IT has taken the best part of 50 years, but Bill Lowe is finally able to lay to rest some of the memories that have haunted him since his adolescence.

Images of bodies being brought into hospital and war victims badly scarred by terrorist activities have lived with 68-year-old Mr Lowe throughout his adult life.

But returning to the Suez Canal Zone for the first time since 1956 was as therapeutic as it was emotional for the former Royal Army Medical Corps corporal.

Mr Lowe, from West Rainton, County Durham, was among a group of 75 veterans who travelled to Egypt to visit the war zone and the graves of their comrades.

Mr Lowe, who was conscripted as an 18-year-old, said: "For many, including me, it was the first time back there.

"It was terribly emotional.

"Lots of things have not changed. It is still absolute poverty there and very much undeveloped.

"We saw the remnants of our Army camp with bits of barbed wire and old towers, and all my memories came flooding back.

"In many ways, the trip has helped put things to rest for me -memories which have stayed with me for many years."

The Suez crisis began in November 1950 when Egypt demanded the British leave the canal zone, an area they had controlled along with the French since it was built to connect the Mediterranean with the Gulf of Suez and improve trade.

After Egypt renounced a treaty the following month, British troops took control of the canal, but the move led to fighting in the zone and unrest in Cairo.

An occupation lasting three years came to an end with the withdrawal of troops in 1954 in the face of widespread criticism from other countries but, two years later, British troops invaded and fought alongside the French and Israelis until US pressure forced a ceasefire.

Mr Lowe, a retired businessman and grandfather of 11, was able to make a new life for himself after he returned from the Middle East.

But he becomes emotional when he talks and thinks of those who did not come back.

He said: "Looking at the graves of those servicemen, many only 19 or so, the age I was at the time, brought home the sacrifice they made.

"In those days, bodies did not come home.

"A lot of grotesque things happened to troops. People were tortured, mutilated. There was dysentery and disease.

"I was a nursing orderly, then a patients' pay clerk, looking after the casualties coming in.

"It was a horrendous thing for an 18-year-old to have to endure. It was traumatic seeing wounded people, dead people.

"It is important future generations are reminded that these young servicemen we left behind never had the chance to get married, have children, or do all the things I have enjoyed."

* The Suez Veterans' Asociation is looking for new members in the North-East.

An informal meeting will take place at Brewsters restaurant, Moor Farm, Cramlington, Northumberland, at 11.30am on Wednesday.

Anyone wishing to join - it is open to those who served and their spouses/partners - is asked to call Mr Lowe on 0191-584 6848.

Veterans' battle to secure medals for conflict is won

FIFTY years after they served in Suez, Army and Air Force veterans have won their battle to be awarded the General Service Medal.

Since the occupation of the Suez Canal Zone from 1951 to 1954, military officials have denied British servicemen and women the right to a military medal.

But Prime Minister Tony Blair has agreed to honour their contribution after a campaign by the Suez Veterans' Association and several MPs.

Rotherham Wentworth MP John Healey, who has led delegations to ministers, said: "A long-standing injustice has been righted.

"These soldiers were exposed to regular terrorist attacks and mob violence in the Suez Canal Zone.

"The casualties show the occupation was perilous and the Ministry of Defence's refusal to consider the case for a medal has been a source of frustration.

"At long last, they will have the General Service Medal to wear and show their grandchildren."