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!

This was the children's Christmas party - my sister on the left, me in the middle; can't remember the name of the girl on the right.  We are standing outside the saloon, just before Father Christmas arrived - I was 4½ years old, and got given a brush and broom set - imagine giving that sort of thing to a little girl now - politically incorrect!

This was another party day - all the children in fancy dress, must have been after Christmas morning, as we all have our new toys - the band of 2 KAR are marching round the deck, with the children behind.

My sister and I are lined up ready for the march - we are fairies, the tinsel metallic in those days, very scratchy!

This is a shot looking down the deck at the front of the march. 

My mother is sitting on the bench outside the window, with other wives and children from the Battalion.

Here we are, in the saloon, photo taken through the window from the deck outside.

This is a family group, my sister, my parents and me.  My father was, I believe, a Staff Sergeant at this time.  I am the little one on the left, both of us girls clutching the dolls we had been given for Christmas.

"Neptune visits" - the dreaded crossing the line!  My sister and I missed it when we locked ourselves in the cabin - must have experienced it on the Devonshire, but don't remember that - however, I also crossed the line on the Capetown Castle when we left Africa - a much more tame affair, only those who wanted to took part, to be tipped backwards into the swimming pool from the barber's chair, smothered in shaving foam, and having to kiss King and Queen Neptune!

"Ships' Run" - a sort of competition, involving spotting other ships.

"Morning Coffee" - a very relaxed lifestyle on board!

"Schoolie and Jimmy Dag" - relaxing on board.