There remain many different perspectives on the British presence in Aden.
Saeed Ghaleb, a Yemeni living in South Shields, came to live in England when British rule in Aden ended in 1967. He has happy memories of British colonial rule.
“There were more than 80,000 British troops in Aden, people were happy the British were there as they’d been there a long time. People didn’t know any different.
“I worked in the kitchen for the British army. My friend from Derby brought me here. We lived outside Aden together, I worked with him. I taught him and his wife Arabic, they could read and speak. Every Christmas I still go to stay with them, this is a postcard he just sent me…”
Saeed Ghaleb
Above: Pages and cover from The ‘Aden Colony, Servant’s Employment Book’ of Saeed Ghaleb who enlisted to work for the British at just 14 years old’
Some letter of recommendation enabled me to secure employment.
Letter by Godfrey Heynell (MBE)- formerly a political officer in the Western Aden Protectorate discussing Saeed Ghaleb.
He states in his letter:
“I can confidently recommend him either as a labourer or as a cook. I think he would make a good seaman. Heynell also commends Saeeds ‘honesty and loyalty”
Godfrey Heynell (MBE)
“I obtained permission for him to work here because I feared that he would be victimised after independence because of his loyalty to the British”
