Aden 1967 the Final Tour 

Dear brother . I am Asim Al-Hajri from Yemen, Aden, and my grandfather worked loyally for Britain in the port of Aden, and he lived among you, and he speaks highly of your kindness and good morals. By God, we are sad about your departure from Aden. They lied to us. Aden in your days was beautiful, with good law and order, and we hope that you will return to Aden again, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you to every British person. We love you very much, my dear brother

A beautiful video with great soothing music. My father moved to Aden in 1946 from India, and we have seen glorious times of Aden. My father and his uncle used to have shop called "Everest Emporium" in KhorMaksar serving mainly British and tourist. I studied at St.Anthony's high school in Steamer Point and have very pleasant memories of that great place. I along with my uncle visited Aden again in 2009 (after 40 years), it was very nostalgic tour. Crater, Maalla, Steamer Point all nice places.

Thanks for the pictures - great. I was there July 65 to June 67. RAF Airframe Mechanic FWSF - SRT working on 21 Squadron Twin Pioneers, The last Dakota in the RAF - KN452 of which there is picture in this video - as well Andover Mk 1 and Mk 2 of Middle East Comms Flight. The Arab Fruit Seller with connections to Cardiff mentioned in a couple of post. Was called Fruity Taff. A lovely jolly little chap. Not only did he sell fruit he also sold small photographs of Sharia Law in action. Public beheadings, amputations. I well remember the April rain storm. Totally blew all the mains electrics thoroughout the base. Nothing worked. After the runway lights had been restored the next priority was the Officers Married Quarters. Airmens mess. Camel Club, Barrack Blocks etc etc was not on the list of priorities. A riot ensued where by large amounts of furniture was burnt one evening on the road adjacent to the Camel Club. At least we had some light for half an hour!! According to a short piece in the Daily express the fire could be seen from across the harbour. Happy days, happy memories, and of course there were the not so good. To many lives lost and for what? Thanks for the memories John. Appreciated.

Am from aden , southen arabia country (which in the past ) we all regret and trars falling in every time when UK left our land , those days SOUTHEN ARABIA was a paradise , but after the union with north yemen , from last of 30 years we had been into hell , now with our future president (eidrous al zubaidi) we need your support to get back our land and to welcome you like those days , love you UK

Aden always welcomed the British forces in those glory days of the British Empire, and when the Queen visited Aden she was more than just a Queen to visit us, I was just a school kid and we all went to meet her in the streets of Aden kind of welcoming her to her own home which we really did felt in those days like if she was a mother or all the kids of Aden, even when she left us her memories were in us until today´s day. I have left Aden just before the British left Aden went to England and carried on my trip through Europe and settled down where I am now Denmark, Still I feel like if I am still belong to Briton as a real true home of mine.

I was a 12-14 year old schoolboy back then! I went to the BFES school in Khormaksar. My dad was the SSM of 222 Signal Sqn, (airfield support) based in Steamerpoint. Our family were on the last dependants flight to leave for the UK and we had to travel via Tehran because Nasser had closed the most direct route to UK flights. In the 2 years we spent in Aden I had to grow up very quickly especially in learning spatial awareness. Probably what made me join the army as a boy soldier 2 years later. A great experience

Thanks Mr John Beard I am khalil from Aden your video attracted my attention Aden REALLY miss you in fact we miss Britain and that time when you was in south Arabia This day falls the first day of revolution in south Arabia against Britain1963 we really really miss you we are very sad at this time,,, Aden was a great in the past but now it is like a village no electric and guns and loooow level of life

Thank you for your comment, all of us who served in South Arabia care about what is happening at present in your country and wish for peace for you all

Fascinating pictures John. My Father was in Aden with the RAF in 1965-66. His time in Aden was certainly a defining experience for him and he talked about it a lot with me in subsequent years. He passed away a few years ago, but it is very poignant for me to look at scenes that would have been very familiar to him. So many thanks for posting this.

Glad you enjoyed it, even with all the troubles many of us still have fond memories of Aden and the Radfan, I left on the last day 10 hours before the Last Marine departed. Thanks again for your Comment, best wishes for the coming New Year

John, many thanks for sharing this look back in Aden. I was there at Khormaksar (MRT Wing - Beverleys) from 1965 - 1967. Initially I lived in the Sgts. Mess in a Seco hut by the Air Traffic Control Tower. Later moved to Ma'alla Main Road, living in Indonesia House (7th Floor.) My oldest son was born there April 1966. Not all memories are happy but we did have good times there too (Italian club for swimming) It is better to remember the good and character building times we had there. It is indeed tragic to see the place destroyed by bombing from Saudi Arabia and indeed tragic to see the turmoil and distress in many countries of the Middle East. I am now nearly 79 and if I could have one wish granted it would be for all wars everywhere to stop completely, and for as much effort put into peaceful co-existence, as has been put into creating and waging wars. Hope all is well with you and thanks again for this posting. Let us hope Aden will soon be fully restored to peace and be rebuilt. The many have again suffered for the few.

I served in the British army in Aden 1960-61 stationed at Waterloo lines next to Khormaksar...some fine memories here.

Thanks for giving us back those lovely memories of Aden

Thank you Amira, it has been a pleasure to be in contact with you, I agree with you everyone should be at peace with each other, but too many people have greed as a companion and politics are not conducted by people such as you and I, anyway I hope the future gives much happiness to you and your Family

I was in Khormaksar in 61-62. Best time of my service career. I loved it. We had a great model aircraft club and I am still in touch with one or two members. I have pictures of being on top of Shamsan and also the old control tower on the abandoned airfield at Sheik Othman

Sitting with a little tear in my eye and a glass of wine in my hand. Thanks John, how could we forget. Ross Bennett MOT section at Khormaksar 1965-1967. God bless.

what a great video - my grandather was stationed at RAF Khormaksar from 65 -67. He and the family (my father and uncle) left on the second to last plane with RAF families back to the UK - Dad always looks back on his days in Aden fondly...

i have many words to say to you, but words could not express what the heart feels sometimes. My greetings to you,family and kids if u have plus your friends who worked in South Yemen. Please tell and inform them the people of Aden and Hadramout right now are crying and tears much of the lost loved time during British there. Salaaaaaaaaam

thank you for your comments, it is nice to know that it has brought (hopefully) good memories for someone, Aden tends to be forgotten when it comes to military UK service. Best wishes John Beard

My Dad was at Komraksar a year or so earlier. In fact he began his tour there shortly after I was born in June 1965. He died last year, so it was quite moving for me to look at those pictures and think that he was once there. So thanks you for posting this.

Thank you, I did look recently at the flights from the UK to Aden and they are very expensive and only fly via Sana which increases the flight time to over 15 hours, but thank you for your invitation, the only sorrow I have for South Yemen is that the Independance the people got when we left did not turn out to be as good as they deserved but things seem to be getting better I wish only the best for them all. Best Wishes John

Many thanks for your wishes. We all wish the best for every country on earth and to live in harmony and peace with each other as human beings regardless to any identity.Its my pleasure to know someone from the past when South Yemen, Aden, was a colony to the British Empire. Good to know you John. Amira

My second 'thank you' for these photo's which bring back such memories. I met my sister who was one of those on the £10 trip to Australia. She's still in Oz. I also remember a great bloke who used to come around the billets selling fruit and nuts. He lived locally but also had a fruit and veg stall in Cardiff. I was there when the Northumberland Fusiliers had a very bad time and the 'Mad Mitch' came in. I do hope that Yemen once again becomes peaceful. Too many lives have been lost.

Thanks for posting these great pictures. I went to school at RAF Khormaksar in 1965, my father was in the RAPC. These bring back great memories.

My memory. I was born in Aden in 1960....I remember this. Lovely video.

I am just studying the British exit from Aden and all the associated NLF and FLOSY stuff. Thanks for a fantastic upload.

I'm from Aden and Radfan feel pain for Britain to leave the Garden of Eden all the people of the south feel remorse because of the absence of Britain I was a kid we were ambulatory by the British military plane from the villages Alhabaylin Pearls of Aden will not forget excellent work never

He certainly is a Happy little boy, I have not been back to Aden since I left in November 1967, though I do take an interest in how it is changing, take a look at my other Video called "Habilayn" this shows the interior Radfan area where the weather was a lot less humid. it is interesting also to see Aden via Microsoft Earth have tried it????? Best wishes an good health John

I understand your home sickness we all love the place we were born, it is a shame that Aden was destroyed by the power crazy and politians, seeing your grandchild being so happy (I looked at your site) must give you hope that the future of Yemen (North & South) will be peace for all.

Was great video thanks John

Thanks for the memories. Dad was F/S electrical, we lived at Khormaksar 65-67 in a big house with shutters to keep the sand out and a tree outside, pop the search compound. If only I could see how it looks now, it was home.

Thank you for sharing this. My mum always talks about South arabia and Aden. Its really sad how Aden changed from good to worse. Lots of people left the country in 1967 after the British left the coutnry. We were also one of the families that left the country.

Beautiful...thanks for you and Great Britain has made all these beauty...We hope it come back again...Aden was the Arab diamond the Arabic peninsula

Hey Folks, I remember Khormaksar and the prestine beach there. It was awsome to drive to Khormaksar and watch the flights land at the airport from overhead. I also remember jumping and prancing all over the airport just before we boarded a 707 Air India flight to Mumbai. I was 5 years old then. The beach itself used to have tortoises an I remember sitting on one (for God's sake!). My God Uncle Bahdur Daruwalla was responsible. I remember a long drive thru the mountains via Mall'la. Cheers!

we were stationed in tent city, Radfan Camp, B Coy 1st Btn Royal Irish Fusiliers , spent xmas 67 there, we were on our way to UK from Swaziland on HMS Fearless, were our company was shown a video , then we were told we were to disembark via landing craft to Aden, First thing which hit us was the oven like heat, I still remember Grenade Corner. Nice to know some are still about, enjoyed your video.

Oh dear John. You left Aden when u were around twenties and u still remember the weather and everything. It should have been great sorrow for you, i felt that from the two videos u uploaded. Yes i saw habilayn video. I live in Sana'a now but i go regularly to Aden. Its my pleasure to invite you to Aden to see how it changed and i would be your guide if you want to. Best regards.

I too served in Aden at this time; so sad to see the way it is now. Thank you for the memory

Thank you for your comments, many of us who served in Aden and the other area's of the then South Arabia only wish that you all get the peaceful nation that we thought we were leaving you. I hope the future for South Yemen is prosperous and peaceful.

Thanks for your reply. I also believe that future would always be better. It was just that your video took me back and i felt home sick cause i dont live in Aden anymore.

A very evocative video. It brought back many memories. I was on 105 Sqn Argosies from 1966 to the final close down of Khormaksar. The rains came on April Fools day 1967 and the barren rocks of Shamsan bloomed with all sorts of flowers. The Brit sunk in the mud brought in the Judge Advocate general's staff for the Court martial of a mate of mine. It was all a bit sketchy away from the Fire Section but the sights, sounds and smells of Aden all came back again. thankyou.

Mike Annesley. Flt Eng 105 Sqdn A lovely video but there is one glaring omission. There is not one shot of a 105 Sqdn Argosy. Why not? All I could see was part of an Argosy tailplane behind a hanger. My log book shows that I was on a flight from Khormaksar to Muharraq on 21st November 1967 and I witnessed the accident involving Britannia 638 (I was pre-flighting an Argosy on the flight line at the time), so the Argosy was certainly present during the period that the video was shot. Since 105 Sqdn did so much during 1966 -67, I am puzzled by this omission.

Thank you I am glad my pictures help bring back some memories (hopefully all good ones).

Glad you liked the Video, Heat was always the first introduction to Aden I arrived at midnight in a VC10 it was dark background and with the humidity I thought I had arrived in Hell , but up Country (Radfan) the weather was much better.

Surprise surprise - after app 50 or more years later saw the footage of ADEN. CONGRATULATIONS. it looks like u might have lived in khormaksar RAF BASE. I WAS IN CRATER. GOOD TO KNOW SOME ONE STILL REMEMVER. MANY THANKS

Thank you I am glad it is of some help

the music is very soothing ..goes well with the video .

My late father was Station Warrant Officer at Khormaksar back in 62-63. I was a toddler then, but still remember the day we left. We were in the back of a L/Rover ( I think it was). There was a local boy who used to look after me. I remember him chasing after us crying because he didn't want our family to leave. My dad was great friends 2 local people - one called Alwyn and the other Mo. One was a manager of some kind at Steamer point and the other was a Police Inspector.

Some posts from ex MRT wallahs, of which I was one, '65-'67. As an engine mech at the time, had a 'Good Show' seeing in a Beverley, reporting a clunking engine. Flew up country to Habilayn and Ataq on days off out of interest. There was a local at Habilayn who hung around the camp who had manacles on his wrists and ankles, had a photo once but long lost during moves. Had some great times at Khormaksar and still have a tie that six of us designed, green with a dow surrounded by our initials and the drink we prefered, me being PHA(mstel) another was Colin Black Carlsberg (CBC), Mick Legg, Colin Chapman, Mike ? & Dave Harland who ran the AFBA bar. Not so sure I fully appreciated the time when I was there but sure appreciate the memories now.

Mr John thanks a lot for these clips about Aden. I am from the south of Yemen, a place called Hadramout, in Mukalla town. I think you know this town. I just want to say that I appreciate your hard work to upload these clips and I would like to ask you if u have any clips about Aden or Mukalla- in Hadramout please with my thanks to you please upload here. My father is still remembered the gold age of Aden during the role of British government (he is dead now) when departed Aden.

Wow ... looks like you had a great memories in Aden back there. wishing you and us for peace again in South Arabia ... You're very welcome to visit us again soon after all this mess end.

I too remember an Arab seller who had relatives in Cardiff (we had a long conversation as I am from the Cardiff Area originally) even with all the losses I think most remember Aden and the Radfan with fondness and hope that one day soon they will have peace there

Thank you for your comment your are quite right we long for the past because of some of the happiness that lays there, but hopefully the future will bring peace and happiness to everyone

Hi, John, a really good set of photos, I was on MRT and 84 Sqn for this period, and left Sept 67, thanks for putting them there, are you going to upload any onto Forces reunited? Tony H

Thank you for your comment, I avoided publishing any of the conflict that took place at the time, although there is sadness over the lives that were lost, many of us have fond memories of our time in Aden and the up country of South Arabia. One day I hope the people of South Yemen will get the Peace and independence a we thought we were leaving them when we all left

I was on 8 squad Venoms in1958 second line services. Later I was posted to RAF Masirah. I enjoyed it all.

Aden, South Arabia forever!

@johnftbeard thanks for seeing my site. This is my grandson from my daughter. He lives in Aden and thats why i feel home sickness all the time. Did u visit Aden lately? It had been changed a loooooooooot but only after 1994.

Very moving slides. One day I hope to share mine on here of Aden in 1964 - 1965

I was one of the last Royal Marines to leave with my CO of 42 Commando RM...

Yes you are correct about the date, the night of the storm I was Duty Fireman at Kormaksar and was Ordered to take my Bedford pump to Little Aden to Pump out the Cable and Wireless complex what a "nightmare" drive but that's another story, looked at your video of the Lido at steamer it brought back some fond memories. Thanks

I agree not such a bad posting when you sit back and think about the times we had, I was lucky to get a detachment up country (hence the Habilayn video) most memorable memory "watching the Beatles film HELP during a disident attack and nobody moved until a seargent major got angry". do get round to publishing you films/pictures as it will bring out memories for others and of course it is all a part of history

@tonyhannam Tony, I believe that you and I were in the same billet. Robby Robinson was there too. I went back to the UK to get married in July '67. You were one of the good blokes. Taff (Clive)

I was posted there for the last 2 years. 👍😎

Thank you glad you enjoyed it

Thank you for your comment it is nice to know that the video has give a memory boost to others such as yourself and brought back some good feelings

Thanks for your comments, it is nice to know they help to bring back some good memories

مؤسف للغاية مقادرتكم من عدن الحبيبة يقول الله تعالى ما جزاء الإحسان إلا الإحسان

I have published 2 other videos of operations upcountry which include 84 sqn Beverleys I am pleased to say that I was not at Habilayn when one of the Bevs was disabled by a mine planted on the runway (it was the Firemans duty daily to inspect the oiled runway in our armour proofed fire truck). the other 2 video can be viewed by search for RAF HABILAYN, I will put some onto Forces reunited shortly Thanks for your comments Best wishes for 2011 John Beard

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@1975doreen Thank you for your comments, I hope your dad is getting better, I also remember the heat , arriving at midnight in july 66 on a VC10 the door opened and the humidity hit us and I thought I had arrive in hell. best wishes

More more more!!!!!

Thank u very much I am from khormaksar There is still some old thing from that time. My family lives in House. It was build in that time. My father worked in the royal military. Noe I am looking for someone who can supply me about life at that time ( photo, films, talking... Thx Ali

@figomark You don,t really need us back, It is sad that South Arabia did not obtain the independence the people deserved back in 1967 , now with the ordinary people working together MAYBE they will get the peace and prosperity they deserve. BEST WISHES for the future.

Ahhhhhh in the great land of aden

Thank you very much, Mr. John Baird and thanks go to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain. We are sorry We have destroyed What made us.

the RAF camp looks very nice .it wasn't so good the other side of the road in radfan camp.all i remember is the heat.

Thanks for loading such video, after a very long time. The question in my mind still awaiting reply. why the British government left the country(South Yemen ) without handling it to responsible persons.

on 30th November 1967 many of us left Aden hoping that its people would have peace and Independence, I certainly hope that the future brings peace to the people of South Yemen (South Arabia), many of us have fond memories of Aden (even with the sad loss of life at that time ). One day peace will come

السلام عليكم واضح اني لا اعرف اللغة الانجليزية ولاكن يبدوا لي بانة يتكلم عن عدن في الزمن البعيد يمكن عندما كنت في السادسة من عمري لاني من مواليد ١٩٥٦ واني اشكرة بس لانة يحب عدن ودة يكفيني

10 hours after me☺️

Thank you for your comment, I hope the peace that you all need and deserve comes soon

Hello to all the Veterans who served in Aden 1966/67 with the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.Maybe anyone can help me to find Dennis McCormick . In 1966? he was serving in Lemgo/Stornoway Barracks.The Regiment left Lemgo 1966 to go back to England/Kirton Lindsay. Dennis must be about 71 years old now,it would be great to hear from him. I still have the photo of him,he has sent me from Aden. My name is Marion ,I'm living in Lemgo. Sorry my English ist not the best. Thanks for helping me

شكرااا"

A great compilation. Thank you. I was there and am I correct in thinking that the photo's showing the effects of the downpour were taken 1st April 1967? That was, I believe, the day that the U.N. visited. On another note, the air in Aden stank and the water tasted absolutely foul. Horrid time, great companions, so pleased to get back to Gatwick airport and smell the aroma from the freshly cut grass. Pity that Customs and Excise made me pay for importing a bog standard radio though.

I was on that last aircraft

apologies re xmas 67 , should be xmas 1966 , left feb 1967 , "I Think", remember getting home, Landing at Belfast International Airport, It was Freezing, Got taxi straight to Belfast City centre to buy an overcoat in Burtons.

The tour was final for me too 1983

Why we always cry for the old days. I think the end is coming soon cause we feel homesick for the past years or maybe its just me.

I never got up country to Radfan John, But I could never stand the stench of Sheik Othman , made me puke , I was mostly on Check Point Braveo I remember one night Mortar fire was incoming , My Platoon Commander was asleep ,(name witheld), I shouted Stand To, Poor chap didn't know what was happening , but we all survived , a few had minor wounds, nothing serious though. Nice to know there are a few of us left., Long life to you John, and to any one else who survived that hell hole.

i add u here to see if u have any clips next time.

❤. O K. YES. ❤

Its distressing to see the way your country has ended up the way it has currently, today an attack at the Airport (Khormacksar as we knew it) killing many innocent people really beggars the Question why. They have no love for Aden, what do they want. Yemen in my opinion is better defined as 2 countries North and South. Many people such as myself only wish peace for you all. My Best wishes to you for 2021

Hi gohn

Sorry but impossible to put every aircraft that used Khormaksar the Argosy Sqn left Aden for good in August 67 (according to RAF sources) though I don’t remember seeing any Argosy during my time on the Crash line April 67 to 29th November 67 prior to that I was up country

Hi, i'm from aden. And i want go to british can you help me

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Worst thing that happened to South Arabia is changing its name to South Yemen then uniting with Yemen in 1990

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Hello, may I talk to you about a very important issue?

Damn the northerners. They lied to our ancestors that Britain is unjust. We have not found anything more wonderful than Britain. Please return. Aden needs you for the sake of Elizabeth. 😢