Shackleton C1
December 18th. 1956 the cry went up..."..bring the troops home for Christmas..."
Off we went from Aldergrove to Nicosia with a tech. stop at Luqa. The next day loaded up with troops, 28 is the number in my memory.
The co-pilot was last to board after the outside check. The tricky bit was to
get from the rear door to the right hand seat. My feet only touched the floor twice while I was passed over the huddled masses.
We unloaded the troops at St. Mawgan on December 20th.
Forward to June 1958 we were again transporting troops, this time to Nicosia
from Abingdon. Do not remember the reason for this move except the Army
brought their band to play as the troops boarded the Shackletons !