SUEZ 1956
Operation Musketeer

Anecdotes

(If you would like to add an anecdote of your time in the army then please email us and we will add it)

Sailor Haise and the cookhouse fight.

My father, Corporal Lowe, was one day working in the company cookhouse with a certain Sailor Haise (see picture above). Apparantly they were making pastry and got into a disagreement about how it should be rolled out. This led to strong words that eventually led to a fist fight. As they both scrapped about, knocking over utensils and cuttlery one of them knocked over a bag of flour. By this time, both bleeding and rolling about on the floor they became covered from head to toe in flour and apparently ended up laughing so much they couldn't raise another punch.The sight of them covered in blood and flour and laughing hysterically has always been a joy to hear when my dad recalls it.

I was with the Royal Signals recalled to 52 LofC and sailed out their on the S.S.Rivercrest arriving at Suez on Nov 6th. we spent a week their awaiting the U.N  to arrive. Our transport remained on board. We did have a game of footie on the beach were our lads had landed, and after the game a couple of us went into the water to cool off. On sailing back to Cyprus to collect fresh water, I was taken ill with the "Trots" and wound up in a sick bay cot. On the approach to Famagusta, the skipper of the ship came to see me, to check on my progress. He said that every third member of the ship who had been taken ill had died, he had the ships log to prove it. I was out of that cot next morning like a dose of salts. The skippers name was Capt. Anderson, from Scotland. Tom Davies, Ex Sgt.

Below is a copy of an EOKA leaflet that Roger Wiles picked up in Famagusta, He cannot remember the actual date but thinks it was around 1959. He was a radio operator serving with the Royal Signals at 2 Wireless Reg.

Warning, the below image is very big to maintain visible quality.

*We would like to get this document translated for Roger if anyone can help then email admin@websiteuk.net

Read Hugh Grants book - A Game of Soldiers 1957-60 (To place an order please email hujo@yahoo.co.uk)


Hugh served in 1 Para along with my Dad and 'Paddy' Tomkins and wrote a book some time ago about his Para days. Entitled “A Game of Soldiers 1957-60".  Hugh said ‘It sold surprisingly well and in fact I made more money from that than I ever did as a foot soldier!’
He remembers my Dad well as a very fit guy who was a considerable runner- ‘I'm not sure if he will remember me’.

Hugh is now based in Inverness in the Scottish Highlands, to contact him about his book, ring 01463 222398.

"My name is Phil 'Paddy' Tomkins and I served with your father (Corporal Lowe) in 1 Para between 1956 and 1959.

"I got every close to him during 1957-58 when we were both in the Battalion Cross Country and Three Mile Track runnig team.

"Your dad was one hell of a good runner and was as fit as a flea. We won every race we entered, both military and civilian.", Paddy.