Main Pass 
 

When Commander Haines arrived in 1838 the Main Pass provided the only road into Crater. This was the location of a firefight on November 21 1838 between a party from the Coote who had set up position on the small island of Jezret Feringee and who succeeded in preventing access to Crater via the Pass by parties of Arabs and laden camels. 

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The Main Pass was also known as Aden Gate, Main Gate, Crater Pass & Northern Gate. For Aden's Centenary Celebrations in 1939 there were suggestions from the Chamber of Commerce to rename it ‘Haines Pass’. However, due to Haines’ somewhat chequered career the idea was not approved by the authorities. 

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High in the rocks above and to the south of the road and fortifications, once protected by a drawbridge, is a cave which traditions of both Arabs and Jews hold to be the tomb of Abel.

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The Regimental Crest of 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers on the Crater side of the Pass commemorates 2nd Battalion’s visits to Aden 1892-1893, and 1927-1929.  The crest was originally painted by 3902559 Pioneer Sgt. Edward Kelly under the direction of Captain (Quartermaster) John Mellsop prior to the departure of the 2nd Battalion in January 1929.  The 1st Battalion were sent Aden during emergency of 1967.  

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Today, the Crest is in good order and the only British crest remaining in Aden.  There is a suggestion that the sphinx in the crest has some mystical powers.  Captain Mellsop was the son of 2-24/1613 Pte John Mellsop (served in the 1879 Zulu War) who fashioned the memorial to the 24th at Rorke's Drift, Natal.