My father, who was in the REME, was attached to the 2nd (Nyasa) Battalion, King's African Rifles (2 KAR) from about 1952 to 1956.  They served in Malaya during the Emergency, and the families of the white members of the battalion came out from England to live in Penang while the battalion was based in Kuantan.  On leaving Malaya and returning to Africa in December 1954, the battalion and the families returned to Africa from Singapore to Beira via Aden on the Empire Halladale.  As children, we thought it was a fantastic experience, particularly having Christmas on board - we were very anxious about whether Father Christmas would find us on our ship in the middle of the Indian Ocean!  We had a smashing time - fancy dress parties (my sister and I were fairies - very pretty outfits, but the tinsel was really scratchy - not plastic in those days).  The band marched round the deck, playing, with us behind.  Lots of parties and activities for the grown ups, including Crossing the Line (my sister and I ran into our cabin and
locked the door, leaving my parents to the mercy of the sailors, who were rounding people up for the ceremony!)

Recently visiting my parents (who live abroad), I took photos of their photo album with my digital camera - from those, I have managed to separate out a few from our trip - showing life on board for the battalion families.

I believe the families came out to Malaya on the Devonshire - that trip was Liverpool to Singapore via the Suez Canal and Colombo (we were taken to the zoo) - that would have been some time in 1953.  When it had docked, last night on board my mother went to some "do", in the meantime my older sister decided to experiment as a hairdresser and cut off my long hair.  My mother was very upset, as we hadn't seen my father for several months, and she wanted to show him my lovely curls!