Private David R Dean

David Richard Dean, known to friends as 'Dixie', was a National Serviceman who served with 23 Parachute Field Ambulance, part of 16 Parachute Brigade Group in the late 1950s.

'Dixie' passed out from RAF Abingdon around his 19th birthday in May 1957, before returning to Depot at Barrossa Barracks, Aldershot. He remembers how Depot staff kept the men in condition:

"RSM 'Tug' Wilson and the Second-in-Command(2-i-c), Major 'Noche' Knight kept us up to scratch with plenty of 'schemes' - exercises and what is known today as 'Tabbing'. To us it was just a ****** long march with full kit!

The good news as far as we were concerned was the rumour that "Noche" would buy the entire company a drink at the end of the march before the old Bedford RL's and QL's arrived to take us back to camp.The rumour proved to be true - although it was strictly 'one half pint per man'. Even in those far off days with beer at something like 8d(old pence) per pint, it must have cost 'Noche' a few quid - fond memories of fine officer who embodied the 'Airborne' ethos."

Pte Dean moved into the 6th Field Surgical team, 23 Parachute Field Ambulance RAMC under the command of then-Major Norman Kirby, an officer 'affectionately(?) known as "Rip" as much for the comic cartoon character, as his very direct surgical procedures!' 

As David remembers:

'In point of fact he was a superb surgeon, as well as a splendid soldier. He was quite happy to talk us Operating Theatre Technicians(OTTs) through the procedures he was pursuing - a great help when we came to take our Trade tests (the OTT 1, 2, and 3 etc)".

In June 1958, 23 PFA deployed with 16 Parachute Brigade to Cyprus. Pte Dean acted as Batman for Captain Ferguson, the anaethetist. Part of his duties meant carrying the container for the sterilising unit (and equipment). It was 'heavy as hell' but also included the 'prepping' gear (a cut-throat razor, clippers and scissors), which was enough for Pte Dean to establish: '"Dixies Tonsorial Services" to soldiers in the unit - a hairdressing and cutting service to the 'Tommy Atkins' of the day!'

He notes:

"It was, perhaps, a good example of  'Airborne initiative'. At 10mils(2/-d) a go, it augmented the his pay-active service rate and 3 gns per week Para Pay, plus trade additions to a healthy £15 a week. -talk about 'King of the Khyber Rifles' –  money to burn in those days."

Later, back on 'civvy' street, his first 'bowler hat' appointment paid an annual salary of £600 in comparison:

"I did seriously consider returning to the Army as a regular soldier but 'Eros' fired his deadly arrow and that was me signed up to a different sort of 'service' – still going strong after 47 years!!"

In initial flight to Cyprus from RAF Lyneham to Nicosia took about four hours aboard a VC10:

'It was very posh, so much so that we had to remove our boots – 'wobblies' or studded - as the plane was carpeted.'

Pte Dean remembers:

"We deplaned at Nicosia and boarded a fleet of trucks that had been brought out of mothballs and headed down the Nicosia road to a camp known as 'Waynes Keep'."

When they established the tented camp and cookhouse facility, time was also taken to create the 'Kybo' unit: 

"For those chaps on 'Jankers' [on a charge], the worst form of punishment was to be detailed to the 'Kybo' patrol – a digging out and general cleansing of the said amenity. Furthermore, a rumour circulated that a 'Squaddie' was attending to his ablutions whilst still wearing his webbing belt with holster and 9mm Browning pistol, but had left the lanyard unclipped. The said weapon fell into the pit below, whereupon the culprit was ordered to descend into the 'you know what' and retrieve the aforesaid small arm – a life changing experience – no doubt about that!"

Pte Dean remembers a Sparrowhawk-type operation in Cyprus, designed to flush out 'EOKA' terrorists who were known to be hiding in the Troodos mountain region:

"During the sweep, [it is believed] a patrol came across a 'shepherd' who was sheltering in a rocky cave, and who was questioned and allowed to go on his way! You've guessed it! - it turned out that it was the 'Colonel' himself, Georgios Grivas! Apparently, the young subaltern in command of that particular patrol was extremely red-faced for several weeks afterwards - it wasn't sunburn either! I fancy it must have cost him a nice few drinks in the officers mess in downtown Nicosia!"

When not engaged in activities out of camp, the Field Surgical Team practised their skills(?) in British Military Hospital (BMH) Nicosia which, Pte Dean remembers:

"duly exposed them to the charms of the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps(QUARANCs). I must admit our tasks were made infinately more bearable by the proximity to these 'Angels of the Wards'."

As he recalled:

"Normal sick parade would encompass just a few soldiers most days, but the queue outside the dental officers room was almost of Battalion strength!"

'Dixie' enjoyed happy times in both in Nicosia and Dekhelia, and recalls that 'somehow the nasty bits have faded a slightly'.

For him:

"National Service was an experience without equal, and I for one mourn its passing. It put a lot of young men on a substantial footing for life.

David remembers fondly these 'meanderings down the old memory lane from a balding, overweight, shortsighted 70-year-old ex-Para'. Thinking on it, may bring it all back.:

"Give us a whiff of cordite (that confirms the age factor!) and the years drop away –the rheumy eyes glint clear again, the stooping back becomes ramrod straight and the short shuffling steps suddenly become the equal of the Drill Sergeants 'pace-stick'."

Pte Dean completed his service in 1958, and embarked on a civilian career. He adds:

"I read somewhere that '...old Paras' never die - they regroup and go to hell'. Well, wherever we wind up, and the wisest of us knows not where – I'm sure there will be a contingent of 'Red Devils' for company, and a few stories to tell. 'Give me my tin hat soldier!'"