Gerry became aware of this website through contact with Richard (Dick) Woolley, Webmaster of the Suez Veterans Association which I very much appreciate.
This is Gerry pictured outside his Billet 7 in Sept 1952. He now lives in St Helens on Merseyside and wrote to me on 16th Aug 2011..."Recently after trolling about on the web sites, I came across some fascinating images of life in the armed forces ( Canal Zone in the 50`s ). One image in particular grabbed my attention because it was a shot from my own photo-album , a shot I thought I had taken myself ! I was instantly intrigued as to how this image had arrived on the site ? Not that I objected - far from it, I was just curious - how did it get there. Maybe I had passed copies to my billet mates ?- or maybe someone had given the photo to me in the first place ! The photo in question was entitled " Donkey Derby Kasfareet ", a head on shot of a fella wearing a hat- and leading the field on a donkey ! I would like to know from whence it came. However I got so fascinated with these Canal Zone Album shots I joined the Suez Veterans Association (Member 3111) and it was through their Webmaster, Richard Woolley, that put me on to your good self. Having tracked you down, I am taking the liberty of lumbering you with a few more Kas images from the period I was stationed there. ( Aug 52 to Apr 54). I have a few more images and ` biographical bumph` I could lumber you with, but I don`t want to overfill you with bits and pieces too soon. Let me know if you can use this first batch and if that is okay, I will send more details ( Don`t panic, it`s not much more ) I was involved in an Art Group on the camp and we got involved with a number of decorative schemes, generally to celebrate the Coronation Year of 1953. We did two big schemes inside the Officer`s Mess just to create a party atmosphere for a " Zobbits Booze-up " Number one was a medieval banqueting hall theme, we produced a Canal Zone scene version of the Bayeux Tapestry and another was Picadilly Circus- large canvas backdrops. Photo`s available if required. We also were snatched from our normal employment, in my case Prov 6 PSCO, to paint large metal shields with Commonwealth emblems to decorate the large lamp standard that lined the main pathway into 107 MU ( photo`s to follow if required ). Anyway Alwyn, I hope you can use the images- PSCO Time Team Page maybe ?..Cheers, Gerry. "
and now above...Sept 14th 2011....Gerry ( left ) pictured with Jack Garry in Manchester city centre
