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UNEF - Introduction

Capodichino

Abu Sueir

El Arish / Marina

Rafah

Gaza City

Sharm El Sheik

GAZA STRIP - UNEF


RAFAH: INTRODUCTION


Rafah was a former British Army WW2 and post-WW2 base. It became headquarters for all Canadian UNEF Units (except RCAF) including:

  • Headquarters of Canadian Contingent CBUME (Canadian Base UN Middle East)
  • 56th Canadian Transportation Company
  • Engineers/RCEME/RCOC

Following Rafah photographs courtesy of National Defence Image Library, Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre (click on photos below to see larger image):


Photographs of the 56th Canadian Transportation Company camp at Rafah. Photographs courtesy of Gord Jenkins.


Rafah photos, circa 1967, courtesy of Garry Harding:

Photo courtesy of Garry Harding - Rafah Tennis court with Church in background - there were two identical with one RC and other Protestant Photo courtesy of Garry Harding - Rafah CBUME HQ Photo courtesy of Garry Harding - Rafah QM and Firehall with Camp Gate in distance 1967


RAFAH: REMINISCING


Please enjoy the following collection of photos and memories. Click on images for full size pictures. Please use your browser "Back" button to return to this page. If you have anything to add this page please email Gord Jenkins (click to email).


1957-59



Bob Fraser - served from November 2nd 1958 to November 1959 with UNEF 1 at Camp Rafah with 56 Canadian Transport Company RCASC. Bob enjoyed his time driving deuce and a half UNEF 937 on the most interesting trips across the Sinai to Sharm El Sheikh with troops and with supplies; and trips to Cairo,Ismailia, Jerusalem and to the airport in Beiruit to pick tents etc. that had been stored there. Following photos are courtesy of Bob.


First of the following photos was taken when Bob was exiting the main gate at Rafah when his friend Jan was on duty with the Swedish Guard at the gate - one of the other Swedes took the picture for Bob. Second and third photos are of Bob's friend Erickson of the Swedish Battalion on duty at Rafah.

Bob at Rafah Gate. Photo courtesy of Bob Fraser Bob's friend Erickson of the Swedish Battalion on duty in Rafah. The bell in front of church was an old Canadian Pacific steam engine bell. Photo courtesy of Bob Fraser Bob's friend Erickson on duty in one of the towers at Rafah. Photo courtesy of Bob Fraser


Sharm el Sheik convey (place pointer over picture for descriptions).

Return from Sharm El Sheikh with Swedish Battalion troops - taken out the back window of my UNEF 937. Photo courtesy of Bob Fraser Taken through windshield as Lt. Kingbury one truck ahead in a convoy of about twenty trucks. Photo courtesy of Bob Fraser Making our way across the Sinai to Sharm El Sheikh we came upon this Egyptian Patrol on two camels. We stopped and gave them water (this was away out in the desert). Our passengers gathered around to see them. Photo courtesy of Bob Fraser Danish troops. Photo courtesy of Bob Fraser


Photo of North Star 08 taken by Bob at Athens just before departing Athens:

North Star 08 at Athens Photo courtesy of Bob Fraser


Tour through Israel to Jerusalem:

Taken from the back of a deuce and a half on the way to Jerusalem. Photo courtesy of Bob Fraser Heading for Jerusalem. Photo courtesy of Bob Fraser In Jerusalem. Photo courtesy of Bob Fraser Garden in Jerusalem. Photo courtesy of Bob Fraser Jerusalem overlooking the old City. Photo courtesy of Bob Fraser Bob Fraser (L) and Lance Corporal Perrin (R) on same Jerusalem trip. Photo courtesy of Bob Fraser


Additional 1958/59 photos from Bob Fraser and two from 2012:

Photo courtesy of Bob Fraser Photo courtesy of Bob Fraser Bob in 2012 with son Bob. Photo courtesy of Bob Fraser
Bob Fraser in No Mans Land 1959. Photo courtesy of Bob Fraser Bob Fraser at the Hyak Parade May 26th 2012 . Photo courtesy of Bob Fraser


1960-61


Robert Ashton - I served with the Fort Garry Horse, Recce Sqn from February, 1960 to February, 1961. Our primary task was patrolling a section of the border between Egypt and Israel. We would spend two weeks at one of the two outposts and then one week in our main camp in Camp Rafah. Like others we arrived at El Arish, after a two day trip, in a noisy RCAF North Star and then a transfer to Rafah. I took many trips to El Arish, as a member of the FGH's ball team to play the RCAF and to pick up some of our members coming back after a leave. One trip consisted of a night drive from El Arish to Rafah after a late plane and our unknowing that between the two was an Egyptian Armoured division, a road barrier and a very young and nervous Egyptian guard with a very big rifle. But, that's another story. One of our tasks during our week in main camp was guard duty of our area. Part of that duty, if required, was to drive a civilian worker home if he worked late. Civilian workers were not allowed to buy anything at the UN stores and take items homes. They were inspected as we went through the main gate. We were not. The guards would never quiz us as to why we might be wearing what seemed like oversized jackets and looking rather fat. Of course, we thought it perfectly allright to help the workers smuggle out food and other items to help their families. We saw where and how they lived.


Rafah photographs courtesy of Robert Ashton: 1) Robert Ashton driving somewhere in Rafah. 2) Robert Ashton with colleague and Egyptian soldiers. 3) Main camp. and 4) RCOC float in Rafah.

Robert Ashton driving somewhere in Rafah. Photo courtesy of Robert Ashton Robert Ashton with colleague and Egyptian soldiers. Photo courtesy of Robert Ashton Main camp. Photo courtesy of Robert Ashton RCOC float in Rafah. Photo courtesy of Robert Ashton


1967


Garry Harding at Rafah:

Photo courtesy of Garry Harding - Garry Harding Rafah 1967 Photo courtesy of Garry Harding - Rafah Playing Horsehoes at Firehall Photo courtesy of Garry Harding - Rafah golf Course Garry Harding


Gaza and surrounding area photos courtesy of Garry Harding:

Photo courtesy of Garry Harding - Garry Harding 67 on Gaza Beach Photo courtesy of Garry Harding - Gaza City Apr 67 Photo courtesy of Garry Harding - monument to something on outskirts of Gaza Photo courtesy of Garry Harding - Med at Gaza, Oct 67 Alandulus Casa


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