Cyprus 98-00 sunshine posting

By
Andy Tommo Thomas- 2 Royal Anglian ESBA Cyprus 1998

My unit 2 R Anglian was on for a sunshine posting in Cyprus Dhekila Alexander barracks. We left from the UK in February 1998, this tour was a 2 year posting. I had served in Bosnia and Northern Ireland, and undertook pre tour training. But, we done some training before cyprus which I found odd and pointless??

It was bizzare to me, as the UN kept the peace on the line between Turks and Greeks. Our unit the Poachers, were also on hand to help in the Eastern Sovereign Base Area. At the time Saddam Hussein was still considered a threat, and the rumour was he could launch missiles capable of hitting bases in Cyprus? Upon arrival, our company was immediately on Ops as I remember. Meaning we where confined to garrison area. The garrison of Dhekila was small and bleak even though we where in the hottest part of the mediterrenean.

From memory, each company rotated round on ops/ exercises/ low level and adventure training packages. As we where not part of the United Nations, even though we guarded key installations and patrolled close to the disputed border we did not qualify for the United Nations Medal! Many of us felt a little hard done by, as the UN what i saw, done a damn sight less than us.

The Green Jackets had not helped British forces reputation, as few years before they killed a Danish tour guide. When off duty we did go into Larnarca and Limassol and try to enjoy our time off. For some this went too far as Ayia Napa was out of bounds for UK service personnel. Plain clothed Military Police would patrol the bars and clubs waiting to catch out a British squaddie. This did happen to 2 of my mates who got a spell in the Colchester glass house for their pleasures!

I recall, I also had an enjoyable night out in Larnarca. Having split up somehow from a few mates I decided to look for a lady of the night. I got a room in an old hotel and was already drunk. The next thing I remember it was 0755, and I had missed the curfew time imposed on us when we first came onto the island. Two more days passed, and I thought I was in the clear until my platoon commander confiscated my ID card for 28 days. 28 days confined to camp, it was worse than prison. I did still manage on a few occasions to scale the perimeter fence and even get into a mates car in the boot.

We exercised all over the island, and patrolled most of the Greek controlled territory. The terrain was harsh and the heat was into the 40's celsuis. One of the hardest exercises was down on the western side of the island, we tabbed and tabbed for hours on end. With all our kit, rations and whatever else it was tough going. Happy Valley at the end was welcome relief.

I did not complete the 2 year posting in Cyprus I left in March 1999. This I deeply regret to this day. In hindsight I should have seen the posting through and see how life was after Cyprus, but alas it was never too be. C company and my platoon 8 platoon, really bonded and connected in Cyprus. We won both company and battalion match and shoot competitions, our Platoon seargent whipped us into shape and made us better soldiers and people in my opinon. I will never forget other places, but Cyprus was a beautiful place, and I was lucky enough to go back and revisit last year. Nice place too be when you are not tabbing for hours!

Poachers March and Shoot Competition winners

Andy Tommo Thomas- 2 Royal Anglian ESBA Cyprus 1998

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