Just a short story
I have now got the courage to list the one Medal that I really treasure.
Below is the only Medal that was awarded to my father
AC1 Eric Oram 4087995 R.A.F
Eric was born 24th February 1934 in Lochee, Dundee; He enlisted in the R.A.F on 6th December 1951. During his service he was posted to the Middle East Air Force in Egypt on 10th August 1954. His first posting in this theatre was with 128 Maintenance Unit at R.A.F Abu Sultan, on 11 August 1954. He continued to serve in the Canal Zone until 4th July, 1955, when he was posted to Air Headquarters, (Levant) located at R.A.F Habbaniya.
In late 1955 my father was posted to Cyprus, where my mother joined him on 15 February 1956.
Press report from the Express and Star 31 August 1956
On the evening of 30 August 1956, Leading Aircraftman Oram, and his wife Sheila, escaped injury when a terrorist, fired a revolver at them in a street in Nicosia, Cyprus.
The couple were walking near their home on the way to do some shopping when a terrorist who was riding along on a bicycle fired a revolver at them as he approached them from behind. He continued to fire as he rode past.
When the firing started L.A.C Oram threw himself flat on the ground and drew his own pistol, and fired four shots at the terrorist.
Later Mrs Oram said: “Until I smelt the cordite, I thought it was a car backfiring. Then I saw him cycle past us, with a gun in his hand firing at us. She ran towards a Greek Cypriot club on the corner but the door closed as she got near.
The attack on the Orams was the first of two attacks on British servicemen, and their wife’s in Nicosia yesterday evening.
In December 1956 my father was reposted to R.A.F, Bridgnorth, in Shropshire, where he served until his discharge to the “E” reserves on 5 December 1957.
I am now waiting for his full service records so I can add to my research.
Sadly my father died on 16th August 1978, aged 39 years old, so I have had to do a fair bit of research from his Certificate of Service that I have in my possession.
I know my fathers medal is not as interesting to look at, as some of the great groups that appear in the gallery, but for a boy who grew up without a father, was passed from pillar to post in his early childhood years, and then ended up in an approved school at the age of 9 years old, I think he did well really with the short life he had.
God Bless Him.
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