Ken Nicholson Border Regiment 1952-54

Hello, my name is Ken Nicholson. I was brought up in Maryport Cumbria. In 1952 I was called up to do my National service with 1st Battalion Border Regiment which is a Cumbrian Regiment. When, my training at Carlisle Castle was finished. I was posted to the regiment in the Suez Canal Zone, Egypt from 1952-4. While in Egypt I was in a small detachment sent to Cyprus, because of the Greek earthquake in 1953. We had gone to guard the Governor’s summer residence in case of any problems. After a few weeks our detachment returned to active service in Egypt. We hadn’t been back long when all of (A) Company which I belonged to was sent back to Cyprus on earthquake relief. This was a complete godsend from the active service regime in Egypt. While stationed in Cyprus we were liberally plied with food and drink by the very friendly Greeks and Turks and we even got a bit of R and R in Nicosia. This went on for a few weeks until things were tightened up, because of the impending threat of Eoka terrorist activity. When (A) Company was eventually sent back to Egypt, it was back to doing guards in various places, manning roadblocks and frequently undertaking many long route marches and exercises in the hot sun. One of the most heartening memories I have ever been involved with, was on the approach to Falaise Camp. This camp looked like a real Beau Geste outpost. On the way back from a long route march with a load of other footsore and weary squaddies. We were straightened up, shouldered our arms and marched back into camp behind the Corps of Drums They had emerged from behind the sand dunes and they struck up our regiment tune “D’Ye ken John Peel. It certainly brought a spring into everyone’s step and a memory one can never forget. My national service came to an end when I was de-mobbed in1954 and I returned home to Cumbria.
Good luck and best wishes everyone
.Ken Nicholson, Maryport, Cumbria