FRED CAROE'S LETTERS 1

FRED CAROE'S LETTER PART 1

Aircraftsman Charles Frederick Caroe was a medical orderly at the RAF Hospital Steamer Point from April 1955 to November 1955. He then became a medic with the Aden Protectorate Levies, a role he fulfilled from November 1955 to April 1956.

Fred then returned to the RAF Hospital at Steamer Point where he had a desk job in the Senior Medical Officer's Office as Assistant Hygienist. "I only got the job because they could not find anyone else and I had the highest marks in the hygiene section in my SAC exam ! "

Only mad dogs and Englishmen would run a mile race or even have a sports day in mid afternoon in Aden !! "Here I am winning the Mile Race in 4 minutes 23 seconds; slow by today's standards and 24 seconds slower than Roger Bannister. I look as though I am smiling but in actual fact it's a show of agony -- I spent 10 minutes flat on my back in the Medic tent swallowing salt tablets and water. The man beaming on the right, with binoculars and camera round his neck, is Wing Commander Wilkinson my C.O. He was the M.O. in charge of the APL hospital. He was a super fellow."

Below are extracts from the first letter Fred wrote to his father after leaving England in 1955. It was written whilst in the Transit camp at El Hamra in Egypt, enroute to Aden.

From AC C.F. Caroe 2734823

Transit Camp,

RAF, El Hamra Canal Zone,

Egypt

Sunday April 17th 1955.

Dear Dad,

I wish that plane would hurry up and take me to Aden. There was a plane last Thursday which took 3 to Aden, Donald my fellow medic got onto it.

It really is a rather depressing place this, there are few facilities for entertainment; a cinema, NAAFI and YMCA. The NAAFI is pretty awful and the YMCA very expensive, we can go swimming but its over a mile there and it's hot.

To say the least it is boring sitting on ones bed all day or just sitting in the sun, with finishing what little work we do by mid-day we have lots of free time. The rumour goes that we will leave for Aden on Tuesday.

My position as a medic has some advantages, whilst everyone else has to do guard duty we medics don't because according to the Geneva Convention we are not allowed to carry arms, at least that is what we are told.

The weather on Friday was awful, cool and cloudy when we woke, by 10 am the wind was half a gale, by 11am we had a full blown sandstorm and the heat was awful, over 110°F. Sand got into everything, even into my locker, and even into my metal sunglass case.

Last night I heard the 6.15pm sports news from London on the radio, heard Everton had lost and Liverpool had drawn. I heard also there was going to be a general election on May 26th. I am being pestered by flies as I write this, I will have to buy some anti-fly stuff.

I believe when I get to Aden I will get a daily allowance of 1/9d, which will be very handy. Aden is a duty free port and everything there is very cheap.

Could you please find out from Cambridge University which books on geography I should read as I shall have to make time to do some swatting up. It will be difficult starting studying again after 2 years away from it.

When I get to Aden and you know my address could you please send me some photos of the family. Before I left I forgot to send a letter to the Tennis Club telling them I would be away for 2 years and could I be excused paying a sub: could you deal with it please?

I have met quite a few lads from Liverpool, but most of them are going home to be demobbed - lucky chaps.

On Friday evening I went with Stuart to the station cinema to see "Kind Hearts and Coronets", it was very funny. The newsreel was of the Boat Race and Grand National, we had a good laugh at all the umbrellas and rain.

Yesterday I saw my first camel, you could smell it 300 yards away. This evening I shall go to the 6.30pm service at the C of E church then go to the cinema. The food is terrible, lots of greasy fat with sand added!

On the plane out here (RAF Avro York) we were all given a book to read. I was given "Her Ladyship". It' all about the life of Lady Godiva, very amusing in parts - but she did not ride through the streets of Coventry, she fell off her horse as soon as she mounted it.

There is a railway line half a mile away, you should see the trains, they look like museum pieces.

I do not think there is any more news.

Has Andrew mended my bike yet and have you sold the Rolls yet [1932 model] Please give my love to all the family and a pat for Nick [the dog].

When sending letters, if you put a 2 ½d stamp on they go by sea to Aden and would take 14 days, if you put 6d on it will go by air.

Love

Fred

Following is Fred's second letter to his father which was written after Fred had arrived in Aden.

R.A.F. Hospital Staff
Steamer Point
ADEN
6pm Friday April 22nd 1955.

Dear Dad,

I arrived at the hospital today just in time for lunch. I flew from Fayid yesterday in an RAF Valetta aircraft. We arrived at Khormaksar Airport (about 10 miles from here) at 5.50 pm local time. We are yet another hour ahead of you here.

Actually last Tuesday I was woken at 3.00 am and told I was going to Aden at 0700 hrs. I got to Fayid Airport at 0500 hrs and at 0620 hrs was told they could not take me as there was too much luggage on board-- typical RAF. I made sure I got the plane on Thursday.

As you can see I will be working at the hospital here.

The principal Medical Officer is a Group Captain and I had an interview with him and he was amazed to know I live in Heswall. He was once the Senior M.O. at West Kirby and used to play golf at Heswall every week [note- West Kirby is 6 miles from Heswall where I lived and I have been a member of Heswall Golf Club since 1963]. The matron was also at West Kirby and the hospital Warrant Officer lives in Birkenhead, W.O. Wiggal2.

The hospital is situated ¾ the way up an enormous rock and is reached by an alarmingly twisty road. We have a wonderful view of the harbour and right out to sea.

The heat here is much worse than Egypt, it is far more humid and the sun is nearly vertically above at noon, we are about 12 degrees N of the equator and about 4000 miles from home -ugh.

On May 2nd I will start attending lectures for my SAC exam which is in September. I should be an LAC within 2 months.

Just after I arrived a Pembroke1 (plane!) crashed into the sea about half a mile from Aden and on the only occasion he Air Sea Rescue Launch was called out its motors failed to start. Fortunately the plane stayed afloat and no one was injured. The plane was towed to a jetty and is now sitting on top of the jetty ready to be carted away.

I must say your letter did not take long to get here. I thought it was only 6d airmail. I suppose parcels take 3-4 weeks. Letters from Aden to UK cost 25 cents = 3d.

They have a sensible monetary system here 100 cents = 1/- 20/- = £1.

All the cinemas here are open air - just as well that rain is rare.

Cigarettes here are very cheap 85 cents for 20 = 10 ½d for 20.

For cricketers like me !!! there seems to be a very good chance that I will get quite a lot of cricket playing for the hospital team.

Here we do no "bull" at all. A local man cleans our shoes, badges and makes our beds, washes our clothes, cleans our knives forks and spoons before each meal and sweeps the billet out. We each pay 5/- a fortnight for the service he renders and 2/- a week to the dhobi wallah. Being in Aden has many advantages over being in the UK for National Service, of course it does have its disadvantages.

The [local] men dress up in quite colourful clothes while the women wear predominately black clothes and their faces are heavily veiled.

I will write to you again shortly. Love to you all

Fred　

1 Fred, and several others, actually witnessed the Pembroke aircraft which came down in Aden harbour. It was later disclosed that one of the passengers was the Bishop of Khartoum. The crew and passengers were mostly rescued by Arabs in small boats. It came out that the plane had run out of fuel- at least the pilot thought it had - the reserve tank had not been switched on -- so the story goes.

2 I met up with W.O. Wiggal again 7 or 8 years later when he was at RAF West Kirby just prior to his retirement. He was a splendid man, everyone who had a problem went to see him and he always helped. He had a very nice wife and two very attractive daughters!

From 2734823 LAC Caroe C.F.

RAF Hospital Staff

Aden

August 17th 1955

Dear Dad,

Thank you for your long letter of the 9th. Life chugs on just the same - at least work does.

The weather has started to hot up again, it reached 112F yesterday and the humidity is awful, nearly 90%. Last night apparently it rained again for 10 mins. You heard all about our last lot of rain, I told Jane about it in my letter to her.

That lot of rain flooded the cricket pitch and the charity match was a washout and so was all cricket for 5 days and tennis for 3. However on Thursday we were knocked out in the 1st round of the 25 overs each K.O. comp., they made 121-7, we made 81-6, I was bowled 4th ball for 1 run !

Last Sunday though I played for the Area versus Besse & Co in the RAF Cup knockout, we got them out for 50 and we made 53-2, I made 9 not out. We play again on Sunday in the next round.

If I am posted away from here all mail will be sent on to me. My friend Donald who went to Bahrain for 4 weeks has had his posting there made permanent though he likes it for one reason they have air conditioning. It is less likely I will be posted away because I play cricket, hockey and tennis for the hospital and am in the Area Command cricket team, but one can never tell as all the stations in Iraq are now in the Aden Command.

Yesterday I went on an official medical party on board the troopship "Cheshire" (Bibby Line). There were 3 of us 2 corporals and myself, it was only a formality to see if the sick bay wanted anything, they didn't so we were entertained by the M.O. on board-- drinks all round. We spent 15 mins after leaving the "Cheshire" speeding round the harbour zigzagging between ships and delivering various ship's officers back to their ships who had been visiting the "Cheshire". We were in the RAF launch, flags flying hooters blowing- we felt quite important !!

We had one Seaforth Highlander who came into the Medical Ward with dysentery he got up country, and while I was sorting out his kit I found his bayonet and 10 live rounds 0f.303 ammo in his pocket !!

My book reading is jogging along, I am going on night duty next Monday so if it's quiet I can catch up on some work I hope. My tennis racket has not come yet, but a P & O liner has just come in so it may be on that. I had a long letter from Andrew at Stege in Denmark, he seems to be enjoying himself greatly.

You ask about savings, well at the moment I cannot afford to increase them I get paid roughly £5 a fortnight, it soon goes. I am trying to build up a reasonable wardrobe of civilian clothes, I have had to buy a pair of white gym shoes, socks last no time here, they rot ! I have 11/- a fortnight mess and bearer's bill. During the last fortnight I bought one pair of shorts 12/-, pair of long whites £1, 2 pairs socks 5/-, 1 pair gym shoes 15/-, and so it goes on !!

Love to Jane and Clarissa

Love Dad

Here is a letter that Fred wrote to his younger brother, Andrew.

From 2734823 L.A.C. Caroe C.F.

RAF Hospital Staff

Steamer Point

ADEN 2 am (on night duty) Sept 3rd 1955

My Dear Andrew,

Thank you for your long letter which arrived yesterday accompanied by one from Graham H... and Peter P.. -all male mail ! I hope you are enjoying the good old English climate, I believe the weather is not so good now. After 3 weeks with temps well over 100°F here it is cooling down now.

It was good to get your letter. I used to think it was a waste of time writing to you as you seldom replied, however you have improved ! I had not heard about Uncle Colin, I hope he lasts out, he's recovered from these illnesses before so I hope he does again.

I have just come back from the morgue having done the necessary on a man who died of haematemesis about 2 hours ago. He was a nice chap, the chief steward on the SS "Carthage". He had had a serious op to try and stop internal bleeding but although it is a week since the op he just couldn't last.

Well, young man I'm amongst the runs again, last Sunday we won the BP Cup and we each got a small replica cup*. It was a terrific do. Piles of food and beer and gin etc. We all got rather tipsy. I was on night duty too and slept most of the night ! In the match they made 75 and we made 76 for 3, I was 25 not out. I hit a six to level the scores then snicked a vicious leg break through the slips to win the game. In my last three innings for the area team I have made 9 not out, 38 not out and 25 not out. My average for the Area team is 50.50. When I get home I would like to become a member of Neston CC, it is such a long way to Liverpool CC.

I have had to learn how to play some very fast bowling, with it being a matting wicket the ball fairly whizzes off the pitch. The Indians here also mange to turn the ball a terrific amount.

Thanks for the tennis racket, it is in good condition. Did Jack O'Connor pack it for you. I will send you another 1/- stamp sometime. Please tell Dad I will write again soon, love to them all Behave yourself.

Love Fred

P.S. When do you start your N.S. ?

* I have still got the cup !!

From 2734823 L.A.C. Caroe, C.F.

RAF Hospital Staff

Steamer Point

ADEN

July 20th 1955

Dear Dad,

Thank you very much for your letter received today, one of four I got.

Before I forget I have not received a Sunday Express yet, I can't think why I expected one last Wednesday but never got it. What beastly cold weather you are having -- only 80°F ! It has cooled off a little here but not much, still over 100°F every day.

We had a terrific sandstorm last Thursday at 5.0opm. It was a magnificent sight to see it come down from the north, a huge orangey black cloud swept over North Aden and the buildings appeared to be swallowed up in the rolling sand, then it hit us and it was fun no more. We could not see more than 5 yards for an hour, then it died down and we had a stifling night. Sand in our beds and even in our breakfast the next day.

We have this polio outbreak here and now have three cases, one is my friend John Bowden, he is the junior radiographer in the hospital and we used to play tennis every now and then when I could borrow a racket !

We have had a terrible tragedy, a Wing Commanders wife was caught by a shark only ten feet from the shore while bathing in Elephant Bay - I believe there was no shark netting there. She was pulled out by a local man and two RAF guards. I saw when she was brought in, I will not describe her condition to you. She sadly died.

A pilot was brought into the hospital having been killed when his Venom crashed upcountry. You do I presume know all about the troops here. One was killed by rebels up country the other day and an RAF Regiment fellow had to have his leg amputated here. We had a very interesting lecture on polio here, it is generally believed now that it is spread, by food etc and the virus enters the body by mouth. There are three types, fortunately it is the milder type which is here. The little boy who has come round from polio has now got meningitis and is on the seriously ill list.

I heard the live commentary of the Test Match on the wireless and near the end it was very exciting to listen to. I also heard the Wimbledon Finals broadcast and last Saturday heard large parts of the Grand Prix from Aintree which Mercedes so admirably won.

I hear Lancs beat Leics by an innings and 50 runs yesterday. What a test team -- Watson - ugh, Insole -well!! Lock and Wardle, what's wrong with Cowdrey --toe ache? I think they should bring back Washbrook.

Wonders will never cease, I have been chosen to play for the RAF Representative X1 versus an All Indian X1 in a charity match on August 7th.1 The Representative Team is chosen from all the RAF and Civilian teams. It is going to be quite a do as H.E. The Governor will be there and the A.O.C. and the C.O.'s of all the RAF Stations in Aden. The charity is "The Poor Peoples Fund"-- I shall have to buy a new white shirt.

Andrew is a lucky young brother, flying to Denmark, just wait till he has to fly to Aden to do his National Service! No one here is allowed any leave as a state of emergency has been declared at the hospital because of the trouble upcountry. We are due for a practice "alert" tomorrow and Friday because the authorities here have reason to believe that there may be some incidents in the town against RAF and Army because we have been using planes and bombs and armoured vehicles up country. What do I fight with -- a hypodermic syringe and a bread knife ?

Congratulations on winning a medal at the Philatelic Show.

Mr and Mrs Debbas are getting me some first hand information about a scooter.

Only 14 months to demob ! Love to all and a pat for Nick

Fred

PS We have a large aircraft carrier in the harbour today on loan to the Australian Navy.

I am working on Medical Ward now and lo and behold who should be a patient there but a Danish Seaman who said that you performed his marriage service in your office. What a small world. [My father was the Hon. Consul for Denmark in Liverpool and consequently had the authority to marry Danes in his office. I was Consul from 1972-79 but never had to perform a wedding ceremony!]

1 The cricket match never took place as we had a mega thunderstorm on the Saturday morning which produced about 5 years rain in 40 minutes, the whole of Aden was a soggy shambles, temporary houses washed away, sewage all over the place - cases of dysentery shot up. The smell was awful for weeks.

From 2734823 LAC Caroe C.F. ADEN

Tuesday night August 2nd 1955

Dear Dad,

No letter from you for a while but maybe it was on the mail plane which crashed at Aden Airport yesterday, it ran into a Valetta while landing. I don't know yet if any mail was lost.

Now, about the Sunday Express, I got the 1st one today (July10th issue!!),it had come by sea mail, not surprising it had 1 1/2d stamp on it, typical journalists, it was addressed to LAS Carde !

I have thought about the motor scooter and discussed it with Mr Debbas and also with the Adjutant here. Mr Debbas says the scooter is useful but not much good as the roads are so bumpy and at least 5 people get knocked off each week, so he advised me against it and has kindly offered to lend me the TR2 which he does not propose to sell now. The adjutant advised very firmly against buying a scooter or car because if I was posted up country who would look after it.

With the Iraq command closing down there are 5 or 6 new stations to supply with medics in the Persian Gulf area and these are being drawn from this hospital. As it is we are 8 short which makes it hard work now. Donald Aimes has gone on a one month detachment to Bahrain.

I have my name down for a two week course in Jerusalem. The Padre organises it and we have to be prepared to go at very short notice (we went in September at 2 days notice, flew to Egypt, then to Mafraq in Jordan and then by bus to Jerusalem).

We had 4 Seaforth Highlanders in the hospital yesterday, all wounded upcountry fighting dissident tribesmen who are using dum-dum bullets. They either make their own bullets which have a rough finish or they take the point off an ordinary one. The bullets make an awful mess of our soldiers. They are banned by the Geneva Convention, but these tribesmen have never heard of it!Even our medics go up there armed !!

I have been playing a lot of tennis with a borrowed racket I even beat the ex Hospital champ 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. Three sets nearly killed us both so we plunged into the sea.

Yesterday we played APL at cricket. They made 54, we made 55 for no wicket.

I saw Genevieve at the Astra Cinema for the 3rd time, saw it twice before at home at the King's flee pit in Heswall.

With luck I shall be a fluent linguist when I come home. I have a secondary job as interpreter here. Whenever a Spaniard or Italian comes in as a patient they always get me to come and translate with Italians, I speak French or failing that some Spanish. Surprising how much they understand.

The French are the easiest of course. I have interpreted for at least 15 Frenchmen alone. You should see the looks on the Sister's (All Officers) faces when I jabber to foreigners, I can just read their thoughts, "What, an orderly speaking languages !" Most of the Sisters are awfully "uppish", damn it, they are only SRN's who have come into the RAF for an easy life -- some admit it reluctantly.

Must close now, my love Jane and Clarissa and Bon Voyage to Andrew.

Love Fred

From 2734823 SAC Caroe C.F.

RAF Hospital Staff

Steamer Point

Aden Monday October 17th 1955

Dear Dad,

Thank you very much for your long letter plus enclosures.

I suppose I had better fork out for a cricket slip cradle at Birkenhead School, Colin Heppard asked for a £1 to help. Would you like to give them a £1 out of my weekly savings. I enclose the letter again from him, it might be a good idea to tell him where I am !

May be you have noticed from the top of the letter I am now an SAC. I passed my SAC Trade Test Exam so I get my SAC back dated to 9.9.55. It involves an increase in pay, some say its 6d a day others say 1/-. I will eventually get a Regulars pay when I have done 18 months of my National Service, it is a lot more money.

Now, Jane's parcel has NOT arrived, I have my doubts that it ever will. I will keep enquiring at this end.

I have been working all hours recently due to staff shortages and with having several tennis practices I felt washed out on Friday as I had developed a mild dose of dysentery. I took 24 Sulphathaladine pills on Friday, Sat and Sun; and feel ok now.

Tomorrow I play for the Hospital in a match, we should walk it - the top two players play for the Command.

The cool season has come well and truly now, the max temp has been below 90ºF for last 3 days and at night it dropped to 78ºF. My sheet and pyjamas are now worn. The atmosphere is far less humid now and visibility clear as anything. We can see the mountains of North Yemen.

We have the Chief Confectioner and Baker from the SS Devonshire in the medical ward, with a coronary thrombosis. He has come across Mr Harding* quite often and knows him well.

Are you going to put a heater in the car? - hope so.

I hear the Prime Minister is not reducing National Service, I expect Andrew had his fingers crossed !! Of course those of us who are in now are as pleased as punch, why should we do 2 years and others less!!!?

About Christmas presents, I want to buy a decent wrist watch, I bought one in May for 20/- to last until I could afford a decent one. I could buy a good one here for £4 to £5. If you agree please send me a Postal order.

It is nearly meal time now (4.30pm) so must go and feed myself.

My love to you all

Fred

P.S. I have printed 72 of my Jerusalem photos so far, they are very good. Please excuse the same stamp on the envelope but post Office is closed.

* Mr Harding was in a shipping Co. in Liverpool and my father knew him well.

From 2734823 SAC Caroe C.F.

RAF Hospital Staff

Steamer Point,

Aden

Friday 6.15 pm October 28th 1955

Dear Dad,

Thank you for your letter received today. The "S" in SAC, stands for "Senior". The badge I wear now is a 3 bladed propeller as opposed to the 2 bladed one for an LAC.

Thanks for sending the £1 to the "Slip cradle fund". No doubt you will get a receipt and short reply - I hope.

The "Empire Orwell" arrived today so Jane's parcel may be on it, I hope so.

I start night duty next Monday a bit of a bore but it may be my last period (two weeks) as it is quite likely I shall get a more leisurely job when a batch of new orderlies arrive from U.K. I have had over 5 months ward bashing so it would be nice to get something different.

Frost - what is that ? It fell here to 77F last night - nearly froze to death !! Andrew said they had 4F of frost at Windsor the other day.

I am sorry to say the Chief Baker and Confectioner of the "Devonshire"- Mr Hoddinott died the other day. He had been having oxygen for 4 days after 3 bad heart attacks, I was doing extra duty at 9.30 pm because of staff shortages and was attending to him when he just died in front of me - that is 7 people who have died when I was on duty !

Andrew said he can't be called up until March, it seems a bit odd, But I would rather have March than January for square bashing.

I've put so many different stamps on envelopes I cannot remember which ones I sent !! The stamps which you say are not in the catalogue were only issued on September 1st.

What happened in the budget, and is Margaret engaged yet ?

Love to you all, Fred