|
 04/02/2012
Click here for full details of Reunion 11. (Twenty Years of TEARS) Come on it's PARTY Time, don't miss it.
19/01/2012
Email received from new contact, Jim Rae
I was at El Adem from 1966 to 68. I lived in Tobruk. When my wife and kids came out in 1967 we lived in the Arab area just up from the Garrison. My wife didn’t enjoy it that much especially during the 6 day war but we had a few friends living round us including Ray Ellens and Cindy his wife. i worked in the Comcen. as a Wireless Operator and I am now retired and live in York.
09/01/2012
|
Graham and Lucy Moir are pleased to announce the birth of their
first child, Harry John, on Monday 9th January 2012.
He weighed in at a healthy 7lb 2oz and, needless to say, his Grandparents (John & Janet) are absolutely delighted with the news and to hear that both Mother & Baby are doing fine. |
02/01/2012
NEWS FROM TOBRUK
2 recent e-mails sent to Mike Barnes & Jim Smith received from Mousa Saad.
1.
Thank you for your e.mail, I just received it. Thanks again for pictures you sent to me but I don’t remember where in Tobrouk. Please send my great wishes to all the friends we know. Thanks to the RAF who shared with NATO to Liberate us from the tyrant who ruled the country with iron and fire. I hope to see you in Libya especily in Tobrouk
2.
Yesterday we were talking about you, Jim Smith. Believe me, I send your congratulations to Major General Saqar who was appointed Chief of Staff, Air Force in Libya.
I would like to tell you, you can visit your place of work at the old El Adem Air base which has became free. I also want to congratulate you and your wife (Jim & Merrie Smith) after you became grandfather and grandmother.
Regards from,
Lieutenant Colonel Mousa Saad Mohammed
TOUBROK - LIBYA
15/12/2011
From:- Tom Curry
Comment :- I was the Dental Officer at El Adem 1960-1961, I have only just become aware of this website through Dave Hemming my ex colleague in the unit. It has been most interesting trawling the site.
Congratulations to all concerned.
10/12/2011
From:- PETER BOSWELL.
Writes :- El Adem Air Movements 1963/65, it was the best posting I had. Came out in 95. The name Bill Killick rings a bell with me . I also did Air Movements in Aden.
Peter Boswell
07/12/2011
From:- Bill Cunningham
I am now living in Morden Surrey, if anybody remembers me please get in touch. (El Adem 1961-63). mailto:Billcunningham59@yahoo.com
06/12/2011
Does anyone have any idea of the location (Libya) and details of the 'monument' shown in the photo below.
Mike Barnes(mailto:mick@tears.org.uk)
05/12/2011
From:- John Cope
I seem to remember someone asking for the coordinates for RAF El Adem. They are 31.51 N23.55E. You can find it on Google, You can see the old runway, it is or was one of Gaddafi's Air Force Bases. If you zoom in you can just see jets lined up on the pan.
17.11.2011
I just chanced to look up my old Regiment, 62 Field Squadron El Adem and noticed that my very dear friend at the time Terrence (Terry) Hardisty has passed away. He was a lovely man. I never managed to get in touch with him though. My kind regards to his loved ones. We were both gunner-signallers and I also remember James Honeywell, armourer, from Torquay, Ken / Keith Surtees, Armourer, whom Terry Hardisty affectionately called ‘two planks’ and Jock Carn, Gunner-Signaller. I suppose we are all about 74 years old now – hope you are all well lads if you are still here.I was known to Terry as ‘Minnie’ and known to Jimmy as ‘Cowboy‘. I left Jimmy at Catterick and saw him later in Aden, prior to El Adem He shouted out, ‘Cowboy’ from about a hundred yards away - even though I was carrying a mattress, he still recognized me. Fantastic guys !
John Minshell.
17.11.2011
My name is Roy Brinsley and I was at El Adem 1959-62. I was a Corporal Chef and worked at Group Captain Bell’s residence. Helen was his eldest daughter and a really nice lady. I am sure she will remember me and some of the antics we got involved in with the American Helicopter Pilots. I would love to get in contact I hope she is well & happy. I am in touch with Roger Jones in Australia who was a cook at El Adem. I arrived at El Adem with Exercise Starlight One which I believe was in 1959? or 1958. 30 Thousand troops on it could not do it today.
I have lot's of memories of El Adem. I was going to visit Libya this December on a cruise but due to the war the visit is not on venue anymore. Very Disapointed.
I spent my final days at Tobruk Garrison at the Officers Mess. Lots of good times in Corporals Club late night drinking & cobsa's from market. Good Days. I’m now retired after serving 23 years in the Royal Air Force (ex boy) and 20 Years in Met Police.
Found your details on TEARS site
Roy Brinsley
06/09/2011
Like me, I guess you are all following the ongoing developments in Libya right now. We have been in touch with Mousa Saad at Tobruk and he assures us that both he and his family are well and looking forward to their freedom.
You will be interested to know that there is a great deal of recent film footage in and around Tobruk and at El Adem which can be viewed via the You-Tube site. I am grateful to David Wilson, veteran of all three Nostalgia Trips, for providing me with the following information. See this recent footage at You-Tube using Libya Tobruk 001 to 009. Libya Tobruk 007 features film taken solely at El Adem.
John Moir
30/08/2011
From:- Nick Nuesink
Comment:-A query: does any member know the co-ordinates (lat, long) of RAF El Adem? I have just got an update on Google Earth and cannot find the place any more.Nick Nuesink.
30/08/2011
From:- Frank Turner
Comment :-I was at RAF Tobruk from Feb 1958 until April 1960 as a RAF Policeman and I remember the incident when a cook shot his colleague in the Airman's Mess. Rather a lot of people were charged with various offences, I believe the cook was eventually charge with manslaughter.
I was also involved in an investigation when an airman was charged when he indecently exposed himself to an officers wife and her two children near the entry to the Officer's beach.Frank Turner
18/08/2011
From:-
Pete
Dickinson
Comment
=:-
Great
site.
I
was
a
snowdrop
at
El
Adem
between
'58-'60.
I
read
most
if
not
all
the
blurb
and
check
all
the
photos
but
the
police
section
gets
no
mention!
I
wonder
why
as
we
were
a
friendly
bunch,
well
most
of
us
were
anyway.
Does
any
one
remember
the
dreadful
incident
in
the
cookhouse
when
a
duty
cook
picked
up a
guards
rifle,
pointed
it
at
the
guard,
close
range
and
pulled
the
trigger
not
realising
that
there
was
a
bullet
in
the
chamber.
The
bullet
entered
through
the
poor
chaps
eye
and
I
will
say
no
more.
I
think
that
we
were
all
in
shock
that
night.
I
was
on
guardroom
duty
and
witnessed
the
cook
being
charged.
I
never
did
hear
what
became
of
him.
Some
bad
days
but
a
hell
of a
lot
of
good
ones.
I
recall
a
write
up
in
the
station
magazine
after
a
tennis
competition
that
said,
I
quote
"
Will
you
return
all
the
rackets
to
the
sports
store
and
balls
to
the
SWO.".
Another
entry
requested
that
the
swimming
pool
be
built
next
to
the
existing
one.
We
didn't
have
an
existing
one....
Head
line
'OIL
DISCOVERED'
in
the
MT
Section.
Then
there
was
the
time
that
they
screened
a
nude
film
at
the
Astra
and
there
was
a
bod
at
the
exit
selling
white
sticks.
I
could
go
on
but
it's
my
turn
to
cook
the
mungers.
Pete
Dickinson
05/08/2011
From: :- Richard Bond
Subject: El Adem - 1967email:-richardbond500@gmail.com
John
I have probably asked you this before but in case not I will again. It's all about RAF El Adem during the Arab /Israeli War (The June War/ 6 Day War) in 1967. I was Army attached to the 2nd Armd. Div / 7 Armd. Brigade who were on Exercise in Timimi / Derna during late 1966 into July or Aug 67. An old friend of mine, Pat Luck (Also Army ) was stationed at 10 Vehicle Company RAOC. during the same period and we share a recollection that we cannot verify or indeed find any record of.
The incident surrounds the unannounced arrival of an Egyptian Air Force MIG fighter sometime during the hottest day for many years at El Adem. It was reportedly 126 degrees in the shade and a "no running order" had been issued by the Station Commander. We soldiers were still compelled to work during this as we were busy getting the equipment recovered from the aborted exercise for return to Germany or Cyprus. I was sitting at the traffic lights on the runway when I saw the Dakota "fruit and Veg" flight making its approach when a large lump of silver stuff seemed to fall off it. There was a roar of engines and the aircraft soared back up into the sky rather than land. This was swiftly followed by the roar of another aircraft screeching along the runway with a parachute trailing behind it, an Egyptian MIG. fighter. This was in turn pursued by a small convoy of RAF Police Land Rovers who then headed off the jet and eventually detained the pilot. The lights went to green, I crossed the runway and after many rumours about the incident I heard no more and left a couple of weeks later for Cyprus never to return again to Libya.
Pat and I have searched high and low for some information on this incident but can't find anything or indeed anyone who can recall this, other than us!
Can you add something to your site or your contacts that would dredge up this story and perhaps the outcome?
Richard Bond
Ex-RAOC
|
05/08/2011
From
Pete
Dickinson
email =
salnpete@gmail.com
Comment
:-
Great
site. I
was a
snowdrop
at El
Adem
between
'58-'60.
I read
most if
not all
the
blurb
and
check
all the
photos
but the
police
section
gets no
mention!
I wonder
why as
we were
a
friendly
bunch,
well
most of
us were
anyway.
Does any
one
remember
the
dreadful
incident
in the
cookhouse
when a
duty
cook
picked
up a
guards
rifle,
pointed
it at
the
guard,
close
range
and
pulled
the
trigger
not
realising
that
there
was a
bullet
in the
chamber.
The
bullet
entered
through
the poor
chaps
eye and
I will
say no
more. I
think
that we
were all
in shock
that
night. I
was on
guardroom
duty and
witnessed
the cook
being
charged.
I never
did hear
what
became
of him.
Some bad
days but
a hell
of a lot
of good
ones.
I recall
a write
up in
the
station
magazine
after a
tennis
competition
that
said, I
quote "
Will you
return
all the
rackets
to the
sports
store
and
balls to
the SWO.".
Another
entry
requested
that the
swimming
pool be
built
next to
the
existing
one. We
didn't
have an
existing
one....
Head
line
'OIL
DISCOVERED'
in the
MT
Section.
Then
there
was the
time
that
they
screened
a nude
film at
the
Astra
and
there
was a
bod at
the exit
selling
white
sticks.
I could
go on
but it's
my turn
to cook
the 'mungers'.
18/07/2011
From
Gordon
Gumbley
Comment
:-
Following
my
recent
submission
about El
Adem in
1951
1952 I
can
recall
some
other
interesting
happenings
of this
time. A
memorable
one was
when
Princess
Elizabeth
and
Prince
Philip
dropped
in on
their
way to
Kenya
and
onward
to
Australia,
sadly
the King
died
whilst
they
were in
Kenya so
we were
some of
her
first
Subjects
to see
her as
Queen I
was on
TASS
duty
that day
and
handled
the
aircraft
I'm sure
any of
my
contemporaries
will
remember
that day
well.
Also
thinking
of
Afghanistan
now, we
also
Handled
the
Flights
of
Hastings
returning
from
Korea
filled
with
wounded
troops,
some
very sad
times.
On a
brighter
note we
also
handled
the Sky
Blue
Canberra
that
made the
fastest
flight
to
Australia
at that
time.
Our
treat
for the
week was
at trip
to
Tobruk
to go
for a
swim in
little
bay the
far side
of town
and I
remember
some
rocks on
the side
of the
bayi
deal for
diving.
If there
is any
one of
my era
out
there it
would be
very
nice to
hear
from you
via
these
pages.
gordon24@talktalk.net
I was in
signals
an Air
Radar
Mechanic
in the
little
workshop
next to
the
Tower
Cheers
Gordon
13/07/2011
From
Gordon
Gumbley
Comment :-
I was at El
Adem in
1951-1952
And spent a
lot of time
running the
NAFFI sound
System 'Not
much else to
do' Between
playing all
the old
Vinyl's we
had a radio
receiver and
the pop
station was
AFRS. "US"
Whelus Field
Tripoli, and
we all loved
Martha
Tilton with
Benny
Goodman's
Band which
they played
continuously,
I have just
found her CD
on the net
and I am
playing it
often,
bringing
back
memories of
those day's
Some Quite
good times
if often
very boring
I hope you
find this
item
interesting
a long time
before the
Radio TEARS
Arrived.
Best
Wishes
Gordon
DAVE ALLEN, MTSS, RAF EL ADEM, 1963-65
I am very sorry to report the death of Dave Allen. He had been a Member of The Friends of TEARS since 1995 and had attended a number of Reunions.
Dave's skills as a MT Fitter proved invaluable during the time he served with the RAF El Adem Desert Rescue Team. Alan Carter, a former colleague with the DRT at that time,, described Dave as a vastly experienced fitter who came to the Team's rescue by once fitting a major vehicle part 100 miles from home base out in the heat of the desert. Also an excellent driver, Dave was a key member of the Team.
Many of you, particularly those who were at El Adem 1963-65, will remember Dave's appearances at Reunions and his dry sense of humour especially when it came to recalling the 'finer points' of Service life.
We shall miss him and a message of sympathy has been passed on to his family on behalf of The Friends of The El Adem Radio Service,
|
|
19/06/2011
We were
out in
Tobruck
65-67 and
Dad was
Chief Tech
Crosland who
worked at a
little
building
across the
pan from the
tower at El
Adem. We
became
friends with
a Malcolm
Smith who I
believe was
in the
Medical
Section and
who
occasionally
went out
with the
long range
rescue...............
Have you
heard from
him by any
chance?.
I also
have quite a
bit of 8mm
cine film of
the Sgts
beach, the
swimming
races to the
Sgts beach
(that used
to leave
from the
landing
craft a mile
out in the
bay) and the
swimming
pool at El
Adem. These
have been
put on to
vhs, but I'm
no techky
but Guess If
I asked hard
enough, I
might know
someone who
could put it
on to a dvd.
for me and
you could
take off
what you
thought
would be
useful.
Would that
be any use
to you if I
did?
Keep
up the good
work on the
site, I'm
afraid all I
can remember
of tears as
a ten year
old boy, was
the the
Green Green
Grass Of
Home being
played
repeatedly
on the
Radio. Why
would anyone
one want to
go home?
School in
the morning
and beach or
pool in the
afternoonand
as our
hiring was
only 600
yards from
the harbour
front I was
often down
there, I can
remember
getting
stamps (for
collectors)
for Army
driver
whilst they
were
unloading/loading
vehicles
from the
LST's and my
favourite
little ship,
The Empire
Roach which
did the
vehicle-machinery
supplies
from Malta
and Cyprus
which were
too heavy to
fly in.
I can
remember
bringing
home two
large
unexploded
shells and
putting them
in my sock
drawer, when
I got home
from school
to have
another look
at them,
they were
gone, Mum
had called
the the bomb
squad and
they had
taken them
away! (spoil
sports).
Regards,
Alec
Crosland
27/05/11
|
BILL HALFORD
Air
Movements
Officer, RAF
El Adem,
1964-66
I am very
sorry to
report the
death of
Bill Halford
today,
Thursday 26th
May 2011.
Bill had
been a great
supporter of
the
association
and had been
a Member of
The Friends
of TEARS
from the
very early
days. With
his wife,
Christine,
he had
attended all
of the
Reunions.
They both
took part in
TEARS first
Nostalgia
Trip back to
Libya in
2003.
Bill met
Christine at
El Adem
where she
was a
Nursing
Sister
serving with
PMRAFNS.
They were
engaged to
be married
during their
El Adem
tour. Bill
was also
involved
with the RAF
El Adem
Desert
Rescue Team.
Many of
you will
have met
them both at
our
gatherings
and will no
doubt have
shared a
tale or two
with them.
I know that
you will be
saddened to
learn of
Bilkl’s
passing and
a message of
sympathy on
behalf of
the Friends
of TEARS has
been sent to
Christine
and her
family.
John
Moir
|
25/05/2011
I was at
El Adem in
1945 as a
Radar
Fitter. It
was a
staging post
and we
serviced
kites
stopping the
night before
flying to
Karachi the
next day.
The Jap war
was still in
being. We
lived in a
big hut for
all the men
there being
about 80 of
us and life
was really
rough. While
I was there
a cook house
was built
and later a
Naafi. I
recall two
WVS. (Womens
Voluntary
Service)
ladies
arrived at
the station
and the
whole camp
turned up to
see them as
we had not
seen any
females for
a long time.
I was posted
from there
to Cairo
airport near
Heliopolis.
I would like
to see some
pictures of
El Adem at
this time.
Have you any
suggestions
please? Our
life was
mainly work
and no camp
entertainment.
I have a
menu for our
Christmas
lunch 1945.
Ted
Finch,
Ipswich
Suffolk UK.
24/05/2011
Charles
Nicol (son
of Sqn. Ldr.
Ben Nicol
Adim at El
Adem
1967-68) has
uploaded
some
photographs
taken by his
father at
Tobruk. You
can find
them with
this link.
Charles
Nicol Pics.
The
childrens
pics. are of
Charles, his
two sisters
and a
brother.
Charles and
his elder
sister
attended the
Garrison
School for
18 Months.
The School
had 'Houses'
and Charles
was in 'mars
house'. The
family lived
in a ground
floor flat
opposite the
sewage
works. More
photographs
will be
added by
Charles as
he works his
way through
the numerous
slides his
father took.
Mike
Barnes.
30/04/2011
Your
Help
Required
Please !
This
is probably
a very long
shot, but I
am looking
for
information
regarding
Peter Philip
Clark, who I
believe was
stationed at
El Adem in
the 1960s.
I think he
joined the
RAF around
1955, in
1957 he was
a Corporal,
and I'm led
to believe
he had
become an
Officer by
the late
1960s. Are
you able to
offer any
help or
contacts ?
David
Goldsmith
30/04/2011
Recognizing
El Adem
Hi everyone.
OK, I cannot
verify it as
I have lived
in Australia
since Feb
'93 but I
believe RAF
El Adem does
not rate a
mention in
the RAF
Museum at
RAF
Hendon. Perhaps
this is
about to
change with
written news
articles and
aircraft
magazines
referring to
the 'former
RAF base,
RAF El Adem,
located
........'
when
discussing
the current
situation in
Libya -
about time
too ! By the
way, the
back entry
into Tobruk
Barracks in
Sydney,
Australia is
El Adem Road
so at least
the
'Diggers'
acknowledge
the base's
existence!
How time
flies. No
problems
with
posting my
e-mail on
your news
section.
Glad to
contribute
and although
not a member
and unable
to attend
reunions due
to distance,
I remain a
regular
visitor to
the site and
jealous of
those able
to re-visit
the old
stomping
ground in
recent
years.
I would love
to take my
daughters to
Tobruk/El
Adem as they
still
cannot
grasp the
fact we
survived on
BFBS radio,
TEARS, the
cinema, CSE
tours, local
clubs/messes
and the
library with
no
computers,
mobile
phones, CDs,
DVDs.
Doesn't it
sound a
lifetime
away ? By
the way,
mentioning
the library,
my mother
Betty was
one of the
librarians
at El Adem
in 1969.
John, I know
I mentioned
him in my
previous
correspondence,
but did
anyone come
back
with what
happened to
the ex
Afrika Korps
gent who
worked in
the
transport
cell post
1970 ?
Keep up the
terrific
work re.
TEARS.
Mick Cully,
(Son of the
late Flt.Sgt.
'Paddy'
Cully. NCO
I/C the
Laundry,
RAF El Adem
1968 until
base closure
early 1970).
28/04/2011
|
Jim Jeffries, 5001 Squadron, Airfield Construction Branch (ACB), 1958-60
|
I'm
sorry to
have to
report the
death of Jim
Jeffries on
April 14th
following a
battle with
lung cancer.
Jim had been
a Member of
the
association
since the
very early
days in 1993
and had
regularly
kept in
touch with
me on the
'phone and
by e-mail.
He also
contributed
to our
newsletter,
The Cue
Sheet,
on
occasions.
His most
recent
article
(2008),
TEARS at 50,
appears on
the TEARS
web site, in
the
Editorial
Section, in
Archive (3).
Much to
Jim's
disappointment,
his
involvement
as Chairman
& Treasurer
of the 5001
Sqn.
Airfield
Construction
Brance (ACB)
Association,
meant that
he was only
able to
attend one
of the TEARS
Reunions - I
hope my
memory is
correct.
However, he
did join the
first
Friends of
TEARS
Nostalgia
Trip back to
Tobruk and
El Adem in
Libya in
2003 when we
travelled
via Egypt.
He was
especially
pleased that
a 5001 Sqn.
ACB plaque,
that he had
brought with
him, was was
presented to
the current
commander of
the El Adem
air base
during that
visit.
His
funeral will
be held on
Thursday 5th
May and full
details may
be obtained
through me
at
jsmoir@btinternet.com
as soon as
possible
please.
A message
of sympathy
on behalf of
the
association
has been
passed on to
Jim's
family.
|
08/04/2011
Internet
article
Tobruk
In Tobruk, which
is a coastal city
close to the
Egyptian-Libyan
border and
approximately 1500km
away from Tripoli,
the Jamaal Abdul
Nassir Air Base
joined the
revolution. It is
the largest air base
in the region with
an extremely
important strategic
position.
The security
battalion in Tobruk
also joined the
revolution and was
able to fend off
some attacks from
Gaddafi’s
supporters. It also
managed to down a
plane which tried to
land at Tobruk
airport which was
loaded with militia
mercenaries coming
from Zaire.
Grant Edwards
05/04/2011
It is with
regret, and for obvious
reasons that, following
a Background Team
Meeting on Saturday 2nd
April and communications
with Jim Smith, the 4th
TEARS Nostalgia Trip
back to Libya planned
for October 2011 has had
to be cancelled.
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20/03/2011
The Friends of Tears Background
Team are meeting on April 2nd. 2011,
to discuss the venue, date and all
matters relating to Tears 11th.
Reunion and Dinner Dance. Which will
take place during 2012.
Our previous 10 Reunions have
been attended by over 100 people on
average, and we would like an early
indication of how many are likely to
attend No.11. All the usual
features which have made our events
so special will be there, with the
exception of Cabaret style
entertainment.
If you would like to join us at
Reunion 11, please drop John Moir an
e-mail at
jsmoir@btinternet.com as soon as
you can so that we can plan ahead
for a suitable hotel and location.
Full details of Reunion 11 will
appear on this web-site early in
2012, if not sooner.
15/02/2011
There are some new photographs in
the Reunion 10 Album (online
albums). These are courtesy of Ron
Pearson.
05/02/2011
As there has been little feedback
regarding the Group changing to
Yahoo or remaining with Google, I
have decided to leave the Google
Group running.
Mike
20/12/2010
GROUP
There seems to be some confusion
over the current Google Group for
Tears. Google Group Tears is
not closing unless members wish to
move to Yahoo.
As the manager of the Group I wish
to know if you want to stay with
Google or change to Yahoo groups.
Google is removing its file and
pages section in January 2011. This
will mean that as a group you will
only be able to keep in touch by
using the 'discussions' page.
Yahoo Group is not yet open for
joining. When a decision is made on
which way to go I will let you know.
I will invite all current members of
the Google Group to join Yahoo if
that is the choice. Please do not
ask to join Yahoo group yet. It is
just there for you as a group to
take a look at, and decide what you
want to do. ie. stay with Google or
go to Yahoo.
So please just e-mail me at
mick@tears.org.uk and let me
know you preference.
25/11/2010
Andrew Baddock
e-mail:-
andrewbaddock@sky.com
My mother (Isabel
Macdonald at the time - later
married Robin Baddock RAF 249 Sqn.
Navigator) always kept fond memories
of El Adem and all the military
personnel she met there. One of the
things she had mentioned to me was
the dreadful crash of an RAF
Hastings transport aircraft, with
Army engineers on board. Searching
the Internet previously I think this
was in fact a Maltese Engineers
contingent. The year would have been
about 1960 / 1961. I would be very
interested in hearing from anyone
involved in the aftermath of that
incident as I believe my mother was
the senior medical person on duty at
the time (at least until other
medical staff were called in). I
believe there were many deaths and
serious burns injuries. I would be
most interested to hear from anyone
with knowledge of this crash.
16/11/2010
Mike Crosland
Comment :- I was stationed at
El-Adem from 1962 to 1964 as an Air
Radar Mechanic, based in the
wireless/radar bay and later at TASS. I
was unfortunately the first to get to
the crashed Beverley at the end of the
runway in 1963, which killed my best
friend Dave Marshall who was on a jolly
to see his old mates. I can also
remember the boring job of guarding the
bomb dump over a 48 hour shift which
seemed to come round at regular
intervals. Also other events of my tour
included guarding a crashed helicopter
near Tobruk bay and watching trials of a
hovercraft (not very successful). I also
witnessed the landing of a number of Mig.
fighters and managed to get a few
distant photos before the station police
stopped everybody with cameras
approaching them. Happy days!!
15/11/2010
Andrew
Baddock
My
mother, Isabel Baddock, is listed in the
"others we know" list on the TEARS site. She
married in 1961 in Akrotiri, but had been a
PM nurse at El Adem for a year or two before
that and would have been Isabel MacDonald
at the time of serving at El Adem. Sadly
she passed away in 2008. It is great to see
her name mentioned and the fact she was a
radio announcer (news to me - but just the
sort of thing I can imagine her doing). I
would be delighted to hear from anyone who
knew her.
31/10/2010
Bill Allen:- I was stationed in El Adem 1953
to 1955 I was MT Driver for the Signals
Section. We enjoyed Christmas if nothing
else. I would like to find
Cpl 'Pip' Piper as he and I played
accordion at Christmas, we were not to bad
after a few drinks.
06/09/10
Sad News from John Moir
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I'm very sorry to report the
death of JIM HART, Account
Section, RAF El Adem, 1965-66.
Jim had been a Member of The
Friends of TEARS since the very
early days and had always been a
keen supporter. While he was
never able to make it to a
Reunion, we had many interesting
and very jovial telephone
conversations over the years.
Amongst his postings, and as
well as El Adem, Jim was based
at Tangmere, Hope Cove.
Portland, Changi, Uxbridge and
Episkopi.
At El Adem at Christmas 1965,
Jim appeared in the Christmas
Show, Christmas Capers
and a copy of the programme is
amongst The Friends of TEARS
memorabilia collection.
He had been involved with the
RAF Changi Association since its
formation, at one time being its
Treasurer.
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Believe
it or not, almost as soon as the dust/sand had settled
after the 2010 Return Trip to Libya, there was talk of
going back to Libya AGAIN!! I thought we said that
Nostalgia Trip 3 would be our last....!
However, IF there is to be a 4th Trip, it would take
place in October 2011.
The viability of this trip will largely depend on
numbers and we need to hear from anyone who is SERIOUSLY
& GENUINELY interested ASAP .
Please contact John Moir if you would like to join this
trip. e-mail:-
jsmoir@btinternet.com
Itinerary options are being discussed with Jim Smith,
Tour Director.
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SAD NEWS
Former Station Commander at RAF El Adem (1964-66), Air Commodore J W (Jack) Frost, CBE, DFC, DL died on August 7th 2010. Jack's nephew, Peter, attended Reunion 9 in 2008 during the day on the Saturday.
For further details see Daily Telegraph ( 11 August 2010).
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10/08/2010
Message from Dave Humphreys
I would like to meet up
with some or all of the
following. All of us
played hockey for El
Adem and went on two
tours to Cyprus to play
in the NEAF
Championships. We
didn't do very well but,
BOY did we have a great
time! The ones I can
remember are:-
Tom Coverdale, Don
Pereira, Les Lewis, Bill
Eblewhite, Johnny Bowden
(Sir to us) F.O Geddes,
& Harry Bath apologies
to anyone who's name I
have spelt incorrectly.
Any help tracking them
down would be
appreciated.
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08/06/2010
Don’t know if you have
this photo in your library – I received this from Doug
Lovatt – he is on the far right – blond hair. He sent
it to me as we were exchanging emails about my late
father, Ronald A K Chidgey. My Dad is on the far left –
dark hair. He was in the Radio section with Doug in
circa 1958 – maybe other members can identify others in
the photo and maybe share some stories.
Best wishes
Sandra (Chidgey) Arthur
(Daughter to Ronald Chidgey)
08/05/2010
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Those of you who
remember Brian 'Dixie'Dean, Equipment
Section, 1960-62, will be sad to learn
of his death on 07 May 2010 while
visiting friends in Jersey.
A keen Friends of
TEARS supporter, Brian along with his
wife, Margaret, attended the last two
TEARS Reunions and will be sadly missed
by his friends within the association.
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26/03/2010
Sandra Arthur nee. Chidgey
(daughter of Ron Chidgey El Adem 1958),
Asks if anyone
remembers this bar at El Adem.
If you can help please use feedback form on
contact us page.
19/03/2010
Christopher
Stepney,
My
father Brian Stepney served in the Royal Air-Force
and was based out in Libya from July 1967 until May
1969. While we were stationed there I attended
school in Tobruk and won a story writing
competition, the prize being to read out my story on
radio. After speaking to my father he informed me
that the T.E.A.R.S organisation have many tapes from
the station broadcasts and was wondering if you hold
a tape of me reading out my story some 40+ years
ago.
16/03/2010
Message from John
Hutchinson, Known as"Hutch"
when in the RAF.
l was a Nursing Attendant
stationed at RAF Tobruk/El Adem from 1965 to 67. l
can't remember the exact dates.
When l was stationed at
Tobruk l used to go into the BFBS station & talk to some
of the guys when they weren't on the air.
Does anyone
remember any of these people who were Medics at El Adem/Tobruk
from approx. 1965 to 1967. Do you know their names,
etc.
1st photo - me in
the middle, Cpl on the right l think his 1st name was
Eric, always worked at El Adem. l've no idea who the
bloke on the left is.
2nd - outside SSQ, El Adem - ???Bob Burden on the left,
Cpl on the right.
3rd - same two people as 2nd photo at Windy Corner.
4th - ???Bob Burden at ??Wadi Audi.
5th - Dawn.
6th - Another
female nurse, can't remember her name.
l was the only
Aero-Medical Evacuation trained Medic, l was quite
frequently transporting patients to the RAF Akrotiri
Hospital or the Army Hospital at Dhikelia.
Thanks, John.
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.
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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
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