The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)

'Sans Peur' 'Ne Obliviscaris'

A Snapshot of Service 'A' Company Tobruk - 1958 Map of Libya		from the A&SH tray.......... Limni Camp Cyprus, water crossing training at Aphrodite's Pool. Wading out to rocks in the sea, rifles above our heads, machine guns on fixed line firing live ammunition over us, sheer terror in our breasts. A Tam-O-Shanter floats by without a Jock's head in it. We turn round and see the shortest man in the Battalion completely submerged in the sea, bubbles rising to the surface and two wee hands clutching at a rifle trying to keep it dry. Oh daddy, mammy!

Background Information Most of our time in Tobruk was taken-up with desert training, fieldcraft, infantry weapons and physical fitness. Most people will be aware of how hot the desert can be in the daytime, but it's not so well known how cold it gets in the night. Photo © H M Aitken L/Cpl Tam McBride who accompanied 'A' Company to Tobruk		We soon experienced this at first hand, while living in bivouacs during our desert training. Most of us slept with our kit on to try and combat the night cold. Trips into Tobruk were frequent and very safe. This was a pleasant change from the tense, hostile atmosphere we often felt in the towns and villages of Cyprus. Our time in Tobruk was well occupied with various important events, such as:- 6th October — the Commanding Officer visited us from the Battalion's base in Cyprus. 9th November - we held a Memorial Day Parade at the British War Cemetery, Tobruk. 11th November - the Company provided a Guard of Honour and Riot Control Demonstration to King Idris of Libya. There was plenty of time to get to know the RAF boys and to see how 'cushie' they had it. It was also a time for getting to know each other better, in a more relaxed environment and to recharge our batteries, before returning to Cyprus. After all, most of us were still in our teens and many of the Jocks had never been abroad nor stayed away from home before!

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