Another Who Why Where When

First Prize, never having to see the bloody place again. second prize two weeks possibly on your own at this location.
perhaps Kentish Lad will remember?
Aussie Nick.

I know the Why CSM Ferguson C Coy he of the "Laddie" fame got Aussie Nick to make this at the camp we had up country in Sharja, date 1961. The who that can not be me I was better looking then!

Kentish Lad

Was it near a place called Raz El Khmer(Spelling) there was a pool(Oasis) of water nearby,We had 4 man tents there and used to watch the local nomad woman come to collect water in goat skin Chagall's.I was still in the Anti Tanks at that time and remember live firing the 106s into the hills beyond the camp.Good break from building Hamala,do you remember "Pinky" the RE S/Sgt in charge of building the camp?.

Kentish Lad wrote:I know the Why CSM Ferguson C Coy he of the "Laddie" fame got Aussie Nick to make this at the camp we had up country in Sharja, date 1961. The who that can not be me I was better looking then!

Kentish Lad

Keep going Kentish Lad you are nearly there, I will wait for a couple of days before revealing all.
Aussie Nick.

Tug Wilson wrote:Was it near a place called Raz El Khmer(Spelling) there was a pool(Oasis) of water nearby,We had 4 man tents there and used to watch the local nomad woman come to collect water in goat skin Chagall's.I was still in the Anti Tanks at that time and remember live firing the 106s into the hills beyond the camp.Good break from building Hamala,do you remember "Pinky" the RE S/Sgt in charge of building the camp?.

Not there yet Tug, Jeez you have local nomad women on the brain!!
Aussie Nick.

I remember the camp but not the name I remember the food it was tinned peaches everyday.

'C' Coy Group were the first there and had to build the camp. The tent lorry caught fire on the way up from Sharja and had to be towed by another this meant we had to put the tents up in the dark using the truck lights. Terry G may remember doing weapon training and finding the Energa Grenade had 303 cartridges ans we had 7.62's!!! Also the 3.5 Rocket Launcher all the rounds were blinds no f.....g good it was a good job there was not an invasion of Kuiwait because that was where all this ammo cam from. Nick I think the bod in the photo is Alan Coates.

Kentish Lad

Well done Kentish Lad!

The Judges, namely Me Myself and I award you the prize "You never have to go there again.





Another who why where and when.

Answers in reverse order.



WHEN : 1961



WHERE : TRUCIAL OMAN, near the Trucial Oman Scouts Depot at Manama.



WHY: “C” Coy 3 Para deployed there from Bahrain for training purposes, on arrival the OC was impressed by a large badge built onto the side of a hillock, in the form of the “Houshold Cavalry Crest” Turning to the CSM he said “Sarnt Major I’m sure we can do better than that, fix it” To which the CSM replied “Aye Sir nae bother” .

Aussie Nick was ordered to fix it, and as there was no ready supply of white washed stones to be used in the process, nicked half of the stones from the other badge. Everyone was delighted until some Lt Col in the Houshold Cavalry seconded to the T.O.S. bent the ear of the Coy Commander who red faced and out ranked said “ Fix it Sarn’t Major, but leave our badge there as well” “Aye Sir nae bother” said the CSM “Aussie Nick get to it”. “BLX” said Aussie Nick, however after much threatening and cajolling of field punishment and of never seeing “Blighty” again, ( I was only a snotty nosed L/Cpl at the time) was assisted by a friend to return the site to some semblance of originality, and kept the Para badge as well!



WHO: Al Coates, ex Royal Artillery and Korean War Veteran, I have no idea what ever happened to Al ! does anyone else?



Aussie Nick.

What a character Al Coates I think Al is no longer with us.

Thanks for that Nick I was not planning on returning perhaps in another life!! According to 'Herman The German' Wright, another name from the past, Al Coates has passed on he has tried to trace him without any luck. I wonder if Tug Wilson remembers Ridgeway, how pleased we were to get rid of him!!, he became Anti Tank Platoon Commander while we were out there, perhaps he can confirm the story regarding live firing to impress the Trucial Oman Scouts!! By the way Herman rang me with news of another character Ginger Valance who it appears is in a special hospital in the midlands. He is also in contact with Joe Lyall another old boy still livingin Aldershot I believe

Kentish Lad