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Album of Photos taken in the Canal Zone.  Page 13

The Troopship 'Somersetshire'.

I’m not sure if the ‘Somersetshire’ ever did the Egypt run but do know that she was trooping
to East Africa during the Mau Mau troubles in 1953 so probably went through the Suez Canal.
I have included this photo out of interest because all Suez Vets must have sung that song where
she is mentioned.  I'm confident you remember it.
*See the footnote at the bottom of this page.

Burnt-out NAAFI, Ismailia. October 1951.

Rear of NAAFI after the fire.

Army patrol in Ismailia. October 1951.

In Abu Sueir village.

By the Elephant again.

Mobile shop, possibly RAF Fayid.

Not sure where this is. Perhaps you can help?

Mount Shubra through the peri-wire at RAF Abyad.

On the top of Mount Shubra.

Smokey Joes cafe, RAF Ismailia.

Luxury accomodation. Tent 4, RAF Abyad.

RAF Fayid signs.

A roundabout in Moascar.

Train passing RAF Abu Sueir.

Refuelling a Vampire. (With blood?)

More shops in Fayid Shopping Village.

Near the entrance.

Main Gate, RAF El Hamra.

RAF El Hamra fire-power.

VIP Car bay, HQ 205 Group (RAF).

Staff Car of Air Officer Commanding 205 Group.

Station Church, RAF Abyad.

Part of 205 Group tented area, RAF Abyad.

Inside one of the 205 Group tents.

Tent de-bugging exercise.

Bedford 3 tonner, Troop Carrying Vehicle.....

....and one of the later models.

RAF Standard Vanguard at Port Said docks.

The Sweet Water Canal at Ismailia.

RAF Abu Sueir bus.

The 'Oratavia' passing the Blue Lagoon.

* Footnote re the 'Somersetshire.' Some time after including the photo of the 'Somersetshire' and my remarks about the ship at the top of this page I received the following e-mail. Hi Charlie - a very interesting collection. Page 13 - I can confirm that 'Somersetshire' did do the Egypt run - she took me to Port Said from Liverpool in about April 1953.  She had been on a Bibby Line cruise but was hastily "re-claimed" as a troopship for two trips when Lytham was bursting at the seams and the Windrush and another troopship, I don’t know the name of, already had full loads allocated and nothing else was due in for about 3 weeks.  All three sailed about the same time and the files of RAF and Army marching from the station to the quayside off train after train from the embarkation holding camps brought Liverpool to a standstill. Lovely trip as we had to travel in civvies as she technically was not a troopship at that specific date and had the cruise crew on board to look after us. There was an undersea earthquake off Turkey resulting in horrendous choppy cross seas and the journey took 13 days instead of the planned 10, as a result most on board were very sea-sick. Somersetshire was a fascinating ship - apparently twice torpedoed in the same area they told us - you could look along the starboard side from the stern and admire the "banana" curve that had resulted. Thanks for the memories!   Stephen Church (ex RAF) (One of the yobs in the Deversoir Christmas Party picture, page 2).

Links to other pages of the Suez Canal Zone Photo Album: Click on the page number.
1  ||  2  ||  3  ||  4  ||  5  ||  6  ||  7  ||  8  ||  9  ||  10  ||  11  ||  12  ||  14  ||  15 ||

Also on the  'Now and Then'  page and on the  'That Palm Tree'  page.

My thanks to the Suez Veterans who supplied the photos to produce this Photo Album.
© Charlie Delta. October 2004.
Page revised: © February 2007.  Footnote added 23rd October 2007.