Today in 1959, it was reported that more men – 150,000 of them – were wanted for the British Army, partly because so many soldiers were required for duty in Cyprus. As The Times of Cyprus reported:The British Government has decided to authorize a small but significant increase in the size of the Regular Army.
According to the Observer’s defence Correspondent, the War Office now wants 180,000 men instead of 165,000 partly because of the demands of combating Colonel Grivas in Cyprus. Read the story>>>
On this day in 1959, over 50 Armenians, former Palestinian refugees, who fled to Cyprus after the troubles there, emigrated to the USA.
It was reported that more Armenians would be leaving the Island under a scheme which applied to Palestinian immigrants. Read the story >>>
On this day in 1958, the largest group of tourists to visit Cyprus in the last three years were set to visit the island when the Greek liner Olympia called at Larnaca with 600 passengers aboard.
The Times of Cyprus reported they were mostly American and Canadian tourists on a Mediterranean cruise, and their arrival was televised by CBS, the local TV station.
Nearly 300 of them were booked on an excursion to Nicosia, and round the island, including the Cyprus Museum, Bellapais and Kyrenia. Read the story >>>
Today in 1960, The Times of Cyprus reported that meanest theft of the year had left Britain’s ’round the world hikers,’ passing through Cyprus, destitute:
Bearded Brian Belt from York, and Londoner Norman Dorrity, had only a few essential possessions when they arrived in Cyprus several weeks ago.
But now they have lost even these to a thief who sneaked into their tent, pitched on scrub land at Dhekelia and stripped it bare. Read the story>>>