In October 1960 I was posted to Bahrain to join 19 Topo Sqn where we had two weeks to acclimatise before being posted up-country. Initially I was going to 1 Troop at Nizwa but before that we were to move to Ibri to assist 2 Troop set up camp. Actually I’m not sure why we were sent to Ibri but it was a pleasant month.
After our arrival at Ibri we met up with old friends from Harrogate and Fernhurst so during the evening a few drinks were consumed. The few drinks had a powerful effect such that I cannot remember the end of the evening.
I awoke next morning with a headache but also had this strange sensation on my scalp. I realised that I was in a sleeping bag which explained was why I was unable to scratch my head. When I extricated my hands out of the bag I then found the answer as to my itch.
I was bald,…… and the odd feeling was caused by flies walking over my scalp!!
To this day I do not know what prompted the four of us to have our heads shaved but below is the evidence to back up the story
Alex (Jock) Johnstone
From left to right: Alex (Jock) Johnstone, Dave Clifton, Bev Hill and Geordie Walters
Location: 2 Troop, 19 Topo Sqn. Ibri, Oman. November 1960
A reply from Bev Hill, one of the four
The story from Harrogate about the coiffures of the three mentioned is one of those legends that even we non ex-boys have heard many times over the years.