When we were settled down and more familiar with the security precautions that were required, I went into Tel Aviv. This city was only 20 years old and, consequently was very modern, clean and tidy. As far as I could see there were no private houses, all accommodation was set out in flats, four or five stories high, it was conceivable there were private houses in the outskirts. The sea front was very similar to Bray in Ireland, a very nice but stony beach. The seawater was much, much warmer.

The Jewish People were friendly; one restaurant we went into had a piano player playing soft classical music, as soon as we appeared he changed to loud English music hall type. Although we felt it a reflection on our musical taste, we accepted the change as a sign of friendship. Only later did we learn this was a method used to warn regular customers, who might not want to meet the Police that we were there.

An interesting situation existed regarding security; it was compulsory for us to be armed at all times. To go out in civilian suits we could only be armed with revolvers, which were very scarce at the camp and virtually impossible to get when we wished to go out. On the other hand we were required when in uniform to be armed with a rifle. Also we were required to show the guards at the gate we were armed before they would let us pass. In uniform and carrying a rifle, was not the way to blend in with the public. Paddy Woodburn, the all Ireland amateur boxing champion whom I had met before I left Ireland, and I got a brain wave. Next time we were in Tel-Aviv we bought a couple of authentic looking toy revolvers which, when put into genuine holsters, looked just like the real thing. This enabled us to go out at our leisure and was not as irresponsible as it may seem, anybody wishing us harm would presume we were armed and if still intent on doing us injury could well do so as we would have no idea from where the danger would come. Anyway, both Paddy and I considered ourselves responsible in choosing where to go and more important where not to go.

One exciting occurrence was during one of these toy gun outings. We were on one of the main streets of Tel-Aviv, Aplenty Road, and had just passed a bank when out ran four men soon followed by bank staff shouting there was a hold-up in progress. If we had been armed we might have interfered. As it was, we decided we were urgently needed somewhere else. It was not the bank robbers we were concerned with, but rather being rounded up by our fellow police and our toy guns exposed.