The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)

A Snapshot of Service

'A' Company
Tobruk - 1958

Map of Libya

Limni Camp Cyprus, Cruachan had the run of the place. The Pony Major let him gallop to the NAAFI where he drank Guinness straight from the bottle without breaking it.
After a couple of those, you had to stand well clear, for he fairly kicked-up his heels.

Background Information

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!