That was not Dave McCandless
Hi, Shack37, that person who married the daughter of the owner was a Flt Lt Berg, the Detachment Adjutant and much later than 1966 when J/T Dave McCandless who got married on 1 Oct 1966 to the daughter of one of the French ladies who worked in the 'Bureau de Defense' in Majunga (to whom all returns were sent by the detachment). Dave from 37 Sqn Khormaksar was one of the first on 3 Shacks to land on Malgash soil on 19 Mar 1966; he got engaged in Jul 66, was refused permission to marry - Gen App in those days - and was hurriedly shipped back to Aden to 'cool off' by his Sqn Cdr - a Sqn Ldr Blunden. His attempts to return to Majunga, via indulgence, were refused by HQ staff to stop him getting married and when all else failed he turned to his Flt Cdr - a 37 Sqn pilot of the old school - Flt Lt Nicholls - who was standing in for S/L Blunden (on leave) - who set up a training flight/crew rotation (or the like) to Majunga via 37 Sqn Shack so the poor chap could get to his wedding. Dave went there on duty because, since his forced return to Aden in July, 38 Sqn from Malta had taken over but were using the tools and kit left behind on Khormaksar Inventories, so Dave's official duty/purpose in Majunga was to do an official comprehensive Inventory Check of 37 Sqn Inventories. As he stepped off the 37 Shack, the 38 Sqn EngO - a FO Rowley - with a smile on his face, handed Dave an envelope saying "Inventory Check completed.... now go get married for goodness sake before anyone finds out!!". Dave had 2 days to get married - the Det Cdr Wg Cdr Burgh and his wife stood in for Dave's parents and the whole 38 Sqn detachment were invited to the champagne reception in 'Le Grand Hotel'; however, after only a 2 day honeymoon was ordered back bt HQ staff via Argosy to Khormaksar. There the HQ Staff, not willing to be out-manoeuvred by a pilot, refused to recognise Dave as a locally married airman and thereby refused to place him on the list for an AMQ. This meant his wife had to remain in Majunga for a year (probably a good thing considering the deterioration in the security for families in Aden culminating in Operation CallFam in June 67) till Aden collapsed and Dave escorted/supported the 4x 37 Sqn Shack withdrawal back to Shawbury via many points north, in Aug 67. Dave and Christiane are still married today and returned to Majunga a few years ago to sadly witness the dilapidated state of Majunga town and the lovely 'Village' beach after 2 typhoons had devastated it. The 'L'Hotel De France' and the Soucoupe Volante were in ruins too and, contrary to popular opinion Dave never went to Madame Chabeaus (not sure of the spelling). Hope you enjoy this update.