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One day I received a letter from my Aunt Grace saying that elder brother Norman was sailing with the Northants Regiment to Korea. The ship was the Asturia so I checked out anticipated vessel arrival dates for Port Said in the local English print daily newspaper then volunteered for vehicle escort duty on the expected date.
Following the 90 mile trip up the side of the Suez Canal we arrived in the docks area where I could see the ship moored in the shipping lane awaiting the midday sailing by convoy down the Canal. I went into the docks office and explained that I wanted to get on board to see my brother and the NCO in charge said "right you guys, this guy needs to get aboard ship fast. Who has got a boarding pass with a picture on that looks like him". This was quickly resolved then I was hustled on to a launch and delivered to the side of the ship and duly allowed on board. To simplify matters I found my way to the admin office where I told the officer in charge that I only had a minimum time to meet my brother. He was so impressed that he immediately ordered a tannoy message put out over the whole ship ordering Private York to report straight away to the office. Norman was wondering what he had done to warrant this call and then he saw me. Anyway we did have some time together and went up on to the top deck with his mates for a chat. These pics were taken with a cheap mini camera giving pictures only an inch square and although not good quality, give me good memories of that meet up on board ship.
The ship sailed off down the Canal around noon but our lorry was not loaded till later so when we set off down the road alonside the Canal I urged the driver to keep his foot down so we could catch up with the ship. We managed it but at the cost of the engine boiling over ! Later that night while laying in bed in the tent back in Kasfareet, I could see the Asturia moored up in the Great Bitter Lake overnight, all lit up.
When I woke up the next morning, it had gone. I was still stationed in Kasfareet when Norman`s tour of duty in Korea ended and he sailed home again via the Canal. I planned to get to Port Said again on the day of arrival but unfortunately I sprained my ankle playing football and was confined to bed in hospital and no way would they let me out.
On the launch and working up to the landing steps.
Norman
Norman and me. Sorry about the quality.
Norman (right) with two mates. Can you see Johnny Walker in the background, the whisky advert that anyone passing through the Suez Canal could not miss.
On my way back to shore. Norman is among the topmost group of squaddies.
