Recollections of a Veteran: Memories from Cyprus in the 1980s 

I served in the US Navy, in 1974 the ship I was on was deployed to the med. We circled Cyprus during the events of 74. What we heard wasn't good. From one servicemen to another I appreciate your sharing your experiences, thank you.

I think I speak for everybody that watches your show, don't ever say to make a long story short, we all would like to hear your long stories! I enjoy them thoroughly!

I'll always remember a story my grandad told me about his time in Cyprus in the late 1950s as part of his national service. He said there was a convoy of 3 trucks passing through the villages, each with a gunman on top. He was told he would be the gun on the first truck but as it was, his friend who had just come back from a tour in Malaysia said he would jump up front, so my grandad ended up as the gun in the second truck. As tensions were so high with attacks all over the island, they were strictly told: if anyone approaches and raises their hands above shoulder height, shoot to kill. My grandad said passing through a village, a small boy, he said must have been 5 years old maximum, ran out of a house and towards the convoy. The first truck fired at the boy in the chest and as he fell back, a grenade rolled out of his hand and into the house, exploding. My grandad said had he been in that first first truck, he doesn't think he would have been able to shoot such a small child, just for seemingly running up to them. As I said, his friend had just come back from Malaysia and seen horrific atrocities, even finding one of their own Royal Signals who had been taken and burned alive. So he took no chances. So much pain and sadness for such a small and beautiful island. Thanks for all of your content, Kevin. Definitely one of my favourite channels. I do especially love your medieval content but I certainly do enjoy listening to your personal stories. You do a fantastic job of telling the stories of ordinary soldiers and people. History is a lived experience, more than just words in books. So thank you.

What a touching story about sharing food with the shepherd boy. Even in war there are positive moments

As I Turkish woman myself, I was born almost two decades later but my father was in the navy and I grew up listening both heartwarming and sad stories between Greeks and Turks in Cyprus. But yours will always have a special place in my heart as a British soldier’s point of view. Thank you ❤

Once again lovely curated stories that dont just bog you down with the grim details, but doesnt shy away from them either. And then the little moments of peace, hearing the response of 'let them play' and sharing a meal while watching some Geep. Thanks again Kevin!

There was a regular at the pub I used to work at, he was a tanker and served all over. I used to get bollocked by the landlady regularly for leaving customers waiting because I was hanging on his every word 😂 you remind me of him in your way of telling your history, please keep these coming Kevin, every serviceman deserves to tell their story ❤

I’m a Cypriot lost my older brother and few of my family during the massacre. I’m glad you did not go too deep into your stories. It’s a touching subject but wish we Cypriot’s can put the past behind us and unite together again as a whole.

I enjoyed it Kevin, as usuall !! i will keep this brief, back in the mid 70's i was 17, worked at a place in an engineering shop, we all had a real laugh, except one old guy, prob in in 40-50's ish, this guy was Jon, he never spoke, never had a laugh, never joined in, he was asked one day why he was such a misrable old sod, he turned away from us, took his white coat, then shirt off, to reveal bullet and whip lash scars and burns ALL over his back, and said, when you have this done to you, you keep quiet, Jon was polish, and had been abused by the Germans in WW2, this still upsets me now, in 2024

The dichotomy of war and peace. Lovely and then sorrowful stories. The human experience. And how the personal touch makes it hit so much more

I had great fun and felt the sadness in your stories. Thank you for talking about these experiences. I can imagine the scene of chaos unfolding before your eyes with the night time landings. Oh my golly!

My favourite RU-vidr!

I think its important you tell your stories. Imagine the history we'd have recorded if more people did.

I'm an aussie. My uncle was in Cyprus in the 80s with the UN peace keeping force. He was based in Nicosia. Keep up the good work Kevin. Love the videos.

Lovedd those stories. We were posted to Episkopi 1984 to 86 and absolutely loved it. I will go back one day.

I DID enjoy that! Especially the last one w/the shepherd boy. Made my eyes water - see how kind people can be! 💖💖

WE DEMAND MORE!!! My dad was in Vietnam and - to this day, he can't say where - his platoon had to cross a bridge to get back to friendly lines. Problem was, the bridge was fortified and had two machine gun emplacements on each side by the North Vietnamese. Then, his platoon noticed that there was a whole troop of "the bad guys" coming up behind them. So, he just dropped everything, started screaming, and started running across the bridge! The Vietnamese scattered, jumping into the river, the relief column dropped to the ground, and "our" boys made it across the bridge! War is hell, but if you have the sense of humor, there are fun stories in it.

Love the part with the kids playing war, something wholesome about that.

Skilled story-teller....what a guy !

As an contract employee working in Saudi Arabia in '87-'88 I took a weeks vacation and flew my wife to meet me in Cyprus. We stayed in Ayia Napa and having rented a car toured the country. It is a beautiful country and the people we met very open and friendly.

Your story about the shepherd boy, I would watch the village kids in Afghanistan herd sheep. One of the older villagers that worked on our outpost would be up at the crack of dawn hauling straw or wheat so far away he would fade into the horizon, just to come in hours later and dig up sand for us. It was a completely different world. When doing route clearance missions we would pass by huts made of stones and sticks, with villagers bathing and washing their car in the river. Later on in the deployment we were at the gate inspecting truck drivers’ paperwork, so I’ve had the experience of talking to many locals first hand with an interpreter. Beautiful country, shitty war.

Lovely video Kevin, thanks for sharing with us. I lived at Dhekelia Camp for a while whilst hubby was seconded there with SSVC early 90s, what a beautiful island.

We had friends, both active duty, stationed in Turkey when trouble erupted there. People don't understand the military lifestyle. How fortunate you had Mark for safety and warmth if needed. Thanks for serving. Look at the memories you'll have to share with your family, friends and hopefully us. May GOD bless

I enjoyed this very much. Thanks for doing this. My father, who recently passed away, went to Cyprus with the Queens Own in 1967 & with the Canadian Airborne in 1974.

I just love hearing your stories, it gives me a lot to think about. I thought the story with the little kids was very wholesome and cute in a strange way. Strange because they play war even though their lives were already stricken with it. The story of the boy with the flute was sweet, and you're right that it does sound like a story from the Bible. I'm glad you two were able to have a silent moment of peace together watching over the "gheep 😂". I will forever call them gheep now because I have run into the same conundrum as you did, and it's such a perfect, simple and comical solution.

Former royal marine here , always enjoyed staying in Dikalia or Aki. Great runs ashore and a beautiful spot in the Med

Kevin has the unique ability of making history experienceable! Great video!

Nice stories. My regiment did UN duties in cyprus before I joined them. Remember seeing the the photos of white painted ferrets and blue berets.

I remember news stories about the Civil War in Cyprus. It bothered me as much as the Troubles.

Absolutely loved it! I could listen to little anecdotal stories like this all day. Thanks for that. I would love to hear more of your stories from your time in Northern Ireland if it's not too uncomfortable. I wish I had asked my father more about his time here. Belfast born Royal engineer.

Thank you for sharing these two stories they're rather interesting stories like this should never go a miss I also have a photo of my nan's Grandad who was a Sharpshooter during the Great War I'm quite sure if he was alive still witty isn't what I'm quite sure if he was he would have many stories to tell❤

I love your channel sir. I've been cooped up for almost a year, and you channel has kept me sane. I'm disabled so money is very tight, but if I were rich, I'd hire you to tell me stories of the olde days. Thank you for all your hard work! Your life seems very interesting.

I'd love to hear more of your stories

Great video, thanks!

Love the personal stories!

Love your videos.

I love your personal stories. Keep em coming :)

Beautiful stories again! Keep it up!

Wow, another great video. Thank You .

Thanks again 😊

Thank you Kevin! Hope we see more stories in the future!

Powerful stuff!

The videos of you sharing your past experiences are always some of my favorites. Keep up the great work!

Kevin, I can listen to your stories anytime, and I could let you go on until your voice gives out. But of course, thats the time for a pint. God bless, Rob

Your stories are so interesting, especially the peaceful lunch you had in Cypress.

Great stories. Great video

👍thanks Kevin!

Lovely stories, Kevin. Please keep them coming.

As ever thanks for some fascinating stories Kevin. ☺

Looking forward to more of these

Thank you Sir.

Great story Kevin! As always CHEERS!

Great stories. Thanks.

Great video! THANKS for your service!

Amazing video, great story telling as always Kevin

Thank you for telling these stories

Touching stories Kev. Many thanks for sharing your life.

Thanks so much for sharing :)

Great stories, Kevin. Thank you.

That was fascinating Kevin and what an interesting life you have led. Thank you for sharing your memories 🙏

I served out in Cyprus 1973,74 and 75 in the RAF at RAF Episkopi, in my seventies now but still look through my Cyprus photo album occasionally with very fond memories of wonderful people on a wonderful island, shame the war came along in 74 and ruined the balance of the place.

I love your stories. Thank you for sharing.

Served Cyprus 1977-78 at Ledra Palace, Nicosia … managed to get out to Famagusta, a sad and dilapidated place that was clearly a jewel at one time … a 6 month tour and a lifetime of stories.

Your grounding is superb,and at times Kevin,intimadating.Salute.

Thank you I love your life stories

Really well told stories, absolutely riveting.

Fantastic.

I really enjoy this history...it means a lot...thank you.

Kevin, you can tell a story like no one else… Please keep them coming!

Mr Hicks That was amazing and sad. Thank you. Take care June

Thank you for sharing. Amazing stories and perspective. Many of us will never see or know of these things without someone such as yourself to share them. I never really understood what was going on in Cypress

Great stories, enjoyed them all.

I very much enjoyed your story about Cyprus. Thank You.

One of my work colleagues got caught up in the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 when he was on holiday there with his wife. They'd been there for about a week enjoying themselves until one day, while sunbathing on the beach, they noticed numerous boats on the sea coming towards them. They were Turkish landing craft full of troops and they were landing right in front of them. Needless to say their holiday was over with. They were repatriated a few days later and appeared in the news on TV. And to make this even stranger, another work colleague of mine, a Turkish engineer, was by coincidence visiting his parents in Turkey when the invasion began. Because he was a reserve officer of the Turkish armed forces he was nabbed, put in uniform and given his marching orders. I wish I could now tell you that he was in one of those landing craft and hat met the other work colleague sunbathing on the beach, but that would have been too much of a coincidence.

Loved this Kevin, more please sir :)

Hi Kevin, love all the various channel topics and this one in particular. Native of Belfast here and would love to hear more of your deployment in Northern Ireland. I believe a soldiers perspective of that conflict isnt explored enough, and I think your enthusiasm of discussing this topic as well as your deployments into occupied Germany would really apply well to that story. Keep up the videos and look forward to the next one

I love how you tell your stories it makes us actually like we are there with you know up the amazing work and keep the amazing stories coming God bless you

Very moving Kevin. My wife and I love NCyprus, have been many times. So sad the stories we hear keep up the excellent work

More stories please!! Every video you make is awesome! Thanks so much!

Beautiful stories. Thank you very much for sharing

Everytime I watch another one of your videos. I love you more and more hahaha ❤ thoughts and love from Alaska!!

Brilliant video

Lovely video, very interesting stories, Thank you.

Yes! Love Kevin's personal bobby and army stories!

A great selection of stories Kevin. Funny, sad, inspiring and hopeful. Thanks for sharing them.

Can’t tell you how much I enjoy these videos, and the recounting of events from your service to the crown in the British military. Thank you for all you do to keep this channel going.

Wow. Kevin this one truly tugged at my heart strings. Especially your last story. Just beautiful. Nobody tells these like you do. Thank you so much for sharing these. Gods speed

Great reminisce! I’ve never been to Cyprus, but I’ve known a couple people who have. All agree it’s a lovely place, if one can avoid the danger zones. I recall one chap who was Army Intelligence. He had a favorite cobbler in Limassol. He bought very durable chukka boots from him. When I knew him, every two years he sent to the man for another pair of boots, even though he was in the States at the time. I loved the story about the Royal Navy destroying the Army’s mole. That story could be made into a comedy for TV!Shop it to the BBC or ITV. The story about the shepherd boy and lunch was touching. Simply beautiful. Stay strong. Cheers!

Kevin, mate thankyou most sincerely for your absolutely fantastic content. Even though not present in this particular video my personal favourites are all videos with your marvellous models. Awesome stuff mate hope you and your family are keeping well.

Thanks ever so much for relating some tales from your stint in Cyprus, Kevin - both amusing and less so. I have to admit that I enjoyed them immensely and especially the last little very personal anecdote, which I found rather moving. Your expressive body language and smooth vocal delivery enables one to clearly visualise the scenarios; that's a cracking gift to possess. Top man!

This is hands down, one of my favorite channels. Great videos, great personality and always interesting content.

Wonderful stories sir. Well done.

Great story Kevin. Those are the kind of memories old soldiers cherish.

I don't know how I stumbled onto your channel, but I'm very glad I that I did. Thank you for sharing your stories!

Think I’ve said before Kevin, it’s great to hear your own experiences as well as the delves into the past, History is loads more interesting the way you put it across, long may you reign 🤘🏹

I could listen to you all day; being slightly scared but also intrigued by your presentation and those eyes... those eyes... ;)

Great content from a great channel once more

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="312">5:12</a> LOL! Oh man...I never regret cracking open a cold Ale when a video drops! Cheers! good video!

Great video Kevin, thank you, it brought back memories from when as a Canadian soldier with 1 RCR I spent my time over there. I was slightly behind you in tour dates, I went over in 1984 and came home in 85, still have many memories from this beautiful island, thanks again, cheers from Canada

A really good family friend of ours was there in the 50’s. He only ever spoke about it a couple of times, usually after a few beers. Like you Kev, he has some wonderful memories of the place…. And some pretty awful ones that stayed with him all his life. His experiences there influenced the way he lived the rest of his life. He was a good family man who lived his life well, but always wondering if it would make up for taking a life. At his recommendation we honeymooned there as he said we would never find a place with so generous and welcoming people. He was right. Thanks for your stories Kev & your service. Think I saw you a few times at Warwick back in the day. 😊