Grandstand Camp

[FHRG]

Between 1950 and 1952 I was stationed in Tripoli, Libya.  At that time the grandstand and pits area of the pre-war Tripoli Grand Prix circuit were reasonably intact and in use as a vehicle and spares depot by the Royal Army Ordnance Corps.  The area was known as "Grandstand Camp".  When did this unit move away ?  When did the US Air Force take over and demolish the structures ?

[BlueBelle]

Hello FHRG. Who are you?

What unit were you with?

Never heard of Grandstand Camp. It is not referenced in TNA, nor in 1953 Treaty of Friendship. Not even in any of the RAOC/RASC journals from 1943 to 1965/66. There's a chance that your camp name was an unofficial one and that the official name may have been Keren or Kufra Barracks. I imagine your accommodation was tented.

The RAOC were at that time in Keren, Gurgi and Mareth barracks, later, in 1956 vacating Mareth for Kassala Barracks at Km21. They may have been elswhere too, as were lots of other units who were still in locations requisitioned directly post-war or hired then and later from the newly formed independent Libya Government or private owners. The 1953 Treaty brought about some significant changes to the barracks, buildings and lands that Britain used throughout Libya, not just in Tripolitania. Around then, the hutted camp (used by the British) and Mellaha airfield (used by the US forces and referred to as Wheeus Airfield)) and land was officially handed over to the US who from then on struck their own deal regarding use/expansion with the Libyans. The Grande Prix stadium, tower and most of the track was then subsumed  into Wheelus Airfield. Your unit, whatever it was, would have moved elsewhere, been assimulated into another or disbanded.

Try researching for some clues here:

http://treaties.fco.gov.uk/docs/fullnames/pdf/1954/TS0003%20(1954)%20CMD-9043%201953%2029%20JUL,%20BENGHAZI%3B%20TREATY%20OF%20FRIENDSHIP%20&%20ALLIANCE%20BETWEEN%20HER%20MAJESTY%20IN%20RESPECT%20OF%20UK,%20NI%20&%20LIBYA.pdf

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_dss=range&_ps=60&_ro=any&_p=1950%7C1925&_q=%28mellaha+%29+AND+%28+wheelus%29

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2860515  FO 371/103047 Negotiations between Libya and UK for a Treaty of Friendship and Alliance and military and financial agreements. Code JT file 1052 (papers 21 - 29)

http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/lords/1953/jul/30/treaty-with-libya

http://www.rlcarchive.org/

Don't be dismayed if you don't find anything. Keep trying or, hire a qualified researcher to come up with the goods.

Oh, if you can't remember what unit you were in, then why not obtain your service records for around £30 or so. The record will tell you. Go here:

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records

In the meantime, why not look at my Libya-Tripolitania thread somewhere on here (not risking trying to find it and having a disastrous link pasting experience) for some better informed Tripolitania stuff which may or may not be a pleasurable experience and encourage you somewhat.

Happy Hunting and please don't forget to tell this wonderful forum who you are, your unit and what you findout.

Lizzie

[BlueBelle]

Well before 1953, the racing car track, pits and stadium had been absorbed by the Wheelus airfield.

Here's a photo from which shows the stadium in the airfield so the British Army would have left quite some time before, lest they be rudely disturbed by the roar and wheels of jets running into them and flying over them:

https://www.facebook.com/WheelusAirBaseTripoliLibya/photos/a.578567442195827.1073741828.575585985827306/1567492866636608/?type=3&theater

Photo credit to Donald Earl