PSCO had the pleasure of supplying many guys as escort to the 10 tonners that regularly made the 180 mile round trip to Port Said to collect the stores that we ordered to maintain stock for all RAF bases in the Middle East. I spent many a time on these early morning starts, having to sign out a sten gun and spare rounds for the trip. My best recollection was the early call at a foodstop in Fayid, called the Arizona or something like that. A few ackers bought a roll half the size of a French Stick loaf, quick fried in hot fat then two fried eggs inserted into it. What a breakfast that proved to be with every bite sending the fat running down your chin Yum yum !!!
Other times we went out as escort to other RAF camps delivering the goods they had ordered. All these trips were often early start, late finish but I do not recall any time off in lieu.
Other times we went out as escort to other RAF camps delivering the goods they had ordered. All these trips were often early start, late finish but I do not recall any time off in lieu.
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Parked up in the docks area on an escort duty trip to Port Said. Me on the cab roof all tooled up. A sten gun under each arm (actually one belongs to Johnny Martin) |
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Three poor pics of Johnny Martin guarding our load |
 Ship heading south on the Suez Canal seen from Canal Road
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 MT driver
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 I have a strong feeling that this picture was taken just leaving RAF Abu Sultan on the back of a gharry. In the distance appears to be possibly a big sand bomb blast wall to protect the village. Also there is a large sign on the left of the road approaching the wall. I do remember going on escort duty to Abu Sultan just the once and that was enough. I think it may have been Smudger Smith with me on the back of the truck. We had our mattresses with us because we were told that we would be away from Kasfareet overnight. Abu Sultan was one bloody great bomb store with many underground storage bunkers. I remember we parked up outside the door of one of these but have no memory of what we were delivering or picking up. All I remember is that as we entered the main gate , we had to hand over our cigarettes and matches to be collected on leaving. Trouble is, as soon as we started moving through the bomb depot, my mattress began smoking like mad. It must have been caused by the last fag we had before getting there and here we were on the back of a lorry with a fire hazard worth at least 2 years in the glasshouse !!! Boy, did we panic but eventually managed to smother the potential fire in my mattress.
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