Dad was posted to RAF Episkopi (as it was then) in early 1972. He was the Principal Dental Officer at RAF Episkopi. We were in a hiring in Limassol for the first few months and then moved to a quarter in South Paramali, No 17 Gloucester Hill. Had a lovely view over the bay from the back garden. I was in my mid / late teens and had a great time there. We travelled all over the island before partition including Troodos, Kyrenia, Paphos etc. Lots of us dependants would get together for kebab nights in Limassol, great fun! Good fun was also had on the beaches including taking part in the Happy Valley to Tunnel Beach swim in 1972 & 1973. I still have the certificates signed by the Station Commander - Group Captain KCD Nixon.
I remember the 1974 crisis well. We could hear sounds of battles in the distance and there were great clouds of smoke from parts of the forest set on fire at one point. I saw a National Guard convoy drive along the main road through RAF Episkopi. We had two families evacuated to us, Corporal Shaw from the Royal Scots and Sergeant Watson from the RAF. The house was suddenly packed with loads of kids and mum cooking up lots of meals from the compo rations with help from the other wives. The same families returned to us for the second evacuation and were then repatriated after a few days. I also helped out cleaning and washing up etc in one of the messes at Episkopi which was serving thousands of meals to trapped tourists and refugees. It was hot work but great to be able help out.
I finally returned to the UK early September 1974 as had to go to college and Dad was posted back to the UK early 1975. I?ve been back for holidays several times since (last time mid 2000?s). The tourist areas are now much more developed but on driving through Episkopi and past Happy Valley, it all looks very much the same! I really enjoyed my time there and it would be great to hear from anyone I knew there then. It?s a long time ago now, but some names I remember are Brian Dawson, Nigel & Ian Taplin, and Kevin Mcdonell .
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