- Contributed byÌý
- ritsonvaljos
- People in story:Ìý
- Patrick O'Brien 'Pat'
- Location of story:Ìý
- Cairo (Egypt)
- Background to story:Ìý
- Army
- Article ID:Ìý
- A8996845
- Contributed on:Ìý
- 30 January 2006
Pat O'Brien (left) at Esbeya Gardens, Cairo, August 1942 while on a few days welcome leave. Pat remembers the fellow 3rd left was the cook, the fourth left was called Aubrey, but cannot remember the names of the other two. [Photograph from collection of Pat O'Brien]
Introduction
This article has been submitted on behalf of Pat O’Brien from Whitehaven, Cumbria (previously Cumberland). Pat saw action in many parts of the world, while serving with different Battalions of the Border Regiment, the ‘Sherwood Foresters’ and, immediately after the war, in the 14th/20th King’s Royal Hussars.
Pat, his family, and the author have read and understood the terms of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ «People’s War» website.
A welcome break in Cairo
In August 1942, about the time General Montgomery took command as Commander-in-Chief of the Middle East Forces, Pat had already been serving in North Africa for some time. Pat and his pals were then given a welcome break away from all the hard fighting in Cairo.
For a very short time, they were able to take in the sights: climbing the Pyramids, visiting the Nile and other places of interest. Among the photographs in Pat‘s collection from this period is one of him with his pals at Esbeya Gardens in Cairo.
Conclusion
Pat has rarely talked to his family about many of his wartime experiences. However, the brief visit to Cairo is one of the happier memories of some time spent with the pals with whom he shared so many hardships. Although the date and location are written on the back of the photograph, unfortunately the names of the others have not been written down.
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