myself at
70th Anniversary of Operation Market Garden last year.
MEMBER’S PROFILE
(Submitted by Ian “Ted” Dudding)
Pic 1 showing Parachute Regiment 'P' Coy Aldershot 1964. I am No 50 Top right. Only 1/3rd successfully passed
Pic 2 showing No 50 (14 September 2014) at the 70th Anniversary of Operation Market Garden Sep 1944 - Author centre red tie, white shirt and black trousers
In 1969 I applied to go into the bigger world of the Corps and bade farewell to the airborne. I was posted on
promotion to Corporal to Headquarters Allied Forces Europe based in Brunssum, The Netherlands. A staggeringly
brilliant posting in a country full of wonderful people. The local overseas allowance here meant me and my family
could live like King's. 7.45 guilders to the pound in those days and 300 guilders a month for fuel. Heaven. However,
things were to come back to earth with a bump as the next paragraph tells you!
In March 1972 it was a shock to learn I was posted to 603 Signal Troop on RAF Masirah still in the rank of Corporal?
Where? No one in the Netherlands seemed to know. An Island in the Indian Ocean was the outcome? Does that
mean palm trees, grass skirts and coconut spirit drinks I enquired? Not quite as it turned out. Anyway we are all
aware of the Island and what that holds to our hearts. It was leaving a wife and two boys aged 3 and 1 years
respectively in a tied quarter in Honiton, Devon and that hurt. However, I decided from the outset I was going to fill
my days and enjoy and that's exactly what I did. I had a thoroughly wonderful tour. I made some great mates and
had some great times as our reunions go to show. I did at least, on arriving back in the UK, manage to buy myself
and family a Ford Mexico - one of my dreams in those days - wish I still had it!
RAF Masirah. Kneeling centre Cpl 'Ted' Dudding the 'Pongo' Keeper
MEMBER’S PROFILE
In November 1972 I left Masirah on promotion to Sergeant to Headquarters 4 Signal Group in Rheindahlen
Germany. Another superb tour and a place I would eventually spend 11 years of my service in and around. The unit
was based in the Rear Combat Zone (RCZ) and 4 Sig Gp was responsible for land-lines and static communications to
the rear of the forward combat zone. A huge task in those days of limited but burgeoning communications. Mobile
comms did not exist in such quantities then. Our area of responsibility was, in those times considered vast covering
the West of Germany, Holland and Belgium back to the channel ports.
In August 1975 I was again promoted to Staff Sergeant (Flt Sgt equivalent) and posted to Headquarters 3rd Infantry
Brigade Northern Ireland which was initially based in, what was an old 'Knicker' factory in Lurgan but after one year
moved to Mahon Barracks Portadown. My family were quartered at Rosmoyle in an unusually prominent Catholic
area of the province? An interesting if somewhat ugly period and tour but another extremely happy and satisfying
part of my career. Many 'infamous' historical events happened during my time in NI.
Two years later in August 1977 I was promoted Warrant Officer Class II and posted to Northern Germany again as
the ORSQMS to form a new unit called 14th Signal Regiment (EW). We formed the unit in a town called Hildesheim,
moved it to Wassendorf and eventually settling it in Celle near Hannover. It was here that my two boys had three
schools and three homes all in the space of 6 months. This was a new concept of signals unit specializing in total
mobility and being positioned well up on the Eastern European border. Revolutionary in its day. Having three
homes in 6 months meant it was a busy time setting the unit up and at the end of my three year tour and extremely
satisfying one.
Towards the end of 1980 I was posted, in a holding capacity, to the Royal Signals Trade Training School in Catterick
prior to my posting as a Warrant Officer Class I to Rheindahlen. It was here in Richmond Yorkshire I purchased my
first house.
1981 saw me posted in the rank of Warrant Officer Class I to Communications and Electronics Division Headquarters
Northern Army Group based in the 'big' house in Rheindahlen Germany. This unit was part of the Commander
Northern Army Groups communications division and provided combat communications for the British Major
General in charge of all NATO Forces and the British Forces Germany. This Headquarters worked in conjunction with
2nd Tactical Allied Air Force (2ATAF). An extremely high powered command of which I saw, in my 5 year in
appointment, 2 x Army Major Generals and 1 x RAF Air Commodore.
August 1986 was a huge career move. I was selected for commission and posted as a Captain Second in Command
4th Squadron 22nd Signal Regiment based in Lippstadt Germany. My Squadron was responsible for providing total
mobile Ptarmigan communications for the 1st British Corps and Rear Combat Zone (RCZ)Germany. It was a steep
learning curve for me as an officer and a technical bent at that. However, I seemed to have mastered it and
managed to succeed?
In 1989 it was a posting back to the UK as the Adjutant 35 (South Midlands) Signal Regiment (TA) based in Sutton
Coldfield. I purchased by second house here in Sutton Coldfield. It was a different world working for the TA,
sometimes very rewarding and others very frustrating. Saying that I have made and still have some great friends
from those days. My tasks as Adjutant were total unit administration, the training and discipline of young officers
and advice on TA matters to the Commanding Officer.
In early 1991 and a year earlier than expected I was promoted to the rank of Major and posted to 13 (EW) Signal
Regiment based at Birgelen on the Dutch border just below RAF Wildenrath and Bruggen. Some of you might know
of it. It was a highly secretive unit which came under the direct control of GCHQ UK. I spent five wonderful years
here. I had the sad task of being solely responsible for the disbanding the unit on run down and was responsible for
handing the keys to the barracks back to the German Authorities. In the current climate maybe some of these
wonderful units will re-emerge.
On promotion to Major in 1991
MEMBER’S PROFILE
1995. After five years in 13 Sig Regt I was selected and posted at the Major (Quartermaster) 37th Signal Regiment
(TA) based in Redditch West Midlands. Another Territorial Army Unit of which I had to travel to from my home in
Sutton Coldfield across Birmingham - oh what joy. A routine tour of duty of which was uneventful.
1999 saw me having 2 years Regular Service left so I requested a posting to Southern England for retirement
purposes. Ok was the reply - Glasgow. 32 (Scottish) Signal Regiment (TA)! Funnily enough it was like part of me
coming home. A tour of duty with my half brother fellow Scots (as earlier stated my Mother is a Scot from Paisley). I
was divorced by now and had a flat in Pollockshields. The units headdress was the 'Glen Garry' of which mine is now
framed and in pride of place in my home. The unit was part of 51/52 Scottish Brigade the exact same Brigades as my
Scottish Grandfather served with the Argyles during the 1 World War at Beaumont Hamel and to top that my
Mother's Brother, my Uncle, served with the same units in his time in National Service during the Palestine Crisis.
My uncle visited us during our stint on the Canal in the late 40's.
During this Scottish tour I volunteered to serve a six month tour of duty with IFOR in Bosnia. I was selected and duly
posted into the post of Camp Commandant HQ BLMF based in Banja Luka. Once again out of a fairly routine
appointment within the Territorial Army in Glasgow into a very busy operational command appointment. The
appointment entailed the total administration of some 2500 officers and soldiers, their welfare, their
accommodation, armoured vehicles, messing, Gurkha units, social and discipline in a theatre totally hostile and
lacking any form of infrastructure. It was a great and busy tour and one in which I received 'The Joint Commanders
Certificate of Commendation for Operation PALATINE'.
I arrived back in my unit in Glasgow only to be whisked away a couple of months later to support the 2nd Light
Infantry Regiment who were moving to Fort Stewart Georgia USA to take part in an months exercise trialling laser
equipment. This trial was supposedly to help identify 'Blue on Blue' situations on the battlefield. Another unusual
and interesting tour of duty which in some way, I believe went on to help in the further knowledge of Blue on Blue
incidents. One fault however, soldiers soon learnt that lasers do not shoot through grass so laying low was the
order of the day! This exercise was totally real with the American Marines acting as the enemy using totally all
Soviet equipment from Hind helicopters to Russian T72 tanks and BMV's captured throughout recent theatres of
war and taken back to the USA. An experience at the end of my Regular service I shall never forget.
I retired from the Regular Army in 2001 after 40 years service.
Just prior to retirement I applied for a Permanent Staff Admin Officer's appointment with 81 (Specialist) Signal
Squadron (TA) based in Corsham, Wiltshire. I was successful and although retired remained in uniform. This unit
was unique in its make-up and content. All of its personnel are made up of solely from British Telecon (BT)
Engineers. The British Telecomm Company totally support this unit providing all its technicians on a voluntary basis.
Totally professional from the outset, no trade training required as they are already trained to BT standards. Military
training and weaponry is required and promotion through the ranks is on merit and time served. Their task is
airfield communications and have worked on RAF land line and static comms at RAF Akotiri, Bruggen, Laarbruck,
Gutersloh, Gibraltar, Falklands and later for the Sultan of Brunei within his military barrack complexes. This unit
exists today and is a huge asset to the Regular Army and Air Force. Like all Territorial's they, along with my other TA
units, served with distinction in all recent theatres of conflict.
On the 3 July 2003, the day before my 57th Birthday I 'cut and ran'. We bought a 22 foot Auto Trail Motor-home and
disappeared across the Irish Sea and the English Channel.
I have loved anything 1st World War and 2nd World War for decades and now enjoy taking friends and
acquaintances on tours of both wars whenever asked.
Six ex Territorial friends, a mini bus and a lovely Chateau I've been frequenting for 14 years is coming up on the 17
April 2015 for a week .
Below is current day photo with one of the French guides at the huge 44,000 graves (plus thousands unidentified)
French Memorial at Notre Dame de Lorette, France. My passion is to walk the battlefields with a pack on my back
across that sacred land.
AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR CHAIRMAN.
Greetings to all our Members and their families for this, the 2nd edition of the newsletter of 2015.
Amazing how quickly the year is progressing, with Easter already past and spring weather being experienced
throughout the UK and Ireland.
Some of our members (myself included) attended a passing out parade at RAF Halton on the 7th. April and it brought
back many memories for those attending. I think it was well summed up by David Rose, who said "it was certainly a
good day, with good friends, good weather and a splendid passing out parade". I must mention that the hospitality
and the time we received from the people based at RAF Halton was excellent and I would recommend a visit to the
Museum to our members. (See article elsewhere, in the Newsletter)
One comment from my side though, is that I always thought you had to be "old" to be a Group Captain, Warrant
Officer or the Army equivalent (someone like John (Nobby) Hill is a good example!). However at the parade, they
looked very young but were most professional in their duties. As the Padre said - "This is the beginning not the end
and your life will forever change"
I am sure this applied to us all, even 40 to 55 years ago.
We also used this opportunity to meet with our Patron, AVM David Crwys-Williams at his home, close to RAF
Halton.
David is a very approachable person with a great deal of experience in both Military and Business matters. He has
many great stories to tell and as we have stated previously, David also served in Masirah in early 1972 and has
visited Salalah often. He and his wife Susie, did an overland trip to Oman in 2011, driving a Land Rover (must be
loyalty) but this probably reminded him of his time flying Beverley's, where more oil was used than fuel.
David and Susie will be attending the AGM and Reunion in Birmingham in October as our Guest/s of Honour. They
are both excellent photographers and I will request them to bring their Oman photo book with them. There are
some stunning photos, some of which I hope we can have on our Website, eventually.
The online survey, which closed in March, exceeded the expectations of the committee, both in the quality and
quantity of the responses - we received 103 completed questionnaires and the overall satisfaction of our members,
with the Association is well above 95%.
The Newsletter and the Webpage both received very positive mentions and many members stated that they looked
forward to the Newsletter to keep them informed of the members and the events of the Association.
This positive feedback shows the efforts of the Committee, under the leadership of Les Deighton, not only ensured
the growth of the Association but met the needs of the majority of individual members.
The executive summary of the survey can be read in this edition of the Newsletter, as well as the winner of the
watch.
Again, a word of thanks goes to Vic Nugent and all who assisted by submitting news and items for this edition. To
ALL our members, I would request that you start preparing stories, news, announcements etc. for the next edition our members really do want to hear from YOU.
Finally, the AGM will take place in October at the Reunion weekend and Alan and Sandra are busy with
arrangements for this. Bookings for hotel accommodation is open, so don't wait to the last minute.
If we have members who would like to attend, but cannot due to financial or transport problems, please contact a
member of the Committee and we will try to assist.
Warmest Regards,
Steve Bishop
OUR OMAN TRIP IS REPORTED ON BY THE RAF NEWS
The recent trip to Oman by our Association has been picked up and reported upon (thanks to the efforts of our new
PRO, member David Rose) by no less a publication than The RAF News. Well done, Dave, we simply cannot have too
much of this kind of publicity.
A MESSAGE FROM THE ROYAL AIR FORCE BENEVOLENT FUND
RAF Benevolent Fund's Reaching Out Campaign 2014
CRABS (Ex Royal Air Force Networking Group)
(Submitted on behalf of the RAFBF by Colin Blakelock)
I am hoping to use the group to share the great news that the RAF Benevolent Fund is encouraging applications
from those who have or are serving in the RAF, and their partners, who are in financial need.
Please think especially about elderly friends and colleagues, mums and dads, aunts and uncles who might need our
help, whether they served in WW2, National Service, or later.
We are here for all of them.
Full details are here: www.rafbf.org/43/need-our-help.html or call our helpline: 0800 169 2942.
Please spread the word.
This is your Fund and we are here to help!
Many thanks.
PS. If you want to support us or do some fundraising, then that would be great as well!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
THE 2014/2015 COMMITTEE
STEVE BISHOP
Chairman
JOHN GRAHAM
Asst. Secretary
VIC NUGENT
Secretary &
acting Member
Support Secretary
REG BALL
Asst. Membership
Secretary
COLIN BLAKELOCK
VIC REDMOND
Membership Secretary Treasurer &
& acting Member
Merchandising
Support Secretary
Secretary.
MIKE CASEY
Vice Chairman &
Webmaster
DAVID ROSE
Facebook Page Coordinator
ALAN SADLER
Social Secretary
LES DEIGHTON
Asst. Treasurer
DON SORBY
Member Services Secretary
SANDRA REDMOND
Asst. Merchandising
Secretary & Asst.
Social Secretary
NEW MEMBERS
The Committee and our entire membership welcome the following new members to our ranks;
John Daniels
Gen. Tech. Elect
Masirah & Salalah
Various between 1964/65
(On Detachment from
113MU, Aden)
Michael Pearce
RAF Police
Masirah
1963/1964
Jim Udale
Telecom Mech (RC of Sigs)
Masirah & Salalah
1975/1976
Clive Lancaster.
Fire & Rescue
Masirah.
1970/1971.
RETURNED MEMBERS
Ray Holland
Supplier
Alan “Geordie” Joplin Teleg
Salalah
Masirah & Salalah
1975/76
1972
SOCIAL MEMBERS
Lewis Huw Rees
RAF Police
(Sponsored by Reg Ball)
A QUIZ FOR ALL THE FAMILY
(Submitted by John “Nobby” Hill)
The answers are almost all proper nouns. Each letter of the alphabet is a clue. Cross them off here as you get them
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
Mountain in Dakota where the Presidents are carved in the rock face
Route between Afghanistan and Pakistan
Ex Liverpool footballer, accused of biting opponents
Colourless, gaseous element atomic number 54 Used in radio valves
State in the USA. Capital Cheyenne
Camp in Berkshire, scene of women nuclear protestors in 1981.
Seventh sigh of the Zodiac (Roman).
On the Ukraine where the Charge of the Light Brigade made history.
Imperial Dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644.
Capital of Zimbabwe.
Largest city in Turkey, situated on the Bosporus.
British ballerina (Dame) 1919-1991
Born 1932 captained England at cricket 32 times.
Leader of the UK Liberal Party 1967 to 1976.
English mathematician noted for his laws on Gravitation and Motion.
Mountain region of Russia over 200 km long.
British Prime Minister 1908-1916.
German Aeronautical Designer. Famous for design of airships
Nickname given to Italian Prisoners of War
Author of Animal Farm
British Flat racing jockey. Won the Derby nine times. Born 1935
Song that includes “why she had to go, I don’t know she wouldn’t say”
Composer of “The Four Seasons”
He “climbed to the top of the greasy pole”
Surname of Lord Haw Haw
Norwegian collaborator with the Nazi. General name for a traitor
Answers appear on Page 26
BIRTHDAY ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Committee and our entire membership send birthday wishes to the following members who celebrated/ will
celebrate birthdays before this or our next newsletter issue;
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
Willie Cran was
Keith Bell was
Geoffrey Johnson was
David Lloyd was
Richard Woolgrove was
Paul Lydon was
Peter Stunell will be
Pete Oliver will be
Terry Davies will be
Vic Nugent will be
Vic Redmond will be
Stephen Robson will be
Mike Farmer will be
Martin Kay will be
Mike Taplin will be
Brian McCran will be
Kenny Rodgers will be
JUNE BIRTHDAYS
65
72
77
73
69
66
68
68
66
67
63
69
70
63
70
66
66
on 3rd April
on 5th April
on 5th April
on 5th April
on 5th April
on 6th April
on 10th April
on 13th April
on 16th April
on 16th April
on 18th April
on 21st April
on 22nd April
on 23rd April
on 26th April
on 29th April
on 29th April
Adrian Donovan will be
Rod Wallace will be
John Lawrence will be
Brian Kemp will be
Alan Sadler will be
Jeff Cunliffe will be
Colin Nixon will be
Barry Carrington will be
Colin Sumner will be
John Medlock will be
Fred Hambly will be
Stewart Martin will be
Derek Wood will be
Keith White will be
Geoff Brown will be
David Swain will be
Reg Ball will be
Ray Holland will be
Neil Foster will be
Brian Whitby will be
David Mason will be
Trevor McMaster will be
Jackie Melville will be
Stephen Worth will be
MAY BIRTHDAYS
David Whitehead will be
Denis Carter will be
Malcolm Farrar will be
John Herbert will be
Adrian Bevan will be
Derek Christie will be
Nick Gray will be
Bill Birks will be
John Baxter will be
Phillip Abbot will be
Ron Ping will be
Malcolm Young will be
Mike Talty will be
John Morgan will be
John Hill will be
John Saxby will be
Chris Pointon will be
Colin Wilson will be
Charlie Caruthers will be
67
61
68
70
66
70
71
69
74
73
84
68
65
63
69
77
68
59
60
68
68
67
66
74
on 3rd June
on 3rd June
on 4th June
on 5th June
on 6th June
on 7th June
on 7th June
on 8th June
on 9th June
on 10th June
on 11th June
on 14th June
on 14th June
on 15th June
on 16th June
on 16th June
on 18th June
on 18th June
on 19th June
on 22nd June
on 23rd June
on 25th June
on 28th June
on 29th June
JULY BIRTHDAYS
67
93
61
78
62
72
72
68
66
67
67
71
68
69
78
64
71
66
71
on 3rd May
on 5th May
on 5th May
on 6th May
on 6th May
on 9th May
on 12th May
on 13th May
on 13th May
on 14th May
on 16th May
on 16th May
on 19th May
on 20th May
on 21st May
on 24th May
on 28th May
on 29th May
on 29th May
James McMurdo will be
Stephen Harrison will be
Stewart Harrison will be
Bill Baldam will be
Ian "Ted" Dudding will be
Mel "Snap" Crackle will be
Tony Pick will be
Keith Laws will be
John Graham will be
Grahame Revill will be
John Hirschfield will be
John Seccombe will be
Brian Ledson will be
Chris Beeby will be
Terry Dynan will be
Les Deighton will be
Mike Whitmarsh will be
Ian Jones will be
Ted Hamilton will be
Ian Spencer will be
68
68
68
69
69
69
78
66
63
66
68
86
76
67
67
69
70
68
66
63
on 2nd July
on 3rd July
on 4th July
on 4th July
on 4th July
on 7th July
on 7th July
on 8th July
on 9th July
on 12th July
on 14th July
on 14th July
on 17th July
on 20th July
on 20th July
on 22nd July
on 23rd July
on 29th July
on 30th May
on 31st July
We hope that all of our birthday celebrants have had or will have a wonderful birthday and we wish you all many
many more birthday celebrations in the future.
The names in this coloured font is the monthly “Sprog of the Month”.
The names in this coloured font is the monthly “Senior of the Month”.
The name in this coloured font is the monthly “Sprog of the Quarter”.
The name in this coloured font is the monthly “Senior of the Quarter”.
AIR FORCE TRUISMS
“Never fly in the same cockpit with someone braver than you.”
“The only time you have too much fuel is when you’re on fire.”
“Weather forecasts are horoscopes with numbers.”
“Airspeed, altitude, and brains: Two are always needed to successfully complete the flight.”
THE “DAPHNE” FIRE INCIDENT
(Submitted by Stephen Harrison)
(Fireman – RAF Masirah – 1968/1968)
In terms of actual incidents, Masirah had very few. I remember when there was a squadron of Hunters transiting
though, one took out the barrier and we were left to extricate the aircraft. Having said that, Masirah did produce
one of the all-time classic incidents in the annals of the RAF fire service. Near the very end of my tour, come to think
of it I was tour-ex King (the one who was the next to return home), I was instructed by Flight Sergeant Ditchfield to
standby with the trailer pump, and we were going out to a ship on fire. My colleagues, Jock McVey and Ian Easter,
and I prepared ourselves for the expected brief sojourn to put out this small fire on board a passing merchant
vessel. The Flight Sergeant met us at the jetty and we were ferried out by Rhino, a large platform used by the RCT to
unload ships. The journey out was uneventful and quite pleasant. The Flight Sergeant had by now exerted his
authority and was, in fact, well respected. I was only days away from going home and was reflecting on an
otherwise happy tour of duty. We were all led to believe that we were going out to a small fire on board the MV
Daphne, a Greek registered merchant vessel.
On arrival it was not quite like that. Initially Jock and I lashed the trailer pump to the Rhino while Ian set up the
delivery end and waited for instructions from the Flight. It was obvious from the Flight Sergeant’s expression that
this was not a small incident. “This ship is carrying a dangerous cargo and the fire could well reach it anytime. Get
to work” was his only instruction. In times like that training overcomes fear and, almost instinctively, Jock and I set
about getting water up to Ian. The Flight Sergeant, meanwhile, contacted Masirah and called for reinforcements in
terms of fireman and other station personnel were brought out.
Large quantities of foam would need to be pumped into the ship hold, a further indication that this was a serious
incident. By the time the reinforcements arrived, Jock and I had found our sea legs and became accustomed to the
motions of the ship. Watching the arrival of the additional personnel, many of whom were not firemen and
therefore not possessed with those natural fireman qualities of tenacity and robustness, was quite sad.
There really was fear written over many faces and, on reflection, it was quite a difficult and dangerous activity,
throwing yourself on to the rope ladder dangling from the side of the Daphne. You had to judge the swell of the sea,
go at a wave zenith and make a dash for it; one slip or slight delay and you were crushed by the returning Rhino.
There were some that were simply too frightened to take that plunge and they remained on the support vessel. An
additional fear factor was the omnipresent sharks. My mate Phil Sinnot was one of those to travel out with the
support group. I watched from the Rhino as Phil climbed the rope ladder. He was just about to climb aboard the
Daphne when I heard the Flight Sergeant say, “You’re not joking now Phil”. Phil replied, “What did one VD germ
said to the other; if I fall now I’ll be a right gonorrhoea.”
The support team got to work hauling compound drums onto the Daphne. Now picture the scene - drums of foam
compound being hauled up the side of the Daphne, many drums bursting, disgorging their black pungent, smelling
contents into the ocean. Foam compound in those days had ox blood as a constituent part - great manure for the
garden but even greater for attracting sharks. Before long, large numbers of sharks were on patrol looking for a
tasty fireman. Sounds a bit like a NAAFI dance but these sharks removed the parts that a NAAFI shark would
normally caress. Once onboard the Daphne, personnel were put to work assisting in the movement of hose. Jock
and I continued with our task. We remained on the Rhino looking after the trailer pump and the suction hose. The
sea was becoming quite choppy and there was a possibility we could be washed overboard. Consequently, Jock and
I secured ourselves to the Rhino by rope borrowed from the ship crew.
L/R. Myself (Steve Harrison), Sgt. John Farrell and ‘Smiler’ Meeson.
THE “DAPHNE” FIRE INCIDENT (Cont’d)
As the evening drew in, the additional personnel were taken off and returned to Masirah their task completed. Jock
and I remained all night on the Rhino, occasionally receiving small scraps of food from the ship crew. Our task
basically was to keep the trailer pump full of fuel and to ensure the suction hose remained in the sea. In addition
we were constantly adjusting our rope lashing and those of the trailer pump. During the night we received a
message from Flight Sergeant Ditchfield that the ship’s captain was concerned that the Rhino might damage the
side of his ship. We were attached to the Daphne by rope and, depending on the swell of the sea, we did
occasionally bang into the side of the Daphne. It wasn’t a pleasant sound especially as we were not rising and
falling in tandem with the Daphne. We would more or less hit the Daphne then bounce up and down its side.
“We’re going to have to move you away from the side of the ship” and, although separated only by about fifty feet,
abandoned almost on a flat bottomed steel platform in shark infested waters, at night and in increasingly heavy
swell is something that doesn’t fade from the memory.
We continued pumping throughout the night until we received a message that the fire was now out. We were to
remain on the Rhino till dawn and then take it from there.
Fire Fighters aboard the RCT Rhino Platform.
Come daylight we were, I remember, very hungry and very tired but we were a team well trained and well led so
that compensates for those discomforts. The Flight Sergeant informed us that the danger of fire and explosion had
passed but there was a new danger the ship’s hold was full of water and there was a possibility the Daphne may list
and sink. Jock and I now had to move the trailer pump on to the Daphne and start pumping out the hold. This was a
relatively straightforward task but once the suction hose was lowered into the hold it regularly became blocked. All
sorts of debris were swirling about and I had been tasked to look after the suction hose, so it went without question
that I would be lowered into the bowels of the Daphne and off I duly went.
I spent three days and two nights on the Daphne, no sleep, little food but content in the knowledge that I had put
into practice many of the skills and knowledge gleaned from my training. I also had great faith in the Flight
Sergeant. The situation stabilised and the Flight Sergeant, aware that I was shortly to return home, made
arrangements to get me ashore. I remember arriving back at Masirah and, would you believe it, the Station
Commander who had only been in post a few days was there to meet me in his car and conveyed me to the
airman’s mess where a meal awaited me. The Station Commander had probably previously never spent more than a
few minutes in the company of an RAF fireman but here he was sat next to one who had not washed or slept for
three days, who was very tired and probably talking gibberish. He probably still thinks RAF firemen are always like
that.
On board the Daphne. Paul McGee &Andy Andrews on the left and ‘yours truly’ in the background.
The MV Daphne incident is included in the annuls of the RAF fire service folklore. I have met many Airmen who can
relate the Daphne incident much better than I; ironically, most of them were many miles away at the time of the
incident.
Final comments on the Daphne incident, Flight Sergeant Ditchfield was awarded The British Empire Medal, voted
Man of the Year and was featured in the 1968 television documentary featuring the Royal Family. Her Majesty was
heard to comment on the Daphne incident and mentioned Fight Sergeant Ditchfield specifically. Two years after
the incident I was now stationed at RAF Church Fenton when I received an extra £19 in my weekly pay - that was a
huge bonus in those days. I duly went to general office and was informed that this was my part in the salvage
money relating to the MV Daphne. I became a bit of a celebrity for a while at Church Fenton, especially after
embellishing the story a tiny bit to the women in general office.
Some five years later, now stationed at RAF Brize Norton, I met up with Gordon Ditchfield. He was now a Flight
Lieutenant and I was a Corporal. I was to realise that Mr. Ditchfield was one of life’s gentlemen and not the
fearsome task master that we all thought he was.
Sadly Gordon and big Jock Mc Vey have moved on to that big fire section in the sky but their memory lives on.
L/R. Steve (Silverfox) Harrison, George (Scouse) Edwards, Kevin (Smiler) Meeson and Paul (Black Mac) McGee at a
RAF & Defence Fire Services Re-Union 2008, the first time we had all been together since 1967.
With amusement I remember that a photograph of myself was published in The Hull Daily Mail relating to the
incident.
When I went on leave to the UK for my sister’s wedding my friend told me that his girlfriend, who worked in a store
had been looking at the paper and a few of the girls had mentioned that I was a ‘bit of alright’ When she said that
she knew me I had a few offers of dates.
OPERATIONS RECORD BOOK OF RAF MASIRAH THAT MENTIONS THE INCIDENT
OPERATIONS RECORD BOOK OF RAF MASIRAH
FOR PERIOD MARCH 1968
COMPILING OFFICER Flt Lt A.E Howard
Dated 27 March 1968
Squadron Leader RJ Spears left the station on the 27 March after handing over to the new CO Squadron Leader R.F.
Gratton. Half an hour after the departure of the Argosy the events aboard the Daphne began.
The SS Daphne anchored off the coast of the Island preparatory to discharging cargo for Messrs Wimpey. The
Master Paulos Ambietles radioed RAF Masirah requesting assistance in fighting a fire on board his ship. RAF Masirah
responded by sending men and equipment which were taken by sea to Daphne by a detachment of the Royal Corps
of Transport using Uniflotes. Operations were hampered by a rough sea and the men of Masirah and RCT displayed
resource and courage in a dangerous and difficult situation. The fire was located in No 4 Hold and between the
decks area and although hampered by bulky deck and hold cargo the fire was extinguished at 14.30 on Friday the 29
March. During operations, the No 4 Hold had to be flooded and the Master requested assistance in pumping out.
Pumping out now complicated by a mass of loose floating cargo continued until the Hold was clear at 06.00 on the
31 March. The ship weighed anchor at 10.15 on the 31 March and sailed for Daman. It is very doubtful whether the
ship’s crew using their own inadequate equipment could have prevented the Daphne from becoming at least
severely damaged and probably a total loss.
Thank you for that account of the Daphne’s distress, Steve, what a great story it is, complete with wonderfully
atmospheric pics of the event. Your offer of dates as a result of your photo being in the paper only proves the old
adage “It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good”.
A SERIALISATION OF THE OMAN CHAPTER OF DAVID CARD’S BOOK
“FRONT LINE IN THE COLD WAR – OMAN 1972 TO 1973”
(Submitted by David Card).
Copyright of David Card
SERIAL 2. OMAN’S (QUIET) WAR IN THE 1970’S
This quiet war in Oman can be traced back to the mid 1950s with rivalry’s between Sultan Said bin Taimur and
religious leaders backed by Saudi Arabia. The Imam’s revolt in Jebel Akhdar was suppressed in 1955 with help from
the United Kingdom which was resented by Egypt. Taimur’s rule was medieval and despotic. It caused unrest among
his people.
By 1964 a rebellion broke out along tribal separatist lines. After an assassination attempt on Taimur life in 1966 he
became more paranoid and ruled even more erratically. By 1967 the rebellion had grown with the name - Popular
Front for the Liberation of the Occupied Arabian Gulf (PFLOAG). External Russian and Chinese communist interests
became involved and attempted to stir up revolt and to take advantage of this outmoded regime.
On 23rd July 1970 in what was an almost bloodless coup Sultan Taimur was replaced by his son with support from
Great Britain. I say almost bloodless but I learnt that his father was wounded accidentally by his own hand. Sultan
Taimur was attempting to cock his single action colt 45 revolver when he accidentally let off a shot that hit him in
the leg. The old Sultan was taken to RAF Salalah’s medical centre for treatment. It was also a useful and safer place
to protect Sultan Taimur from many of his own people who had old scores to settle. He was guarded by some of the
RAF servicemen posted to this remote RAF station.
After a couple of days protected in the Salalah medical centre Sultan Taimur was flown by the RAF first out to RAF
Masirah. From Masirah he finally left Oman in a RAF VC10 for further medical treatment in Great Britain. Sultan
Taimur recovered from his wound and remained in Great Britain. He lived out his days in exile at the Dorchester
hotel in London until his death on the 19th October 1972.
Taimur’s son, Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, was born on the 18th November 1940 at Salalah. He was aged 30
when he took control of his country. He was the 14th-generation descendant of the founder of the Al Bu Sa'idi
dynasty. He had been educated at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst and had served as an officer in the
regular British Army. He was far more enlightened than his father and realised that Oman was in serious danger
unless there was a fundamental change in the way his country was being ruled.
The transformation of Oman began immediately. Sultan Qaboos gave the country modern leadership and began
implementing progressive development plans. Oman started its journey on becoming a modern day state. The first
signs were witnessed by two of the airmen who two weeks before had been part of Sultan Taimur’s guard at RAF
Salalah. They were invited to a local Omani wedding. For the first time in decades Omani families were allowed to
celebrate family events along with song and dance.
However Sultan Qaboos faced a very serious military threat. The country in 1970 was far from being united. Local
pockets of opposition to the Sultan’s rule existed across this very large and diverse country. A major priority was to
gain full military control of his country and to quell the insurgency raging in the Dhofar region. Peace and stability
was a prerequisite to the challenging task of transforming his country into a modern nation.
External communist interests stirred up the volatile situation by exploiting the tribal differences along the Yemen
Oman borders. These external communist states were keen to establish their own footholds in oil rich Arabia.
Many battles were played out in the Dhofar region to the south west of the country that bordered the wild
mountains and deserts between Oman and Yemen.
China and Russian Communists were providing training, arms and resources to insurgents and local tribesmen who
for whatever local reason wished to overthrow Sultan Qaboos. The reward to the communists would have been a
foothold of influence over Oman and Muscat and the oil and its distribution sea routes into and out of the Gulf.
This “quiet” war was being waged between the Sultan’s forces backed by Britain against the Popular Front for the
Liberation of the Arabian Gulf (PFLOAG). The insurgents were referred to by the loyal Omanis as the Adoo (Arabic
word for enemy). The Adoo consisted of foreign insurgents and local recruited tribesmen who joined this cause for
suitable recompense. The insurgents were able to cross into the Dhofar region from the Yemen across the wild and
empty desert and mountains.
Copyright David Card
SERIAL 2. OMAN’S (QUIET) WAR IN THE 1970’S (Cont’d)
Britain supported the Sultan’s forces and had sent a few soldiers to the area to train men loyal to Sultan Qaboos.
Among the soldiers sent into Oman were a small specialist team called the British Army Training Team (BATT). In
reality they were members of the elite British regiment the SAS (Special Air Service). In the early 1970’2 the SAS
were not widely known about. It was before the high profile Iranian embassy siege in London and the publication by
ex SAS members of numerous books that described how this covert group operated.
These SAS troopers trained the Sultan’s loyal Firqa troops. They won hearts and minds of the local Omani people
through medical interventions when children hurt themselves in the remote outback of the desert. They actively
took the fight to the insurgents training and encouraging Sultans Qaboos own troops.
In the Dhofar desert and mountain war there was little mercy given to British soldiers unfortunate to be captured.
Two SAS soldiers caught in the Yemen/Dhofar wild country were beheaded and their heads displayed in the local
town on spikes.
The Battle of Mirbat 19th July 1972.
The battle of Mirbat is one of the most important actions undertaken by the Special Air Services (SAS) and shows
that a few can make a difference not only to ensuring the survival of a nation but to the course of world politics and
the influence of world powers. Until recently little publically was known of this modern day “Rorke’s Drift”. The
attack was repelled by a small force of SAS know in Oman as BATT (British Army Training Team). This battle has
gone down in the folklore of the SAS.
On the 19th July 1972 the rebels mounted a full frontal major attack on Mirbat in an attempt to achieve a major
victory and to break the deadlock in winning hearts and minds of the Omani people. If they had been successful it
would have convinced the undecided local tribal leaders to join the winning side. If they lost the initiative would be
gained by the Sultan’s forces. The rebels thought they would gain an easy victory.
How Wrong They Were.
The rebel Adoo attacked with some 400 rebel fighters. Defending the small port of Mirbat were 9 BATT soldiers
(SAS) plus some 30 loyal Firqa troops.
Every night a guard from the fort located just outside the port was sent out into the jebel (hills) surrounding the
Port of Mirbat. They took up sentry positions to warn of any attack from the nearby mountains.
The Adoo approached Mirbat from the mountain ranges inland of the coastal town and took up their pre attack
position before dawn. Their first task was to locate and eliminate these sentry posts. Their stealth almost succeeded
as one by one they crept up on the sentry posts and quietly despatched the sentries by slitting their throats.
Fortunately one alert guard saw the attackers and begun to engage them with rifle fire. A firefight followed before
the luckless sentry was eventually overpowered, silenced and killed.
During the night the Adoo had set up a line of mortars that would provide covering fire to the main assault after the
Firqa sentries had been silenced. Hearing the gunfire from the alert sentry the Adoo mortar troops thought that the
battle and main assault had started. They took the exchange of fire with the alert sentry as their cue to begin the
attack. So inadvertently the ADOO mortar teams signalled the attack prematurely by firing off smoke and mortar
rounds before their main assault forces had made it to their initial attack position. The exploding shells drew the
stealth attack to an end and gave the defenders their early morning alarm call.
The Adoo’s First Tactical Error Of The Day - Stealth Approach Compromised.
The ADOO had advanced from the desert region beyond the jebel (mountain range) along wadis (dried river beds)
and towards some hillocks between the mountain range the sea and the fishing port of Mirbat.
The BATT house was located 800 metres from the inland Mirbat fort with the fishing port behind and the Wali’s fort
nearer the Arabian Sea to the left. The position near the sea protected the BATT house against a flanking attack. The
BATT house was home to the nine SAS men. Over the years they have used a number of aliases to protect their
identities. Today they are named as Mike Kealy, Pete Winner, Roger Cole, Tak Takavasi, Laba Labalaba, Fuzz Hussey,
Bob Bennett, Tommy Tobin and the ninth soldier variously described as Corporal L. M. Taylor or Alan McNeice.
They were armed with their personal weapons, light and heavy machine guns and mortars. The low cloud both at
RAF Salalah 50 miles away and around Mirbat meant the Sultan’s air force could not get airborne. So the early
stages of the battle was conducted without air power.
Photo above shows the BATT house in 1972
The photo above (taken 2014) shows the BATT house position with the second Mirbat fort top left in view nearer to
the sea. The inland Mirbat fort is 800 metres to the right of the picture
In the background of the photo above is the jebel with just a whisper of low cloud. In July’s monsoon season the
cloud would have been much thicker and lower. In the distance to the left you can see the Wali’s fort. The beach
and sea are further to the left of the position where this photograph was taken. The white buildings are believed to
be recent additions.
The jebel (hills) can be seen in the background of both above photos and together with the Wadis (riverbeds) gave
the Adoo some cover to the early stages of their advance.
The photo below shows the raised inland Mirbat fort with its commanding view overlooking open ground across
which the Adoo had to advance. The gun pit was located just outside the fort. Occupying another Mirbat fort were
some 30 loyal Omani soldiers (Firqa).
Additionally, the picture a (taken in 2014) shows the view from the BATT house position to the inland Mirbat fort
and the 800 metre open and exposed ground across which four members of the BATT had to cross to reach the gun
pit position. The first to make the run was Laba.
The first objective for the ADOO was a Second World War 25 pounder artillery field gun. It was dug into a gun pit
close to the raised fort overlooking the flat plains that led from the jebel (hills and mountains) that surrounded the
coastal port of Mirbat.
The 25pounder gun position was also the “stand to” post for one of the BATT team. His name was Talaiasi “Laba”
Labalaba, one of two Fijians in the BATT (SAS) team. As the battle commenced Laba sprinted across the wide-open,
coverless desert towards his gun pit some 800 meters away. Witnesses say it was miraculous that he was not hit as
he ran ducked and weaved towards his post.
Once in the gun pit Laba called for the other Omani gunners to join him. One ventured out and was cut down
immediately. The rest stayed within the relative safety of the fort and engaged the ADOO from there.
Laba then, single handed, began to fire this old World War II 25-pounder field gun. During the second world-war a
gun crew was made up of at least 5 men. For some 2 hours Laba kept up a steady bombardment on the advancing
ADOO. His amazing rate of fire engaged the ADOO accurately at a longer distance than the mortars and slowed the
ADOO advance. As the ADOO crept ever nearer he lowered the gun to zero-trajectory (i.e. pointing it with no
elevation directly at the advancing ADOO).
As the advancing Adoo closed with the gun pit, the fort and the BATT house they came within range of the other
weapons available to the SAS troopers and Firqa.
Laba continued to fire the 25 pounder. The armoured plating at the front of the gun protecting Laba as the gun pit
was peppered with bullets. Of the hundreds of rounds fired at the gun pit one hit Laba and blew his chin off. He
radioed back to the BATT house calmly saying he had “been chinned”. He tried to carry on as best he could with a
field dressing wrapped around his head to stem the flow of blood.
In the BATT house Laba’s friend and fellow Fijian countryman Sekonaiai Takavesi (Tak) reacted to Laba’s call and
decided to reinforce the gun pit. This formidable rugby player made his run across the open 800 metres to the gun
pit. He too drew fire from the ADOO’s AK-47s. He miraculously arrived unscathed. Tak again called to the Omani
gunners to get to the pit to help. One Omani gunner ventured out of the fort and joined them in the gun pit. He was
Walid bin Kamas al-Badri. Between them they continued to maintain a fire rate of over one round a minute.
The gun pit became the enemy’s focal point of attack and the targets for many AK 47s, grenades and mortar fire.
Tak took several hits from rifle fire and an exploding shell opened up a hole in his chest. Walid was hit in the
stomach. All three were wounded but continued to work the gun and fight on.
As the Adoo closed remorselessly towards the gun-pit Laba knew that he needed more short range fire power, and
that lay just outside the gun pit where a small mortar was stored. He crawled out of the gun pit to the mortar store
just 10 metres away. Exposed Laba took another bullet across his throat that killed him instantly.
Tak’s and Walid’s injuries now prevented them from firing the 25 pounder and the gun went silent. They both
fought on with their personal weapons engaging the advancing Adoo.
Back at the BATT house Captain Kealy heard the 25-pounder stop, he knew that the battle would be lost if the Adoo
gained possession of the field gun. He and Tommy Tobin, the team’s medic, took their chance and ran across the
open ground attracting fire from the Adoo. They too got to the gun pit unscathed. The loyal Back at the BATT house
Captain Kealy heard the 25-pounder stop, he knew that the battle would be lost if the Adoo gained possession of
the field gun. He and Tommy Tobin, the team’s medic, took their chance and ran across the open ground attracting
fire from the Adoo. They too got to the gun pit unscathed. The loyal Omani’s fighting from the fort maintained an
intense rate of fire but still the Adoo advanced.
As Tommy Tobin crawled out of the gun pit to try to help Laba he too was hit. He managed to regain the safety of
the gun pit but he died of his wounds some 6 weeks later
With the ADOO some 20 metres from the gun pit Mike Kealy ordered his mortar man, Fuzz Hussey, firing from the
BATT house to lay down rounds around the gun pit. It was this brave call that led to Kealy being awarded the DSO
(Distinguished Service Order). Many mortar rounds were fired from the BATT house and not one hit the gun pit but
the hits on the Adoo helped slow their advance.
The Adoo were within hand grenade throwing range and several landed in the gun pit but did not explore. The
reason was the fuses had not been changed to work in the wet and damp monsoon conditions Oman experiences in
July.
The Adoo’s Second Tactical Error - Inappropriate Grenade Fuses Used.
The situation for the Mirbat defenders was now desperate. They had held against all odds for hours and the Adoo
were within yards of over running them.
The Adoo had chosen their July attack month well knowing that low cloud would more than likely keep the Sultan
of Oman’s Air Force (SOAF) grounded in the early morning and make it difficult to swoop in at low level over Mirbat.
They had planned to capture the gun and Mirbat fort before the cloud base lifted. They had not expected such
powerful resistance from such a small defending force. Their speed of advance had been slowed significantly by the
gallant defence allowing the sun to begin lifting the cloud base.
The Adoo’s Third Tactical Error – The Advance Was Too Slow and The Cloud Base Rose
For several hours the early morning low cloud had prevented the SOAF (Sultan of Oman Air Force) strike-master
aircraft and helicopters from getting airborne from Salalah several miles down the coast.
Repeated radio messages from the Mirbat BATT house were sent. There was no time to encode the messages so
they were sent in clear morse code. To those at Salalah receiving the calls for help it was very clear the situation
was desperation and air support and reinforcements were urgently needed.
Waiting at Salalah were members of G squadron SAS who had prepositioned there for a routine replacement of the
current Mirbat nine planned for later that day. So it was indeed fortunate that reinforcements were at hand albeit
grounded by the low cloud.
The break in low cloud allowed the SOAF Strikemasters and the helicopter with G squadron aboard to get airborne.
The Strike-masters were armed with bombs, air to surface rockets and heavy machine guns. The helicopters could
bring in reinforcements. Both aircraft were flown by seconded and ex RAF pilots. Finally the British built Strikemasters (an attack version of the RAF’s basic single engined jet trainer the Jet Provost) got airborne and joined the
fight. They broke through the low cloud base over Mirbat at very low level dropping their bomb loads and strafing
the ADOO with their rockets and cannons at very, very close range to the defending SAS men. The aircraft took
several hits from the ADOO’s small arms and returned damaged to RAF Salalah to rearm, refuel and return.
With the heavily armed SAS G squadron reinforcements and the airstrikes taking their toll the Adoo advance was
stalled and they began to retreat. In the BATT house they were down to their last 20 rounds and their last box of
grenades. The Adoo had been frighteningly close to a victory.
The Adoo beat a retreat never to regain the momentum in the battle of Mirbat nor the insurgency in Dhofar and the
war for control of Oman. It was a close run thing. In the battle the Adoo were defeated with some 100 men killed
(although this number is difficult to confirm). Many more were wounded. The true number is not known as many of
the dead and wounded were carried from the field of battle by the retreating Adoo.
This signalled the beginning of the end of the Dhofar insurgency. The "Dhofar war" formally ended in 1976. The
battle at Mirbat four years earlier was the significant turning point.
For the free world to fully understand how our freedoms have been won in many places across the world then we
must also recognise when and where and by whom. In July 1972 the achievement at Mirbat was important not only
for Oman but also played a major part in limiting the spread of communism influence and protected the flow of Gulf
oil to power the economies of the Free Enterprise world.
A few men made a big difference to the history of a nation and to global outcomes for years to come. These 9 SAS
men made a colossal difference. These men were at the Front Line of a really “Hot War” that the world was largely
in ignorance of.
The Battle of Mirbat serves to remind us that you train for years and years to perfect your skills. Sometimes you are
never called upon to put into practice that training. Yet sometimes you find yourself in a situation where the
application of that training is critical. It can come without warning and may only be required for a brief moment.
The small errors made by the Adoo in those brief hours added up. It helped turn what should have been a victory
for them to a defeat.
The Battle of Mirbat started before breakfast and was over by lunch! So much depended on just those few hours
and those few men. In those immemorial words of Winston Churchill from another conflict “never has so much
been owed by so many to so few”.
POST SCRIPT TO THE BATTLE OF MIRBAT.
It was some three years before the actual awards were generally made public but the specific circumstances that
merited the awards remained shrouded in secrecy.
Laba’s action deserved a Victoria Cross but the secrecy surrounding the "Dhofar war" and that he was a Fijian
member of British Special Forces would have resulted in unwanted world attention to the war in Oman.
He was posthumously awarded a mention in despatches.
Even now, 42 years later, a VC remains justified and ought to be reconsidered.
That will require an Act of Parliament to amend the current rules .
- Tak recovered from his wounds although he still has some shrapnel in his body to this day. He was awarded the
DCM. He went on to play a part in the storming of the Iran embassy in London and saw service as a civilian security
advisor in Iraq.
- Walid bin Khamis al-Badri survived his wounds
- Tommy Tobin died of his wounds and received a posthumous Distinguished Service Medal (DCM).
- Mike Kealy was awarded a DSO (as the officer in charge) His father Col. Kealy had been awarded a DSO in the
Second World War It was unique for a father and son to both have been awarded the DSO (Distinguished Service
Order medal). In 1979 Mike Kealy died of exposure during a training exercise in the Brecon Beacons. His body was
found by his Dhofar commander Johnny Watts.
- Bob Bennett was awarded a military medal
- In 1984 Pete (Snapper) Winner, one of the Mirbat team went on to be part of the SAS team that stormed the
Iranian embassy. He wrote the book “Soldier I”. Some years after that he found himself confined and under
observation at the army psychiatric medical unit based in Woolwich. He made an unauthorised excursion to the
Woolwich Artillery museum next door and immediately recognised the Mirbat 25 pounder now restored to pristine
condition without the peppered gun-shield that had taken hundreds of hits at Mirbat. His medical minders found
him near the gun. On his return to his observation bed he told them about the 25 pound gun he had just seen in the
museum, the battle of Mirbat and his part in it. They listened to his story in surprise. They knew nothing of the
Battle of Mirbat nor of their patient’s experience in facing such overwhelming forces.
Without access to his full military service records how could the doctors be expected to assess this soldier’s state of
mind. He now writes and gives talks that include the Battle of Mirbat. When he wrote “Soldier I” he was banned
from the SAS base in Herefordshire and could no longer visit the memorial on the base to pay his respects to his
fallen comrades.
Austin “Fuzz” Hussey returned home to Oldham and became a hod carrier. He had served 10 years as an SAS soldier.
He was interviewed years later by his local paper and said that this was the most wonderful time of his life. When
asked about better recognition and the award of medals he said “I don’t want a medal, and I don’t want to be in the
situation where I can earn a medal.” He went on to say “I joined in 1964 and you just didn’t talk about the
Regiment. It’s embarrassing because people only pick out these good things and make heroes out of you. Even now,
I look back on it as just one bad day – it’s not a thing you make into a reunion; it’s your own personal little hell.”
Roger Cole (pictured above) wrote a book called “Operation Storm” which is a far more detailed account of the
Battle of Mirbat than the one I outline here.
The Mirbat gun is now in the Royal Artillery museum in Woolwich. Its battered armour plating has been replaced
with one in pristine condition. The battle of Mirbat was the last time that a 25 pounder was used in action.
I salute them and do not pretend that our RAF experiences ever came close to what these exceptional people did.
THE SERIALISATION OF THE OMAN CHAPTER OF DAVID’S BOOK WILL CONTINUE IN OUR
NEXT NEWSLETTER ISSUE.
IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO THE BISHOP (IF HE’D BEEN A FIREFIGHTING BISHOP)
(Submitted by Clive Lancaster)
(Fire and Rescue Section – RAF Masirah – 1970-1971)
This incident happened while I was posted at RAF Brize Norton, a few months before I was posted to RAF Masirah.
Working a good watch system on the crash line, I was the S.N.C.O. with two Cpl’s and 10 other ranks, starting early
morning till lunchtime then off till late evening, then back on till following morning.
When my watch was on a Sunday, I sometimes used the afternoon to prepare a "Hot Fire Practice” at the site on the
base used for that purpose. This was usually organised on the Fri /Sat prior when I set the men to collecting from
everybody everything at all that would burn, i.e. furniture from barrack stores, used oil from the MT section, out of
date paint from the Paint Shop, if it would burn then I would use it. We also had (as I feel sure every fire section
had) a plentiful supply of used fuel, Avtag and Avgas and Avtur, all for our use on practice fires.
I arranged these practices during the periods of long light evenings (although not always, we had to keep some
surprise in the occasion) and by the time my watch had settled down, completed all checks, and everyone knew
what their position was, I would inform my 2nd i/c I was going upstairs to see the D.A.T.C.O. for a run-down on
movements during our watch. Being a Sunday, it was invariably quiet, and often there would be up to 4-5 hours
with nothing really to do, so, with the okay from A.T.C, I would arrange a time for the Crash Alarm to sound and,
returning to the crash bay, I would inform my 2 i/c what the plan was. The Practice Crash was a pretty much intact
Comet with a bund wall around it to hold the fuel in place.
So this particular evening, everything was set, the crew were watching TV and the Cpl. sat in the watch room, I went
up to ATC, picked up a very pistol & flares, went back down, jumped into the ATC landrover, drove over to the
burning area, had a final check round and, finding all was okay and ready, fired a couple of flares into the aircraft. "
Whoosh" , boy, did that one ever go up !!!! I had another quick look around and fired the Red Very into the sky,
followed by my R/T call to ATC in the usual form of call “Practice Crash, Practice Crash + map ref”. I have to say that
from then on it was a very good effort by all the crew.
Everything was going very well until, as I ran around checking the guys, I suddenly came up against this big red
(CIVILIAN ) fire truck with ANOTHER coming in behind!
Thinking back, I cannot recall ever having such a feeling as I had just then!! It hit me like a brick!!! I had made a BIG
BIG mistake. I had NOT informed the Emergency Services Centre at Kiddlington, near Oxford, of our intention to
have a practice hot fire!!! (Which was something that I had always done and was required by them to be done).
Boy, was I in trouble, I realised!!!
Well, to make a long story even longer, I had a hell of a dressing down from the Station Fire Officer on returning to
the crash bay, with strong indications that I could look forward to dropping a stripe, not to mention an audience
with the base CO.
So the following day, in my best bib -n-tucker , I first got another 2&6 by the Station Fire Officer then off to SHQ
and an agonising wait before being "marched" into the CO’s office, Group Captain Law.
After explaining how many civilian vehicles, Fire , Ambulance and Police, had been involved from all the towns
around Brize Norton, the CO asked for an explanation.
“Well”, I thought, “I won’t go down without a fight”, seeing as how the Station Fire Officer was also present!!!
“ Well, Sir”, I said, “I admit to causing some disruption to the emergency services, BUT what a fantastic response
we had from the emergency services, proving that if ever we need them in reality, they will be there, no problem
whatsoever.
Silence! Absolute, total silence. From everybody.
“Very well, Sgt.” The CO eventually said, “This episode is closed. I will contact the authorities concerned,
congratulate them on their response and this episode will be an labeled an unscheduled practice disaster”.
“Dismissed”.
I forgot to mention that on realising my mistake during the fire drill, I told the driver of the civilian fire truck to send
a "STOP" call back to Kiddlington HQ, which would stop any more vehicles responding.
So, guys, that’s my worst memory (or one of them, anyway), but I think I did pretty well to come out of that as I did.
What do you think?????
Maybe I should have remained anonymous.
BIRDS OF OMAN
(Submitted by David Rose)
(Teleg. – RAF Masirah – 1968/1969)
I think some people know that I contribute to a daily photographic journal called 'Blipfoto'. This is where you can
record a daily record of your life or whatever you want, as long as it's acceptable of course
Egret - (c) Hilary White
Grey Heron - (c) Hilary White
One of my friends on Blipfoto is based in Oman and she has been posting photographs of birds for a number of
weeks now. She plans to publish a book about Birds of Oman in the future.
She is also holding a photographic exhibition in the Grande Plaza, Muscat, in April of Oman Landscapes.
I had hoped to meet her and her family when we were in Salalah but when we arrived there I totally forgot to give
her a call.
To see her photographs of the birds go to the following link, bearing in mind this is from the 3 March so you will
need to scroll forward and back to see them all. Plus she is adding to the bird collection daily.
https://www.polaroidblipfoto.com/entry/2019266428066073359
Happy Twitching.
Tawny Pippit - (c) Hilary White
Hoopoe - (c) Hilary White
A FRIENDSHIP FORGED IN THE RAF THAT SPANNED 45 YEARS
(Submitted by Hew (Taff) Rees)
(RAF Police)
I joined the RAF Police on the 29th Dec 1969 and completed basic training at RAF Swinderby (now an Industrial
Estate) and I would advise remembering it as it was.
After a driving course at RAF St Athens I commenced my trade training at RAF Debden. near Saffron Waldon in
Essex.
It was there in 1970 that I, as a young sprog from Welsh Wales, met the larger than life (and already with a tan on
his knees from foreign climes) Cpl. Reginald Ball.
Reg, I believe, had not been back in the UK long, after already doing a tour in a place called RAF Masirah,
somewhere in the East. He was currently serving at RAF Lyneham in Wilts, the home of the C130 Hercules and was
back in the Police Depot doing some sort of 'advanced training'.
As A/C's, we were astounded by the tales told to us by this seasoned warrior, and he even insisted that we call him
Reg, not Corporal, we had just finished basic where the NCOs' were God's to be feared, not to be addressed by
name by us 'nobodies'
There began a friendship that has spanned 45 years and 3 months, as of today.
Reg and I became good friends over the following 6/8 weeks, he regaling us with tales of the Far East, and us, well
listening in awe.
Reg was RTU to RAF Lyneham and I proceed to the other side of the airfield to complete a 6 week 'Poodle Pushers
Course' a Police Dog Handler, and the 'dogs danglies' (I thought)
Six weeks later I qualified and we gathered to be told our postings, 90% were posted to Bomber Command V Force
Station's, I got the long straw, RAF Lyneham.
So the friendship was to continue, almost on an equal footing, but often to be told "Get Some In, Acting Corporal",
ringing in my ears.
Reg mentored me through my first year at Lyneham, where I was to meet my future wife, no thanks to Reg's every
efforts to lead me astray almost every night of the week, I still have nightmares about those nights in Swindon's
Moonraker Club.
Alas, my escape to sanity presented itself in the summer of 1971, when I was advised to prepare myself for an
overseas posting to a place called 'RAF Bruggen' in a faraway land called Germany.
I recall announcing proudly in the Guardroom that I had been selected for a special posting to a unit in 'Germany'.
“Don't worry” shouted Reg, “I'm coming with you, as well as about another 200 'Snowdrops' “.
So, off we go to RAF Bruggen, in Germany, and of course the debauchery continued in earnest, Amsterdam /
Monchengladbach, those houses of disrepute in Elmpt, Niederkruchen, well, all over Germany and Holland to be
precise.
So Reg and I have been akin to father and son for almost 3 years, and I am still left in possession of a small number
of functioning brain cells.
I use these to arrange a plan of escape in the form of 'marriage', and arrangements are made for 'escape by
marriage' to take place in Gosport, England on the 15th Jan 1972.
Unbeknown to me though, Reg has been appointed 'Best Man'. I do not know how this happened, and it remains a
mystery to this day, maybe one day Reg will tell me how this came about, I suspect alcohol and a moderate amount
of torture were involved.
I am hoping that now that he is in his dotage that I will be able to finagle this historic secret from him one night.
Anyway the wedding proceeded, with much imbibing, and another secret became apparent the day after the
ceremony, 'What had Reg done in my Father in Laws bed' that required him to be up washing bed sheets in the
early hours of the morning???
Another secret I hope to unravel some time soon.
Anyway, 1975 arrives, and Reg and I are split up after 5 years, to my wife's delight!
I am sent to RAF Brawdy in West Wales, and Reg and I lose touch.
A FRIENDSHIP FORGED IN THE RAF THAT SPANNED 45 YEARS (Cont’d)
(RAF Police)
Then: Myself (Taff Rees) with my Best Man, Reg Ball.
The years pass, I get divorced, and go to work in HMP Prison Service working in Swansea, Coldingly, Wakefield etc.
I know Reg is from Stockport, so sporadically over the next 30 years I go through Stockport phone books, RAF
Associations, RAF Police contacts, nix nil nought, he has been swallowed up.
In the mean time I have changed course again and trained as an Environmental Health Officer, and work for the
local authority in South Wales.
As a local government officer I sometimes find myself with a minute or two spare during the day, so I eventually
become semi IT literate, and start doing searches of mysterious web sites like 'Friends & Forces Reunited’.
Lo and behold, on the 1st April 2006 (Yes I know) I see an entry in 'Friends Reunited' by an ex RAF Police NCO called
Reginald Ball, but of course no address, and I immediately respond to this listing.
Ten days pass and no response, then I notice that the listing was 3 years old, and no activity in that time, so I start
abusing my position and checking through confidential data bases, and contacting another local authority, and
'bingo' I get an address in Reddish in Stockport.
I wrote a letter to Mr. Reg Ball at this address on the 11th April 2006 including some old photo's from my wedding,
and of my new-ish wife of 25 years.
Two days later, shortly after returning home from work my telephone rings, "A yea all right Taff, its Reg"
And really that's where the friendship just seemed to move seamlessly in to its second phase, it had been 31 years
since we had spoken, and it really was like it had only been a couple of weeks that had passed.
Such are the friendships forged in the services, I don't attempt to understand the psychology behind it, but there it
was, I'm not afraid to say that I was quite emotional about it, all those years just fell away.
I was almost 25 years with the local authority, a few years in HMP, and I don't give them a second thought, ever.
Perhaps somebody can explain it to me one day.
Anyway within 10 days Reg was sitting in my front room in Swansea, swapping lies ten to the dozen, he met my
wife and he stayed the weekend.
We have since been up to visit Reg and Irene a couple of times, stayed the week end in their holiday home in
Blackpool, attended Reg's 60th birthday bash.
A FRIENDSHIP FORGED IN THE RAF THAT SPANNED 45 YEARS (Cont’d)
(RAF Police)
Now: Myself and Reg, as we are today, 45 years after we first met.
We have also been able to muster up a couple of other old pals from the day, two reunions in Lincoln, one at RAF
Waddington, where Reg and I won the first 6/7 prizes in the Sgt's Mess Raffle, oh dear, never mind.
As an aside, another former colleague Cpl/PC Taff Webster, who I have bumped in to swapping prisoners in
Swansea many times, joined us in Bournemouth for an RAF Bruggen reunion.
So since that fateful day in April 2006, my life has taken another swerve, back in to the old fold, and Thank God I
persevered, as these friendships are lifelong friendships, friendships that many of the population will never be part
of, or understand.
I am told, however, that my friend Reg Ball has been unfaithful to me, and has become involved in what he calls an
'elite' group from RAF Masirah & RAF Salalah Ass.
As I was far too young to have been stationed in these ancient Royal Air Force Airfields that I'm told flew Sopwith
Camels and Tiger Moths, I am unable to become a full member.
I have however applied for a 'social membership' which I hope will be successful. (Ed’s note: Taff is now a Social
Member)
If accepted, I hope to come to the next reunion, and have the pleasure of meeting all of Reg's other friends, who I
am assured are almost as bad as Reg and I were.
So, Cpl. Reg Ball has been a large part of my life, physically for about 15 years, but never far from my thoughts, or in
my mind for the other 30 years!
I always knew we were destined to meet again after the Cold War Warriors dispersed to the wind in 1975
I hope some of you enjoy reading about the 'great friendship' which is The Saga of Big Reg & Big Taff.
APHORISM
(Submitted by Peter Fowler)
(Supplier – RAF Masirah/RAF Salalah – 1972/1973)
(“Aphorism - a short, pointed sentence that expresses a wise or clever observation or a general truth”).
1. The nicest thing about the future is that it always starts tomorrow.
2. Money will buy a fine dog but only kindness will make him wag his tail.
3. If you don't have a sense of humour you probably don't have any sense at all.
4. Seat belts are not as confining as wheelchairs.
5. A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you're in deep water.
6. How come it takes so little time for a child who is afraid of the dark to become a teenager who wants to stay out
all night?
7. Business conventions are important because they demonstrate how many people a company can operate
without.
8. Why is it that at class reunions you feel younger than everyone else looks?
9. Stroke a cat and you will have a permanent job.
10. No one has more driving ambition than the teenage boy who wants to buy a car.
11. There are no new sins; the old ones just get more publicity.
12. There are worse things than getting a call for a wrong number at 4 a.m. - for example, it could be the right
number.
13. No one ever says "It's only a game" when their team is winning.
14. I've reached the age where 'happy hour' is a nap
15. Be careful about reading the fine print there's no way you're going to like it.
16. The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket.
17. Do you realise that, in about 40 years, we'll have thousands of old ladies running around with tattoos?
18. Money can't buy happiness but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a RR than in a VW.
19. After 60, if you don't wake up aching in every joint, you're probably dead.
20. Always be yourself because the people that matter don't mind and the ones that mind don't matter.
21. Life isn't tied with a bow but it's still a gift.
And REMEMBER....
"POLITICIANS AND NAPPIES SHOULD BE CHANGED OFTEN, AND FOR THE SAME REASON"
***********************************************************************************************
ANSWERS TO THE QUIZ ON PAGE 7.
Rushmore, Kyber Pass, Suarez, Xenon, Wyoming, Greenham Common, Libra, Balaclava, Ming, Harare, Istanbul,
Fontaine, Cowdrey, Thorpe, Newton, Urals, Asquith, Zeppelin, Eyetie, Orwell, Piggott, Yesterday, Vivaldi, Disraeli,
Joyce, Quisling.
SOME SUBMISSIONS AND THOUGHTS ON THE RECENT OMAN TRIP
DAVID BRAGG
This experience was one I never imagined would ever happen.
To visit my former RAF Station after 44 years was unbelievable.
As the ferry approached Masirah and the PSD came into sight alongside the old jetty, the memories came flooding
back.
It was good to meet some of the locals who were around in 1970 and to share photos and memories.
One of the most amazing things to remember was meeting ‘Sid the Kid ‘on the ferry, his full name is Tahir Said Al
Quahtan. In the 70’s he was a driver up at the medical centre. After the closure he joined the SOAF and went
through the ranks to become OC Admin at Masirah, eventually reaching the rank of Group Captain in Muscat before
retiring.
Finally big thanks to everyone both on the Tour and at the reunion in Birmingham for their generosity in donating
the proceeds of the raffles to www.hullveteranssupportcentre.org.uk
DAVID ROSE
Arriving on Masirah by Ferry was distinctly different to arriving by Argosy where we had to make another circuit
because there were camels on the runway. The smell, however, was the same. Hot sand, broken coral and seaweed,
it was great to 'feel' Masirah in the nostrils.
Hilf was a bit of a shock after the oil drum Wali camp, a good range of shops and cafes and it was great to meet
some locals that worked on the camp. They came to the Masirah hotel on the morning of the day we were leaving.
Masirah Hotel was more than adequate, not up to the Masirah Island Resort Hotel (M.I.R.Hotel), of course, but
great location, 5 minutes walk from Hilf and right on the beach.
Story of first day on Masirah.
Some rebellion at first, before coach 2 got there, with the facilities of the hotel and some on the trip wanted moving
to a 'better' hotel. When I arrived my room-mate, Colin Wilson, was missing and I couldn't believe he'd joined the
rebels. I was told that 'Colin' was at the M.I.R.Hotel. When he hadn't turned up by late afternoon I packed his stuff
and put his case on the coach going to the M.I.R.Hotel.
21.00, Colin turned up, with suitcase, at the Masirah Hotel wanting to know why his case ended up at the
M.I.R.Hotel!!!
When I'd been told that Colin was at the posh hotel they had been talking about Colin Blakelock!!! DOH!
It would be good next time to have an organised trip to Mirbat but if there isn't I'm making a point of it and will go
by taxi if necessary.
Hope this is ok, so much to say and so little space.
DAVID LLOYD
Suffice to say, both my wife and I enjoyed ourselves tremendously – even after a 12 hour coach ride!
The organisation was spot on and the company very friendly – even though I was the odd one out as a former
Secondee – people still spoke to me!
Considering that Oman consists mainly of beaches, mountains and camels, the organisers created a very interesting
tour - accommodation and food was to our satisfaction – the Gala Dinner was perfect, even if the speeches were
long!
JOHN EDWARDS
I took my son Gareth, age 33, with me. He thoroughly enjoyed the trip, he made great friends, and had a lot of good
laughs, the heat at Muscat at 0733am took him by surprise.
I was totally overcome in Masirah when I met Tommy from 40 yrs ago, who I worked with, then when Halleem and
family found me, was even worse.
We have kept in touch my What's App, and Gareth and myself have been invited back.
They will pick us up at Muscat and drive to Masirah, for a few days then return us to Muscat, hopefully next Oct/
Nov.
SOME SUBMISSIONS AND THOUGHTS ON THE RECENT OMAN TRIP (Cont’d)
CONNIE SECOMBE
In the first instance, I lift my hat to all the men and women who have served in that unusual and extremely hot
country, Oman.
I say unusual as ancient and modern spring to mind. Modern high-speed motor ways and sand tracks, that our
coach used to reach one hotel. I say hot because I found the heat intolerable, perhaps my age had something to do
with that.
In the main it was a highly organised tour, due to the efforts of the Committee of M & S V A, but in particular Vic.
Thank you to all who contributed. I must further commend my son, who did so much to make the trip the pleasure
it was, including organising a chauffeur driven tour of Salalah and surrounding area.
It was a great to make the acquaintance of so many folk in the party, some I knew by name but mostly not.
A terrific bunch, but what else would you expect – ex servicemen.
The hotels were varied, from the sublime to the”cor blimey” but even in the latter the bedding was spotless.
I was worried about the food and how I would cope. No need, it was good everywhere and very edible.
Our coach driver, Mohammed, a father of nine he told me, was absolutely superb. Hundreds of miles of narrow 2
way roads and there was complete concentration and smooth gear changes.
Given I was forty years younger I would definitely go again.
DORRIE BISHOP
First impression of Oman was that the people were still very friendly and even the immigration officials made you
feel welcome.
The buildings and road infrastructure was amazing and with the exception of the Muscat airport, that still looked
like it did 40 years ago (new one being build currently) is was totally unrecognisable.
The Government have used the revenue, received from the oil sales, to uplift the entire Country and the population.
While being an Islamic Country the people are very tolerant to the Western lifestyle, and the British influence is still
very visible, especially in the Diplomatic and Military.
Also the group itself, while looking different from 40 years ago, retained the humour that saw us through our time
in Oman and made this trip more enjoyable.
JOHN LAWRENCE
We very much enjoyed the trip despite the disappointment of not being able to see the actual camp areas and of
course the long coach journeys!
The main surprises were how built-up Masirah is and the general infrastructure improvements in Oman, but then 40
years is a long time..
*******************************************************************************************
OH, NO THANK YOU, NOT THIS TIME!!!!!
The flight attendant on our trip was handing out plastic pilot wings to some kids. As I stepped forward, she jokingly
offered me one, but I passed.
Pointing to the Airborne wings on my Army uniform, I explained, “The last time someone gave me wings, I had to
jump out of the airplane.”
IN MEMORIAM
MEMBER MR. JOHN LIGHTFOOT
With deep sadness we belatedly announce the death of member John Lightfoot.
John passed away on the 26th November 2014 after a long illness.
He is survived by wife Irene and three sons, Patrick, Anthony and Stuart.
John served as a fireman at RAF Masirah and was living in Sittingbourne, Kent.
We were not, unfortunately, made aware of John’s passing until his funeral was over so we could not arrange to
have Association representation at it.
The Association has sent Irene a Condolence Card and a bouquet of flowers.
May Peter & all those comrades and friends who served with us in the past and who have now passed on to higher
service Rest in Peace.
SOCIAL MEMBER MRS. EILEEN WHITMARSH.
With deep sadness we announce the death of Mrs. Eileen Whitmarsh, wife of member Mike Whitmarsh.
Eileen passed away peacefully at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in the early hours of Thursday, 9 th. April, after a
short recurrence of a long illness.
Mike and Eileen were married in 1966.
She is survived by husband Mike and their two sons, Gareth and John.
The funeral will be held at 10.30am on Wednesday, 22nd. April 2015 at Cheltenham Cemetery, Bouncers Lane,
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 5JT
(http://www.cheltenham.gov.uk/a_to_z/service/6/cemeteries_and_crematorium) and afterwards at the Hatherley
and Reddings Golf Club, Shurdington Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 4XA.
(http://hatherleyreddings.play-cricket.com/).
Our Association will be represented by Members David Rose and Den Rees, both long-time friends of Mike, by our
Treasurer, Mr. Vic Redmond, our Asst. Membership Secretary, Mr. Reg Ball and, of course, by any other members or
social members who, out of respect for Eileen and Mike, may wish to attend.
The Association is also making arrangements to send a floral tribute to the funeral and a Condolence Card to Mike
and his family.
May Eileen & all those wives, partners, family and friends of those who served with us in the past and who have
now passed on to higher service Rest in Peace.
RAF Masirah & RAF Salalah Veterans Association
5th. Annual Reunion
22nd, 23rd, 24th & 25th. October 2015
Copthorne Hotel, Birmingham
Spouses welcome, great rates and discount on drinks.
If you are planning on attending, please let Alan Sadler or Sandra Redmond know A.S.A.P.
Please do not wait until the last minute to book. The sooner Alan and Sandra know how many are attending, the
sooner they can finalize planning etc.
They have reserved a number of rooms but any not booked by the end of September will be given back to the
hotel.
All prices and contact info for Alan and Sandra are on the Association websitewww.omanrafveterans.org
Our Parton, Air Vice Marshal David O Crwys-Williams CB RAF (Ret’d) will be in attendance and will deliver an
address to the assembly.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
The REAL Story of “The Yimkin”
(Submitted by Mike Whitmarsh).
(Sadly, Eileen Whitmarsh, Mike’s wife, passed away in the early hours of 9 th. April 2015. We can think of no
better tribute to Eileen and to Mike than to re-print again his story of how the “Yimkin” came into being as
a “division of a unit of currency”).
My job at Masirah (I (I was a Clerk Admin Accounts and I worked in SHQ on the station)) was far more difficult than
it was on most other RAF units that I worked on mainly because we were constantly using 5 different currencies.
We used Bahrain Dinars, Qatar and Dubai Rials, Omani Rupees, Pound Sterling and US Dollars. The unit cash
account which recorded all cash into and out of RAF Masirah had to be balanced and the figures submitted to MOD
every month.
This was a very difficult task because Oman had purchased a defunct set of Indian paper Rupees and they also used
their own Arabic coins called Baisas. The Rupee converted to 13.333 recurring to £1Sterling (therefore it never
balanced).
Then there was 64 Baisas to a Rupee. At 13.333 it meant that a rupee was about 3 Shillings and a Baiza
was 1/64th. of 3 shillings. There was of course a complete shortage of Baisas and so we would get a packet of
chewing gum or a raffle ticket with 5 Baisas stamped on it as our change in any transaction on the station.
To digress a little with some background info. At the time (1968/1969) everything on Masirah was in old money and
we used Pounds, Shillings and Pence. The temperature was in Fahrenheit and I was told that it was 148 degrees on
the pan the day I landed and I did not see a drop of rain for thirteen months.
Back to the plot, with the exchange rate at 13.333 Rupees to the Pound everything was fine as a beer in the NAAFI
was 1 Rupee. Then, lo and behold; the NAAFI, in their infinite wisdom, put the price of beer up to 1 Rupee and 6
Baisas. For ordinary, small transactions this was, of course, an absolute disaster (imagine all the chewing gum and
raffle tickets people would have to carry in their pockets).
There was only one solution. We had to” make” our own currency!!!!! We put our heads together and the “Yimkin”
was born. (Yimkin as you will all know is Arabic for ‘Maybe’ and we already had “Yimkin Airways” in the form of the
two Argosys per week that came into Masirah from Muharraq (Well, they were meant to fly in twice a week but it
was always a “will they or won’t they turn up?” scenario with YA, as you know).
So, we got Ground Equipment to make us up 200 or so ½ inch aluminium squares with the letter ‘Y’ stamped in the
middle and a number on the back. We handed them over to the NAAFI and thereafter when we went in for a beer
we would hand over 2 Rupee’s and receive a bunch of “Yimkins” as our change and after our first beer every time
we wanted another we just handed over a Rupee and a “Yimkin”.
Problem solved and the system worked brilliantly (well, it did right up until I left, anyway).
A Yimkin with an old 10p for comparison.
MY STORY (Cont’d from the January Newsletter)
(Submitted by David Bowers, NAAFI Manager)
THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, OMAN AND YEMEN
Sometime in 1967, a number of years before I arrived in Cyprus, the British forces withdrew from Aden. At that
time, Aden was controlled by the British Crown forces as part of their control of British territories in South Arabia.
As an indirect result of this withdrawal, NAAFI eventually decided that Cyprus should take over the management of
the NAAFI establishments in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Presumably, this had been taken care of in the
past by those reporting on the Aden establishments, although I am a bit vague on this, as it does not seem to quite
fit the timescale.
Suffice to say that sometime in 1971, early on in my tour in Cyprus, I had a call from my boss, Jim Campsie, to say
that the responsibility for Sharjah, Masirah and Salalah now came under Cyprus, so could I make arrangements to
get out there! I had a couple of questions, but didn’t want to bring them up until I had looked at a map to find out
where the hell Sharjah, Masirah and Salalah were.
Jim must have read my mind as he said that, before I looked at a map, Sharjah was close to Dubai (and surely,
David, you know where Dubai is?). Masirah, he said, was further south, and was an island off the east coast of
Oman. Salalah was about 400 miles south west of Masirah, close to the Yemen border, and was the capital, and the
seat of the Governor, or Wali, of the southern Omani province of Dhofar. He suggested that I fly from Nicosia to
Dubai, via Beirut, on Middle East Airlines (long gone) then scrounge a seat on an RAF flight to the island of Masirah,
and scrounge another seat on an RAF flight from Masirah to Salalah.
That was the way I got there initially, but, once the trouble started simmering in the Lebanon, culminating in a civil
war in 1975, I decided to give Beirut a miss and travel the whole way with the RAF. However, travelling with the
RAF as a NAAFI district accountant is very different to the way royalty travel with the RAF! It was in a Hercules for
the first part of the journey, from the Akrotiri airfield in Cyprus to Dubai and an Andover for the remainder of the
journey, Dubai to Masirah and Masirah to Salalah.
Until I first climbed aboard a Hercules, I had no idea what the seating was like (never went near one during my army
days) but I correctly suspected that there wasn’t any! Those bits of canvas running down each side of the plane
didn’t impress me at all! Cargo seemed to start at about where your toes finished and often the most comfortable
place to sit or lie down, was on top of the cargo. No soundproofing, as we all know, so it was either ear plugs or my
trusty ear defenders for the many hours I spent in the air. The lavatory was very strange. As I remember it, it was
sort of suspended in the air and involved a bit of gymnastics to get to it. Even stranger was the fact that although
you couldn’t smoke in the body of the plane, the pilot was happy for the lads to take it in turn to go up on the flight
deck for a crafty drag. My, how the world has changed!
I remember on one trip, after leaving Cyprus, we travelled east through Iraq and Iran, but, instead of turning right at
Tehran, we carried on flying east and ended up in Meshed, an Iranian town on the Afghanistan/Soviet Union
border. What I didn’t know was that we were taking the long way round because the pilot had some stuff (God
knows what) to drop off at Meshed. Of course, the town now borders not on Russia, but on Afghanistan and
Turkmenistan, which, when I was there, was part of the USSR.
All I got out of that was a stamp in my passport, an opportunity to stretch my legs and the chance to gaze in some
consternation at the many guys perched up trees who were pointing rifles at us. Sadly, no food and not a beer in
sight!
The Andover was luxurious by comparison – if my memory serves me correctly, it was soundproofed! Its purpose
was to deliver cargo and to evacuate casualties, but it also served to get me from Dubai to my destinations in
Oman.
I remember, on one occasion, being held up for a day or so by dust storms in Masirah. I was bunking down in the
same Officers Mess as the air crew, so we did indulge in the odd beer or two during the wait. The pilot was
absolutely OK, but I think the nav might have downed a few when we suddenly got a window of opportunity to get
off the ground. One mad dash and we were up in the air. The navigator came over the speaker shortly afterwards
to announce our flying time to Abu Dhabi - before going silent for a minute or so. Then he came back on the air to
apologise and to give us the flying time to Dubai, which is where we were supposed to be going! Amazingly, we
landed absolutely spot on time.
A little bit about my work out there.
SHARJAH
On my first trip, I was met at Dubai airport by the NAAFI Sharjah manager, Danny Cawson, to be taken to the NAAFI
establishment at Sharjah. Danny was a really great guy who kept a well organised establishment and was extremely
supportive of a new District Accountant out here on his first visit.
MY STORY (Cont’d)
However, looking through his accounts, I came across one for a sheik who happened to be the chief of police. This
was the guy, who rumour had it, should have taken over as Ruler of Sharjah on the death of his father. However, as
his father had been gunned down on the steps of his own palace, my understanding is that the eldest son shrewdly
chose to appoint his younger brother as Ruler, and himself as chief of police! This meant he could house himself in
the protection of the army barracks and live in the house that had at one time been the home of the Colonel.
Succession laws at that time were obviously flexible.
Back to the books. Danny made no attempt at a cover up. The sheik’s account was well documented, all the invoices
were correct, with payment being made with cash at the time of the delivery. Virtually 90% of the invoiced goods
were for hard liquor. Bearing in mind that it was illegal to provide the local population (no matter how high ranking
they were) with alcohol, and that NAAFI could only sell to service personnel and entitled civilians, it did seem as
though I had a problem. Danny quietly explained that unless we went along with it, things would go wrong – visas
not coming through, problems with deliveries, staffing issues etc. etc.
The long and the short of it was that Danny suggested I accompany him on his next delivery, which was the
following evening. That evening, his staff loaded up the Land Rover with an assortment of goodies, mostly booze;
Danny put the invoices in his shirt pocket and away we went.
On arrival, I asked what we did next. Danny obliged by saying that we leave the Land Rover outside the villa,
approach the house, and wait. A door opened and we were escorted in. There we were met by two sheiks; both
were in full kit, and Danny performed the introductions. We passed through to a tastefully decorated drawing room
and on one of the tables sat a bottle of Johnny Walker Black Label, a bottle of Gordon’s Gin, an ice bucket full of ice,
and four glasses. The sheik leant over to take the invoices out of Danny’s shirt pocket, and the drinking began. They
were very good company and we were only allowed to leave when both bottles had been finished.
As we shook hands, I noticed that, in a very casual movement, something went into Danny’s shirt pocket. When we
got outside, the Land Rover was still there but not the contents. I asked Danny if the shirt pocket contained cash
and he confirmed that once we got back I would see that the cash was for the full amount of the invoice, plus
enough left over to fill the staff refrigerator with soft drinks.
I phoned Jim Campsie to get his take on it. Jim was a realist and asked me to meet him on my return to discuss it
with him, but asked me not to include it in my report. Being a realist myself, I didn’t. Turned out that London was
well aware of this trade and certainly didn’t want anybody (meaning me) to officially report it.
On one of my trips to Sharjah, I borrowed some transport and went into Dubai, primarily to look up “Sheik Robbie”,
the jeweller who made gold and silver kunjas, which were decorative pins. I used a silver one as a stock pin when I
was dressed up in my riding finery, and my intention was to buy some more. NAAFI Cyprus was one of his
customers so I had no problem finding him to have a chat, knowing that if I bought from him direct, a solid silver
kunja would cost me the equivalent of 75p and an 18/22 carat gold one would set me back a fiver.
His shop was in the souk, and it looked for all the world like a two or three man band. As you went in, there were
two guys painstakingly hand crafting these beautiful pin broaches, but I knew better. We went through the curtain,
then through a door to be confronted by workmen who were knocking these things out by the hundreds, using up
to the minute tools and machinery!
MASIRAH
Next stop was Masirah, which I now realised was an island off the east coast of the Oman and, amongst other
things, a Royal Air Force staging post for the Far East. This was my first visit and I was quite surprised to find that
the Officers’ Mess seemed to have more than its normal share of doctors and surgeons.
The NAAFI in Masirah was really just a large soldier’s club with a thriving bar trade and what we termed a “services
shop”, which was primarily for single or unaccompanied servicemen. All the usual stuff that a single soldier needed,
toiletries, sweets, chocolates, cigarettes etc. etc. – not forgetting a variety of monthly magazines, Playboy being by
far and away the most popular.
Maybe all you guys had a great time in Masirah but, for me, the island seemed like a serviceman’s nightmare. It
apparently now goes by the nickname of “Moon Base Alpha”, but when I was there it was more like “Fantasy
Island” because everything you wanted or desired was a complete fantasy.
I know I am writing this profile for those with far more knowledge of the island than I will ever have, but, in the
opinion of someone who only visited infrequently, I got the impression that there was literally nowhere to go,
nothing to see, no women anywhere on the horizon, no pubs, no clubs, no entertainment – zilch.
While I was there, one of the locals told me that I had arrived during the rainy season – he then went on to explain
that this was because 5 or 6 years ago, it had rained on this very day! Not true, of course, it does get rain, but in all
my visits I never experienced it.
You guys that served out there were probably serving at least a nine month tour of duty, so know far more about
the realities of Masirah than I do. However, I did manage to get one souvenir, the Masirah tie! From memory, this
had three motives on it, repeated up and down the tie. One was the biological symbol for a male, the second was
the biological symbol for a female, and the third was a traffic “no entry” sign.
MY STORY (Cont’d)
Sadly, I lost my tie during the course of my many moves, but I was told later by a Masirah veteran that as I only
periodically visited Masirah for a few days at a time, and not for the whole nine + months, I didn’t deserve one
anyway! I don’t suppose that anybody has a spare one??
I did find that there were a few things I was able to do on the island.
On one visit, I was taken by Maurice Alberto, another NAAFI official, who was on the island at the same time as me,
to see the most amazing sight of massive turtles, lumbering up from the sea, before digging holes in order to lay
their eggs. I didn’t know it at the time, but found out that Masirah is host to all four of Oman’s nesting species of
turtles and boasts the world’s largest nesting population of loggerhead turtles.
Maurice had used his influence to borrow an army/RAF vehicle, which we used to get close to the beach. Sadly we
got too close, as the vehicle got bogged down! We made it back to camp after a mad dash, and set about asking a
couple of the MT guys to get another vehicle over to the beach to pull us out. For sure, that cost more than a crate
of beer, both for their help and to ensure their silence!
In the Masirah NAAFI, many of our staff members were Pakistanis and I was invited on one occasion to go back to
their camp one evening to eat a proper curry. It was absolutely superb and there were no after effects, thank
goodness. I remember talking to a couple of the RAF cooks in the officer’s mess and even suggested that they might
want to call in on these boys to get their recipes. I was incredibly naïve as these cooks knew all about the Pakistani
guys, slipped out occasionally to eat with them, but told me that when they cooked curries for dinner in the Mess, it
had to be to set recipes. That was then; hopefully it doesn’t happen now, although I wouldn’t put a bet on it.
On my future trips, I did a bit of my own moonlight trading. Fishing was the principal economic activity on Masirah,
and some of the guys had good connections. However, fresh fruit and fresh milk in quantities were more difficult to
come by. My cool box travelled out with me full of seasonal fruit and fresh milk, and returned full of crayfish tails!
SALALAH
After Masirah, my next stop was Salalah. I’m sorry I won’t be making the trip with you guys, but my holiday plans
were too far advanced to change. I haven’t been back since, but I guess it now has all the trappings of a Kuoni
holiday spot, with roads that actually lead somewhere.
Back then, when I first landed, I spotted something odd. The airstrip did have a sort of hut for processing new
arrivals but, when we piled off the plane, we seemed to have stopped miles away from the hut. Another odd thing
was that we pulled in close to a few large oil drums that were padded out as if for protection. However, it was
steaming hot, so I figured they were there to offer a bit of protection from the sun, while waiting for whatever
mode of transport would whisk us off to a blast of air conditioning.
Having assessed this, I looked up to find that all the spots out of the sun had been magically taken up by a few guys
who were on my flight and who looked like squaddies; they had also assessed the situation and got down there in
the blink of an eye. These were the same lads who, while we were up in the air, had also assessed, and occupied,
the best spots on the aircraft in order to be the least uncomfortable. Definitely impressive, so I figured out that they
might also know what the hell we were doing roasting our extremities off, and why we hadn’t pulled up closer to
the terminal.
They were nice guys, and polite but with not a lot to say. “It’s a no brainer”, they said – “we stop here because the
plane is out of mortar range, and if they get lucky the oil drums give a bit of shelter. If the plane stopped any closer,
it might get hit, and the pilot would be very pissed off. You know, the Adoo might creep down the wadis from the
Jebel and try to trash us”.
“Excuse me”, say I, “mortar fire, Adoo, wadis, Jebel, trashing us, getting hit, what the hell are you talking about”?
Having explained that I was a NAAFI auditor on my first trip down to this neck of the woods, they asked me if
London had explained that Salalah was a war zone and that the local enemy were known as the Adoo, the Arabic
word for enemy. Wanting to show that at least I knew something, I did say that as far as I knew, wadis were full of
water, so how were they able to creep down the wadis? The soldier looked at me straight in the eye and said I was
quite right – wadis are full of water, apart from when they are not! As I later found out, I did the right thing by
nodding agreeably, and didn’t try to make an issue of it.
Good old NAAFI – get yourself down to Salalah – sorry old boy, forgot to mention that you will be in the midst of the
Dhofar rebellion. We Brits gave the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman a bit of a helping hand between 1962 and 1970
and are continuing to support his son, as the old Sultan is now in exile in London.
Dhofar Rebellion
I realised that I had to go on a crash learning curve!
First things first. These squaddies (as you guys already know), who travelled with me in 1972, and who seemed to
be steps ahead of me when it came to sorting out creature comforts, were not your average squaddies; they were
British Army Special Air Services, who arrived and then disappeared up country.
MY STORY (Cont’d)
You guys will have worked with them, unlike me, but I still had enough nous to realise that the popular concept of
all SAS boys being heavily muscled, six foot six in their stocking feet, always looking to beat somebody up, seemed
to be rubbish. I’m not saying that I would have got on the wrong side of them, but on the few occasions I had any
contact, they just seemed like smart, quiet, controlled young men who could certainly take care of themselves, but
were not looking for trouble if trouble didn’t look for them. Just my impression at the time. There was no bragging
with any of these guys that I bumped into on the flight; none of them said they were SAS, I only found this out later.
My steep learning curve continued; I knew that as I was destined to make a few more visits to Oman before my tour
of Cyprus was completed, it would be a good idea to find out how the hell this seemingly secret war had started.
Over the next few weeks, I learned that Salalah was the provincial capital of Dhofar and that it was a dependency of
Oman, but subjected to even greater restrictions than the other Omanis. As early as 1962, the newly formed Dhofar
Liberation Front obtained arms and equipment from Saudi Arabia, and set about performing sabotage operations
on the British base at Salalah.
In 1967, when the Brits pulled out of Aden, and the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen was formed, the rebels
now had a source of arms and supplies adjacent to Dhofar.
In 1970, the British Government supported Qaboos bin Said Al Said in the overthrow of his dad, the Sultan, but
agreed to allow the old Sultan to take refuge in the UK. It was almost a bloodless coup, although the deposed Sultan
never returned to the Oman, nor did he speak to his son again. He was in exile for only two years, before his death
at the age of 62 – he died watching television in his “home” in the UK; his home, apparently, was a suite in the
Dorchester Hotel! Qaboos is still the ruler of Oman and its dependencies to this day.
No point in my attempting to describe what the historians have written about Mirbat, this most famous of battles,
particularly to a bunch of guys like you who have had first-hand experience, so I won’t bother!
Even though I was I in the Oman in both June and July of 1972, it was only after the event that I heard more about
the attack on the Mess barbecue, and the battle at Mirbat.
MY TIME AT SALALAH
To return to my first arrival at Salalah. After having been briefed by the SAS lads, I realised it was no good throwing
up my hands and saying “NAAFI auditor – non combatant – put me straight back on a plane”, so I just got on with it.
Eventually, a vehicle turned up at the oil drums and got us out of the baking heat. I was dropped off at an admin
building and found that I was being bedded down in what they called the ‘Political Bungalow’. It might sound
impressive but, if my memory serves me correctly, it was a small hut, stuck out on its own, with a bedroom and a
bathroom BUT, with air conditioning. I believe that most of the rooms in the Mess had overhead fans and the only
Brits that had air conditioned accommodation were the Brits who were contracted to the Oman Air Force. But as I
never set foot inside the Officer’s Mess at Salalah, this was only hearsay.
My next step was to get to work. It did occur to me that the sensible thing to do would be to put the hours in and
get the hell out of there ASAP. The NAAFI consisted of a reasonable sized pub, with the inevitable services shop
attached. The first two things I noticed, on arrival at the club, was the lack of a manager, and an array of half filled
pint beer pots spread around at strategic intervals.
The manager, I was told, was in the town at the Souk and was not expected back until he got back. I questioned the
pots of beer spread around the club and was told that they were there on the instruction of the manager, who did
not like to be too far away from a pint pot!
The club had some spare transport, so I collared a driver and set off in search of the manager – sadly, I just cannot
remember his name. I found him amongst the stalls in the Souk – the driver pointed him out as being the white man
wearing a Fez. This was going from bad to worse.
We got back and went to his office for a first chat. I then went through some routine checks and I told him to expect
me in the following morning to start in earnest; also told him to dispense with the Fez, get rid of all the beer pots
around the club and get the unit cleaners to give the place a damn good clean, before I arrived the following day.
The stocktaking results were catastrophic as it was freebies all the way for the staff. Sadly, none of my predecessors
had thought to report the effect that Salalah was having on this man; he had been trained to manage a peace time
NAAFI pub and a small services shop, but found himself pitched into what he obviously felt was a war zone.
I was appalled. The rebellion started in 1962 and did not finish until 1976, fourteen years in total, and it seemed to
me that NAAFI was prepared to let this poor guy stew in his own juice, for as long as it takes, without any form of
counselling or, what he was most in need of, psychiatric help.
He was eventually repatriated to the UK, and a replacement manager was sent out.
On one of my later visits – an old pro by now – I was comfortably lying on my bed, under the air conditioning,
having a short siesta away from the scorching heat, when the alarm went off, presumably indicating that we were
under mortar fire. This wasn’t the first time by any means, but it sounded just that bit noisier than it had in the
past.
MY STORY (Cont’d)
On one of my later visits – an old pro by now – I was comfortably lying on my bed, under the air conditioning,
having a short siesta away from the scorching heat, when the alarm went off, presumably indicating that we were
under mortar fire. This wasn’t the first time by any means, but it sounded just that bit noisier than it had in the
past.
Realising that my abode was barely strong enough to prevent peashooters from crashing through the windows, let
alone mortar fire, I shot out to head through the sand to a bunker which I had previously seen no more than 150
yards from my bed. 150 yards doesn’t sound far, but, when you are ankle deep in the very finest sand, and you
believe that mortars are heading your way, it can be quite a distance. Anyway, I made it, with sweat pouring down
my face and over my eyes, so I could hardly see.
When vision came back, I looked round in horror. There, stacked from floor to ceiling, was every type of
ammunition you could dream of. Why wasn’t this ammunition bunker locked to prevent idiots like me running
inside for shelter? God knows, but what I did know was that the “Political Bungalow” was far safer! So out I shot, to
make the return trip through the unyielding sand, even faster than I made the outward trip. I’m pleased to say that
although there were a number of hits close to the hedgehogs, none came anywhere near me.
On a subsequent visit, in June 1972, I left Salalah after a brief stopover, to attend to some pressing issues in Cyprus.
I later found out that this was around the time that the Officers’ Mess was having a barbecue to raise a glass to
Squadron Leader Peter Hulme, who had just been decorated with Oman’s highest military honour, the Sultan’s
Gallantry Medal. I never met Peter, nor any of the other Mess members for that matter, but I gather he was the
first European to receive this award.
Oddly enough, although I had been appointed to a commission in RARO on 1st Jan 1969, for duty in the RAOC, and
was welcomed into Messes wherever I went (including Masirah), the Officer’s Mess at Salalah, in its wisdom,
decided that my home would be the “Political Bungalow”, and that I could find somewhere other than the Mess to
grab some food! I was a bit miffed at their lack of hospitality at the time, but I guess that’s probably just another
stroke of good fortune that seems to have followed me around for most of my life. Why?
Well, on 8th June 1972, the day I flew from Dubai to Cyprus, I heard that there had been a major incident at Salalah,
where I had just come from. I have no doubt that had I been offered accommodation in the Mess, or even been
asked to eat there, I would have delayed my return by a day or so, and would have attended the barbecue.
Retrospectively, that was one Mess barbecue I had been extremely fortunate not to have been invited to!!
However, there were a number of much lighter events. Swimming in the sea was absolutely brilliant. I think that
Hilton, amongst other hoteliers, realised how good the beaches were; once the war ended, they set up a resort a
few kilometres out of town. Looking on the web, I can see that lots of other hotels decided to set up there as well.
But for us to get to the beach all those years ago was a bit different. If my memory serves me correctly, and I know
you veterans will tell me if I have got it wrong, mine detection vehicles would first go down to make sure it was OK,
then the swimmers would follow.
As well as the beach, I also, on one occasion, got to go out with a patrol. All very Hollywood, with rifles at the ready;
but I’m sure the guys were just humouring me, taking me on routes through the desert where little or no trouble
was expected; there would have been too much paper work if they had got me killed!
My tour of Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates and Oman came to a close in 1974. The NAAFI managing director
recognised that I had done far more line management work during my tour than was expected from an internal
auditor, so decided I would move away from internal audit and move into line management.
He was particularly pleased with my efforts to keep one of NAAFI’s major shopping centres in Episkopi running,
during the period of an increasingly nasty strike. I was the only UK based auditor on the island, but one of about
half a dozen UK based NAAFI officials that were not involved in the strike, and whose job it was to keep the shops
and clubs running.
I’m sure I wouldn’t get away with it now, but my first thought was to get some help from the army wives. I went
round the married quarters, knocking on every door to find wives with previous shop and checkout experience.
Surprisingly, there were quite a number of them, so within 48 hours, I had run some interviews, made my choices,
and had the supermarket up and running. These days, I would probably have finished up with a body full of broken
bones but then, all I got, was a load of verbal abuse from the picket lines.
There was absolutely nothing amusing about this particular period. Make no mistake, strikes are often for very
good reasons, but they can become very bitter and very violent. One of our Cypriot officials in Famagusta, the
transport manager, was not on strike as he was not part of the Union action. However, he was instantly ordered to
stay at home by our MD after he had received a letter threatening to murder his wife and all his children if he
continued to show support for the management team. We all knew that this was not an idle threat.
MY STORY (Cont’d)
I say there is nothing amusing about strike action, and I mean it. However, I did allow myself a slight twitch when I
saw one of our beautiful young Cypriot clothing shop assistants carrying a large banner which said “I am being
abused”.
The upshot of this, together with my work in the UAE and Oman, was that I was sent back to the UK for line
management training.
Although Cyprus, the UAE and Oman stand out in my memories of my 19 years with NAAFI, there were other great
times. For the remainder of my time with NAAFI, I found myself in the UK, Germany, Belgium, Gibraltar and
Northern Ireland. Interesting times, but not topping my years in Cyprus.
There is just one amusing anecdote that all you ex serviceman might appreciate - it happened during my District
Manager training!
I was attached to a junior ranks club, to be shown the ropes by a middle-aged, very gentle, manageress.
She had put me on the bar one evening and everything went well until closing time. I did my “drinking up time” bit,
then, at the correct time, told the lads that the bar was closing. One giant of a lad, with plenty of ale inside him,
thought differently. Stretching his hand across the bar and preventing me from closing the shutters, he told me in
good old fashioned Anglo-Saxon that he thought it more appropriate if I kept the bar open and served him another
pint!
I was just about to settle into a good argument with him, when along came the diminutive manageress who politely
asked me if there was a problem. The big lad jumped in to say there wasn’t a problem so long as the bar remained
open. I’m sorry, said the manageress, but we are closing now. “No you’re f……. not” he said.
Still smiling, the manageress crashed the shutters down on his outstretched fingers and said “yes we are”. He
yelped away while we finished off the closing procedure – cash to the safe etc. Back in her office, I asked her what
would be the outcome of possibly breaking a few fingers. Don’t worry, dear, she said. He will be on NAAFI break
tomorrow morning, so I am sure he will call in to see me to apologise.
Sure enough, spot on time the next morning, the big lad came in, complete with his bandaged hand, to
shamefacedly apologise for his behaviour!
The old style manageress’ certainly knew how to handle their customers!
All in all, I had a super 19 years with NAAFI, as well as my 9 years in the Intelligence Corps. I met lots of good people
along the way, but there were a few, quite frankly, I don’t ever want to bump into again. But in my late years, I
probably won’t, unless the grim reaper plays a trick or two on me!
THAT CONCLUDES THE SERIALISATION OF DAVID’S ARTICLE. THANK YOU, DAVID, IT WAS A CRACKING AND
INFOPRMATIVE READ.
IN THE NEXT ISSUE, WE WILL BEGIN THE SERIALISATION OF DAVID LLOYD’S ARTICLE ON THE WESSEX DETACHMENT
to OMAN.
A LITTLE DOSE OF HUMOUR
Having just moved into his new office, a pompous, new Wing Commander was sitting at his desk when an Airman
knocked on the door.
Conscious of his new position, the Wing Commander quickly picked up the phone, told the Airman to enter, then
said into the phone, 'Yes, Air Commodore, I'll be seeing him this afternoon and I'll pass along your message. In the
meantime, thank you for your good wishes, Sir.'
Feeling as though he had sufficiently impressed the young enlisted man, he asked, 'What do you want?'
'Nothing important, Sir,' the airman replied, 'I'm just here to hook up your telephone.'
ASSOCIATION VISIT TO RAF HALTON FOR A GRADUATION PARADE - PEARSON FLIGHT.
(Visit took place on Tuesday, April 7th. 2015 and was attended by 13 members.)
Part 1. The Parade.
Front row L/R. Dave Rose(missing from pic),Chris Beeby, King Foong Beeby, Jack Peters-Philips, Colin Edwards,
Dennis Cox, Mike Casey, Stephen Worth, Roy Black, Jessica Black, Patricia Collins, Peter Fowler and Steve Bishop
Pearson Flight on Parade.
The Parade Reviewing Officer, Group Captain Todd.
The Parade passing the Gate-Guard
The Colours and Colour-Guard
ASSOCIATION VISIT TO RAF HALTON TO VIEW A PASSING-OUT PARADE. (Cont’d)
Part 2. At the Trenchard Museum and the James McCudden Air Power Centre.
ASSOCIATION VISIT TO RAF HALTON TO VIEW A PASSING-OUT PARADE. (Cont’d)
Part 3. LUNCH IN THE WO & SGT’S MESS.
Back row L/R. Steve Bishop, Peter Fowler, Colin Edwards, Stephen Worth, Dennis Cox, Dave Rose, Roy Black, Mike Casey.
Front row L/R. Patricia Collins, King Foong Beeby, Chris Beeby, Jack Peters-Philips, Jessica Black.
Steve & Roy enjoying a Mess lunch
Jane O’Reilly, the RAF Halton CMO, drawing the survey raffle for the watch.
NOW YOU SEE ME…..NOW YOU SEE ME
At the end of a tough day in Iraq, my daughter, the airman, collapsed onto the first seat in the transport truck,
forcing everyone else to climb over her.
"Private!" hollered the sergeant, "Skinny girls get in the back, so when we men get on with our weapons and
equipment, we don't have to climb over you. Have I made myself clear?"
Suddenly my daughter perked up, "Do you really think I'm skinny?"
NEWS FROM IRELAND.
Vic Nugent has received a letter from An Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland, Mr. Enda Kenny, through his TD
(MP) Mr. Ray Butler, in reply to his letter to Mr. Butler requesting that the two members of the “Irish Branch” of the
Association, John Graham and himself, be invited to represent our Association at the National Day of
Commemoration to be held in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin on July 12 th. 2015. The Taoiseach’s letter is
published below:
Vic has also received a letter from Ms. Libby Finegan, Chairperson of the Trim, Co. Meath War Memorial Committee
requesting the two members of the “Irish Branch” of the Association, John Graham and himself, represent our
Association at the Parade to the Trim War Memorial to be held in Trim town on Remembrance Sunday , November
8th. 2015. Ms. Finegan’s letter is published below:
Dear Victor,
Thank you so much for your letter 14 February, 2015. Our Committee held a meeting last week 23 March 2015, at
which your letter was read out requesting the members of the RAF Masirah and RAF Salalah Veterans Association
attend this year’s Memorial which will be held 8th November 2015, (date to be confirmed). The members of the
committee were delighted to hear of your interest and of course would be delighted to see you all there on the day.
I will email you again closer to the date and give you full details of the ceremony.
Once again thank you,
Regards,
Libby Finegan
Chairperson
MEMBERS QUESTIONAIRE SURVEY RESULTS
Prepared and presented by the Chairman, Mr. Steve Bishop)
Dear members,
The results from the Members survey have now been finalised, using both the Survey Integration method and Key
Word findings.
The total number of responses was 103, of which 97 were complete with Members names etc .and 6 were
completed under Anonymous.
The number is well above the expected return and the Members need to be credited for the quality of their
response and openness.
The responses to the individual questions in the survey was as follows;
Q1. YOUR PERSONAL DETAILS?
Responses were received from 7 different Countries were members are living;
UK, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, Canada and USA and one response from Spain (or Singapore)
The UK included responses from Wales, Scotland and England.
Q2. MEMBERS AGE?
Four options were given;
Over 70 =
34 members
Over 65 =
44 members
Over 60 =
20 members
Under 60 =
5 members
Based on this, it shows that nearly 75% of our members are above 65 which is an indication of the type of
association we are.
Q3. YOUR HEALTH?
Three option were given;
No Health Issues =
Limited Mobility =
Serious Health Issues =
80 members
14 members
9 members
This was a positive finding, based on Question 2 (Age) and opens up opportunities for Social and Travel events for
the Association members.
Comparing members’ response on this question, against responses from similar Organisations/individuals, our
members are around 25% healthier than UK average, overall.
Q4. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION?
Three options were given;
4 Years + =
23 members
2 to 4 Years =
46 members
Less than 2 Years=
34 members
Based on this, around 70% of our members have been with the Association for more than 2 Years and while
members leave the Association for numerous reasons (Family, Health and Financial being mentioned) growth is
currently being maintained. Many of the members with less than 2 Years stated that they were actually less than 1
Year.
MEMBERS QUESTIONAIRE SURVEY RESULTS (Cont’d)
Q5 and 6 BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCE, DO YOU BELIEVE THE ASSOCIATION DELIVERS ON YOUR EXPECTATIONS?
The response was as follows;
YES = 99 members
NO = 4 members
Of the 4 members who commented NO, 3 were anonymous, but did respond with comments that were valid and
will receive attention. The main ones were,
Social events being too far to attend, therefore being expensive.
Could not find members who served with them in Masirah or Salalah.
Of the 99 members, the majority commented on;
Being kept informed of Social and other events.
Reading about other people’s experiences and stories.
Being reunited with past colleagues and friends
Social events and AGM being exceptionally well organised
Oman trip and the experience of revisiting
Forming new friendships for themselves and their partners, with like-minded people.
Trusting the Committee with the Management of the Association.
Q7 and 8. DOES THE ASSOCIATION KEEP YOU INFORMED OF NEWS AND EVENTS?
This is an area where the Association is very strong, with 100% of the surveyed members answering YES.
The majority of members actually stated that they looked forward to the Newsletter and that Social Events were
well publicised and of interest to members.
Many also stated that they enjoy reading the recollections of members, as this brought back forgotten memories
and gave clarity to the reason we were in Oman. (So let us have YOUR story about YOUR experience)
The format of the Newsletter was liked and presentation was good, with many preferring the PDF/Email method of
receiving this.
Q9 HAVE YOU VISITED OUR WEBSITE OR FACEBOOK PAGE?
Three choices were given;
Never =
9 members
Occasionally =
60 members
Often =
34 members
The Website received a lot of very positive feedback and members were very impressed with the quality of the site
and the contents. Regular updates ensured that members were informed and had a reference point for information.
The member’s photo section was praised by many and requests from members for more photos to be added, with
details/names etc.
Individuals had problems in the past with login but this appears to have been rectified.
There are members who do not have access to the internet (or limited access) who depend on other members to
assist in keeping them informed.
Facebook is also seeing more members visiting but some members were concerned about privacy and security. (We
will look into these concerns and respond).
Comments were also positive re the quality and regular updates on this site.
Q10 and 11. DO YOU FEEL THE COMMITTEE UNDERSTANDS YOUR NEEDS AND MEETS THEM?
Two options were given;
Yes = 98 members
No = 5 members
Overall a very positive response, with 95%+ being satisfied, again well above expectations for this type of survey
(75%+)
Where we do need to improve is on the involvement of ALL members, taking into account geographical, financial
and member’s interest. There were members who commented on their financial limitations and current working
environment making it impossible to attend functions and are satisfied with their current situation.
The comments about the future growth of the Association were split, with some members calling for us to expand
the membership requirements so that more people can join and others being satisfied with the current situation.
The members of the Committee were highly praised overall and many commented on the time and efforts etc.
these members volunteered, for the benefit of the members and the Association as a whole.
MEMBERS QUESTIONAIRE SURVEY RESULTS (Cont’d)
Q12 and 13. HAVE YOU ATTENDED A SOCIAL EVENT, AGM, REUNION OR THE OMAN TRIP?
Two choices were given;
Yes =
61 members
No =
41 members
Of the 61 members who have attended one of the above, 98% were completely satisfied with the organisation and
venue. Many look forward to these events.
The Oman trip was highlighted as being a great success by many members, who attended and with the exception of
one, members thought that the late changes and removal of support from the Oman side was outside the control of
the Association.
Again cost and venue locations were mentioned as a concern by members who attended these functions.
Members who have been in the Association 2 years + are the majority in attending these functions.
Of the 41 members who have never attended, 3 were due to being geographically isolated (outside the UK) and the
other main reason was limited time due to work commitments.
This was very relevant in the younger members (Under 60).
For the 65+ year’s members, finance and distance to travel were highlighted.
Many members with less than 2 year membership were also in this group.
Q14 and 15. WOULD YOU SUPPORT SOCIAL EVENTS IN YOUR REGION OR COUNTY , WHAT TYPE OF SOCIAL EVENTS
SHOULD THESE BE?
Yes =
94 members (91.3%)
No =
9 members (8.7%)
The majority were supportive of having smaller socials/events in their region and the some of the ones who said
No, commented on health and mobility limitations as well as previously mentioned time availability, especially
during the week period.
Regional gatherings were very strongly supported by members in Scotland, Yorkshire and North West.
Majority of members (79%) wanted these to be Military, Museum and Social visits.
Many mentioned visit to Airshows/Military events as an Association and obtaining group benefits/discounts.
Social events at Pubs/Restaurants’ was also requested by many members.
Q16 and 17. SHOULD PARTNERS BE INVITED TO THESE EVENTS and REASONS?
Two choices were given
Yes = (94%)
No = (6%)
The vast majority wanted partners to be invited to ALL Association functions/events.
Reasons were similar – Partner is important part of the Oman experience .
One wanted someone sober to drive him home!
Q18. COMMENTS ON WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE FROM THE ASSOCIATION AND ANY IDEAS FOR IMPROVING?
Majority of members were satisfied with the way the Association was being run and they were proud to be a
member.
Some comments (more than 3 responses mentioned)
Looking at closer relationships with other Associations and engaging Forces Re United.
Support for members in need – not just financial but social interaction (members living at home alone)
Investigating/motivating members to be more actively involved.
Regional activities including different venues for AGM.
There were others that we will look at as an Association, that were interesting but outside our current Constitution.
Q19. Would you recommend membership of the Association to friends who served in Oman?
Yes = 102 (99,8%)
No = 1 (0.2%)
Word of mouth appears to be the best method of recruiting new members, and many new members joined due to
existing members recommendations and being informed via these members.
The above is only a brief summary of the findings of the survey and not intended to be a final report.
I also wish to thank Mike Casey for his support on the technical aspects of the survey and setting up with Survey
Planet and the layout of the questionnaire.
Finally, an Emporio Armani Watch was donated as a prize to one person who took part in the survey.
The draw took place at RAF Halton, and the winner of the watch is shown on the following page.
Thank You
On behalf of the Committee
Steve Bishop
Chairman
THE PRIZE IN THE SURVEY/QUESTIONNAIRE RAFFLE
This beautiful EMPORIO ARMANI was presented by as a prize in the raffle for those who returned the recent
Association questionnaire, the results of which are published above.
THE LUCKY WINNER OF THE WATCH IS:
MEMBER DAVID SWAIN,
PORTH,
MID GLAMORGAN.
Congratulations, David, we wish you many years of use of the watch
**************************************************************************************
FORCES PENSIONS
We have been asked by member Brian Kemp to include in the newsletter the following link to a petition to the
Government to revise the rules on Forces Pensions.
As this is a “live” services and ex-services issue, we have no hesitation in doing so.
The link is:http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/equal-pension-rights-for-veterans-of-her-majesties-forces-serving-before1975
Thank you, Brian.
ASSOCIATION NEWS
As you will have read above, we received 103 replies to our recent questionnaire about how you see the future
development of the Association. It is a good (if not fantastic) response. Remember, the committee cannot order the
affairs of the Association in an ideal way for you UNLESS THEY HAVE YOUR INPUT!!!! Thank you to all who
completed and returned the questionnaire.
Following Vic Nugent’s recent mail seeking a volunteer for the post of PRO to the Association committee, we have
not received any responses whatsoever to this particular element of the mail. In the absence of any suitable
response (or indeed any response at all) from the membership, our Facebook Administrator, Dave Rose, has
volunteered to take on this particular challenge and run with it. We wish Dave every success with this new (and
additional) role and we will report back to you with any future developments.
Also in his mail, Vic called for volunteer/s for the post of Member Support Secretary within the
committee/Association. This is a vital role within our Association and should attract those with an ambition to help
other, maybe less fortunate, members. The Member Support Secretary should be at the head of a network of
Regional Member Support Secretary’s who could call on those members who find themselves in difficulties of one
kind or another. In spite of Vic’s recent mail on the issue, we are still unable to find a volunteer to fill this vital role.
The recent mail has prompted 3 members to come forward to fulfil the Regional roles. Please, gentlemen and
ladies, let us have 1) a volunteer to take on this very important role and to develop it (with the full help and
support of the committee) and 2) more volunteers to act as Regional Member Support Secretary’s.
We are awaiting a reply from Melissa Breitling, National Events Administrator, to our letter to the Royal British
Legion asking for permission to march at this year’s Remembrance Day Parade in Whitehall. Our Secretary called
Melissa on the phone recently to see if he could expedite a reply. She told him that they had received our letter but
that it might be June of this year before they can give us a decision as they are “over-subscribed” with organisations
wishing to march. She confirmed this in a subsequent email within the following 2 weeks. In the meantime, Vic N
has had about 20 replies to his mail seeking volunteers to march if permission is granted. If there are members out
there who would like to be added to the list, please let Vic N know of your interest.
***********************************************************************************************
Annual subscriptions were due to be paid by all members by the 1st. April 2015 and only about half the Association
members have paid in their dues to date. Your subs can be paid by cheque or by bank transfer. Please contact Vic
Redmond by email to get the up-to-date information on your subs. Remember, members, we have a Constitutional
provision that members who don’t pay their dues will have to pay them up-to-date if they ever want to participate
in Association events in the future.
Mike Casey is urgently awaiting head and shoulders photos from some members for the issuing of Membership
Cards. Please send your photos to Mike asap or to any committee member, who will ensure that it is passed to Mike
immediately. The cards are extremely professional and we urge you to get your photos in asap.
The Secretary has, on behalf of the Association, written to An Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland seeking an
invitation for John Graham and himselfth to be present at the National Day of Commemoration at the Royal Hospital,
Kilmainham, Dublin on Sunday July 12 . 2015 and to represent the Association at the Commemoration. He has
received a reply to said letter, a copy of which is shown elsewhere in this newsletter. We are currently awaiting
receipt of the invitations.
Please make a note of the dates of the 2015 Reunion
in The
Copthorne
Hotel, Birmingham, announced elsewhere in
nd
rd
th
th
this Newsletter.
The
Reunion
will
take
place
on
22
,
23
,
24
&
25
.
October
2015. The Gala Dinner will be held on
Saturday 24th. and our Patron AVM David Crwys-Williams CB RAF (Ret’d) will attend as our Guest of Honour and will
address the members after dinner.
The Secretary has, in recent weeks, amended the Constitution in line with the amendments passed at the 2013 and
2014 AGM’s and the amended Constitution has been posted by Mike Casey on the website.
We have had a communication from the wife of a member (herself, of course, a Social Member) that she missed a
recent Association event because we sent all notifications about same to her husband’s email address and, because
he wasn’t interested in attending, she wasn’t informed of the event and so did not know about it. It seems that she
would have loved to have gone to the event. All Association events are, of course, open to all Social Members and
so would all those Social Members who wish to be informed of social activities independently of their sponsoring
member please let the Secretary or any member of the committee have their own email address and they will then
be assured of notification of all social events in the future.

NEWSLETTER - RAF Oman Veteran`s Association

Transcription

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