I joined the RAF at Cardington on February 8th 1955 after travelling down from Liverpool by train being met at Bedford by several NCO's and an RAF truck ( there were a few of us).I was introduced and welcomed(?)to the start of 2 years National Service which was going to make such an impact on my life.After 7 days of introduction and arrangements such as sending home half of my wages (7 shillings) to my next of kin(Mother), we were then kitted out before eventually boarding a train( the camp had it's own station) for West Kirby and 8 weeks square bashing( I still shudder). It was so cold, West Kirby was situated on the Wirral Peninsular with the River Dee and the Mersey on either side. One day we were instructed to build igloos as an exercise(I kid you not!).We often used the local taxi firm to take us to Meols Station(2/6d for 4 passengers)where we boarded the train for Liverpool. One abiding memory I have was,when being on parade and before the Chaplain recited the Lord's prayer the order came --''Roman Catholics and Jews fall out''. To which we did a smart about turn and marched to the edge of the parade ground, then after the Lord's prayer, the order was-- ''Roman Catholics and Jews fall in'', we did an about turn and marched back to the ranks!
On leaving West Kirby I spent 6 months at RAF Compton Bassett,training as a wireless operator and learning the morse code(pass out speed 18WPM).The camp was ok with a lot more ''freedom''to what I was used to in my short time in the RAF. The nearest town was Calne where I was introduced to Scrumpy in The Green Dragon. It was 10 pence a pint(for 1/8d you could get plastered).The Harris bacon factory was a few miles down the road in Calne,I can still smell the aroma which wafted throughout the camp.We often used the ''Calne Flyer''when steam was king.This was the train to Chippenham with 2 stations en route, BLACK DOG HALT and STANLEY HALT. Chippenham was a nice town and included the delights of the Naffi club.
Having finished trade training in October and being classed as AC1,we got home on embarkation leave before reporting back to RAF Innesworth in transit. We then travelled by train to Liverpool(my home town)and embarked on the troopship Empire Clyde at the Princes landing stage. We were a group of 56 RAF personnel on an army troopship(we were excused a lot of onboard duties!).The Middlesex Regiment were enroute for Cyprus for a tour of duty.After the Middlesex disembarked at Famagusta, the Green Howards(well tanned) came on board heading back to the UK.The ship then proceeded to Port Said where we disembarked to join MEAF and service at RAF Abu Sueir where I worked on the Signals Section.
Abu Sueir was a flying station(I felt I was finally in the RAF!),it had a squadron of Meteor and Vampire jets and was also used for incoming transport A/C(Comet, York and RAF Hastings) assigned to trooping.After 7 months at Abu Sueir, with the odd trip into Ismailia and a visit to Cairo,I received a posting along with everyone else.We were the last camp on the Canal Zone to close.I was on my way to Cyprus and RAF Nicosia.There were various postings throughout the Middle East, one of my mates(Chris) finished up in Mafraq. I left Abu Sueir(and the sweet water canal)in April 1956 and boarded the Devonshire,an RAF troopship at Port Said.After 2 days sailing we arrived at the Island of Cyprus and disembarked at Limassol.The British Forces were engaged in a conflict against EOKA (Union with Greece) and casualties were high.I served the whole of my service as a wireless operator(LAC) and worked in Maritime HQ in Nicosia.Most nights an RAF Shackleton flew up from RAF Luqa (Malta) to do anti terrorist patrols around the Island sending back information upon which ships of the Royal Navy acted. The day patrols were taken up by Gannets of the Fleet Air Arm and were based at Nicosia, altogether a very interesting period of my service. Eventually my time was up and after very fond farewells headed for home and demob. The last troopship I sailed on was the Asturias embarking at Limassol before leaving for Southampton. After 10 days we arrived in the UK. After a quick check through customs we boarded a train for Gloucester and RAF Innesworth.It was January 1957 and after the usual formalities, farewells and firm handshakes with mates whom I had spent the last 2 years with, it was a train to Liverpool and my 2 years National Service had come to an end. On reflection, it had its highs and lows but, for the most part it was something I would not have missed and gave me an opportunity to see parts of the world I would never have seen, with comrades who, like everyone else were all in the same boat and just got on with it...........thanks for the memories.
