In December 1949, I, as a young man of 18, arrived in a different world – RAF Shaibah, 7 miles or so from Basra in Iraq, to do my (extended) two-year National Service. This book was compiled some twenty years ago, when the memories of the events were still very clear, it was, in the telling of the story, a most emotional roller coaster of a ride as I perused photos and the details on their reverse. I also had my RAF pay book, my enlistment grade card and several inoculation certificates, providing most of the dates used. I found it very absorbing and could not wait to start the next chapter.
