From Mr J. S. Beadle, MRPharmS
SIR,—The article by Ian Taylor recalling his national service days in Aden (PJ, December 18/25, 1999, p1018) brought back many happy memories, not least of which was our meeting when Ian first arrived in the Protectorate. We had spent three years together at the "Square" but it was a complete surprise to find him arriving as my replacement.
I had bypassed the "dispenser training" period at Warton having been drafted direct from recruit training to RAF Hospital Fayid in the canal zone. When this was closed down I transferred to Aden, spending the next 18 months at the medical supplies depot at Maala. Here we received supplies from the UK and acted as a supply centre for 10 or more outlying RAF units in the Persian Gulf and Kenya. Duties also included servicing the various troop ships which at that time passed through Aden en route from the UK to the Far East.
In 1955 the RAF provided the majority of service personnel in Aden and relationships with the locals were excellent. However, this situation changed with the Suez crisis and broke down totally when the Cameronians were transferred from Kenya to Aden at the end of 1956.
As far as I am aware I was the first pharmacist to be posted to Maala and was nearly the last! My first act was to condemn a very large amount of our stock which was not only out of date but had visibly deteriorated, yet was still being dispensed to units around the area. Fortunately I was able to convince my senior officer of the dangers.
Like Ian, I found tremendous benefit from my National Service experience and I, too, enjoyed it.
John Beadle
Sole Street, Kent