Audio is from original TEARS reel to reel tapes 

 

01/03/2010 Comment from Tom Jones email = telwyn@btinternet.com I was at El Adem throughout 1954, it must have changed very much as few of the photo's I recognise, only the cinema, Tobruk Road and War Cemetery. No families then, and only woman seen was a Salvation Army member in Tobruk. Besides the Queeen when visted and we all paraded. I have many photo's of the area also four camp magazines for that year and a printed visit of the Queen. I wonder if the Raf Museum would be interested in having them? One of your correspondents mentioned the shit wagon and questioned where its contents was taken- Well I can answer as it was my job to accompany the Arabs on their lorry into the desert and see that they properly covered in sand as to prevent flies breeding (have photo). Then after we every day went into an arab tent to drink a glass of mint tea before leisurely returned to camp. One day an enormously large snake entered the camp and a marksman was called out to shoot it. We had actors visits, Gert & Daisy and some others I cannot remember except Diana Coupland whom was then a young singer, a lovely northern girl and unlike the others who disappeared into the Officer's Mess, she visted the NAAFI to meet the ordinary lads, and we had a singsong with her around the piano I still have photo of her. The Tobruk harbour was then choked with wrecked half submerged wartime ships, also Derna harbour. Photo's of Memorial Service at the War Cemetery, and were then building the German Memorial, and at a crossroad a French Legionnaire Cemetery. I left El Adem in Jan. 1955 for Nicosia and exactly the time EOKA started, at RAF Nicosia I was receptionist at the Officer's Mess; And a bit of a change from being on the El Adem shit wagon, though contents might be described similar, (Joke) some were quiet pleasant especially New Zealand pilots.   12/02/10. For full details of Reunion 10 click here 12/02/10. Message from John Moir. The Friends of TEARS association remains as active as ever – even more so this year ! 29 people have booked their places for TEARS Nostalgia Trip 3 which takes off for Libya on April 24th.  There are still a few spaces available even at this late stage so, if you would like to join the party, please get in touch with me as soon as you can.  The Background Team will be meeting in March during the same weekend that we shall be holding a pre-Nostalgia Trip Sunday Lunch.  The highly acclaimed TEARS Web Site remains as up-to-date and informative as ever with recent additions to the News and Editorial Sections.  New Contacts have been added.  The Group section is always looking for more to join in their discussions on a wide variety of subjects.  The web site has now received more than 89,000 ‘hits’ ! www.tears.org.uk  All that and a Reunion as well !  We hope to see as many of you as possible in October for what promises to be another memorable occasion ! Please be in touch if you plan to atTENd !  Best regards & all good wishes as ever to you all From John Moir & the Friends of TEARS Background Team

 

30/01/2010 From Richard Lane Squadron Leader Zeke Zeleny, MBE, RAF (Rtd). I have just heard from Zeke's daughter that her father has died at the remarkable age of 95. You will probably remember he was the Czech born RAF officer who was i/c the School of Desert Survival and Desert Rescue at RAF El Adem from approx.1965 - 1970. During that time he led a number of major expeditions into the Libyan desert including a trip during which an engine was retrieved from the wreck of the B24 Liberator bomber ‘Lady Be Good’, at the request of the McDonnell Douglas Aviation Corporation in the USA. His funeral is to be held at Bath Crematorium on Friday 12th February at 2-00pm. I understand a number of ex El Adem personnel will be attending.    13.11.09   From John Scurrell.  It is my sad duty to inform you of the loss of one of our members of TEARS.  My old friend and companion  at  El ADEM ,  ENFYS  JONES  of  OLD COULSDON  SURREY, passed away last Fri 6 Nov 2009.  He never actually attended any reunions or meets, due to his poor health but he thought a lot of the TEARS  organisation and was always asking about the latest news etc, and really appreciated the Cue sheets.  We go back 51 yrs, we were together all through our N/S time, we trained, worked , lived and had fun together.  Just last March  I remarked how I remembered  our 50th anniversary of arriving at El-Adem.  The funeral will take place on Monday 16th. November and I am hoping to be there to pay my own respects as well as representing The Friends of TEARS.    Regards to you all  John Scurrell     26/09/09 From David Wilson :  Members will be interested in the latest location of the remains of the Lady Be Good.  Check it out on the home page of General Suleiman Obeidi's web site at :  www.rommelinlibya.com   John Moir comments :  We met General Obeidi during the Nostalgia Trip of 2005 when he met up with the TEARS group at our hotel in Tobruk.  He invited us all up to El Adem to have a look around.  Let's hope we can repeat that visit during Nostalgia Trip 3 next year. 22/09/09  John Moir Graham Moir married Lucy Stewart on August 8th 2009. It was a splendid occasion and, for once this summer, the weather held and was hot and sunny. Many of you will have met Graham at our Reunions over the years (since 1993) where he spends much of his time looking after all the technical bits and pieces that are a part of these events. Lucy is a singer / dancer and has performed for us at our last two Reunions to great applause. Graham has recently set up his own Light and Sound production company and, based on 15 years in the business, is now more than able to use his skills at Weddings, Birthday & Anniversarys, Reunions and many other events. The name of the comapny - Unlimited Productions, and you will find its web site site in the LINKS section of the TEARS web site. Graham would be very happy to chat with you if you are planning such an event. 19/09/09 A reminder from John Moir.  This icon alongside members names indicate a photograph of that person (as at El Adem and present) can be found on the 'mugshots' page by clicking on it. Would those who have not submitted a photo. please consider doing so. No need to be shy. We have all aged since El Adem. 17/09/09 There are five additions to the Editorial Page.4. John Pepper son of Sgt. Stan Pepper. 5. Helen Hart. 6. Jack Freeman. Telephonist El Adem 1961-63. 7.Howard 'Titch' Skinner. 8. Bob Bertie. 29/05/09 Update on numbers booked to go on Nostalgia Trip 3.  Now stands at 28 confirmed. 01/05/09 STEPHEN WITHERS,  BFBS & TEARS PRESENTER, 1969-70   Those who worked on TEARS and who listened to their programmes in the last 9 months at El Adem (1969-70) and who tuned in to BFBS Tobruk will be sad to hear of the death recently of BFBS broadcaster and presenter, Stephen Withers.   Stephen was one of very few professional broadcasters to present a regular programme from the TEARS studio at RAF El Adem.  This he did on a Saturday morning slot.   Along with his friend and colleague, former BFBS Tobruk Librarian Tony Fawcett, Stephen attended the first Friends of TEARS Reunion at Northampton back in 1993.  Stephen continued his career in radio broadcasting until the last few years, including a spell with Gemini FM at Exeter, not far from where he lived.     09/04/09 A new album has been added to the online albums section. Photographs sent in by Bert Webb Fire Section El Adem 1962-64. 12/03/09 Christine Hoey, formarly Morrison, is looking for former chums who attended the School at El Adem. With her parents, John & Audrey Morrison and her sister Janet, She lived in Tobruk with her parents, John & Audrey Morrison and her sister Janet. Before moving onto the base at El Adem, 1967 to 69. 09/03/09 There are two new items on the Editorial Page. One by Jackie Small the daughter of Bill Hawthorn Cook El Adem 1969. Sadly Bill has passed away.  The other is by R.D.Spencer RAF Stores 1946. He tells a story of Bir Hakeim. 07/03/09 A meeting of the Friends of Tears Background Team will take place at the end of March 2009. There being much to discuss, not least of all, the planned trip back to Libya in April 2010 and early plans for our 10th Reunion which will also take place in 2010. If you have any comments, suggestions or ideas, please e-mail or telephone John Moir as soon as possible. Tele:- 01271342595  mailto:jsmoir@btinternet.com Full details of the intended trip back to Libya can be found by clicking here Nostalgia Trip 3 04/03/09 It has been suggested by a member of the Tears Group that a Tears Forum like the RAF Forum be set up. I am of the opinion that a Forum would attract about as much interest as the present Group, which has little traffic. But I have an open mind to the idea, so if you have any thoughts either way please contact me  mick@tears.org.uk . If enough were interested (50+), a Forum could be set up, but the Group would be closed. (no point in having both). 23/02/09 Friends of TEARS Member John Restorick has recently written to John Moir asking if anyone has heard of the following RAF slang words. Apparently pilots were referred to as 'POINTERS' and on the ground were called 'BOUNTIES'. In his 24 years with the RAF John (Restorick) never came across these expressions. Can anyone help, please ? You can use the feedback form if you can enlighten us. 18/02/09 A copy of an Obituary for Wing Commander Malcolm Scholes can be found on the Editorial Page. (Last Commander of RAF Tobruk Garrison). 13/02/09 Apologies from John Moir to anyone that has been trying to contact him via e-mail over the past couple of months. The gremlins had invaded his PC. All is well again and his new e-mail is   jsmoir@btinternet.com 09/02/09 John Fleet, El Adem 60-62. Would like to hear from anyone that knew him in EA. FRANCIS.FLEET@SKY.COM 05/12/08 There is new content on Editorial page. Beverley XB268. By Dave Austin. 20/11/08  Contact Request Ray Rylatt,  El Adem in the 50's would like to contact the following:- Bill Edgar HFDF,  Roy Embleton Wireless Op.  Pat Kenny  Telephonist,  Ron Sands  Wireless Op, Tom Clark  Cook, Stan Hollins  Wireless Op. John Howard  Police Dogs,  Len Moody  Telephonist,  Alf Nelson  Wireless Op,  Reg Oliver  Signals Wireless Op,  Bernard Wood  Wireless Op. If you can help,  Ray's e-mail is rrylatt1@shaw.ca or contact Mike Barnes mick@tears.org.uk 14/11/08 There is another Album opened on the online album pages. Photographs sent in by John Scurrell. 07/11/08 Reunion 9 photo's can be found in the online album. If you have any photo's taken at Reunion 9 that you would like to share with us please send in jpeg format to mick@tears.org.uk 08/09/08 Four new Albums have been created in the online photo album pages. Photographs sent in by Robert 'Ted' Heath El Adem 1962-63. 08/08/08 Editorial Page has new item by Brian (Garry) Wolfe. RAF El Adem 1958-59. 21/02/08 Anyone who served at El Adem late fifties may remember the camp commander was Group Captain Law . An old Sqdn. pal living in Cornwall contacted me and told me that Grp. Cpt. Law recently died at the age of 90 years and lived in Cornwall.     I remember him coming round judging the various Christmas Bars in 1958.  Does anyone else remember him?  Ted Marston. 6/01/08 Full details of Reunion 9, the 50th. Anniversary of The El Adem Radio Service. Click Here   16/01/08 It is with sincere regret that I have to announce the sudden death recently of Dave Cowling.  Dave was stationed at RAF El Adem, 1969-70, and was HQ Troop Sergeant with B Sqdn. 1721 Lancers.  With his wife Val, Dave had been a Member of The Friends of TEARS since 2003 and very quickly became involved with the association’s activities.  They took part in both Nostalgia Trips back to Libya in 2003 and 2005.  Many TEARS Members have subsequently purchased a copy of the 2005 Trip DVD and will have heard Dave’s excellent commentary to back up his own filming.  During our ‘walkabout’ at El Adem in October of that trip it was Dave who helped me to find the site of the TEARS studio building – very close to his own Twynham.  John Moir     05/01/08 John & Janet Moir are pleased to announce that Graham has become Engaged to be Married to Lucy Stewart.  Many of the TEARS members will know Graham and will have met him at all but one of our Reunions where he can normally be found juggling with all manner of cables, plugs and technical equipment.  Those of you who attended Reunion 8 in 2006 will not only have met Lucy but also heard her sing for us after the Reunion dinner.  And, you'll be pleased to hear, she will be ' singing for her supper ' again at Reunion 9 this year.   Needless to say John & Janet are thrilled to bits with this news.  Their Wedding date has yet to be arranged.   23/12/07 Andrew, Alan and Alison Beasley, sons and daughter of Sgt. Bert Beasley (sadly deceased) RAF Fire Rescue Service. Would be thrilled to hear from anyone that remembers Bert from El Adem or any other RAF Station on which he served. They remember living near the Palace in Tobruk. Bert was at El Adem 1968-70. e-mail:- beasleyandy@hotmail.com 02/12/07 There are some photographs on the Editorial 2 page courtesy of Bob ( Chippy) Woods 1959-60. They are of a Charity Rounders Match between the Ladies of El Adem and the Gentlemen. 04/11/07 THE FRIENDS OF TEARS REUNION 9 WEEKEND WILL BE HELD AT THE HILTON MILTON KEYNES FROM FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER TO SUNDAY 02 NOVEMBER 2008   FULL DETAILS, PRICES, ETC.  WILL BE SENT TO ALL FRIENDS OF TEARS MEMBERS (as at 31 December 2006) EARLY IN JANUARY 2008   MEMORABILIA, SLIDES & FILM SHOWS, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND MUCH, MUCH MORE ....... YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED !   MAKE A NOTE OF THE DATES IN YOUR DIARIES NOW  !! 23/10/07 We have 22 members of the Tears Group at present but only a handful are participating. Come on guys join in. 22 is not a very good take up on the Group, so come on all those Friends of TEARS people, join the Group and lets make it a real success.  http://groups.google.com/group/tearsgroup Mike 04/10/07 MESSAGE FOR ALL WHO ATTENDED THE TELFORD 'MEET & GREET', NOVEMBER 2003.   You may remember that, in Cue Sheet No.38 (January 2004) following the Telford 'Meet', I reported that a box of slides went missing and I asked you to check your own belongings to see if you had perhaps picked up this box of slides by mistake.  Well, nothing came of that plea and I'm sorry to say that the slides remain unfound.  Bill Winfield had brought the slides with him from Cyprus on behalf of a friend there who was unable to bring them himself.  Bill has asked me to make one final plea to all those who attended the Telford M+G - would you please check AGAIN to see if you have these slides amongst your collection of memorabilia or tucked away in a drawer somewhere.  Please get in touch with John Moir if you can shed any light on this matter  ~  Thanks. 13/08/07 Virus risk This last week or two I have been receiving Post Cards from GreetingCard.org. Supposedly from neighbours, friends or contacts. This afternoon I copied one to a disc and virus scanned it with Anti-virus, lit up red high risk. This is a high risk virus be aware. Mike (webmaster). 18/07/07 The Editorial page is now up and running with items from Max Morris, Clare Gomme and a request from Keith Thomas. 13/07/07 There is now a new Message Board for Tears. This an experimental Message Board to gauge interest.  It can be found at  http://groups.google.com/group/tearsgroup You will need to register with Google Groups first then use username and password to use the Group. Webmaster is the Administrator/Moderator and WILL prune items not thought appropriate.  This facility will be reassessed in 3months.  (Please make use of this facility and make the Group a success). Mike (webmaster). 11/07/07 It has been suggested that a TEARS chat room would be a useful addition to the site. This would be fine if our site drew four figure visitors a day. But as we are a small band of El Ademites our visitor figures are usaully no more than tree figures a day. The chances therefore of any 2 people in the chat room would be very small. A message board would be a better option, but the last time this was set up there were few takers. Please let me know your thoughts via the Feedback Form on Contact Us page. Mike (webmaster). 14/05/2007 There are some new photographs posted in the Online Album (RAF El Adem and Tobruk). Received from Pete Gray down under in Aus. 02/05/07 Message from webmaster. Super8 Cine Film Taken at El Adem in 1969 by Mike Barnes, has been converted to video files and can now be seen by clicking HERE  There are 4 clips on separate pages to allow for quicker loading. (But please be patient). 1. Messing about while bored. 2. Camels outside El Adem, German Cemetery and Tobruk Harbour. 3, Bombing Range. 4. RAFP Dog Section Compound. 13/01/07 From John M. Cope, BEM. RAF John and Friends of TEARS. Yes this ole f..t is still kicking here in the British Virgin Islands. Should any of the members which to know anything about vacationing in the British Virgin Islands please dont hesitate in contacting me at yatsurvy@surfbvi.com John 09/12/06 Note from Michael Mayers.  I have just read a great book, get it from your local bookshop or your  public library it's "Tobruk" by Peter Fitzsimons, it's about the Rats of Tobruk, It seems like we drove through a major battlefield along the El Adem road every  time we went to town. Its a great read with 5 good maps and to me adds a layer of history to the time we spent at El Adem. The book does focus on the Australian's but the British force get mentioned throughout in a very positive light. Also a lot of locations mentioned  would be  easy recognisable by Tears members.  22/11/06 Update re. Veterans Badge. E-Mail received from 'our Member in Western Australia' Michael Mayers. Pointing out an error in regard to the qualifying period for the 'Veterans Badge' as stated on 5th. January 2006 entry below. The cut off date is 31st. December 1969 and not 31st.December 1954. Thanks Michael. Request for photographs taken at Reunion 8 from Mike Barnes, for inclusion on website. If you have any photo's that I could use please send either via e-mail as attachments in jpeg form, or snail mail to Mike 28 Jubilee Close, Pamber Heath, Hampshire, RG26 3HP. 24/08/06 A new 'password protected' page has be added for members e-mail addresses. This is only available to members. To date there are five members that have requested their e-mail details be shown. These are indicated by an E after their details on the 'People we know' page. Members requiring their e-mail addresses to be added or requiring 'Password' please contact Webmaster by clicking here:- Dear Sirs,           I am trying to find more details of an air crash at Got el Afraq  The only information I can find is this:  http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19680507-0&lang=en For 37 years I believed it happened at El Adem until I came across the above.  I would be grateful if anyone could give me further details such as; where is Got el Afriq, what kind of airfield was it and in general terms who was stationed there, who were the passengers and crew etc.  I still have in my possession an article of clothing (a stable belt) of one of the soldiers who died in the crash. The reason for the crash as reported to me was not complementary of the pilot I'm afraid and is vaguely reflected in the report.  Any information at all would be appreciated. Thank you in anticipation.  Peter Sheeran. e-mail:- peter.sheeran@wanadoo.fr 16/05/06 Members e-mail addresses. It has been suggested by a member that a members e-mail list be available on the site. To be added either to the list on the 'People we know' page. (Obviously only members that give their consent would be added).  Or a separate password protected page. This password only being available to members. To enable us to decide one way or another would members only please indicate if in favour or not, using the feedback form on the 'Contact Tears' page. In Comments Section write, 'E-Mail addresses' Followed by Yes or No. Bearing in mind misuse of e-mail details could invite 'spam'. Remember John Moir does have a list of members e-mail details. But these are not given out by John unless the owner of the e-mail address gives authority. 05/01.06   UK Armed Forces Veterans Lapel Badge. Did you serve in HM Forces up to and including 31st December 1959? Men and Women who served in HM Forces are entitled to a Veterans Badge. Other groups who served up to and including 31st. Dec.1959 are also entitled as follows:- Cyprus Regiment, Merchant Navy Seamen, Home Guard, Polish Forces under UK Command.  Interested? then go to The Veterans Agency website at www.veteransagency.mod.uk and click on Veteran Lapel Badge Link. Top