He served with the Cheshire Regiment in Egypt for two years from 1952.
On disembarking at Port Said from the troops ship, the Empire Ken, he noticed that the Army vehicles were armed with Sten guns. They were driven to a camp near the town of Suez.
"I didn't realise what a dangerous posting it was, not only in terms of terrorism, but because of disease. About 400 men died from dysentery and other diseases between 1947 and 1954. Suez could have been the start of World War III. Russia, America, Israel, the Arab nations, Britain and France were all involved."
This November Tom will join the Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday commemorations as usual, wearing his Egypt Medal.
Article
