Aden Protectorate Levies The Aden Protectorate Levies were formed on April 1st 1928 primarily as a unit to protect airfields following the change of status of Aden to an Air Command in April 1927. Their secondary role was to be that of assisting the civil police. Later the APL Camel Troop were to become a familiar sight as ceremonial guards.

Although a comparatively young Regiment, the APL claimed a record of commendable service which it would be hard for any other locally raised force to equal. The Regiment may have had a short history but it was nevertheless a colourful and impressive one of which the men were justly proud.

APL Officers 1932

Ali Salim Hasamah*

Dr. Bashiri

Salim Yeslam Azzani

Hanash Ahmad Awlaqi

Fadhil Ahmad

Al Khadar Mohsen Awlaqi

Nader Ali

* First to be trained in anti-aircraft artillery use and subsequently shot down an Italian war plane.

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Lt. Col. F. Robinson DSO

Col. M.C. Lake

Lord Belhaven (Hamilton)

Ahmed Salih Maqtari

 

Colonel M.C. Lake of the Indian Army was the first Commanding Officer of the unit which comprised 2 British officers and 6 platoons of Arabs recruited from tribes in the Western Protectorate states. They had 48 camels and 8 mules.

Col. Lake commanded the unit till 1929 when Lt. Col. J.C. (Robby) Robinson took over command and  remained as C.O. for the next 10 years.

The APL recruited from the various tribes which lived in the foothills or the higher mountainous regions. The men were proud, of independent stock, with a deep loyalty to their own Sheikhs or junior tribal representatives, but they were straightforward mercenaries who gave their hearts and loyalty to the British Officers, who, in understanding them, commanded their respect and admiration. Discipline was generally good but as would often happen the Arab troops would go AWOL if they could not get permission for leave to sort out personal matters, or for harvesting, as their first loyalty was to their own tribe, village or family.

As APL soldiers the tribesmen found romance in the wearing of uniform and prestige in possessing a rifle. It was a fact that the over-riding ambition of all tribesmen, rich or poor, young or old, was to own a rifle. Thus it was an honour to serve with the Aden Protectorate Levies. In becoming a recruit the tribesman left his community probably for the first time in his life. His life was thus transformed for him, he was educated, he was taught to accept a much higher standard of living and was paid for his services. "From rags to riches" was quite an acceptable way of describing the change.

Based in Aden Colony was the Levies Base and Training Organisation, called the Depot Battalion. The Depot included married quarters, a pre-natal clinic, a children's school, the Force Band and the Camel Troop as well as air supply and other repair and supply units.

Levies Camel Camp

Lord Belhaven (Hamilton) arrived in Aden in 1931, posted to the Aden Protectorate Levies. His duties, thrust on him by Col. Robinson were to manage the polo stables, command the Camel Troop, and act as veterinary surgeon. Robinson said, "I shall want you to carry out minor operations on the horses so you had better look up your books;  we do almost all operations on the camels ourselves here, in the lines, castrations and so on and you'll have to find out all about it."

This APL pennant was  flown on the staff car belonging to a Bimbashi  (Arab Officer).

Arab Officers (Bimbashis), one of whom in each Battalion was responsible to the Commanding Officer for Arab Administration, held Governor's Commissions and bore ranks of 2nd Lieutenant (MulazimIth Thani); Lieutenant (Mulazim Al Awal); Captain (Rais); and Major (Wakil Qaid Ith Thani). The senior Arab serving with the Aden Protectorate Levies was a Lieutanant Colonel (Qaid Al Awal).

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