Below is an e-mail I received today from Gerry Taylor following on my
"ditty" about the journey by York to Ceylon, [click
here to read article] (well that's
what it was called then). I'm also in touch with Frank Coleman who was
in the band with me and between us we will hopefully put together a
few more reminiscences of our year cruising around the Indian Ocean
and the Gulf, oh happy days. Well they are when you look backwards as
the mind has a way of forgetting all the times you would rather not
remember.
It
appears Gerry's journey back was just as eventful as our journey out
but I think we got the best of the overnight accommodation.
Hope
you can make some use of it.
Best
regards
Ian
(Epps)
*******************************************************************************************
Hi
Ian.
I have been reading with great interest your memories of the Avro York
flight out to Ceylon. I reckon that it could have been the same aircraft
that I returned home on to the UK from Singapore with some of the HMS
Terror band. It took 4 days (4 Nov.-7 Nov. 1954).
It was the first time I had flown, and looking back I remember it was
a most eventful trip.
We boarded the plane at Changi airfield early in the morning. It was
raining at the time and I quite clearly remember the stewardess walking
down the cabin sticking plasters on the roof in an attempt to stop the
water leaks. First overnight stop was in Calcutta. After the cabin door
opened an Indian chappie complete with dhoti came on board and started
spraying the cabin and us with some sort if disinfectant, probably DDT.
Bloody cheek! We stayed at a very grand hotel, The Great North-eastern
I think. We split off into pairs and were allocated a suite of rooms
between us, complete with turbaned servants.After a sumptuous dinner
we ventured outside for a look round, and this was of course another
world of utter poverty and degradation. We soon retreated back inside.
Next day we continued our flight to the Gulf area. Apparently the hotel
bookings for that night had got cocked up some how Instead of Bahrain,
we ended up in an Arab dosshouse in Basra. What a comedown!
Yes, I also remember the method of navigation to the Mediterranean (follow
the pipeline) onto our last overnight stay in Malta.
Next day on to Stanstead, then by bus to Goodge Street in London. This
was where we were checked out before being released for some leave complete
with ration coupons. After living the 'Life of Reilly' in Singapore
for 2 years, we came down to earth with a big bump. I remember that
November was very cold and foggy. Gerry was not a happy bunny.
Anyway, I hope I haven't bored you with all this prattle.
Best wishes,
Gerry Taylour
