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The battalion was responsible for the security of Famagusta and a large
section of the surrounding rural area, and were quartered in a camp consisting of a rambling collection of Nissen huts on
the northern edge of the town. Companies were employed in supporting the civil police and maintaining law and order in their
respective villages, whilst other detachments garrisoned rural police stations. In addition it began a ceaseless programme
of patrols and searches over hills and fields, in remote villages and farmsteads, seeking caches of arms. Their enemy however
wore no uniform and after striking at them vanished into the civilian population, and casualties quickly began to mount.
Lieut S.R.G.Walker was killed on 27 March 1956. WO2 R.A.Crissell, a veteran
of the Korean War, was killed on 17 May. Pte K.M.Hebb was killed on 30 May when terrorists attacked a truck, throwing grenades.
Another soldier of the Royal Leicesters died the following day from his injuries sustained in this attack. Added to this were
many more wounded in shootings and bomb attacks.
In typical British fashion the ‘Tommies’ were reluctant at
first to think the worst of the local population in whose midst they found themselves. However as casualties mounted, attitudes
hardened, though to their credit the men were throughout thoroughly professional and were never goaded beyond the point of
restraint to commit outrages or atrocities.
Once again the British army demonstrated its aptitude for this type of counter insurgency
work, and by the late summer of 1956 it was evident that progress was being made. The blockade of Cyprus had choked off the
supply of arms to the terrorists, whilst seizures of arms and the capture of a number of terrorist leaders had a marked effect
on EOKA morale. In August 1958 EOKA declared a truce and progress was made towards a political settlement.
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WOII Chris Crisell (above) was killed by a terrorist bomb on 17
May 1956. He was the senior NCO of Support Company, and had previously seen action in Korea. His loss was a greivous
blow to the battalion
Above: A webbing belt with two-piece brass 'Royal Leicestershire'
buckle, as worn by officers & NCOs in the Cyprus period
Above: Pte Terry Shields (left) manning an LMG position inside
No 4 post, Central Police Station, Famagusta, February 1958. Right:
Shield's GSM with bar 'Cyprus'. Left: The
view of the street below the position
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