A Fusilier Veteran returns to Aden - A personal story of Remembrance and Reconciliation

[@TheFusiliers-history]

This is not a normal story of time in service. It is about a veteran's return visit to Aden with everything that meant for him personally in relation to remembrance and reconciliation and how he came to terms with the events of 1967. It is an important story to remind us all of the need to consider our own mental wellbeing and health.

[@courtneyroy270]

That's my dad, great brave man like the rest of his men

[@TheFusiliers-history]

Courtney, we were extremely grateful that he was happy to speak with us and to be so open and honest.

[@courtneyroy270]

@TheFusiliers-history my pleasure, I know first hand the extreme trauma these soldiers face during and after, like the emergency services, but not to that extreme, they sacrifice there minds and body's to keep the country and world safe , to stop the evil that exists unfortunately. Thank god these heroes, and in my opinion saints are here to save us.

[@lewissmith3896]

@@courtneyroy270 Bless you.

[@RykerRider46]

You should be proud of him.

[@MrWadstw]

As ex RRF i served in the legacy of such giants ,,, respect to Aden vets and those left behind

[@TheFusiliers-history]

Thanks for this.

[@brynleyhall]

Thank you. This has reduced me to tears. I served in Aden from late March 67 until a couple of days before handover. I was 20. Throughout that time there were a lot of incidents, injuries and deaths. I was on a jebel, overlooking Silent Valley cemetery, providing a security overwatch, during the last Remembrance Day Service and as the marine bugler played ‘The Last Post’ all three of us there were unashamedly crying. Every year since then whenever I hear that played I am transported back to that time and place and the tears flow. I served for 25 years and experienced loss of friends and colleagues during that time.

[@maxwellfan55]

Thank you for posting this. It was brave of Brian to go back to Aden in 1996 to show respect to the soldiers left behind and to share his experiences on this video. My thumbs up to him! I am overwhelmed and relieved the party who made this trip appeared to have been well treated by the locals because I have often thought of making this trip back myself. It has to be remembered the military during the 1964-67 Aden insurgency were deployed entirely in peace-keeping roles between various opposing armed Arab political factions, not as British colonial aggressors. But throughout the mists of history, this fact has often become obscured. Aden is since known to be a dangerous place, despite the many good Adenese wanting to live their lives in peace. I lived in Aden between 1965 - 67, the son of a serviceman within the RAF Khormaksar airbase, opposite the search compound, in a good position to see and hear what was going on around me on an everyday basis. Aden being a pretty small, intensely hot place. I was also the victim of a bomb attack (happily survived) and recall the black day these killings took place at Crater and elsewhere. Much has been written about that, but this is not an essay, more of a personal reflection. All I want to convey is that among the many units deployed in Aden, to me the men of the RNF will always stand out. Not least because of the reassuring sight of the red and white hackles worn on their berets, together with the polished RNF brass shoulder badges on their tunics. This might seem a small thing, but when one is a long, long way from home in a highly precarious, terrorist environment, these things take on special meaning. I remember the RNF for their soldierly professionalism, their great humour and courtesy, and their camaraderie and toughness in carrying out a dangerous job where some, along with many other units, made the ultimate sacrifice. As a serving fight-sergeant (RAF), and part-Arabic speaker, one day my father was invited to a social evening at the RNF sergeants mess. On his return that evening, and on request from me, he brought back their regimental hat badge and feather hackle which never left my bedside locker. I still have it.

[@TheFusiliers-history]

Thank you for taking the time to share your own recollections from your time in Aden, particulalry your memories of the RNF and the Hackle. We are very pleased you still have it.

[@petersullivan2837]

I served in Aden with 45 Commando Royal Marines from November 1966 to November 1967. My brother was a bandsman in the Lancashire Fusiliers

[@jimmyjohnson7027]

I joined 1RRF in 1986, a number of Aden veterans were still serving.

[@roddixon368]

Did my time there as a RAF brat 1958-60 and blessed the day we left. Thanks for posting this, it was a very nasty little conflict where we lost too many good men, even in my time there.

[@davidcarrington5654]

Thanks for posting this. Really quite a moving story.

[@TheFusiliers-history]

Thank you. We were extremely grateful that Brian was happy to share his story.

[@philipnorris6542]

We will remember them.

[@freebornjohn2687]

So many experiences lost to history that need to be told.

[@TheFusiliers-history]

Yes. That's the purpose of Fusilier Stories and this KZbin site. We think it's important to collect our stories and tell them as best we can so that they are not forgotten. Thanks for your comment.

[@michaelord1092]

My Father in the royal engineers was in charge of the burial of the of the men in silent valley .

[@anthonycheaford1962]

Very moving, very poignant, and with the perfect title - Remembrance & Reconciliation. I was in Yemen on business in 1997, in the central city of Taiz and the nearby town of Al Qaidah that was first established as a military base in 1174 by Saladin's brother. I'm sorry to say Britain's malign meddling in Yemen is far from over, and it's still cost lives and scarring memories.

[@philipswain4122]

My dad served in the Royal Navy during the Aden campaign.

[@TheFusiliers-history]

Why not sit down with him and have a chat about his experiences. Collecting interviews for Fusilier Stories we have found that many veterans want to talk when the moment is right.

[@philipswain4122]

@@TheFusiliers-history unfortunately, he died in 2005. He served on the HMS Torquay and the HMS Ceylon. I have his record’s somewhere. One thing that sticks in my mind was when he went ashore in Aden, the locals would forever harass him and his shipmates. He got into a scrape once with a local taxi driver and I believe had to “touch out”. He always said there was an air of menace about the place

[@helentaylor1222]

Thank you for sharing this.

[@TC-qd1zw]

My ex wife had a Cousin shot in the back on the last day the Northumberland Fusiliers were there, one good sergeant lost. God bless Sgt Cuthbertson.

[@davidmarr7570]

My father was in Aden in the Army in 1967. I heard all the terrible details of the Massacre. A true brave man emerged and restored pride and authority.The British establishment of shiney arses hated him but there was none finer a Leader than Colin Campbell Mitchell Lt Colonel of the A.S.Highlanders. His career was finished effectively by his actions.The Jocks and Mitchell showed the Fish and Chip Regiments what "On having been a Soldier" meant.

[@Andrew-fs7xv]

The Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders restored order and saved the reputation of the whole Army

[@johnspillane2242]

Very Interesting Article. OAFAAF.

[@RykerRider46]

Sir, let me just say thank you for your service. And, I sincerely hope that you will be able to conquer your demons. You, and those who you served with are all brave men. 🫡

[@davidreid8075]

British soldier story.