British Military Hospital Nicosia Cyprus

Royal Army Medical Corps Mental Nursing Orderly Terry Manning was stationed at British Military Hospital Nicosia in Cyprus during his National Service and has kindly shared his photographs and memories of his time on the Island.



Front Gate Nicosia Military Hospital 1958.


I recognise Ron Bale in the photos on your BMH Nicosia page, and it is very likely I am in the photos of the Drumhead service and taking the salute. I started my National Service in the Royal Army Medical Corps as a private in April 1957 and was posted to British Military Hospital Nicosia in August 1957 as a Mental Nursing Orderly. My first boss whose name I can't remember, was replaced by Lt Col Harry Pozner, Senior Specialist in Psychiatry, and a perfect gentleman.



Kevin Cullen and Lt Col Harry Pozner December 1958.

Another very friendly officer during my service there was Captain O'Sullivan, who incidentally was the brother-in-law of TV and movie star Patrick McGoohan.



Captain O' Sullivan, John Tait, Terry Manning, Terry Windibank in August 1958.







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In addition to ward duties, we had extra duties on Fire Picket, Morgue duties, Ambulance guard and guard on the front gate. My time in Cyprus is full of good memories, except for the couple of times we had to move dead soldiers, who had been shot in the back, from the ambulances to the morgue. I remember when an American Diplomat was ambushed and received three bullets in the stomach. As we had no patients on the mental ward at the time, we had to take turns sitting guard outside his hospital room. Happily, he made a full recovery. Surprisingly I can find no reference to this incident on the web.



Transferring casualties from helicopter to ambulance at British Military Hospital Nicosia in 1958.

I ended my service at the BMH and RAMC in April 1959.



Terry Manning and Sid Coombs ready for home in 1959 outside barracks with old army suitcases.

In 1972 I joined the Royal Australian Air Force in London and sailed to Australia with my wife and three children. I served 20 years and reached the rank of Flight Sergeant. I will be 80 in June, and although I have 2 stents in my arteries, I am very fit, and I have been the President and founder of the local Bushwalking club for 30 years. You can see a picture of our group on our website www.meltonbushwalkers.org.au Terry Manning.



Ledra Street, Nicosia. (Also known as Murder Mile) January 1959.



Metaxis Square, Nicosia January 1959.



Helicopter landing on sports field 1958.



Peter Edwards December 1958.



Dave Robinson September 1958.



"Ginger" Davies and Terry Manning, April 1958.



Terry Manning on front gate guard duty with Turkish policeman. January 1959.



Bill Wind. January 1959.



Terry Manning ready for ambulance escort duty September 1958.



John Tait, September 1958.



Vic Springer, September 1958.



Sid Coombs, September 1958.



Terry Windibank and Terry Manning March 1958.



John Kelly armed with a pistol and ready to go to town September 1958.



Terry Manning armed and ready to go to town September 1958.



John Tait from Aberdeen, Terry Windibank from Southampton, John Kelly from Liverpool, Terry Manning from London and John Wood from Edinburgh September 1958.



Bill Wind, Pete Goss, Kevin Cullen, John Tait and Paul Hodges walking down BMH Hill. January 1959.



Eric Solly, John Wood, Brian Plant and Albert Eyers outside Nissen Hut September 1958.



Jim Davis, Sgt Jack Scott and Terry Manning March 1958.


Read about the history of BMH Nicosia which includes more photos.






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If you would like to contribute to this page, suggest changes or inclusions to this website or would like to send me a photograph then please e-mail me.










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