Hi Cathy,
As a family we spoke about Aden a lot.I discovered this site after the deaths of both my parents and I find it very frustrating not to be able to ask them questions. My brothers and I are trying to convert a lot of slide pictures to dvd so hopefully we can send them to the site, but not knowing some of the names or occasions is maddening, so you are right wish I had asked more when I could
sally
Lookd forward to seeing them. I Anne and Pamela (Stewart) sent me some DVD's of their family/parents and Aden, and they are great.
One person I remember as a child on the DVD's was Steve Ryder at the Aden Club. It brought back memories of my mother chasing me out of the billiard room in case I tore the green cloth on the table (I wasn't supposed to be in there).
Sally, my dad is asking, what was your Dad's first name. He remebers 3 persons with the Young surname?
My parents, Les & Joan Shute, were also on the Canberra's maiden voyage.
And I vividly remember the billiard room at the club - where we used to secretly drink rum and coke and smoke the cocktail Sobranies that Steve's son Anthony used to smuggle in - how sophisticated we thought we were.
My father died a long time ago but my mother is still alive but unfortunately dementia has struck and her memory is very fragile.
Yes, my father was in Abadan all through the war (waiting to blow up the refinery if the Italians showed any sign of getting there!) - he went on leave, met my mother and they married on VE Day. Mum stayed behind when he returned to Abadan, to follow in May 46 when I was six weeks old! My brother John was born there and I think we finally left in 51/52 with the change in regime. All best wishes to your father.
Hi Cathy,
sorry not to have answered before, My dads name was Robert(bob) and your dad probably would know him as he was also in Abadan before going to Aden. My eldest brother Robert was born in Abadan. They too had to leave in a bit of a hurry and I understand it was a worrying time for all caught up in it.
I was born in Aden in november 54 and have great memories of a wonderfull childhood there.
I wonder does your father remember Arthur Higgenbottom(spelling) he is my Godfather and i have always wondered how/where/what
Did we go to school together?
sally
Yes,both mum and dad remember your parents very well.
Dad remembers visiting both Bob and Ina in Abadan.
He remembers your dad returning to the UK and did he open up a Laundrette in Drumchapel? Are you still in Scotland?
Also, they remember Arthur Higginbotham and think he was originally from Shrewsbury, and his son joined the Army.
Is your mum still around?
I'm afraid I don't remember you by name. Mum seems to think that your mum may have spent more time in the UK than some of the wives. She can't remember but did your family go to school in the UK and she perhaps only came out at holidays? Her memory is hazy on that, so apologies if it's not correct.