´óÏó´«Ã½

This story has been submitted to the People’s War website by Anne Wareing of the Lancashire Home Guard on behalf of Jack Davies and has been added to the website with his permission….

RAF JUI FREETOWN SIERRA LEONE

This was the name of the camp to which we were transported by road from the troopship, about 15 miles. When we arrived at the native village of Jui we left the road we had been traveling on and turned down a single lane earth surfaced road bordered by trees on each side, this would be about four to five hundred yards long.
Finally we reached the main gate the only entrance onto the camp, dismounted from our transport and took stock of our surroundings. First impressions were not that good, we were told that Jui had seen previous use as a staging point for Imperial Airways flying boats pre war, on their journey to South Africa. What changes had been made since those early days it was difficult to see, hardly worth getting off the plane.

A large area had been cleared of trees and bush and on this site had been erected a row of large Nissan type huts that were the living quarters for other ranks, each hut containing about 20 metal beds, a small metal locker and most important a mosquito net. A wash house to each hut containing a communal shower area, a row of taps, no hot water and finally 6 toilets, the least said about the better! Very few windows in the buildings, just a small window frame containing fine wire mesh. Outside around each hut was an open concrete drain it’s purpose we would find out later. A screened porch containing two doors was situated at each end of the hut to help keep the flying visitors out. A short distance away was two larger buildings, one was the cookhouse and NAAFI, the other one was where the entertainment on the camp took place.

When we arrived on the camp there were members of another squadron occupying the huts, they were going to move further down the coast to Nigeria, until then we occupied tents erected on the camp. The meals in the cookhouse were quite adequate. Every morning a large soup plate was placed on each table containing large yellow tablets, these were Mepachrine anti-malarial tablets and it was compulsory to take two each day. As I found out it did not stop you catching the illness, but it reduced its severity.

At last we were moved into the huts and able to unpack our belongings and make ourselves at home. The temperature outside during the day averaged 85 degrees farenheight, so precautions were taken, as reporting sick with sunburn was not welcome.

The other large building was the Astrodome in which we watched films, plays and variety shows. The films had to have the reels changed round half way through, gave one a chance to stretch, as there were no backs to the seats. I remember some of those film stars, Abbot and Costello, Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, Betty Grable, every film a classic. The plays and variety shows were all performed by members of the squadron, all ranks, two of the plays I still have the programmes for after 60 years were Rope by Patrick Hamilton and Lifeline by Norman Armstrong.

Operational duties were now in full swing and we had plenty of maintenance to keep us busy. A big percentage of this was carried out whilst the planes were at their moorings which meant a boat trip of about half a mile. It was important to double check that you had all you required to carry out the job. Plimsolls and socks were the day time footwear, also when working on the aircraft, saved taking a dip if you slipped off the main plane. It was very hot as usual, the heat could be felt through the soles of your footwear and doing a job inside was like being in a hot oven. It was very tantalizing to be surrounded by all that glistening water and not take a dip, not advisable.

When a major job was required on a plane it had to be towed back to land, where on the camp side of the creek there was an area of concrets upon which stood two metal hangars large enough to hold one plane in each. To get the flying boat onto land involved the fitting of an undercarriage, this meant floating wheels out to the plane, attaching them and with the aid of a winch hauling it onto the land. Fastening on the wheels, ground crew had to get in the water and a member of the armoury was always about with a rifle because of the crocs that were often seen in the vicinity.

Two separate day trips I remember helped to relieve the monotony. A group of us were taken by launch to a small island situated in the estuary of the harbour and in a clearing not far from the water’s edge was the remains of a small fort like building. On the floor in a line were the barrels of six old cannon and nearby two grave headstones, very weatherbeaten. I could just decipher on one the title Capt. Joseph…and on the other died December…1795. Whether these were relics of when the slave trade was carried out along this coast no clues, but the area around was not overgrown, so someone must have kept it tidy. I think it was called Peel Island.

The second trip was by launch again, this time into Freetown Harbour where we boarded a corvette HMS Columbine. We were welcomed on board and straightway proceeded to sail out to sea until we were out of sight of land, then gunnery practice commenced, very exciting and noisy. The target was being towed by another ship, just visible with the naked eye. I don’t know what the score was but I admired how the Navy carried out its duties. After a splendid meal on board we sailed back to Freetown, how refreshing it had been out at sea, compared to the stifling heat on shore.

By now we were into the time of year, April to November that was called the rainy season, the reason for the large drains mentioned earlier became apparent the first storm that hit the camp. Hard to describe the volume of rain, colossal thunder that deafened and lightning that crashed down into the forest surrounding the camp. I believe the annual rainfall for the area is 150 inches. Doors to the huts to be kept closed during storms as creatures like tarantulas and scorpions would try and find a dry spot. Then after the storm the sun would appear turning the area in to a sauna, lovely forecast for the next six months.

Keeping as fit as possible and enjoying the entertainment provided, helped to overcome the day to day monotony of the job and soon we found ourselves at the beginning of a new year, my pals joined in celebrating my 21st birthday at the end of the year. Jim Campbell, Graham Gardner, Joe Dimmock, Ginger Hardy and Ron Field, all in 490 Squadron, I hope they have been as fortunate as I. And so as August 1944 arrived we all went aboard the troopship Highland Monarch for a three week trip to Liverpool and as those hot, smelly, tree clad hills disappeared, I said a welcome goodbye to Africa.

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.