Libya Benghazi Colin, David and I got our marching order in November 1961. We were to fly out to Libya where the 2nd were stationed. They had vacated the barracks in Homs to the 1st Libyan Army. HQ. Ajax and Badger squadrons were based at Benghazi and Cyclops at Tripoli.
We arrived at Idris Airport and spent 6 days in a RAF transit camp. We lived like kings. It was the best possible way being able to relax and acclimatize us to the weather.
Next a plane to Benghazi. I was glad that my orders were to return to Tripoli and Cyclops, what I had seen of Benghazi I was not impressed with. David was assigned to HQ.so; we had a parting of the waves, for the time being anyway.
Palace of King Idris
Tripoli Cyclops was stationed at Mednine camp with the 1st Royal Scots Regiment.
At my first Scottish breakfast I was introduced to the delights of porridge with salt at the mess hall. This was my first and last breakfast in the mess.
We were cosseted with having Arab houseboys who looked after all our Dobby (Laundry). I got the lad to bring me each morning a very large bread roll filled with cheese and tomato. This was to become my breakfast when I was at the barracks.
I learnt very quickly not to give the houseboy a full packet of washing powder or the same with starch. They tended to use a complete packet whether it was a large wash or just a shirt. If it was starch, which all shirts and shorts had to be treated with, it would take an hour to break through the arm and leg holes before you could wear them.
I was assigned to 5th Troop, which comprised of 6 Saladins and crew. At that time the troop did not have an officer in charge just a troop sergeant Ferguson (known to all as Troop). There are many stories I could tell about Troop but I would have to be indiscreet. All I will say is he liked a drink a little too much and later was reduced to the ranks and discharged from the Army.
Our first officer I remember well. We were sitting in our troop cage. Troop always sat on a freestanding toilet; if the lid was lifted that is where he kept his booze. In walked this tall thin very young 2nd Lt.My n-n-n- name i-i-i- is Lt.Davey. I- I- I- I am your new troo- troo- troop officer".
God what a stammer. We all had a job keeping a straight face.
Later Troop said that he wondered which idiot had sent a troop commander like that to us and that he had more sand in his boots than Lt Pugh had seen at Blackpool beach.
As it happened he was not such a bad officer, he always asked the old lags advice before giving an order.
Later during the 1980s I was watching the news on TV. It seemed that 2 army officers were attempting to cross the Atlantic in a balloon. Yes you have guessed it, one of them was a Maj. Davey stutter and all. See how wrong you can be about someone making it.
 Virgin desert the tail
end of the Sahara in Libya It would be impossible for me to recite all the Schemes I went on so I will pick out just a couple.
I drove my lovely Saladin to places such as Misuratah, Sirte Sebha, Tarhuna, Bini Ulid and Azizia. Down into the Libyan desert as far as the Wadi Shatti ,and into Cyrenica.
Its not just sand in the
Libyan desert.this is
towards the Wadi Shatti. |
