“I still use (as a scarf) a green military shamak I acquired from the BATT guys. It’s 33yrs old at least! They would cut them off a huge roll. I get curious looks from Arabs in Swansea when I wear it. We were allowed to send home a large box before we came home. God, what was it called? A ‘something’ box. I filled mine mainly with King Edward Imperial cigars. The FST usually supplied the boxes. I still have the box in the attic & quite a few bits I sent home. A red & a black shamak, a framed plaque to commemorate the closing of RAF Salalah (I can photograph that for you), a 25lb brass shell case made into a cigar box with lid and a Seiko watch all the aircrew liked to buy. It was a chronograph & you had to shake it to wind it up. I still wear it when I have the strength as it is bloody heavy.  I gave my Mum some onyx stuff & silver filigree jewellery I watched being made in Salalah souk. I’ll hunt around & take photos. I must tell you about the stuff we’d find when we checked guys going home – but another time………..”

Steve

SN2