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INTRODUCTION

 For much of the time that I was there it was not easy to leave the camp because of the terrorist activities, and if you did go you had to be in groups and armed. Everyone had to undergo training on the firing range in the use of the Sten Gun, which was a small machine gun issued to anyone going off camp.

There are many web sites about the the activities of the Eoka terrorist (or freedom fighter, depending on your viewpoint) organisation. These are just two -  www.britains-smallwars.com/cyprus/war.html www.cyprus-conflict.net

Much of the work of JARIC was connected with the British campaign against EOKA, and we once spent a very busy period working round the clock to produce huge quantities of 'mug shots' of known terrorists. This was different  to our usual work, which was 'spy in the sky' stuff. At one point our numbers were reinforced by an influx of National Servicemen, who slept on the floor between our beds on tiny folding camp beds. They stayed in this discomfort for long enough to earn the General Service Medal, which was given to anyone serving four months in Cyprus at that time.

The activities of EOKA came to an end in early 1959, and at last we were free to roam further afield. It was easy to get around. Almost any passing vehicle would give servicemen a lift, even the locals. The Cypriots were, in general, so friendly that it was hard to believe that many of them had been in favour of the troubles of the past few years. Apart from anything else, the many thousands of servicemen on the island were a great source of income for them.

Limassol, being the closest town, was our usual destination. There was not much to do if you were not interested in frequenting the many bars, but it was pleasant to wander around and have a meal. We went to the cinema there once, which was a strange experience. The film was 'Calamity Jane', with Greek sub-titles. But, since there is also a sizable Turkish-speaking minority, there was a small screen to one side of the main screen showing Turkish sub-titles. And, rather like television today, the film stopped every few minutes for advertising and for the sale of food and drink.

Between Episkopi and Limassol were two archaeological sites, the Temple of Apollo and Curium, which we explored a number of times. There was never anyone around. Another time we decided to go to Stavrovouni Monastery, between Limassol and Nicosia. The idea was to hitch a lift as usual, but while we waited beside the road out of Limassol, thumbs poised, a bus full of locals stopped and the driver asked where we were going. He was going to Nicosia and offered us a ride free of charge. He dropped us near the monastery and told us what time he would be there on his return journey, something like six in the evening I think.

Stavrovouni Monastery is built into a rocky hill top. There was a winding road to the top, but we decided to go straight up the hillside. The monks were very welcoming. They gave us refreshments and showed us around, although I don't think we had a common language. Late in the afternoon we clambered down the hill again. It was was too late for us to catch the bus, but we did not anticipate any problems getting a lift. To our surprise the bus was waiting for us, and its occupants appeared not to mind that we had kept them waiting.

I remember a couple of bus trips that were organised  for JARIC. One was to Kyrenia, on the north coast of Cyprus. And we also went to Troodos, where I had spent a couple of holidays from Egypt a few years before.

St Hilarion Castle, near Kyrenia

Dick Chenery, Alan Birch,  Barry Porter in Troodos

JARIC (ME) 1958-1960 web site