Fred Caroe
Fred wrote to the site regarding BFBS radio. Fred was one of the original announcers for the AFBA (Aden Forces Broadcasting Association). All the announcers were volunteers and worked out of a small non air-conditioned studio in Khormaksar studio. Here are some of Fred's recollections of his time broadcasting in the 50's.
Here are some of my recollections of my time with AFBA . I have been helped considerably in recalling facts because unbeknown to me my late Father had kept all the letters I sent to him from Aden . About 4 years ago (He died in 1988)I was clearing out my cupboard and there in a big brown envelope were this bundle of letters . One has a vague recollection of what happened over 50 years ago but thanks to the letters I have the detail!!!
I wrote to my Father on Boxing Day 1955 from my billet at APL Khormaksar and Quote " I have been asked to take part in a broadcast on AFBA -- the programme to be called "English Counties"- Cheshire being the subject ." As a resident of Cheshire I suppose that's why they asked me !! My job was to help write the script -- from thereon nothing was going to stop me . Instead of just helping to write it I presented it !!
There was an Officer in charge of the Radio Station -- Flying Officer Byrne - a very quiet but pleasant man who basically did the programme schedules .
I was soon given the job of newsreader- mostly though from about 5 pm onwards 3 to 4 times a week . Occasionally the rota had to be changed due to duties. We were not allowed to add anything to the news bulletins unless an officer had authorised it - even then we got into trouble one day when there were some riots going on in the docks and he AOC was not a happy bunny that we broadcast the fact !!
Every week great big Discs would arrive from the UK - especially with the latest "Goon Show" .
We had a Hospital Favourites and a Family Favourites programme once a week each . It was quite an eye opener reading the requests from some of the wives and sweethearts from the UK -- some were totally "unbroadcastable"!!!!
There was never more than 2 of us in the Station at any one time -- the Controller and me (or my co- broadcaster).
There were of course mistakes made -- pronouncing some of the Arab's names was a nightmare !!!
However the classic was one night at 11.0pm I was going through the usual routine of closing down and said "Now it just remains for me to wish you all a very goodnight and we will finish with the National Anthem " . At that I pressed the button to start up the disc with the National Anthem on , switched off the lights and was just leaving with the controller when the phone rang , so I picked it up and a voice said "Is that you Caroe- Yes I said - This is the Air Officer Commanding here, since when has Begin the Beguine been the National Anthem "-- you can imagine how I felt -- I stuttered an apology, opened up the station again and put the correct disc on --- Begin the Beguine was the tune we used for interval music!!!
As it happened this was late on in my time -- about June 1956 and I had been posted back to Steamer Point to work in the Senior MO's office as a hygienist.-- and a few days after the error - the AOC did an inspection of the RAF Hospital and the SMO's office - he knew of course who the idiot was who had pressed the wrong button - but he could not have been nicer and thanked me and others for volunteering to run the station.
On one of the wards was a Sister Jones who was to say the least very large but a very nice person - one day a request came in from the lads on her ward for the song "Sixteen Tons of Muscle and Blood" - well I decided to risk it and put the request on air -- the Officer thought it OK!! - She took it very well after initially telling me what she thought of me.
I was a cricket fanatic and played for the Command and one day I suggested we try and do a commentary on a match -- a match I was not playing in -- we did it live for an hour -- and it was I hasten to add an unmitigated disaster -- trying to fill in the time between the bowling of each ball was a nightmare -- the were far too many "Ums and ers" .However we got ourlegs pulled but at least we tried .
The station itself was in a rather pokey room near the Sergeants mess and it belonged I believe to the Clerk of Works .There was no air conditioning in those days , just one fan and no windows.
It was as I have said all voluntary and even when I moved back to Steamer Point I had to either cadge a lift from a passing ambulance or get a taxi!!.
There was one night however when there was massive riot in the area of the Crescent and the duty officer provided me with an armed escort and took me back to the billet on Barrack Hill . Sadly a few locals lost their lives that night .
I hope this is of some interest to you -- if not don't worry - it was fun doing it !!
All the best
Fred