(Memories written by members of Forces Reunited)
Tortoise hunting at RAF El Adem in 1969
Written by Kevin Smith
On live firing detachment with No 1(F)Sqdn. Living in a series of huts behind the control tour. Nothing to do on a Saturday afternoon so go tortoise hunting with one of the married blokes who wants one to take home to his kids.After about 40 minutes of fruitless searching watching the Land Rover come scorching across the bondhu and skidding to a halt beside us. The driver gruffly asking what we were doing and when we had told him being told to get in the Rover as an arab and his donkey were blown up out here last month by a 2nd world war mine. Cripes, get me out of here.Flight to RAF El Adem. in 1970
Written by Bruce Fisher
I was stationed at RAF Uxbridge and just after Christmas, Dave Fieldsend and I were told that out emergency standby was upgraded. We were not allowed out of Uxbridge at all. We could go into the town but we had to be specific about where we would be. The reason for this was the revolution in Libya. Colonel Gadaffi had seized power from King Idris and had told the British and American troops to leave the country. On the first of January we were given rail warrants and told to report at RAF Fairford on the third. We were also given permission to phone home about our destination.RAF El Adem Convoy in 1970
Written by Bruce Fisher
I did convoy work from the ammunition compound down to the waiting ships at Tobruk Harbour. I remember the Empire Gull was one of the ships, but I can’t recall the names of the others. One particular evening I was booked on the convoy with Kevin, an MT drinking mate. We arranged to offload and then park at the dock and go into the garrison bar for a drink before heading back. There were about eight in the convoy, with the leader, a corporal, on the front towing a giant generator. We left El Adem and made our way along the old road towards the dual carriageway. We were travelling slow because the road was not that good, but we would soon be on the new carriageway so we would just have time to catch the bar. We turned left onto the carriageway, but still continued our journey at 15-20mph. I kept checking my watch, this could take far too long at this rate. I was thinking about pulling out and making a dash for the harbour, but knew the corporal would not be too pleased if I did. Then I heard a hooter blast and a Bedford came hurtling past driven by Kevin. That’ll do I thought, and I pulled out and followed him. We were soon at the dock, the Engineers unloaded us in no time and we were in the garrison bar before the rest of the convoy arrived. There was an almighty fuss when we got back to El Adem, but fortunately no charges.RAF El Adem in 1969
Written by Frank Best
Sitting by the swimming pool with Matt , Taff Hamm and Rob Hawkes watching 17/21 advance party get of the aircraft and collapse in the heat.RAF El Adem, in 1961
Written by Sue Redmile Nee Orwin
Just want desperately to contact anyone who knew us ie: Lads in the group 'Sue and the boys'' and anyone who knew my father - who sadly died in 1966. Eddie Orwin.. SGT.