FRED CAROE'S LETTERS 3

FRED CAROE'S LETTER PART 3

From 2734823 SAC Caroe CF

Billet 8 RAF/APL

Aden

Friday Feb 10th 1956

Dear Dad,

Thank you very much for your 3 letters all received today plus driving licence.

I notice you left out my billet number on all of them --it's billet 8, we have a new postman and two of them had been sitting in the post office here !!!

I hear you have been hit by some cold weather, just as well you have had a new stove installed. If you put the old stove in the greenhouse be careful the fumes don't kill all the plants !

The Aussie cricket team passes through here on about April 12th on the "Himalaya" on their way to play in England. I hope we see them, tentative arrangements have been made for an RAF Command Team to play them, failing that to go on board and see them-- I have been invited - it all depends on what time she arrives in port.

The cricket season is already getting under way with a couple of friendly matches. The soccer season has finished and tennis is coming to an end. The X ray of my heel showed a hairline crack ½" long in my heel bone, nothing bad, I can walk with pain and play games as long as it is strapped up !!

We played our quarter finals in the Aden Civvies Championship and lost 2-6, 5-7. We had a set point at 5-4,if we had won it we would probably have easily won the 3rd set as both our opponents were nearly 40yrs old and very leg weary !!

Andrew tells me the Riley has a new engine and that the big end went. I have learnt a lot about engines while helping "Ginger" (my tennis partner) a mechanic to mend various cars, re-bores, de-carbs and new big ends ! "Check the oil in future " !

You can now try ringing me when I am at work the number is Aden 3668 Ext. 8 (2 rings)

The temp was 87°F here today, down to 76°F now (9.30 pm)

Love to you all Fred

From 2734823 SAC Caroe C.F.

Billet 8

RAF/APL

Aden

Sunday 26th Feb '56

Dear Dad,

Thank you for your letter received yesterday, I am glad you are much better now and able to get up. Dr Turner seems to use Ancient and Modern medicine when giving you penicillin mixture and terramycin. The giving of penicillin orally is generally frowned upon here as it very much doubted as to whether it does any good.*

Time is flashing by despite things quietening down a bit. The weather is moody, the day max: since Wednesday have been 82.5, 85.8, 86, and 84. But the minima have been odd 74, 69, 66, 69. (66 F said to be lowest temp. here since 1921).

My heel is giving me no trouble, my ankle is still a bit swollen but stands up to all the rigours of the day.

I gather it is a little bit warmer in G.B. though plenty of sport was hit yesterday. I listened to the "live" commentary of the Ireland v Scotland rugger, it was exciting 14-10. I have listened to nearly all the live commentaries of the last 5 weeks, whether soccer or rugger, with much knob twiddling I've found the best spot to pick up the Overseas Service.

I have had a few practice sessions on the radio and today at 4.30 pm I make my debut "live" on the radio. I am announcing on AFBA (Aden Forces Broadcasting Association). I will be introducing an Anniversary request programme. We broadcast on 241.7 metres Medium wave, given good conditions it can be heard all over the middle east and beyond.

I expect Aden will be in the news again as some serious trouble looks like brewing up up country.

200 new Belgian rifles have found their way into dissident tribes hands, how no one quite knows but the theory is Russia-Egypt-Saudi Arabia-Yemen-Aden. I gather a strong force is going up to see if it can capture them -- I shall stay down here ! I am in charge of the M.I. Room so I have to stay, thank goodness. No more news for now.

Love Fred

* Penicillin was given by injection in Aden, I think even to this day it is given orally !!!

There are no letters in March 1956 - must have got mislaid, and in April there seems to be two, both to my stepmother. My father remarried in 1952 after my mother died of polio in 1947. I have a half sister (Clarissa) and a half brother.

From 2734823 SAC Caroe CF

Billet 8

Royal Airforce

Aden Protectorate Levies

Aden

Sunday April 15th

My Dear Jane,

I received Dad's long letter with his news about going to the U.S.A. and Canada. I must say he left it to the last minute to tell me !! As the next mail out is not until Tuesday I can't possibly write to him, I will send a telegram on Monday or Tuesday.

Before I give you all the local news both good and bad, prepare yourself for a surprise -- tomorrow Monday 16th April I leave A.P.L. forever. I have been posted to the HQ of the British Forces in Aden as the deputy command hygienist-- heavens knows what I know about hygiene-except the paper work.

Apparently I am the only SAC in the Aden Command for the job, ie with necessary school qualifications and I came top in the Hygiene section of my SAC exam !! I am told I shall be "terribly powerful" and will be able to tell anyone from an AC2 to an Air Marshall whether he can live in such and such a house or not !!! (hardly likely). I shall once again be living in the RAF Hospital Billet.

Of course it means I relinquish the captaincy of the APL cricket team which is a pity. I would rather stay here at APL but it's just one of those things-one thing it is cooler at The RAF Hospital during the hot season, which incidentally still hasn't arrived - it is over 2 weeks late. For the last week we have had a strong NE wind whipping up piles of sand and causing drifts just like snow.

I received a letter from Andrew yesterday, he is lucky to have been posted to Wilmslow for his square bashing.

Over 3000 people are on strike here again, dockers, builders, and employees at the Oil Refinery and on top of that an invading party crossed the border from the Yemen and besieged a fort resulting in troops (Levies) and aircraft being sent up to repel them. This they have just about done but with the loss of a Hastings aircraft which crashed while landing on an airstrip up country. The plane caught fire and the crew of 4 plus 8 airmen got out in time. It had a small ferret scout car and 10,000 rounds of ammo onboard and it blew up. I know all the airmen; one is a cook who sleeps in the bed opposite me! One broke his leg, another his ankle, and one was burnt.

The cricket has been going well but I think I am a bit stale - too many games.

The broadcasting is going great guns, I have now got every Monday evening to myself 7.30 pm to 11.0pm. It includes an hours "Hospital Requests" (approx 18 records to introduce), then the news to read at 10.0pm then 55 mins of bedtime music (17 records to introduce). In the near future I will send you an AFBA Radio Times. Dad asked in his letter what I would like for my 21st Birthday - quite honestly I haven't a clue. Dad mentioned it was not worth my while buying a record player out here as I'm almost certain to have to pay Purchase Tax on it when I get home. Records out here are very cheap. On AFBA we use mainly long play records.

Keep well and look after yourself, give my love to dear Clarissa and do send some more photos of her if you have any. Longing to see how much she has grown. Just 22 weeks and 5 days to demob.

Lots of love

Fred

P.S. Have you given consideration to this polio vaccine and having it given to Clarissa? From articles in medical magazines which I've read it sounds safe enough.

I do remember the authorities tried to hush up the Hastings crash -- to no avail -- too many people witnessed it !!

Peter, Here is the envelope for the letter to my Dad in the USA -- IMPORTANT - notice the amount of postage I had to put on ---3/- compared to the usual 25 cents to UK -- they would not let it go by the subsidised UK forces airmail rate, so I had to pay 12 times more -- the cost of Three Rum and Cokes at The Crescent Hotel !! There is another letter to follow in a day or so to my Dad in New York. The governments were mean in those days with servicemen just as they are today !!!

From 2734823 SAC Caroe S.M.O.'s Dept

RAF Hospital Steamer Point

Aden

Sunday 22nd April 1956

Dear Dad,

Thank you very much for your letter received 8 days ago. I hope you got the telegram I sent you last Tuesday. I couldn't reply to your letter sooner as it would not have reached you before you left.

I haven't a clue when you will get this, I reckon it's a fairly safe bet sending it to Minneapolis.

As you can see from my new address I have been posted back to the RAF Hospitals, not as an orderly thank goodness but as the Hygienist's Assistant. I have even less work to do here than I did at APL. My chief jobs now appear to be to run the Hockey and Cricket Teams and collect requests from hospital patients for the request programmes on Monday and Thursday evening. I do the Monday broadcast myself normally but last Monday I couldn't do it because all the taxi and bus drivers went on strike and I could not get to the studio at Khormaksar.

I am starting negotiations with the RAF to see if I can be released a couple of weeks early, others seem to have met with a degree of success, of course nothing may come of it.

I received a long letter from Andrew 9 days ago, sounds cheerful and not finding the RAF too bad, I see he has the new National Service No: starting 500.....,They must have run out of 270........ It seems likely that in a few years N.S. will no longer be done. However I have no regrets at having done mine, it's a great experience and I have really enjoyed it. I have met and heard the points of view of dozens of people whom I would never have met otherwise. I've had the experience of a tropical climate, the desert, the "Barren Rocks of Aden" and of course that wonderful trip to Jerusalem.

I have played one game of cricket since leaving APL- a 20overs match v HQBF. They made 73-9, and we made 76-1 in 14 overs. Dick Merrick and I opened, Dick was out 3rd ball them Sgt Dyson and finished it off, he got 11 not out and I got 59 not out, including 3 sixes and 5 fours, the bowling was pretty awful. My highest score so far is 107 not out when playing for APL. The weather is at last beginning to show signs of changing, during the cool season as you know the wind blows from the NE day and night. Now it only blows gently by night from about 10pm to 8.0am, shortly after that a SE or SW sets in fairly strongly.

As regards a 21st birthday present I just do not know how much you are prepared to spend, some get a car others a pair of bedroom slippers!!!!!!Could you please give me an idea?

Well, I hope you have a very successful trip in the U.S.A. and Canada and get lots of business. I expect you too will have to put up with temps as high if not higher than here, on the other hand a blast of Alaskan air might hit you.

Must close now. I'll write to the Hotel Westbury in New York between 8/15 May when you are there for the second time.

Less than 5 months to go, poor Andrew -22 months !

Much Love

Fred

Letter to Fred's stepmother:

From SAC Caroe C.F.

S.M.O.s Department

RAF Hospital

Aden

Monday 30th April 1956

My Dear Jane,

Thank you very much for your long letter, it is grand to hear all that is going on in the domestic world at home, one tends to lose touch out here !

Seeing as the general line of goods out here are not suitable as a present for Clarissa, I've enclosed a £1 with which I hope you can buy her something she will like.

I am sorry to hear she has had whooping cough especially so near to her birthday, however it is one of those childish infections which she will not get again, it is far better to have when young. I had it in May '47 over my birthday too! I expect next year she will be eligible to go to a nursery. I shall have to brace myself for the shock I may get when I see how much she has grown up in the 18 months I shall have been away.

Time seems to be flying by - the work is interesting and playing lots of cricket.

Have not heard from Andrew recently but it is not surprising as he will be doing lots of "bull" at Wilmslow and I expect he is fond of "charping" (sleeping) on his "pit"(bed) - if he gets a chance.

It is unseasonably cool here apart from 3 days of really sticky warm weather when it reached 93F it's just forgotten it is the hot season.

In my billet I have the distinction of having done the longest time in Aden, consequently everyone thinks I am quite mad because I still have a blanket on the bed at night! Most of the others don't even have a top sheet.

I am broadcasting tonight as usual. A new programme was instituted last week and I was the first to broadcast it --LOCAL NEWS- it made me feel like Stuart Hibberd- someone had the audacity to say I even sounded like him !

The cost of living is going up in Aden day by day, shoes, socks, shirts, shorts and all food items have risen by about 10% since Christmas, although I get £4 a week it vanishes in no time.

I am hoping to hold a small party at The Crescent Hotel for my 21st birthday, but cash is a little short so I was hoping you or Dad could lend me £5. I would be much obliged if you could send me the money in Postal Order form. No need to register it.

I have had a couple of mishaps playing games -- I took all the skin off my knee playing tennis when I slipped and whilst playing Cricket for Steamer Point v Khormaksar I got rapped on the third finger by the fastest bowler in Aden and despite wearing gloves an X Ray showed it was cracked-- The M.O. said no more cricket for a week - a lot of molly twoddle, I shall pad it up well and play on Wednesday as we have a Command League game I mustn't miss. So far this has been a successful season I have scored 538 runs for an average of 53.8.

I hope the decorators, painters and steeple jacks leave something left of the house.

I hope my room looks good when it is finished. I no longer like that light brown skirting board or the light brown chest of drawers, any chance of a more adult piece of furniture please?

You ask about my love life !!! Angela writes to me, she is going to Miss Foulkes Secretarial College in Liverpool in the autumn. The fair sex are scarce out here -- about 50 of them only, but at least most of them work in the Hospital or HQ building down the road. Quite a few get sent home for one reason or another !

Please give my love to Clarissa

Lots of Love, Fred

From 2734823 SAC Caroe CF.

S.M.O.'s Dept:

RAF Hospital

Steamer Point

Aden

May 3rd 1956

Dear Dad,

Thank you for your letter from the R.M.S. Ivernia which I received today via APL. It only took a week to arrive here. I am glad you have had a pleasant sea voyage and congratulations on your literary successes-- why not try writing a book ? I had a letter from Jane telling me about Clarissa's whooping cough, she doesn't sound too bad.

I have a thought for my 21st. It is the sort of present which the experience of I am unlikely to forget. John Gadd, the hospital Pharmacist, has asked me if I would like to accompany him on a holiday to Nairobi and district then onto Mombasa and Zanzibar. At the moment we have high hopes of getting a lift by RAF Hastings to RAF Eastleigh which would save about £30. We would like to go from the beginning of July for 3-4 weeks, arriving back in Aden during the first week of August so that I will have plenty of time before coming home. I could raise just about £20. This is composed of my 9/- a day food allowance and my pay of £8 a fortnight. I should need extra money for train fares Nairobi-Mombasa return, other travel expenses, and some warmer clothes- its approaching winter in Nairobi. We reckon for food bed etc we could live on 20/- to 25/- a day, then of course we will want to go on trips to places such as the game reserves, the Rift Valley and round Mt Kenya (I assure you we will keep well out of the Mau Mau areas). All the bans on servicemen leaving Aden have been finally lifted. I hope you will agree to the idea. It sounds an awful lot of money but if you could send between £40-£50 I shall be quite OK. Please could you let me have your reply as quickly as possible as these things have to be planned well in advance. John has already written to Nairobi to enquire about accommodation there.

Except for my course to Jerusalem it will be my first leave since March 1955. I have 28 days leave to take before coming home. Today was a great day - my name was put on the trooping list - the first tentative steps to demob! It will not affect me directly for another month when I have my release medical, then I have a kit inspection to see if I have got all I should have--hm hm hm !! The trick is to borrow someone else's for the inspection and no one is any the wiser !!

Cricket is still flourishing though last Sunday I broke the end of my third finger when hit by a fast bowler. We were playing against Khormaksar. I made 16 -- second top score, but we won. I played again yesterday with my finger strapped up but found it difficult to hold the bat and got caught at mid-on off a slow full toss! It is getting better and I am playing for the Command on Sunday.

The weather is moody, yesterday it reached 98F with 90% Humidity, today it is 92F with humidity of 74%, much more pleasant. Must close now. Look forward to your next letter.

Love Fred

From 2734823 SAC Caroe CF

S.M.O.'s Dept

RAF Hospital Steamer Point

Aden

Tuesday May 22nd 1956

Dear Dad,

By now I expect you have reached home again and expect you are very glad to be back. I received both your letters from the States, the last one arrived on Saturday.

Thank you very much for them both and also for the telegram which I got at 8.30am on my birthday, it gave me a great start to a very enjoyable day which included a game of cricket, a party at the Crescent Hotel and then another one at the Dispensary in the Hospital !! I am terrifically pleased you agree to my proposed trip to East Africa. John and I are starting the string pulling and have so far got permission from Wing/Cmdr Bruce who is i/c the Casualty Evacuation Airlift to go on one of the planes in July from Aden to Eastleigh (Nairobi).

I received quite a fair sized mail on my birthday from all and sundry, only a few didn't write but they probably forgot!

The weather now is very warm now, the strong SW monsoon still hasn't arrived in strength, it is very humid though and on 8 of the last 10 days the temp: has been up to or over 100F. It reached exactly 100F on my birthday, today it is 103F with 92% humidity. When the SW monsoon really arrives the temp: will drop a bit I hope!

The cricket is going great guns, I have got 777 runs so far for an average of 51.8. I made 81 not out for the Hospital Staff v Flying Wing. I got 2 wickets in the first over I bowled -- slow off breaks ! We won the match by 64 runs.

On Sunday I played for the Aden Combined Services X1 v The Civilians. I was given out LBW for 5, the ball would have cleared the stumps by a foot !! Anyway we beat them by 57 runs. My worst trouble has been to find a suitable bat, the RAF provide them but we never get the same one. I went and bought one for £3, it should have cost 12/- more but the owner of the shop is the Captain of one of the local Indian teams and we know each other quite well through playing against one another, so he sold it to me cheaply.

I am afraid I have had to revert to glasses again for reading. The optician (civilian trained and a friend of mine - he is a Nat. Service Corporal) says I have astigmatism, he has given me a temporary pair and showed me various eye exercises to do. I had found I could not read for more than half an hour without my eyes aching and the print "wandering".

I will let you know in due course how I would like the money, there is no immediate hurry. By the way could you please dig out my passport and send it to me as I'll need if we go to Zanzibar. It doesn't expire until May '57.

Not long now 3 months and 29 days to go then back to good old civvy street Please give my love to Jane and Clarissa,

Love Fred

From 2734823 SAC Caroe CF

S.M.O.'s Department

RAF Hospital

Aden

Sat 2nd June 1956

Dear Dad

Thank you very much for your last letter of the 28th, received yesterday. Before I forget here are the dates of my promotions which you wanted - for some reason!

2.6.55 promoted to LAC 1/- a day extra

9.9.55 promoted to SAC 6d a day extra

22.9.55 completed 1 years service 6d a day extra

22.3.56 completed 18 months service 2/6d a day extra

11.4.56 Day allowance increased by 6d

I now draw 11/6d a day plus 2/- overseas allowance, so fortnightly I get 166/-, but my word how it vanishes!!

Bearer 5/- Dhobi 4/-, Mess Bill 2/-, 10/- worth of clothes

Postage 2/- at least Taxis to and from AFBA ( Radio Station) Fruit ie apples and bananas 5/-

Bottles of orange squash 4/-, Concerts etc at Crescent Hotel 20/- Library subscription 2/-, NAAFI 30/- ( buns and cups of tea at the lido) Sometimes a meal to supplement RAF food as tea is the last meal we have and that is at 4.30pm.

Cigarettes 10/- for 200, I do not smoke them all I give away about half and collect about 3/-!!!!

Cinema 10/- a fortnight.

I admit that as pay has increased I have lived a more expensive social life, need to keep sane sometimes !!!

Then of course there are sudden bursts of expenses, like a cricket bat, shoes and an alarm clock !

I had a letter yesterday from Aunt Astrid, she tells me Clarissa is enjoying herself at Daylesford. She was expecting Andrew for a night but apparently he wanted to repack his kit before going south.

Please do not forget my passport it's only six weeks before we go. About the money, The G.P.O. which is manned by Adenis have not got a clue what to suggest, they do not seem to know what a postal order is !

My friend Kalman Levy suggests you open a bank account for me at home with the Midland then I can draw it out here at the Bank of India who are Midland Agents. I think it is too risky to send it by post. I would like it in three weeks so that I can buy some warmer clothes and do some bookings.

The weather is hot again, over 100F all this week, and an awful lot of dust everywhere and very high humidity.

We haven't played cricket this week - quite a welcome rest. I made 19 not out last Sunday when in the Bhicajee Cowasjee Shield we beat the RAF Regiment in what was meant to be an all day match. They made 41 and we made 42 for 1 and it was all over by 12.30 pm !!! Dick Merrick the other opener made 20 before being caught attempting a 6 which would have won the game. Dick who opens the battings with me for the Hospital and RAF Command as well as for Steamer Point Area is a N.S. man due for demob on June 23rd and he's off home next Tuesday the 5th - 18 days before his time!-- hope for me yet.

Must close now I'm off to Warrant Officer Wiggall's house with Dick and John as a farewell party to Dick. W/O Wiggall lives in Birkenhead !

What are the chances of joining Neston C.C. next season. Maybe if you see Ken Cranston you would mention that I would like to.*

Much love to you all Fred

* Ken Cranston played for England shortly after WW2 and was Captain for a few games, against South Africa in one Test Match he took 4 wickets in one over. After he gave up first class cricket (he played for Lancashire) he had a dental practice and played cricket for Neston C.C in the Liverpool Competition League -- when I got home I did not join Neston but stayed with Oxton C.C where I played Cricket and Hockey. Ken Cranston died towards the end of 2006. He was an amateur player all his cricketing career.

From 2734823 SAC Caroe CF

S.M.O's Dept:

RAF Hospital

Steamer Point

Aden

June 13th 1956

Dear Dad,

Everything just jogging along quietly cricket is going well except that we (Steamer Point Area) got knocked out of the Bhicajee Cowasjee Shield in the semi-final on Sunday by Tech: Wing Khormaksar. They made 183 we made 117, I went in no:3 with the score at 3 for 1 Sq/Leader Masters and I took it to 54 for 2 when I was out for 25, Masters made 31, after that we collapsed!

The weather is very up and down, the monsoon came several days ago but two days ago the wind "forgot" to blow, it was hell, the humidity was 95%, sand hung in the air, the sun did not shine at all and the temp was 102F.

Since then it has blown hard again, the sea is covered in white horses, it's less humid and a bit cooler (97F).

I am really looking forward to some leave now, it's beginning to tell on me this place, although I am kept occupied most of the time the monotony and climate are gradually wearing me down. I look forward to some rain and coolness and a complete change of scenery in Kenya. It's rather like living on a desert island this place now. One's health and resistance to local skin diseases gradually lessens as the time goes on, whereas last year I had hardly any prickly heat or tinea, this hot season I've got large areas of prickly heat plus some tinea. Last year I never felt like sleeping in the afternoons if I was not playing cricket I went swimming, this hot season I flop on my bed after lunch and sleep till 4.30pm !

I heard nearly all the Test Match commentaries, perfect reception. Pity the weather cut out so much play, I gather it has been very "unsummery" in U.K. I hope you have a heatwave when I come home !!

David Whitely - Angela's brother was demobbed last Thursday -- I have 100 days to do!

Could you please send me Andrew's address, where is he now - Compton Bassett?

Please give my love to Jane and Clarissa

Much love Fred

From 2734823 SAC Caroe

S.M.O.s Dept

RAF Hospital

Aden

21/6/56 URGENT

Dear Dad,

Please could you dig out my G.C.E. Certificates and send them straightaway by Registered post, it is most important.

The RAF has made a terrible boob and it is liable to cost me £15 ie the increase in pay (1/- a day from LAC to SAC) The RAF require all education qualifications to be registered with them. I took them to RAF Warton and it has now been discovered they never did a thing about registering them (even though I handed them over and they were returned to me when I left Warton prior to going to Aden) and when I passed my SAC exam last Sept: my education was never checked as it should have been done but I was still made an SAC officially.

Now the boob has been discovered and Queens Regulations say I cannot have the registration backdated, so if you send the Certs: immediately it will save a little money. I am seeing the C.O. in the hope he can make an exception and have it back dated. If I do not succeed I shall be putting in a "Redress of Grievance" which will entail an enquiry and the person or persons responsible will be dealt with. It is touch and go as to whether the RAF will demand this £15 back. I am one of three who may suffer from this inefficiency.

Sorry to bother about it but £15 is quite a lot of money to see disappear.

Love Fred

Peter, fortunately I had a very good C/O who sorted the whole thing out in a week - and I did not have to repay the money !! - nor did the other two.

Peter, Here is the first letter of 4 sent from Kenya when on leave - certainly brings back memories !!!

From Fred Caroe

Y.M.C.A. Hostel

Nairobi

Kenya July 18th 1956

Dear Dad,

I expect you received my post card at Salcombe telling you we had arrived.

Nairobi is a lovely City but blasted expensive, it isn't very big but is compact and well laid out. The streets are very wide.

The Y.M.C.A Hostel is about a mile from the city centre and on a hill, to get to it we walk along the Princess Elizabeth Highway a magnificent dual carriageway with very colourful flowers and shrubs. It is wonderful to walk on grass again, although its not all that green as it is a month since it rained. We have met several people to whom we have had introductions. Just a few minutes ago Aunt Astrid's friend Mrs Bond called here to see when we could come up to their farm which is about 90 miles away near Fort Hall. It is in the Nyeri District -- and Mau Mau to you too!! Apparently they no longer sleep with guns in their beds. We will probably go there at the end of the week. John met the Secretary of the Kenya Pharmaceutical Society and he has extended a couple of invitations. We also had a letter of introduction to the British Red Cross Sister at the British Military Hospital Nairobi and we gave her tea at the New Stanley Hotel and in return she is taking us to the theatre tomorrow night (she's very nice too!!!)We also got an introduction to Mr Thornton the Asst: Station Master at Nairobi, W/O Wiggall gave it me as he knew Thornton in England, guess what - he was stationmaster at Heswall Hills from '51-'54. I'm going to dinner with him to-night, he is also inviting some friends who came from Heswall - off Acre Lane-- small world is it not ?

We have had several offers for visits to the National Game Park so we will be going soon. Tomorrow we are being taken to see the Great Rift Valley which will be interesting having had it drummed into me at School.

The weather here for the most part is cloudy all morning, a few sunny periods in the afternoon then cloudy again. It reaches about 70F in the day and down to about 50F at night. With the cloudy weather we cannot see Mt Kenya or Kilimanjaro from here, but we should see Mt Kenya when we go the Bond's farm. We haven't made up our minds yet about going to Zanzibar, everything including travelling is so expensive. A cup of coffee costs 1/- and a small cake 10d. On Sunday we went on a Y.M.C.A. car rally, we covered 40 miles, we went in the Secretary's car and came 10th due to useless navigating, John and I were only passengers and we could have done better with our eyes shut !!!

If you would like to write, just send your letter to me c/o Post Restante G.P.O. Nairobi, even if I don't get it straight away due to being out of Nairobi, I'll get it sometime.

Love to you all, Fred

From Fred Caroe

Y.M.C.A. Hostel

Nairobi

Kenya

1st Aug 1956

Dear Dad,

Thank you very much for your letter written from Salcombe which I picked up on Monday from the G.P.O. Before I tell you about our stay up country we learnt a bit of startling news, good in one way and not so good in another. John rang the M.O. at RAF Eastleigh to find out when the plane was due to go back to Aden, well it is going to be 9 days later than originally estimated, it means we get another 9 days leave- the M.O. said he would attach us to RAF Eastleigh after the end of our leave on Aug 10th to keep the records clean, but says we can continue our leave !!! That is the good news, but the bad is that our finances will not run to it.

We are going to Mombasa tomorrow for a week by train --£5 return- and hope the hotel will be 30/- a night. We have given up the idea of going to Zanzibar, it would cost too much. I hate to ask but could you send me £10 please, we need £10 because John's parents are cruising in the Mediterranean and he can't get hold of them. As soon as we get back to Aden and get paid, John will give me the money to send to you. We'll be back at the Y.M.C.A. here in Nairobi next Thursday, so could you send it to me c/o Y.M.C.A. Hostel P.O. Box 5024, Nairobi, Kenya.

We had a glorious time with the Bonds on their farm, we got there on Mon;23rd, went buck shooting at night and on Wed: and Thurs: we went in the Vet's 3 ton truck round Mt Kenya. We spent the night in a mud hut at the home of Mr Bond's brother who is a District Officer near Meru.

We got back on Thursday afternoon and on Friday night lions attacked the cattle at 2.0am, what fun we had. They killed a cow and injured another before we drove them off with .303 rifles.

We came back to Nairobi on Sunday- early in the morning by Land Rover. In the afternoon Mr Thornton took us 28 miles out to tea !! The only disappointment here is the weather, the sun hasn't shone, it has drizzled often and it is quite cold.

We are going to the theatre tonight to see "The Burning Glass" ticket 7/6 each !

We have listened to the amazing Test Match from Old Trafford, Jim Laker getting 19 wickets - extraordinary.

The Egyptians are a bl... nuisance we have been told there are no troopships allowed through the Suez Canal, it will more than likely delay me as those that would have gone home by ship will have to fly. Hope N.S. men get priority !!

£60 sure doesn't go that far out here ! 51 days to demob !!

Love Fred

From Fred Caroe

Palace Hotel,

Mombasa,

Kenya.

Sat 4th August

Dear Dad and Jane,

Here we are at Mombasa, I am writing this on the verandah outside our room sitting in the sun (10.am). Nice to see the sun after the dull weather of Nairobi.

We left Nairobi by the 6.30 pm train on Thursday and arrived at 8.15 am on Friday, we travelled 2nd class- their being three classes, each compartment is both a sleeper for 4 or sitting for 6. The backs of the seats fold upwards to make berths, they were very comfortable too. We had dinner and breakfast on the train as expensive as British Rail but far better with excellent service. As soon as we got to Mombasa we went about looking for a hotel, fortunately we got the last room in the Palace but rather expensive at £2 a day full board not including tea. The room is very nice with palms growing in tubs on the verandah and with a good view of Mombasa and all its green lawns and flowers. Yesterday we went for a long walk down to the sea and round the town, Mombasa itself is on an island, it has a rail bridge but everything else has to cross the 1/4 mile to the mainland by Ferry.

On our way back to the hotel John called to see the pharmacist at a local chemists. He turned out to be a 27 yrs old Englishman by the name of Ryan.

Later in the day Ryan picked us up and took us out for a couple of beers then invited us out to dinner at the Carlton Hotel where we had a magnificent meal -- 6 courses!!. After that we went to the Nelson Inn an Olde fashioned place and chatted over a few more beers, we got back at midnight -- no licensing laws here, it is just agreed that everything closes at midnight! We had a good nights sleep. Ryan is taking us out to Nyali Beach this afternoon for a swim.

We will have to go back to Nairobi on Wednesday night, we cannot afford to stay here any longer, altogether the trip here, fares hotel etc will cost over £20.

The situation over Suez sounds a bit awkward, I see they are calling up Ex Army Regulars, hope to goodness they don't keep me in past my two years !

I expect you will be going to Heswall Show today -- bet it's wet and muddy !

You seem to have had a rotten summer.

I hope Andrew is as fortunate as me, does he want to go overseas?

Hope you have sent me £10 !!!

Love Fred

From Fred Caroe

Y.M.C.A. Hostel

Nairobi

Kenya

Thursday 9th Aug 1956.

Dear Dad,

Just a short note to say we got back from Mombasa this morning. The next question is how long we are stuck in Kenya for.

The "Casevac" Hastings has been cancelled due to the Suez trouble and C.O. is going to try and get us on a schedule flight to Aden next week if he can. Another bad bit of news is that ALL trooping by air and sea has been cancelled so no one can leave or enter Aden. Troopships will have to go round the Cape. It looks at the moment that if I do get back to Aden next week the chances of getting home on time are not bright.

We had a great time in Mombasa and everyone we met was most anxious to help. We paid a call on the Danish Vice Consul Mr Knudsen who is also the manager of the Old E.A. Trading Co. Ltd. He lent us his car and driver for the morning to explore Mombasa Island. He knew you by name.

Must close now and find out more about what is going to happen. If there is a war I hope it stays in Egypt.

My love to you all. Fred

Moi Rd Mombasa 1964

P.S. Just received your letter of 1st August.

We are leaving the hostel tomorrow, the Thornton family have offered to put us up at their home until we can get a flight back to Aden -- wonderful people.

From 2734823 SAC Caroe CF.

RAF Hospital

Steamer Point

Aden

Thursday Aug 23rd 1956

Dear Dad,

Well we are back in Aden, courtesy of the Hastings. We were so loaded up that taking off from RAF Eastleigh was hair raising.

We flew right past Mt Kenya which was covered in snow at the top, a wonderful sight. We stopped in British Somaliland to take on fuel and got back to Aden on Monday.

I posted from Nairobi two reels of colour film one to Kodak Ltd and one to Agfa Ltd in England.

They will each be processed by the respective firms-- no cost as it is all in the price when you buy the film. I sent them about 10 days ago so if they arrive home you can open them and look at them. They will be transparencies and you have to hold them to the light to see them.

Please be careful not to touch the film as it spoils them, hold them by the card edges. Please let me know if they are any good --if they arrive !

Tomorrow I am sending home a large parcel by Sea Mail containing civvy clothes and odds and ends, it weighs 17 lbs.

Depending on all sorts of circumstances I may beat it home or may not ! You had better open it straight away.

There is no news about a plane to take me home and it may well be 2 weeks before I hear as I am still not due for demob for 29 days.

Much love to you all, Fred

From 2734823 SAC Caroe

RAF Hospital

Aden

Wednesday Aug 29th 1956,

Dear Dad and Jane.

Well here we are hold our breath. I was told this morning that I am coming home or rather leaving Aden on a Hermes Aircraft on September 4th- next Tuesday.

I believe it is due to reach U.K. on the morning of the 5th. I should be home between the 6th and 8th. I will not believe I am on my way until I get on the plane on Tuesday morning and it takes off. You realise how the RAF muck one about.

Tomorrow I start the long tedious job of clearing all the various departments, although it is a sweaty job I shall not mind doing it one bit. I must say it is hard to believe I am so near to coming home. I might write one more letter before I leave.

Love to you all, Fred

Peter -- true to form we were delayed 24 hrs due to technical trouble, but it was just as well because the lads threw a farewell party for me up at the Signals station and after 5 hours I had to be carried back to my billet. At 5am I was shaken awake and told to be ready in 45 mins as transport was leaving for Khormaksar -- I was not feeling at all well --surprise surprise and all the lads in the billet packed my kitbag and case and got me dressed into my blues -- it was stinking hot.

Got to the airport, waited 2 hours (no air conditioning there) then had to come back to the billet while the plane was repaired --I was very glad to get back on my bunk !!! I don't think I really sobered up until we were flying over Eritrea the next day !!!

We landed at Khartoum, Benghazi and Malta, finally reaching Blackbush at 6am on Thursday. Went to Gloucester to be demobbed -- had to pay for my sun glasses which I had lost, and got home at about 6pm on Friday.

The letters have brought back many memories-- could almost write a story using the letters !! ~ Fred

Thankyou Fred for sharing your personal letters. They lend a unique and fascinating first-hand insight into the life of a serviceman in Aden in the fifties. ~ Peter Pickering