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| "Footprints in the sand" During the late 1940's and early 1950's my father and family Dudding, served with the Royal Air Force in Egypt, Eritrea and Aden. Contained in this web site are some poignant photographs of that era. They portray Service life in those times. Most photographs were taken by my father who was a very keen amature photographer. However, since I opened the site, I have had some wonderful contacts from Service personnel and children who were there at the same time. Mainly at RAF Khomaksar in Aden. All have have kindly agreed to allow me to insert their own photographs, during the same period, on the site. Those photographs are annotated accordingly in red. The photographs show the Royal Air Force in Ismailia/Abu Sueir/El Firdan/Port Said and the Suez Canal in Egypt. The Royal Air Force in Asmara Eritrea and Khormaskar Aden. Hopefully this unique collection of photographs, history and personalities may be of interest to those researching these times. It may also jog the memories of those who may have served or grown up as, like myself and sisters, as RAF children in those long years past. A short resume of my fathers background. He was the son of an Army Officer who was serving with the Army Service Corps as Quartermaster at Blackdown Camp. His father had himself served during the South African Campaign and saw action at "The Relief of Ladysmith" and "Tegela Heights". He was also a "Mons Star" recipient during the 1st World War. My father joined the RAF on 22nd February 1939 and left on the 2nd February 1968. He met and married my Scottish mother (ne Russell) whilst serving at RAF Abbotsinch (now Glasgow airport) during the 2nd World War. He served at many RAF stations throughout the UK. However, in the main, his long term stations were, RAF Reykjavik Iceland servicing Liberators during the 2nd World War, then subsequently RAF North Luffenham, RAF Holmsley South, RAF Calshot (Sunderland Flying Boats), RAF Ismailia Egypt, RAF Asmara Eirtrea, RAF Khormaksar Aden and RAF Abingdon with Transport Command, RAF Marham with the V bomber Valients of 216 Squadron and finally retiring from RAF Chivenor whilst working on Hunters. Sadly my father passed away in 1998. The photographs you are about to see are of the Middle East only and are accurately placed in time and location. The captions that accompany them are as precise as was annotated at the time. Personalities named in the photographs are those remembered by my very active and alert 84 year old mother Maisie to whom I dedicate this site. "A Serviceman's Farewell to Egypt (anonymous) Land of sweat and a shirt that stinks, Land of Pyramids and Sphinx, Sweat Rash, Foot Rot, Prickly Heat, Aching hearts and blistered feet, Swarms of flies that buzz and bite, Mosquitoes zinging through the night. Land of Scorpions, Camels Bugs, Spanish Fly, Hashish and other drugs, streets of sorrow, streets of shame, streets that you could never name. Clouds of dust and sand that send the sanest "bod" clean round the bend. Donkeys, Goats and Pyard dogs, Cut throats, thieves and pestering "bods". Land where children in their teens sell souvenirs outside canteens, "Bucksheesh - Bucksheesh" is their cry, for this alone they live and die. Where Typhoid thrives and "Gypo" gripes and men smoke "Hubbly Bubbly" pipes. Obnoxious smells, eternal strife, Oh for Britain and a wife. Where men with 'prep chits' sit and gloat while others dream about the boat. Their only aim to dodge and skive until their clearance chits arrive. There chief delight to laugh and shout at some poor 'erk' who's just come out. Land of Tarbosh, Galabiah, 'Qwoise tamahm' and 'qwoise khetir', land of Shia and Mungaria, Moya, chapaties and Stella beer. Where one can always hear men say "Thank God we have the YMCA" Oh for Britain's happy life where people never see such strife. My final chit I'm going home! away from there I'll never roam. I'm going there and oh! how grand to see green fields instead of sand. Land of sorrow, filth and shame, I've seen you once but never again. I leave you now with no regret, but sights I've seen I'll not forget. Natives heaven, white mans hell, this hot dusty Egypt "I FARE THEE WELL" More RAF adventures during my 9 month unaccompanied tour as a soldier on RAF Masirah in 1972 can be found at: | |
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