This was not in Lahej. This was in Zinjibar in Abyan im 20th January 1963. I noticed it from the second flag for Al Fadhli Sultanate.
Thanks for these Historical pictures.

Reference Post No 840 which refers to Post No749

Thank you abyanboard for pointing out the error. My memory has failed me over the passage of 57 years. I think that you are correct. I have amended Post No749 to show your input.

How did you ascertain the exact date of the ceremony?

I am from Abyan. The event was the Inauguration of the Fadhli sultan which happened in 20th January 1963.

There is newsreel in pathe site from routers about it. I could not post the link. It says:

Short Summary

ZINGIBAR, FADHLI STATE, SOUTH ARABIAN FEDERATION: JANUARY 20 -CHANTING TRIBESMEN, BOOMING GUNS AND HUNDREDS OF GUESTS WERE PART OF THE COLOURFUL CEREMONY HERE TODAY WHEN AHMED BIN ABDULLA AL FADHLI WAS ACCLAIMED SULTAN OF FADHLI STATE.

Thanks again.

More wonderful pictures Deano, those of us there in 1951 remember them as The Tanks of Sheba. So popular and safe that family parties would visit them.

Question, on some shots the land rovers have a spaced plate over the bonnet that curves up near where the screen was.

All I can think is that it was to prevent overheating? and improved cooling while working as a sort of dust deflector for the crew?