“Elysian” – Penang Leave Centre

RAF CHANGI ASSOCIATION including HQ FEAF

April 2017 Issue No. 63 RAF Changi Association (Including HQ FEAF) Founded May 1996

The aim of the RAF Changi Association is to bring together all those who were stationed at RAF Changi (including HQ FEAF) Singapore, in order to renew old friendships and make new ones. www.rafchangi.com

Chairman/Archivist: John Dicks Webmaster: Tony Holt 4 Langley Crescent, Kings Langley, Herts. WD4 8EW 14 Burrowfields, Basingstoke, Hants RG22 4XJ Tel: 01923 400221 • [email protected] Tel: 01256 477253 • [email protected] Founder/Newsletter Distributor: Mike James Regalia Officer: Dolores James 12 Shiners Elms, Yatton, Bristol BS49 4BY 12 Shiners Elms, Yatton, Bristol BS49 4BY Tel: 01934 833170 • [email protected] Tel: 01934 833170 • [email protected] Secretary: Pat Holt Almoner/Medal Adviser: David Haylock 14 Burrowfields, Basingstoke, Hants RG22 4XJ 37 Pierces Hill, Tilehurst, Reading, Berks. RG31 6RB Tel: 01256 477253 • [email protected] Tel: 01189 425753 • [email protected] Treasurer: Richard Collins Reunion Liaison Officer: Peter Mersh 115 Station Rd., Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex CM0 8HQ 24 Asher Reeds, Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells, Kent Tel: 01621 785096 • [email protected] TN3 0AN Tel: 01892 862643 • [email protected] Newsletter Editor: Les Davies Liaison Officers 4 The Bryceway, Liverpool L12 3HJ Iberia: Tel: 0151 228 9874 • [email protected] Brian Morgan Tel: 0034 952 196446 [email protected] Membership Secretary: Malcolm Flack Australia 14 Highfield Close, Amersham, Bucks. HP6 6HG David A. Wood Tel: 0061 2 8338 9103 Tel: 01494 728562 • [email protected] [email protected] Publicity/Press Officer: Brian Lloyd New Zealand 32 Redwood, Burnham, Bucks. SL1 8JN. Tel: 01628 Brian Churcher Tel: 0064 7 549 4230 661005 • [email protected] [email protected]

© RAF Changi Association. No part of this Newsletter may be reproduced in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without the prior written or verbal consent of the chairman or secretary.

Editorial Chairman/Archivist’s Report THE piece about Stanley Warren Our Membership Secretary is sorting through paid-up members and in the last issue chasing up late payees; essential to establish numbers for planned prompted many activities. Expectedly, membership numbers are falling, in line with of you to write contesting similar associations. I have received enquiries about a repeat reunion the date given (1958) for the in Singapore for 2018. It is under consideration and we usually travel near the end of re-discovery of the murals. February for one week in Singapore (after Chinese New Year), followed by two weeks (Some replies appear in the letters pages.) in Penang. Details later. Archives continue to grow, so please continue to send However, the text used contributions (photographs, etc.). I look forward to meeting many of you at our events. for the story was supplied by If there is no local mini-reunion in your area, why not think about organising one the Singapore National yourself. If you need any help contact one of the committee and we can advise. It needs Library Board and I was to be arranged by someone living in or near the proposed venue. unable to amend it due to copyright. I will be in touch with Secretary’s Report them again in the very near Would members please let me have details of items for inclusion on future to proffer our reaction and hopefully draw their the Agenda for the next Annual General Meeting. These must be comments. received at least ONE MONTH prior to the meeting so that the Les Davies committee can give answers on the day.

Changi-ite Newsletter 2 April 2017 Membership Secretary’s Report From 42 potential new members, 21 have joined. However, at the 2016 year-end known membership stood at 954. And as I write this in February, having received a majority of Subs Renewals for 2017, I find the membership is down to 946. Regrettably it seems inevitable that this will slightly reduce even further by the time you receive this magazine in early April. Again thanks for all the greetings cards and compliments sent in with the Christmas post, they really are appreciated and I do pass them on to the committee in due course. Malcolm Flack (M119) FEAF in Armistice Day parade RAF Changi Association represented at the Cenotaph in London and at RAF Brize Norton ON SUNDAY the 13th November I travelled up to Whitehall, in London, and met the ‘Units of the Far East Air Force’ group, to take part in the march past at the Cenotaph in Whitehall. is group comprised of members of the Butterworth and Penang Association, the Seletar Association and about six of us Changi-ites; in total, I believe, there were just over twenty of us. e weather was kind to us again, being cold but dry. is year I was delegated the privilege of leading our group, which meant that I was responsible for giving all of the marching commands. All went well as we started but when we arrived at the Cenotaph I instructed “Eyes left” and gave a salute, but the arthritis in my right shoulder RAF Changi representatives at the Armistice Day Cenotaph march past. did not permit my arm to travel freely the long way up and any ex-drill instructors watching must have winced, as I did. Apart from that everything went well and I believe we all kept in step back to Horseguards Parade. It was another great experience, apart from the usual long periods of just standing around and waiting, but we all seemed to enjoy the occasion and, God willing, most of us will be there again this coming November. The Far East Air Force contingent which included RAF Butterworth and John Dicks Penang Association, RAF Seletar Association and RAFChangi Association. THE RAF Changi Association was once again represented on Remembrance Sunday at RAF Brize Norton by Nev Cooper (M973). Once again the parade was blessed with fine weather as it passed through the town to Town Hall and Memorial. All wreath layers were formally announced in turn and the Royal Air Force Changi Association was number five. Following the ceremony, Nev took refreshments in the Town Hall with Brize Norton’s two COs, Group Captain Tim Jones and Group Captain Dave Tozer, plus the Station Warrant Officer, Tony Dunn and his successor. RAF Brize Norton is the largest station in the Royal Air Force. It is home to the RAF’s Strategic and Tactical Air Transport and Air-to-Air Refuelling forces, as well as host to many lodger and reserve units. With its mixed fleet of aircraft, RAF Brize Norton provides rapid global mobility in support of UK overseas operations and exercises. Left: Nev Cooper (M973) lays the RAFCA wreath at the RAF Brize Norton. April 2017 3 Changi-ite Newsletter Recollections of a teenage Jungle Warrior (1968-1970)

I IT WAS with some trepidation that I a huge lizard (chit-chat) and promptly many high ranking officers, when he found myself standing outside the WO’s slammed the door shut. As much as I added. “Oh, almost forgot, don’t get too office. Why exactly I had been summoned needed it, I hardly slept that first night. settled in here at Seletar. The unit is to the Chief Clerk’s office was beyond me There was the sound of the jungle outside disbanding in October and we’re moving and I found myself making up feeble the block and I had suffered my first to Changi as the Joint Warfare Branch.” excuses for misdemeanours that I could encounter with mosquitoes. Wearing my On 1 October 1968, a much reduced not fathom out. With minimal eye contact brand new baggy KD and baring too much 224 (M) Gp moved into Block 106 at RAF he fumbled through his trays before lily white flesh for my liking, I made my Changi and stood up as Joint Warfare finding a brown envelope with a red rubber way to the Junior Ranks’ Mess for Branch. The Station Parade Square was on stamp on the reverse which I could not breakfast. No bacon and the rest of what one side of the building and the mosque quite make out. Without a word being was on offer was not very appetising on the other. There was a permanent smell spoken he passed me the contents of the either. I’ll have cornflakes, I thought, but of Avtur as the block also overlooked the envelope – a carbon copy of a Posting that was another disappointment as there taxiway and the runway. I had moved into Notice. “Relax lad – you’re posted and you was only powdered milk. “You must be the top floor of Barrack Block 151 are off to Singapore next April”. To this day Cook,” a voice from behind called. “I have overlooking the Air Terminal and the I doubt if he knew from my face whether it come to escort you to the office, and then Changi Murals were on the ground floor. was joy at this news or just pure relief that we will start the arrival process.” Changi village was more or less on par I was not in for a rollicking. For me, it was “Hi – how did you know it was me,” I with Jalan Kayu but the station was busier the latter. retorted. Other than a skyward glance and than Seletar, had more facilities and with Posted! It took some time to sink in a shake of the head from my colleague, I much easier access to the city. It was here and as I shared the news with my mates in received no answer. that I made many new friends, particularly the General Office I could not somehow Outside the Mess stood a shiny black from the Air Traffic community and I met bring myself to share their envy at my Zephyr 4 staff car with starched white seat my wife to be. good fortune. I had just turned 19 a week covers and the star plates covered up. The role of Joint Warfare Branch was to earlier, I had a steady girlfriend in “This is George, the bosses driver,” as I plan and execute Joint Service operations Stamford, a job in the Medical Centre that shook hands with the Indian driver who in the jungles of N. Malaysia providing air I enjoyed and even in the backwaters of and logistical support to the army, 42 Rutland, a social life I was more than George Cook Royal Marine Commandos and the content with. Two years after leaving (M2391) Gurkhas. A number of exercises were held training and one year into full-time man’s in Malaysia, one in Australia (Ex-Coral service I was on the move. Why would I seemed to have a permanent smile on his Sands) culminating in Exercise Bersatu want to move to the other side of the face. “That’s my name too, George”. We Padu in April 1970, a five-nation exercise world, to a station that I had trouble would become very good friends for the intended to prove to the governments of pronouncing (Sell-a-tar). I hadn’t even rest of my time at Seletar. We arrived at my Singapore and Malaysia that the UK would asked to be posted. new unit, HQ 224 Mobile Group, located be able to deploy forces back to theatre at On 21 April 1968, after a long and just inside the camp gates and I was short notice should the need arise after tedious 19-hour journey via Sharjah and ushered into the Unit Admin Officer’s their withdrawal from the island. Gan, the VC 10 touched down at RAF office to be met by a very young, gangly, My memory is of a busy unit working Changi. Wearing my newly-acquired bespectacled Flying Officer whose first to exacting deadlines but with a bunch of ‘shades’ and my Burton’s 3-piece suit in words were “Would you like a 7-up?”; I guys who worked and played hard. I recall charcoal grey with black pin stripe and had no idea what he was referring to but a number of times when the unit finished trying to look ‘cool’, I was brought down how could I refuse. “Welcome to Seletar, I work on a Friday afternoon and certain to earth in the Terminal by a very attractive, think you will enjoy yourself here and the members would end up in the Airfield Bar, well-tanned, young lady in a short blue staff are very friendly. The boss is AVM rank epaulettes came off and we shared a gingham dress. “I would take off that jacket Eaton, who is Australian and then there is few beers before moving to a stall in the and waistcoat my love, or you will end up the Gp Capt and a couple of Wg Cdrs and village for a cheese and tomato roti and a with prickly heat”. “Prickly heat,” I replied, the rest are Sqn Ldrs. I’m the junior officer cup of tea poured into an empty Fussels “not possible, I have had every jab going.” in the outfit”, as if expecting some kind of milk tin with a string handle in the lid. Still smiling, she directed me to the coach response. “We do a lot of exercises up in Joint Warfare Branch itself was for RAF Seletar. the jungle which you will provide admin disbanded and I was posted to HQ (U) It was just starting to get dark when we support for, but it’s fun. You will be in FEAF for the last year of my tour. I worked reached the Transit Block and allocated a jungle greens most of the time”. I was still in Block 35 (FEAFOC) on the hill bed – all I wanted was a shower and rest. trying to come to terms with the fact that I overlooking the Chalet Club and the Opening the wardrobe I was confronted by would be coming into daily contact with so Padang. I worked in transport ops tasking Changi-ite Newsletter 4 April 2017 48 Squadron and enjoyed the perk of the Singapore gave me a solid grounding for a duty to tell the story of the RAF through odd supernumerary flight which got me to the rest of my Service career which, our own experiences. For outsiders it places like Karachi, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and interspersed with the odd basic tour, was makes the RAF story more relevant and Gan. Did I enjoy my tour – most certainly; not what might be described as the stimulating. For current and former RAF but Singapore was definitely a married conventional career plan. Subsequent personnel it preserves, honours and man’s posting and the single lads found it tours included cryptographics, mission shares the stories of their service. It is difficult at times – a sentiment that was planning in Germany, RAF Recruiting, rewarding to be part of an organisation often lost on bosses. This became engineering in Cyprus, recruiting 2nd year when your efforts play a part in ensuring apparent when the drafters at Gloucester medical cadets into the RAF Medical that the RAF’s story endures and enriches tried to extend a lot of single guys up to Cadetship scheme, VIP staff and finally future generations. the closure of the station in 1971 while Manpower Audit implementing Options for turning down volunteers who had offered Change which ironically brought about my to extend. early retirement from the Service in 1995. * * * Thankfully, I saw the right Medical I worked for Local Government for a Now for the plug! The Trenchard Officer who refused to sign off the year, during which time I came to realise Museum commemorates the setting up of extension paperwork. I was after all getting that despite the changes being the aircraft apprentice scheme started by married three months after my normal implemented in the RAF, it was still a good Lord Trenchard back in 1922. I have no tourex date of October 1970. My fiancée, career. When a job came up as a civilian doubt that Changi saw its fair share of a scalee brat who joined her family after instructor at Halton training administra- aircraft passing through and there must finishing college, had returned to the UK tors, I jumped at the chance and for the have been many ex-Halton Brats who three months earlier. The thought of next five years worked as a Specialist served at the unit. having to contend with listening to BFBS Instructional Officer, eventually being Have you visited the Museum? Did you radio playing Peter, Paul and Mary promoted in 2000 and filling the role of know it existed? If you want a really good “Leaving on a Jet Plane” for another 12 Senior Training Officer at Halton and then day out then come and see us. The normal months would have tipped me over the Portsmouth. day for visits is Tuesdays but requests on edge! I retired in 2012 and now live in Weston any other days are accepted. As well as the My mother’s concerns at losing her Turville, a couple of miles from Halton. My Museum, there is also the James eldest son to be led astray on the other free time is now taken up as an Assistant McCudden Heritage Flight Centre with side of the world had been misplaced. Curator at the Trenchard Museum at refurbished jet engines, three link trainers Despite taking my paludrine tablets I had Halton and tour guide at the Halton House and a Chipmunk simulator. managed to pick up a mild dose of malaria Officers’ Mess which once belonged to the The volunteers are mostly ex-aircrew or and, thanks to the Station Laundry, a case Rothschild family. It would seem that I techies (yawn!). The Archives has a wealth of Dhobi’s itch which took years to cannot get enough of the RAF – it’s in the of information with records going back to overcome. I had arrived in Singapore as a blood! A sentiment that I am sure you all the start of the apprentice scheme. You will naïve and unworldly teenager and left as a appreciate and which keeps associations be amazed at what has been built up over more cosmopolitan person. My tour in like the Changi Association going. We have the years.

Joint Warfare Branch, RAF Changi – Group Photograph 1969

(Left to right) Back row: SACW Hawkins, Sgt Appleyard, SAC George Cook, Cpl Tucker, Cpl Ireland, SAC Heaton, Cpl McKay, Cpl Gotto, SAC McMillan, SAC Lindsay, Sgt Lander. Centre: Sqn Ldr Packman, Flt Lt Slade, Sqn Ldr Jones (RAAF), Flt Lt Ball, Sqn Ldr Little, Flt Lt Newell, Flt Lt Hunwick, Major Benton RCT, Sqn Ldr Tumber, Sqn Ldr Dickson. Sitting: Sqn Ldr Tarwid, Sqn Ldr Gee, Wg Cdr Guile, Gp Capt Sanderson, Wg Cdr Granville-White, Wg Cdr Weymouth RAAF, Sqn Ldr Maitland. April 2017 5 Changi-ite Newsletter Ced Moxey’s Changi “Murals” - they’re off the wall! The Changi Bus Quite unique in appearance, yet the very look of it does not suggest the capabilities of this antiquated craft. Single decker, with the necessary four wheels and chassis, the sparsely-covered seats are arranged so as to rest on each of four walls, leaving a cavernous centre which holds the famous number of 28 standing passengers. The clutch seems to be uncoordinated, to the primary movement is one great force, yet such force is not evident when starting from scratch on the hill. A slight roll backwards just adds a little more to the journey, but may cause some consternation to a following vehicle. A peculiar wizened old man, whose rather pin-like head is adorned with a white kerchief, peers intently over the wheel. The conductor is quite a character, too; carpet slippers, khaki trousers and shirt complete his attire. An occasional cut on his chin suggests a chipped blade. To conclude: not quite on a par with L.T.E.

The Village A tradesman’s paradise, for the fellows of Changi have long bent to the suave and compelling rouse of the locals, who comprise Malays, Chinese and Indians. The wares are numerous, both in variety and quantity. Quality cannot always be the word but often a good buy can be had. Things are definitely cheaper, but to assess their quality relative to price is not as easy as may be thought. Facial work is a mastered art. Bargaining is quite a performance with the traders. Still it adds a bit of spice to the shopping. This trading proceeds under rather derelict and dingy surroundings, but the wares are so profusely shown that one is not aware of the building until perusal is gained from the roadway. Eating houses are limited in number, but a few, solely used by locals, are noted easily by the pungent odour. Changi-ite Newsletter 6 April 2017 Postcards from the past Compiled by Mike James

Orchard Road in the 1950s Courtesy of Malcolm Flack (M119)

Changi Beach Courtesy of Mike Horwood (M63)

April 2017 7 Changi-ite Newsletter Searchline

No. 63 Compiled by Brian Lloyd (Please respond directly to Brian) 1. SGT JOE CRONIN, MT section, 1970. Family enquiry. Do you remember him? Glad to report he is still with us at the age of 82. 2. JOHN MASTERSON. Aircraft Accident on 11th 1 November 1953. A/C number VX 490 from 48 Squadron. Aircraft was posted missing off the 2 Malayan Coast. Not found. John Masterson was one of the personnel on board. Enquiry from granddaughter asking about him. Does anyone know the current location of his son? 3. ATTENTION ALL GROUND CREW SIGNALS. If your trade was Telegraphist (or teleprinter op) Wireless op, Telephonist, TRC (Tape Relay Centres) or TCC (Telecommunications Controller) then have 8. ANYONE for Tennis? Daughter of the late a look at web site for Trade Group 11. The TG11 Squadron Leader David Penman, Admin, (circa Association group was founded on 15th March 2008 1962) provided the picture below. Daughter is Mary to accommodate all ground signalling people. McDonald (AM2201), (née Penman) who would be Membership is free and has 1,885 members and pleased to hear from anyone in the picture or anyone 2,730 pictures in archives on the web. The web site who may know of their current location(s). Mary’s address is www.tg11association. You might find old late father is on right front row and to the left could pals on there from your full RAF service, including possibly be Brian Hooper. Padre Briggs may also be while at RAF Changi. in the picture. Any memories of these people or can you confirm this caption? Two other pictures about 4. LINK-UP SUCCESS. In November last year we had tennis now in our archives, of FEAF tennis team and a good Changi Link-up. Five existing members and separate picture of a group of tennis players when one potential member got in touch with each other. Changi played against Butterworth. Mary attended This came about through a captioned picture of a the Secondary school 60/62 and then the CGS 63/3. football team published in Newsletter No. 47, Christmas 2011. So don’t give up and keep us updated if you create your own link-up with old pals. 5. JUNGLE SURVIVAL SCHOOL. Did you attend the school between 1960 and 1962? If so John Hammerton (M588), AFF 48 Sqdn., would like to hear from you. He did two duel/tandem jumps up country and survived. 6. JOYCE NOBLE (M2252), Clerk G.D. in Registry, was mentioned in Searchline Number 50 (December 2012). Her Maiden name was Ralph in case anyone remembers her. 7. BLOCK 144 (Middle). Signals Christmas party 1955. Picture provided by George Learwood (M191), W/Op and marked with number one; middle second 9. SAMUEL STEPHEN HEWITT, No. 1637004, RAVR, row, Alan Boldon (M1774), Line Mech, also featured died 30th January 1946. Buried at Kranji War Graves marked number two, third right second line with Commission site (grave no. 11.b.6). If anyone has white hat on. Do you recognise yourself or others in any knowledge of this airman contact Brian Lloyd, picture (top of next column)? quoting this item.

Changi-ite Newsletter 8 April 2017 A trip down with your letters and photos to Changi-ite

We welcome your letters, whether they express concern, offer advice, present constructive criticism, or just recall happy memories or events from Changi days. Please send your contributions to [email protected] and include your name and membership number.

I REFER to the interesting letter from Our captain was Sqn Ldr Harry National Serviceman who, when Frank Long in the December Newton, who apparently had been on cleaning a storeroom, brought to light Newsletter (No. 62), but feel 48 Squadron in Valettas, and HQ the paintings under the distemper compelled to take issue with one or FEAF thought that he would be ideal. covering the walls. He reported this to two points. First, his comment: “Even As soon as we were airborne, I an officer who realised the importance today, it is against the law to walk fastened two cargo nets across the of the discovery. e second account abroad without carrying ID, as it is in back of the aircraft. Once we reached is that they were discovered by America.” is is blatantly untrue. I 2,000 feet, I opened the ramp and members of the Singapore Armed have lived in the USA for almost 40 door, and allowed the students a view Forces. e distemper covering the years, since retirement from the from on top of the forts. murals was carefully removed. Four R.A.F., and at no time has it been Harry Newton excelled himself complete murals and the top quarter obligatory to carry any identification, and, after the first fort, he could of a fifth mural were revealed. A unless one drives – and then only a remember every single approach and search for their creator began in 1958 driving licence. True we have a Social departure. It proved to be one of the when Tale Spin (a Far East Air Force Security Number, but you are advised best training flights that I can recall. publication) illustrated two of the not to carry the card with you. It is Would anybody from 48 Hercules murals “painted by an unknown rarely asked for, even for medical Squadron please contact me through POW during the Japanese Occupa- reasons. e main form of identifica- Changi-ite Newsletter, tion”. e two ‘official’ accounts differ tion is your driving licence. My Tony Johnson (M2401) and are both inaccurate. second point is the reference to Boris In 1949, RAF Serviceman Neville Johnson calling for a return to I ENJOYED the Christmas edition, Stubbings, stationed in Changi, National Service. I happen to be a of the Newsletter – even the article on remembered ‘old sweats’ taking a great proud holder of that title and was Stanley Warren – up to a point! pleasure in telling young servicemen bereft of family and barely surviving Under the section headed ‘Later that the murals had been painted with in 1947 when I had, for the first time, developments’ it states: “e murals prisoners’ blood. Between 1951 and clothing, food, lodging and a little were rediscovered in 1958 . . .” and it 1952, Brian Northover was in Block money in my pocket. National is this that I take issue with. If that is 151, living in the former Saint Luke’s Service was, for me, the start of a long true, how come I was able to take the Chapel, and the murals were visible. period of ‘living’ instead of ‘existing’. attached photo when I first arrived at He believed that they were covered It seems to me that the youth of Changi in 1954? I feel sure that there over again after he left Changi, but today could do with some ‘square is some reason for the difference of before their ‘official rediscovery’. bashing’ and ‘yes sergeant’ in place of opinion but cannot think what, However, the murals were visible in the crime that many get involved in. unless they were rediscovered one at a 1953, as I can confirm by my own And, yes, I enjoy Robert Frost, too! time. My picture seems to be the only experience. But first I quote Joe Service life in the R.A.F. has one I now have but there can be no Duncan (as given on the website “e allowed me to enjoy things which doubt about it being 1954. Changi Murals - Lost and Found”, by would otherwise have been only a Bert Barnhurst (M1652) Peter W. Stubbs). Duncan states that dream. (I took pictures in 1956 and he was in Changi from February 1953 Paul C. Warner (M2347) discussed the disparity with the Changi to July 54 and billeted in Block 151. Chapel & Museum curator in 2014. He has no recollection of more than HAVING read the letter from Denis Since Singapore National Library held three murals being visible – e Barclay (M124), in the December copyright to the text, I was unable to Ascension, e Crucifixion and e issue, I am reminded of the one and make changes.-Ed.) Last Supper. Indeed, he has photos of only time I visited these forts. At this only these three scenes.” time (1968) I was an AQM on IN THE article on Stanley Warren I was living in that very room from Hercules C130s at Changi. One (Issue No. 62) reference is made again December 1953 until late 1954. I afternoon I was delegated to do a to the Changi Murals being have no recollection of being told that training trip over Malaya. We were to “rediscovered in 1958”. ere were it was the former Saint Luke’s Chapel, take a cadre of staff college people on two ‘official’ stories concerning the as mentioned by Duncan. However, I a visit to the northern border to show ‘rediscovery’, both dating from 1958. also have only three photographs in them an aerial view of the forts. e first was about an unnamed RAF my album and of the very same scenes April 2017 9 Changi-ite Newsletter as Duncan. If e Nativity scene or that I had photographed were visible. arrive with cameras and other that of St Luke in Prison had been Where the doorway had damaged the equipment which they set up and did visible, I am sure that I would have Crucifixion, the opening had been some filming. taken a photograph of them too, closed and roughly distempered over ey chatted to us and wanted us being a practising Christian. again. Stanley re-drew the lower legs to walk around as normal, wearing a At the time I was aware that they and feet of Christ. If the murals were towel around our waist and flip flops were created sometime during the ever completely lost, it was a miracle (our normal casual wear). I can Second World War. In my 1953 that three survived and that Stanley remember they asked us some photograph album, which I still have, survived internment to restore them, questions and we had a general I had put “painted by a prisoner and to re-create the ones lost. conversation with them. It had (reputed to be Ronald Searle)”. When doing so, he was asked why obviously been arranged with Indeed, having enlisted in the in all the murals were Christ’s eyes approval from somebody higher up, Royal Engineers in April 1939, Searle closed. His answer was that he did not as they knew what they wanted to do first fought for a month in Malaya. In feel worthy to look into the eyes of and seemed to have some limited January 1942 he was stationed in God. background knowledge on the Singapore and was taken prisoner Dennis R. Hill (M1941) subject. when the island fell to the Japanese. I’ve no idea whether it was a main He spent the rest of the war as a I WAS most interested in the subject TV company or a smaller one, but it prisoner, first in Changi Prison and of the Murals in bock 151 and dug is likely that there may still exist some then working on the Siam-Burma out my diary to see if I could find any of the footage taken at the time. Death Railway. An artist, Searle had extra information which could help as After I returned from my published the first St Trinians cartoon a memory jogger. detachment in Car Nicobar at the end in the magazine Lilliput in 1941; and I also telephoned two contacts of February 1956, I spent a couple of he documented, in a series of who were out in the Far East at a weeks in Penang at the RAF leave drawings, the brutal camp conditions similar time to me, one of whom had centre and returned to Changi but of his period as a prisoner-of-war also lived in Block 151. this time in Block 140. At some time (POW). He hid them under the From my date of arrival at Changi I re-visited Block 151 to take some mattresses of prisoners dying of on 1st March 1955 until I was more photographs, having bought cholera. After liberation, he recalled: seconded to Car Nicobar in October myself a better camera, but when I “I desperately wanted to put down 1955, I was billeted in Block 151 went in to the billet, the whole wall what was happening, because I (apart from a couple of short had been distempered in a pale green, thought if by any chance there was a detachments to RAF Seletar). and the paintings had been obscured. record, even if I died, someone might During that time, my bed was very I was very disappointed but accepted find it and know what went on”. close to the murals and as airmen we However, it was some 40 years later were all very interested in any that I learnt that the supposition in information we could obtain about my album was not correct and that them. Stanley Warren was the creator of the e story which was generally murals in the Roberts Barracks. believed at the time was that 16 Searle was detained in the former Australian nurses had been raped and Changi Civil Prison, not in the murdered in the block which had Roberts Barracks. been used as a prison. In May 1944, Roberts and e paintings, at the end of the Block 151 Selarang Barracks were taken over by building which had been used as a that this had been done for a reason. the Japanese. All POWs, with the chapel, were supposedly done by the I left Changi on 26th June 1956 for exception of 1,200 classified as sick by Australian artist Ronald Searle (of St. demob, so my visit to block 151 the Japanese were moved to the Trinians fame). would, I guess, have been sometime Changi Civil Prison. Block 151 then ey had allegedly been painted in between late March and early June became a store, ending the room’s blood and any vegetable matter or any 1956. brief time as Saint Luke’s Chapel. other substance which could have Anyway, I can say for absolute e mural of the Crucifixion was been made to produce a colour. certainty that the murals were not damaged by the Japanese when a ey had been distempered over in “rediscovered in 1958”. doorway was made to the adjoining the past with a cream wash but in Stuart H. Renshaw (M2369) room. In my 1953 photograph of e time they had worked their way Crucifixion, the foot of the cross and through to become very recognisable I WAS very interested to read the Christ’s feet are not visible due to that once again. “Emergency or War” comments in doorway. When Stanley first returned One day, during my stay in the Changi-ite . to restore the murals on 20th billet, we had a number of Australian e starting point for any December 1963 only the three murals and New Zealand TV personnel meaningful discussion on this must Changi-ite Newsletter 10 April 2017 be the definition of both ‘ War ’ and aspirations were of ‘running their own term ‘Police Action’ to describe their ‘Emergency ’. e consensus defini- show.’ initial involvement in Vietnam. As tion for ‘war’ is “a conflict carried on e role of Chin Peng, the leader the conflict escalated and it became by force of arms, as between nations of the Malayan Communist Party, obvious that they had a significant or between parties within a nation, remains controversial to this day. He and ever-increasing military presence whether by land, sea or air”. was seen and referred to by our in that country, their armed forces e definition for ‘emergency’ is “a Government as no more than a thug, were referred to as ‘military advisers’. situation developing suddenly, unex- murderer and a Chinese puppet, his Finally, the pretence and common pectedly and demanding immediate strings being pulled from Peking. sense prevailed: it is now universally attention”. Whatever one prefers to What is given little prominence is accepted as the Vietnam ‘War’. call it, the Malayan hostilities lasted that he fought with distinction with So was the Malayan campaign for 12 years (1948-1960). our guerrilla forces during the medal we received for an Emergency or e use of the word Emergency first Japanese invasion of Malaya. for a War ? appeared soon after hostilities His book, My Side of the Story, I’ll go for the latter, every time! commenced. e rubber planters, running to over 500 pages, is a Nigel Springthorpe (M677) mostly ex-pats, found that they could fascinating read. ere is little doubt not receive cover from their insurer, that, together with many others in Lloyds of London, for damage Malaya, he shared the hope and ACCORDING to my record of sustained during the course of a expectation that after the common service book, I joined (was enlisted) “war”. enemy of Japan had been defeated, his into the RAF on 7th November 1952 However, they quickly discovered countrymen would be given self- at Cardington. From there to RAF they could be covered for an determination. Hednesford, 4 Wing, situated on “emergency”. No prizes for guessing Sadly, our nation’s finances were in Cannock Chase, and saw for the first how they then preferred to refer to the such a desperate state after WW2 that time signs on the road saying ‘liable campaign! we were in no position to lose out on to subsidence’ – there were coal mines But there was another and more the continuing valuable rubber and below. It was very cold that winter. compelling reason why the term tin resources that Malaya provided. Having survived without being “emergency” was picked up and left to Independence would have to wait. re-flighted, I was briefly at RAF run by our Government and the Chin Peng felt he had no Middle Wallop, now an army air military: the need to downplay to the alternative but to fight on, despite the corps station; then to RAF Dishforth rest of the world that there was offer of an O.B.E. to keep him quiet. for on-the-job training as an continuing unrest in one of our prized In 1998 he came to this country to operations clerk, working in the colonial possessions. visit the Public Records Office at Kew control tower. Referring to an “emergency” and viewed the now released Dishforth was a 24-hour master would make it sound like a minor documents recording his meetings diversion airfield with a FIS (flight local difficulty, an irritant, which after and discussions with our officials. He information service) room. We over 10 years was actually under claimed, with some justification, that worked shifts – say Monday 12-6pm, control. e reality was that our he had been misled on the question of then next morning 8 till noon, back country’s reputation had taken a huge self-determination. again at 6pm until 8am the next knock after the fall of Malaya and Following his death in 2013, aged morning with the rest of the day off. Singapore. We had previousy been 90, e Times newspaper gave a e next day noon to 6pm. is was regarded as the mighty British who, full-page obituary to Chin Peng. Not a three-watch system. Hastings and even with Commonwealth support, suprisingly, it contained more than a Valettas were based here as an OCU. had been taken out by a much few factual errors, which caused me to I played rugby for the station as smaller, albeit better equipped, write to the newspaper. To my hooker, which had previously been trained and supported, Japanese force. surprise e Times printed my letter my position while living in Crediton Our standing in the world was in a subsequent edition. in Devon, near my home village of all-important. During my time in the Far East in Cheriton Fitzpaine. In their own way, our P.R. experts the mid-50s, I recall the word After a year at Disforth I was of yesteryear also sought for 12 years ‘Emergency’ being used; but perhaps posted to Abu Sueir in the Canal and beyond to explain that the those in the more elevated ranks were Zone. e control tower was located troubles up-country – and the just trying to keep it simple for us outside the camp in a barbed wire occasional riots in Singapore – were Erks! enclosure; we did guard duty at night the work of the CTs (Communist ere is an interesting parallel in on the roof of the tower with a huge Terrorists) and the CTs alone. e American military history to the use searchlight to scan the airfield, as the inference being that the Indians, of euphemisms to whitewash the Egyptians were prone to pinch the Malays and majority of Chinese were truth. cable off the airfield. Brens or stens perfectly happy with the status quo. e USA, anxious to protect their were issued as necessary. e camp But as in India, their hopes and international reputation, used the was home to 208 Squadron meteors. April 2017 11 Changi-ite Newsletter As the UK were leaving the Canal became a troopship (four to a cabin). Zone, I was posted to RAF Changi e journey home took five weeks with a couple of friends - Norman and I spent my 21st birthday in the Haynes and Archie Archibald - on the middle of the Indian Ocean. s.s. Asturias . Sadly, we lost touch. We called at Bombay to change e new control tower at Changi some of the crew, but were unable to was in operation but the runway go ashore as we were in military lighting was still in the old tower, uniform. On route to our next stop at some distance away. We had to take Aden, we were diverted to go to the turns working the lights as directed by aid of a broken down tanker the controller. A bit spooky at times! (Llandaff) which was drifting toward Readers will know that Changi was the coast. e crew lowered a motor a master airfield. I remember a boat, which took a cable across. We Hermes taking off at 3.05am regularly then towed it at one knot all day until on its way back to the UK. We we met a deep sea tug from Aden, monitored its progress till it left our which took over, and we went on our area. A Hastings from Lyneham took way. four or five days to get to Changi; A stop at Aden allowed us to visit Brian with Geordie Slater how long today? Life in Singapore was Crater City, then up the Suez Canal. relaxed compared to Abu Sueir, and lighters to receive some bombs from en on to Liverpool and Innsworth although Raffles was a place to save up the shipping line Ben, who brought - and out! for, I never did get there! I saw at the weapons out from the UK. ey Brian Breyley (M1964) Changi my first Vickers Viscount as were unloaded on to lorries and taken they routed through Changi being to the bomb dump. We were two Please submit any items to be delivered to Qantas. Also the nights out there and had meals on considered for inclusion in the notorious Avro Tudor, which had few board with the ship’s officers. Newsletter to friends; it came through Changi on its I came home on the Captain way to the Rocket Range at Hobson , an emigrant ship, taking [email protected] Woomera. people to Australia on the assisted and please include your On one occasion I was sent out passage scheme for £10. She called at membership number into Singapore roads with some Singapore on the way back and

This cartoon by ‘Eddie’ may evoke memories for members of 48 Sqdn. 1959-1961. It was sent to us from the U.S. by Paul Warner (M2347) Changi-ite Newsletter 12 April 2017 In 1980 John Paul (M1001) with his family sailed in a Moody 33 yacht from Scarborough through the Mediterranean to the Red Sea and back, an 8,000 nm voyage. In 1987 he built a yacht to follow the voyage of the Endeavour round the world, 40,000 nm. These voyages were inspired by his sailing with Changi Yacht Club. FTER the war the government perhaps it was in the blood. majority were unlucky and posted to home Adecided it needed a pool of trained First I had to spend eight weeks stations. When our Flight heard of our servicemen, so they set up National Service squarebashing at Cardington. Gradually posting we were ecstatic. It was like coming under which all fit men of 18, not in a we got used to conformity and the top of the class in exams. After a few days’ resered occupation, had to serve a couple harmless fury of the drill sergeant, our boot leave we embarked on the troopship m.s. of years. It was appealing to me, offering toecaps spit and polished, polished tin lids Dilwara, kit bags on shoulders, bound for the prospect of at last being able to leave shining like a mirror, uniform buttons Singapore via the Mediterranean and Suez Askham Bogs and Dringhouses. I had gleaming and webbing blancoed to a Canal. My parents certainly weren’t happy already hatched plans with a friend to sign perfect white. that their only son was to be sent to a on with the Coldstream Guards. After Cardington I was sent for six strange tropical destination for two and a It did not come to pass and instead I months’ trade training in Wiltshire, back half years. is was no gap year and there joined the RAF on the 12th December to school in the huts and hangars of RAF were wars going on in Malaya and Korea! 1951. I had been a member of the 110 Melksham. For a person who had rarely But for we 18-year-old ‘sprogs’ this was Squadron York Air Cadets and had enjoyed taken notes and never thought of academic really something. None had been far away learning about aspect ratio, dihedral, angle work as a serious pastime, this was a new from home before, package holidays had of attack and the principle of lift and felt and challenging experience. Nothing had not begun and post-war rationing was still that I had a basic knowledge of aircraft. changed since the war. e old Halifax in place. Britain was beginning to brighten e war had strengthened my interest bomber in the hangar and the instruments up slowly after the deep austerity of the war even though crashes were regular and I we installed, checked aboard, adjusted and years, but to be sent to the Far East was the knew that many aircraft had not returned calibrated in the workshop were simple in ultimate adventure. from their missions. Air crew would be appearance and internal technicalities. In We sailed south, calling on Gibraltar beyond me because I was without class we learned how they worked, drew and then on into the Mediterranean. We academic qualification; and so it proved, them and began to understand their experienced for the first time the gradual but not before I had been through a signicance to the pilot, crew and the change in the quality of light and the process of aptitude testing and interviews wellbeing of the aircraft. We were taught increasing temperature. Some time before for trade selection at the Cardington in the workshops how to use files, Port Said and the Suez Canal we changed pre-training centre in Bedfordshire. e hacksaws and screwdrivers and how to into those strange light brown, lightweight tests seemed to prove that I was not quite calibrate instruments on test beds, uniforms that altered us from blue airmen the country yokel I had presumed myself adjusting them for accuracy. to tropical-clad ‘erks’, revealing white knees to be. When interviewed for job choice I Aircraft in those days flew by systems below baggy, over-long shorts. e RAF found the results gave me access to a wide that could be understood by a country boy. had never shone in the quality of their range of technical work. I could even e satisfaction I discovered in study and uniforms compared with the USAF but choose to become aircrew but there were understanding has continued through life. these outfits were even less attractive than snags. In those days conscription was for Only recently has this suffered as modern the hessian garments I had endured for the two years. If you were prepared to sign on computer technology has removed control Hiawatha production at school. for three or more, job prospects improved from my simple minded grasp. Who, in As we sailed past the sand dunes and dramatically and five years offered the the future, when all our space and IT through the Great Bitter Lakes of the Suez chance to become aircrew. If I wished to be systems fail, will have the practical Canal we stripped down to shorts and used an engineer, rigger, radio or instrument knowledge and ability to redevelop the fire hoses for some cooling fun on the mechanic I must sign on for three years foredeck. In the Red Sea and at our brief and that was the path I chose. call at Aden we began to experience the My documents record that I enlisted on extremes of temperature and sights, of December 12th 1951 and left on poverty and riches, which this voyage east November 23rd 1954. After that I was was revealing. In Aden we saw women fully placed in the Reserves, which meant covered in their flowing garments, camels occasional short training courses to keep being used for transportation and m.s. Dilwara at Aden up my skills but I was never recalled to quantities of tropical fruit such as we had serve again full time. hands-on skills of our past? I wish I could never dreamed of. e pineapples brought e initial tests had shown a be there to help. e information will be aboard lasted until the middle of the mechanical and spatial aptitude but also a in books but who will be able to pass on Indian Ocean. ose with a sense of smell degree of colour blindness that would the hand and eye skills that were once part seemed unable to enjoy the sights as much preclude me from becoming a pilot. No of our human experience? as I did, having none, and were seriously matter, the idea of messing about with At the end of training came the great worried that their entire posting would be instruments appealed. After all, my father lottery of where we would be posted. Most rendered unbearable by their olfactory had been an instrument maker foreman so signed up to go anywhere abroad but the experiences.

April 2017 13 Changi-ite Newsletter e m.s. Dilwara was a substantial ship my squadron and interestingly the same local helpers. It was possible that only six of 12,555 tons and our crossing of the number as my York Cadet squadron. years earlier they might have seen the last Indian Ocean was the high point of the Changi was my main posting but I was of the prisoners of war being released from voyage for some, if not all of us. ere was sent on secondment from time to time to the Japanese prison at Changi. We could no longer the need to use the fire hoses to Kuala Lumpur. see the old jail half a mile from our balcony keep cool for the sea broke over the bows I enjoyed the pleasures and endured the and prisoners of war had also been kept in and cascaded across the foredeck with tedium of RAF life on a working station. the buildings in which we were now every dip and plunge of the ship. is was My knees went brown and I felt confident billeted. the monsoon season and the ship rolled in the company of the hardened RAF ‘erks’ British and Commonwealth civilians and pitched constantly, providing all on who provided the skills to keep the aircraft and service personnel had suffered board with more than their share of of the Far East Transport Wing serviceable hardship and extreme deprivation at the challenge. Below on the crowded troop and in the air. I was now one of them and hands of their Japanese captors. Our local decks the stench of seasickness in the helpers must have had clear memories and humid heat was almost unbearable. Even possibly personal experience of the tragic though I couldn’t smell it myself, I suffered things that had occurred and it surprised too and used as many sick bags as anyone. me that there were no other reminders of We were allowed on the foredeck whenever those years of suffering, misery and death. possible to enjoy the relief of fresh air and e only visible link we were aware of was the sea breaking over. In calmer waters we the extensive aircraft dispersal area which had slept beneath the stars but now we had been excavated out of the hillside by were obliged to sleep below in the steaming prisoners in forced labour gangs. In 1958, heat on vomit-tainted berths. We were after I had left, murals painted by Stanley young and survived to greet the calmer Sew-Sew Warren while he was a prisoner in Changi waters of the Strait of Malacca as we turned revelled in the comradeship. We were a were rediscovered beneath the layer of south towards Singapore, aware that our mixed bunch from every possible paint which had obliterated them after the 8,000-mile voyage was almost over. e background. e one thing we had in war ended. smells of the Malayan jungle mingled with common was our responsibility for and our In complete contrast to the misery the remaining stench aboard. ese aromas knowledge of the aircraft we cared for. suffered by prisoners of war, we found the (I was told), were further enlivened by the Work was only a small part of the life conditions close to perfect. Although breeze from the crowded city streets of we led. Our accommodation was spartan much too warm and humid, the Singapore as we anchored. Six weeks of in large, three-storey concrete blocks shipboard comradeship was at an end. e housing forty men to a floor with matelots were going to their ships where non-commissioned officer rooms in one they would be the new boys and no longer corner and ablutions in the other. ey had able to impress the weathered crew as they high ceilings with wide doors to a broad had impressed us with their freedom from veranda which were closed only when rain seasickness and ability to consume vast fell heavily and the wind blew to dampen quantities of beer in any conditions. e our bedding. With them open most of the army boys were as pale as us and would be time, we were cooled by the through joining their units in the jungle to suffer ventilation and, if the air was still, by large Our Boot Boy white knee derision just as we would when ceiling fans. Iron bedsteads, poorly sprung, we reached our flights. We were all aware with triple ‘biscuit’ mattresses provided compensations in our free time were more that their lot was the least attractive. ey welcome if modest comfort after a than adequate. e NAAFI and Malcolm disembarked, dragging their heavy back hard-working shift. Personal kit was stored Clubs reminded us of Butlins Holiday packs, kit bags and small arms down the in a slatted bedside cupboard and Camps and the bottled beers served in the gang plank to join units of General wardrobe, a popular place for pin-ups, and bar, strangely named Tiger and Anchor, Templer’s forces who were engaging a looking up at the open door from my bed had a very refreshing effect. So, too, was mysterious force of Communist ‘bandits’ I could dream, looking into the eyes of the proximity of the swimming pool and Marilyn Monroe reclining on a sheepskin the green sea of the Straits of Johor Bahru. rug. In the pool Frank Styles and I mastered fins We were a long way from our mothers and snorkelling masks before shallow but the RAF saw to it that we did not lack diving in the sea both inside and outside some of the care we had left behind. the shark enclosure. We found little in the Sew-Sew was a small, black-clad Chinese way of coral but a few colourful fish and lady who flip-flopped her way from floor dozens of strange horseshoe-shaped king to floor to darn our socks and mend our crabs. clothes. At night after a party at the sailing club View from my bed-space. Mary Tan was our more rotund fruit we would strip and dive off the swimming and chocolate vendor dressed in pagar (enclosure meant to protect against deep in the jungle. is was known as the pyjama-style green or blue. Our boot sharks) to be delighted by the Malayan Emergency. My group were cleaner, general helper and caretaker was a phosphorescence which trailed from our posted to RAF Changi at the eastern tip of slightly built Tamil Indian. He smoked thrashing legs and fingertips so brightly Singapore Island. It was from there and continuously as he bustled round the beds, that we could see each other and our way Kuala Lumpur in the north that we were balconies and ablutions. through the water. We repaired and to supply the Army using Vickers Valetta As I relaxed in my ‘pit’ and waited for painted an abandoned canvas canoe similar aircraft of the Far East Transport Wing, the weekly kit inspection order of “Stand to the one I had built at home and for Squadrons 52, 48 and 110. e latter was by your bed spaces!” I thought about these some weeks it was our free plaything on Changi-ite Newsletter 14 April 2017 Changi beach. We were confronted by all-important Form 700s were kept on work as soon as we arrived in Singapore which snags were recorded by the aircrew. but in the first weeks this took the form of e aircraft could not fly again until the more square bashing and arms training snags were cleared by the tradesman and with the RAF Regiment. We were drilled over-signed by the Flight Sergeant, who and instructed in the use of firearms, bren was legally responsible. guns, sten guns and the .303 rifles. On the I remember one occasion when we hottest possible day we were led in full Malayan Airways Dakota thought the responsibility had driven the battledress through the swamps of Changi poor chap mad. We saw him through the Creek, up to our necks in muddy water to be no more than the application of office window jigging about on his desk with rifles above our heads while a gleeful observation and common sense. e first top, waving his arms and shouting for sergeant threw thunder ashes as close to us rule was CGVD and S, clean glass, visual assistance. as he dared. defects and security. How those We ran in expecting to find a snake but On the further bank and in deep instruments survived at all surprised me. instead saw a six-foot monitor lizard (1.8 undergrowth we were given ambush When the engines were started the metres) which had crossed the road from positions on our bellies, rifles pointing vibration was considerable and if it hadn’t the swamps beyond to examine the office. towards an imaginary enemy. Close by was been for the anti-vibration mountings I Its head swayed inquisitively from side to a real enemy, an army of red ants prepared think needles would have flown off and side at desk height and the Flight Sergeant to fight for their territory. ey took the instrument glass shattered. was clearly terrified of this large lizard and advantage by advancing up legs, down e greatest difficulty was working in its lashing tail. It had the reputation of arms and even along the rifle barrels as we high temperatures. When the fuselage was being willing to eat anything, dead or lay full length in our steaming wet in direct sunlight the metal skin was too alive. Faced with two oily ‘erks’ the uniforms. hot to touch. Being cramped into a nose creature shambled out and went back to “Keep perfectly still,” ordered the cone behind the instruments or in the tail the swamps. sergeant, “could be Red Bandits cone amongst control wires was equal to We were reasonably safe from General (Communists) and they have a much sitting in a hot oven. Rubber shoes or Templer’s war but our situation did worse bite!” But of course his language boots were the only protection against the occasionally present danger, excitement wasn’t as polite as that. hot metal when walking on the wings and and fatalities. Early morning take-offs were We did not begin working on aircraft the perforated steel plating of the dispersal hazardous. e General Service crews saw until after we had discovered the joys of area. is was a quarter of a mile from the to all receptions and departures. Aircraft night guard duties on the airfield and at main runway and large enough for the had to be started by the introduction of combined force of our three squadrons. power to the engine starters from a trolley ere was room also for the visiting flights accumulator plugged in below the pilot’s of Hawker Sea Fury, Fireflies and Hornets. cockpit position. It was there we saw the Comet (the first jet With the engines running noisily the passenger plane), squadrons of Hastings propeller of the port engine turned and several visiting aircraft like the B29 invisibly a few feet away and was a real Superfortress, the Avro York Ascalon, the danger particularly when, as the trolley BOAC Argonaut, the Hermes, Whirlwind was moved to the side, one erk had to Sikorsky 55 helicopters and Malayan move smartly round the spinning propeller Airways Dakota. to remove the port wheel chock. His But our world revolved round the twin trolley assistant ran round the starboard Bristol radial engine powered Valettas. We The Instrument Shack both loved and hated these aircraft, calling Fort Canning in Singapore. I fell asleep on them ‘e Pigs’ because they were rather duty in a remote perimeter hut and was rounded. ey were pretty primitive, awakened by the duty officer with a nudge rattling and banging about their duties, in the ribs. His words were deservedly mainly supplying troops in the jungle. critical but he spared me the usual ey were like workhorses in the field to guardhouse punishment and I managed to be protected from harm, fed, groomed and remain awake after that even when on polished, their livery kept in show extended guard duty at Fort Canning. condition so that we and their crews could ere I came off guard at midnight, eager be safe and proud of our charges. to enjoy my corned beef sandwiches which While each tradesman was nominally I had left aboard the coach. In the pitch a member of one squadron, there was no dark I bit hungrily into the wad and my distinction within the Daily Servicing face began it itch painfully. I shone my Section. torch and saw my meal was covered by e provision of workshops was a thousands of black ants. I had eaten shared facility and they were no more than The ‘Pig’ Cockpit hundreds and many remained my close the rear of disused box vans. Any companions until I had returned to camp unserviceable instruments were exchanged propeller and, on a signal from the pilot, and showered. for serviceable units which had been they pulled the chocks clear. If a third erk Aboard the planes my book learning repaired and calibrated in the instrument was not to hand, the final task was for one about aircraft instruments was useful but workshops by the truly skilled, long-term person to flag the pilot clear of the the guidance of my experienced career RAF personnel. e Flight Sergeant surrounding aircraft towards the runway. companions put theory into proper and duty officer held court in a One day a friend of mine went on duty. perspective and fixing snags often proved whitewashed building where the Perhaps he was just a little too sleepy or April 2017 15 Changi-ite Newsletter thinking about the girl back home. Who had been with us for several days, carry out because even the bandits would be knows? He tried to walk through the strikes against the distant hills. ey sheltering from the weather. propeller. e medical people had a grim carried two bombs, four rockets on their In Seremban we lost our way but after task that took hours. e crew were sent outer wings and nose-mounted cannons. using a mixture of English and Malay we off duty and that flight was cancelled. At the same time Lincolns were bombing regained the correct road. Passing through Despite being ground crew, we were beyond the first ridge and plumes of smoke Tampin we were lost again in Alor Gajah often invited to fly, usually to check rose from the jungle slopes. But not because we did not know that the road particular instrument snags which could everything was concerned with war, duty south ran through Malacca. Perhaps we not be tested on the ground but also to act and death. In fact we rarely thought of the should have bought a driver’s map and not as observers when searching for missing dangers. Interests varied in their usual relied on the pilot’s map of Malaya which aircraft. I was on my second detachment diverse way across the human beings who was topographical rather than showing to RAF Kuala Lumpur. In the morning I were there. We had all endured the graphic roads. e rain had stopped but the did one Primary Star inspection and fixed film show about venereal diseases during atmosphere was filled with moisture. In the two snags. I had just returned from the the pre-embarkation medical lectures and blackness beneath heavy cloud and dense aircraft and was about to sign for the work understood why large areas of Kuala tree canopy the falling droplets combined when Sgt. Pratt said, “Ah! You’ll do, go up Lumpur and Singapore were out of with spray from the poorly surfaced road with ‘U’ as observer. An Auster is missing.” bounds. to make driving hazardous. It had taken off at 0900hrs and I had seen Nevertheless most were willing to risk We stopped to rest and eat with sten it taxi towards the runway. everything to sample the rich variety of guns across our knees. Harry in the back ese aircraft were used for low level pleasures available so far from home. opted for the rifle but had it been needed Some, and I was one, were not prepared to I think his front seat friends would have do so but we were always on the lookout been the victims. We ate our corned beef for a safer relationship within the limited sandwiches before resuming our slow choice of WRAF of which there were very progress south as the shadows all about few, so I indulged my second interest, seemed to turn into bandit figures. Our engines and motorcars. Money was always next obstacle was at Muar where we paid short but by forming groups we could $2 for the ten-minute crossing aboard a afford to hire cars from time to time. is chain ferry. Between Muar and the next suited me because few erks had a driving ferry at Batu Pahat the road was concrete licence. Mine enabled me to drive RAF slabs for thirty miles, a big improvement, vehicles and to rent and drive any civilian and the little car reached 60mph. Beyond cars. the second ferry we headed east, inland to In Kuala Lumpur we often rented a Ayer Itam. e night was still dark and we Hornets from Butterworth operating from Kuala Lumpur Morris Oxford to drive round town, found the gates of the village compound explore the Lake Gardens, visit a bar or locked. No one on guard. It was raining observation and were small, light and cinema and view the girls, usually without again and we felt vulnerable outside the manoeuvrable, fragile even. ey were incident. On one such trip we hatched a protective wire enclosure. With guns in crewed by a pilot and observer who were plan for a 270-mile weekend drive to hand, loaded but safe, we shouted and now two hours overdue. We took off Singapore. e cheapest car was the flashed our lights until the unhappy Malay aboard a Valetta at 1400hrs with six of us diminutive Austin A30 costing $60 to hire. guard turned out. ey asked for our aboard ‘U’ uncle, an Army officer, a full I paid $20 to bind the deal and we papers and grudgingly opened the gates. crew of four and myself. Once over the area returned to camp to prepare. By midweek eir relief that we were RAF was as great where the aircraft was known to have been, Greg, Harry and I were the only ones as ours at being admitted. Minutes later the signaller and I lay on the deck at the remaining in the plan. Credits had not they were smiling as they let us back out rear and looked out over the jungle been paid so the financial position would into the jungle at the other side of the through the open freight door. A body be difficult. is was nothing new so we village enclosure. At each village harness gave us some feeling of security as made the application to the Commanding compound after that we were expected and the aircraft banked and turned a few Officer for 48 hour passes and permission the gates, closed during the night-time hundred feet above the hills and valleys. to drive south to Changi. e Friday curfew, were readily opened to us. We passed over places where the Auster working day was short and I was able to e last barrier was that into Johor might have force landed, roads, rice escape at four. Bahru. We were glad to see the lights of the paddies and any clear areas. By five I had collected the car, driven town and the cool waters of the Johor We flew over the hilly terrain as low as back to camp, picked up food from the Strait as we crossed the causeway on to possible, uphill and down dale from rocky mess, a jerry can of 100 octane aircraft fuel, Singapore Island. Mist had been mountain tops to the fast flowing rivers in tools from the workshop and was ready hampering us for the last fifty miles but the the valleys. Often we saw Naval and RAF and waiting for my friends. By five-thirty twenty miles to Changi were clear and helicopters flying at treetop height with we were ready and called at the armoury traffic free. We were making good time, other Austers, all taking part in the search. for two sten guns, a .303 rifle and 66 too good, because we were stopped by a We saw many objects which could have rounds of ammunition for self protection. bored traffic cop for doing 50 mph on the been a crashed aircraft in the leafy jungle After setting off at six we were forty Bukit Timah road. We arrived at the guard but on closer inspection proved to be rocks miles away near Seremban by the time it house and handed in our arms at 3.30am or fallen trees. When we landed darkness got dark. e road was winding amongst after a journey of 270 miles. was already falling and no trace was found hills, trees and thick undergrowth. By now After a few hours in bed on Saturday of the Auster or her crew. it was raining, a tropical deluge beyond the morning we drove into Singapore to get In Kuala Lumpur we were closer to the scope of the windscreen wipers. We could Greg a provisional driving licence and action than in Changi and could watch the see little, speed was down to a crawl but we renew mine. Returning to camp we swam four Hornets from Butterworth, which were not too concerned about ambush in the pool, had lunch at the Yacht Club Changi-ite Newsletter 16 April 2017 and drove back to Singapore to see the the car hire owner accepted that his brakes colour. e downhill run was even more sights, spending the evening in the air were faulty and returned the money we hair-raising as the brakes were only just conditioned Odeon Cinema watching the had paid for the hire. capable of arresting our downward rush film Houdini. On Sunday morning we collected our and we stopped frequently to let them A few weeks earlier we had hired a arms and left Changi to return to Kuala cool. Disc brakes had not been invented Morris Oxford to go to the same Odeon to Lumpur in the car. e drive back during and I knew enough about the poor see Alan Ladd in Shane . We parked on the a sunny afernoon and through dusk until maintenance of these hire vehicles to be roof car park approached by a steep our arrival at 2130 hrs was uneventful. Life very concerned. e temperature increased spiralling ramp. e film was excellent, “all in Kuala Lumpur was not uncomfortable as we reached the foothills of the gallopin’ ’osses and guns”, as my dad used and because the base was small with no Titiwangsa mountains, the brakes were hot to say. We came out of the cool interior more than half a dozen aircraft operating again and so were we, sweating, happy to into the tropical humidity to mount our at any one time and many fewer personnel have survived an exciting drive. steed and take on the world as Alan Ladd than Changi, so we were much more of a e next day a highly-polished VIP Pig had done. I drove towards the ramp with family and all known to each other. Tasks arrived from Changi and we were treated verve and attempted to brake as I were shared and the usual division between to the close-up sight of the Countess approached. No effect, the pedal hit the officers and the ranks was much less Mountbatten being met by a parade of the floor. A shining new Jaguar saloon with defined. Our dispatch officer Flight St. John Ambulance Brigade. She was twin chromium bumpers was ahead. e Lieutenant Montague treated everyone driven on to Kuala Lumpur in the Sultan ramp was just wide enough for two cars equally and, because we were willing and of Selangor’s Rolls-Royce. and I hauled the Oxford to the right to able to undertake engineering tasks outside overtake through a gap that seemed too duty periods, we became his motorcar small. I snatched on the hand brake. It was engineers. He knew that we were car-mad, equally ineffective. We accelerated quickly. had seen that I was teaching Harry and I glanced sideways at the shocked face of Greg to drive, knew of our trips to the Jag driver. Did he think it was an Singapore and that we seemed to know ambush? ey did happen but not usually how cars worked. In fact our detailed in the middle of town. knowledge was from books we had recently Our two cars remaining neck and neck, read but we were confident in our practical we shot across a bridge over a monsoon skills and reasonably sure we could solve ditch and my offside wheels went over the problems and this led to significant work edge. On the other side we felled a cast on two cars. The Humber Super Snipe iron fire hydrant and a fountain of water One day we hired a Singer sports car Reg. No. BA5474 shot into the air behind us. A street vendor, and headed out into the country. I had cooking under a canopy, just managed to given Greg a driving lesson in the morning Routine work continued. My diary push his precious business premises out of in a hired Morris Oxford but the gear recorded: the way. change was useless and we swapped it for is morning Tuesday March 30th 1954 We came to a halt surrounded by the Singer. Harry and Bill came with us the weather really clamped down. We saw startled passers-by and leaped from the and, on a whim, we headed in the nothing of the sun until after 1600hrs. Most vehicle to examine the damage. One burst direction of Fraser’s Hill. of this time it rained so hard that no work tyre, the water spouting from the smashed We drove past the spot where earlier was done on the three u/s aircraft. One of our hydrant, a shaken vendor but otherwise General Templer had survived an ambush aircraft was diverted to Changi because of the only our pride was hurt. e Jag driver was and held our breath, but we didn’t seem to low cloud after another almost crashed on quick to drive away, relieved to be be worth attacking. Climbing 4,500ft landing. Two 848 helicopters crash-landed on undamaged. Suddenly a large black (1,370 metres) in one and a quarter hours, the Seremban Road and a third from 194 Humber estate stopped directly in front, a we found ourselves in a very changed Squadron is still missing. Our aircraft took roof-mounted bren gun pointing at us. environment. e road was dramatic, to part in a search in the last minutes of daylight Four Malay police officers and their the left a sheer precipice and on the right but found nothing. English inspector alighted. e inspector massive trees clinging to the hillside and Tonight we are invaded by billions of quickly assessed the situation as I struggled overhanging the road. e hairpin bends monsoon flies. Forced indoors by the wet day to explain about the brake failure, were so tight that in today’s busier times a they shed their wings until the floor is covered expecting to be kept on site until a one-way system means traffic can only - and on bull night too! Two days later was a breakdown vehicle could arrive. ascend and descend alternately each odd day of days. After searching the city for a Unexpectedly, he said: “Brakes, forget and even hour. Back in the 1950s we had suitable car we have at last found one; and the brakes. Get that wheel changed and get to take our chances with the oncoming what a car! A Humber Super Snipe, 1949 back to camp or this will cost you a traffic. Frank Styles later rode this route by model, 27 hp Registration No BA5474. We fortune.” Surprised by his pragmatism we bicycle to Fraser’s hill and back. are paying $1500 for it (£176), more than did the job in five minutes as his men kept At the top we arrived in Little England we intended but since it is fully taxed and the crowds away. We waved our thanks and with stone built houses, smoking insured and it has a new battery we decided in trepidation wound our way back to the chimneys, British owners and trees to risk all and buy. Greg, Harry and Walley main road and along the twelve-mile including scots fir, well cared for gardens were all shareholders having invested a small stretch to our camp and beyond to Changi and green lawns. Here in the cooler sum each. We can pay it off in three months Village and the hire company - without elevated atmosphere the Government all being well. incident and certainly without brakes. House staff and affluent business people e arrangement with the garage is to pay Two weeks later I received a bill for the could escape the heat and humidity of within five months so we are in hand. hydrant of $50, which I thought Kuala Lumpur. All about the village was e Humber is in good condition, not reasonable considering the excitement we the jungle where we saw groups of perfect but good. It lacks certain things but had enjoyed; $10 each covered the cost and monkeys and many beautiful birds of every we can obtain and fix them in due course and April 2017 17 Changi-ite Newsletter at small cost. New tyres will be our greatest outlay, all are bald. Retreads will cost about $20 each. e engine seems perfect but we can’t yet be certain. I hope I do not prove to be a poor judge. Over the following days as we cleared the snags on our once neglected Humber we were asked by our dispatch officer, Lt Montague, to service his Triumph Mayflower. He was so satisfied that he introduced us to the Military Assistant and ADC to General Templer, Lt Colonel Lord Wynford. He too had a Triumph Mayflower in desperate need of TLC. We drove to his comfortable residence in Lake Gardens, KL and he received us as though rank had no meaning. is brave Second Wold War veteran, who drove with only one arm, seeing our shining, comfortable and regal Humber Super Snipe, was smitten and I was immediately enrolled as his official driver and our car fitted with Painting by John Paul of S for Sugar dropping supplies Lord Wynford’s personal flag. For some in the mountains of Malaya. weeks we worked on the car and drove him about KL to his official and private Large open-fronted sheds provided sail functions with every service person we drying and boat storage, with a club bar passed saluting the flag. We repaired and adjacent overlooking the beach, the Straits serviced the car over many hours, finding of Johor and the jungle covered mountains significant defects but always making sure of the mainland beyond. A striped canvas that the six Valetta were serviced before we canopy covered the elevated veranda from rushed into KL to work on the Mayflower which the happy airmen could relax with under the sheltered drive through porch of their drinks served by the ever busy the Lt Colonel’s bungalow, or run him Chinese, Chin. High tide came close to the about KL. embankment beyond which an assortment e car had become very well known Changi Yacht Club of small dinghies were prepared for and Lord Wynford was sorry to be swimming in the sea and sailing in competition and cruising. Regatta days or relegated to his own vehicle when we had refreshing breezes. Situated on the the weekly race days were the highlights to return to Changi in the Humber. My northern shore of Changi Point close to but we preferred to cruise whenever the friend Walley and I set off on April 30th at Changi Village, it was housed in a simple weather forecast suggested a greater wind a top speed of 90mph and an average of timber structure with a corrugated tin roof. and higher sea than was comfortable. 40. We scrubbed out one tyre although by then we had four re-treads) which was caused by the defective front transverse suspension. We used 16 gallons of petrol An ambition to pursue averaging 17mpg. To build a yacht and follow in the wake of HMB Endeavour round Frank and I joined the Changi Yacht the world. Neither Captain Cook nor I were certain that our voyages Club in June 1953 and spent a lot of our spare time there. e club provided a would be successful. Our stories were written as events happened, contrast between the extreme discomfort in journals, ship’s log, books and diaries. Our average daily distances and high temperatures of working on were similar. aircraft and the cooling pleasure of We experienced the same circle of sea and dome of the sky, ever changing by day and night; the same doldrums, storms, rig breakages, split sails, occasional groundings and times of tranquillity, frustration, apprehension and fear. Unlike the unfortunate demise of Captain Cook at the hands of the natives of Hawaii during his second voyage aboard the Resolution, I have survived and these 26 years, and after the voyage offer my story to any who enjoy a true tale of a sailing adventure. My book “Sailing in the wake of Captain Cook’s ship Endeavour” is available from: www.endeavour-ambition.com Our course from Changi across to Pulau Batam and back to the Singapore [email protected] archipelago. Changi-ite Newsletter 18 April 2017 Outposts of Empire RAF Malta, the first DVD in a documentary series, is a 90-minute programme that tells the story through interviews, commentary, archive film and photographs of the RAF on Malta from its humble beginnings at Royal Naval Air Station at Kalafrana in 1917, to its final days at RAF Luqa in 1979. Outposts of Empire is a long-term video history project and its purpose is to research, record and create an archive of interviews of former Royal Air Force personnel and their families who served overseas from the Second World War to recent times. The aim is to preserve their recollections now, before those who lived in this unique tradition disappear along with their memories and experiences for ever! DVDs of Singapore and Malaya will hopefully be produced later this year. If you are a former member of the Royal Air Force or Fleet Air Arm who served overseas and would be willing to be interviewed for this project please contact Tod Nicol with brief details of your RAF career, postings, dates and any further information at: [email protected] - or should you wish to register your interest in this project, want to make a comment about the website, or its aims, purchase a video through other means than the website shop then please contact Tod via his email address. The price of the video is £12.99 plus shipping (either £2.99 or £5.99). DVDs, including the soundtrack, is protected by copyright ©Tod Nicol 2016.

WELCOME ABOARD! We welcome the following six new members who have joined between 23 October 2016 and 20 February 2017

Rank or Mem. No. First Name Surname Maiden Name Service No. Father’s Rank Trade Sqdn/Section/School Arrival Departure Block No. 2409 David Lewell 4090423 Cpl Police Dog Handler RAF Police Jan. ’53 Dec. ’53 118 (Above NAAFI) White (widow of 2410 Marion Frost Gary Frost) 4196673 SAC Armourer Station Armoury Jan. ’56 Dec. ’57 2411 William Barkes 1686688 LAC Gunner 2810 (PAR) Sqdn. Jan. ’45 Dec. ’46 2412 Roger Parry 1940908 Cpl Avionics Avionics Bay Dec. ’67 July ’70 MQ’s 2413 Peter Dawson H4245783 Cpl Clerk Sec. HQ FEAF - HQP&SS Feb. ’66 Sep. ’69 Siglap Osborne (widow 2414 Myfanwy Pinder of Ken Pinder) D4189812 LAC>SAC Stores Clerk Equipment Section Dec. ’62 Dec. ’64 Opera Estate

OBITUARIES It is with deep regret that we report the deaths of the following members. We offer our sincere condolences to their families and friends.

Mem. Rank at Squadron/Section/ Arrival Departure First Name Surname Service No. Trade Deceased No. Changi School Date Date

10 Frances Markham Cpl(W) 2822491 Tel. Supervisor WRAF June ’54 June ’56 Jan. 2017 21 Alexander Chalmers SAC 2695665 Grd. Radar Mechanic Ground Radio Flight June ’61 June ’64 April 2016

33 Dennis Davis LAC 4028343 Instruments 52 Squadron June ’51 June ’53 June 2016 989 Melvin Hope LAC 4055503 Air Wireless Mech. 48 Squadron Oct. ’51 April ’54 April 2016

1014 Norman Clayton Actg Sgt 3081285 AQM 48 Squadron June ’47 Jan. ’48 April 2016 1102 Jack Baker LAC 3112720 Printer HQ FEAF Press April ’48 Nov. ’49 July 2016 Nov. ’59 Jan. ’62 1331 Peter Garth Cpl T2410116 RAF Police HQ P&SS FEAF Jan. 64 DAeucg. 6’57 2 Jan. 2017 1605 Douglas Trower WO 1715091 Air Radio Fitter ARSF Jan. ’63 Aug. ’65 Feb. 2017 1659 John Bate Sgt 4135095 Air Signaller 52 Squadron June ’55 Dec. ’57 Oct. 2016 1794 Robert Wise Sgt P0592285 Accounts HQ FEAF & SHQ Oct. ’56 March ’59 May 2016 1830 Peter Lloyd Sgt 4055408 Clerk Accounts Tour 1: HQ FEAF June ’55 June ’58 Oct. 2016 Base Accounts Flt Sgt Tour 2: SHQ Accts. June ’69 June ’71 1904 Michael Quest SAC S4277605 Engine Technician 48 & 205 Sqdn. July ’66 Dec. ’68 Oct. 2016 1918 Norman Orr SAC 4009241 MT Driver MT Section V.I.P. June ’51 June ’53 Dec. 2016 2055 Colin Frankham SAC 4085228 MT Driver/Mechanic MT Section Sept. ’53 Nov. ’55 Aug. 2016

April 2017 19 Changi-ite Newsletter Forthcoming Events for your diary April Friday 7th 11.30am KENT – SUSSEX – SURREY Informal Local Reunion at The Nevill Golf Club, Benhall Mill Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5JW. Local Member: Peter Mersh (Tel. 01892 862643) Members in the area will be notified. Other and potential members please phone for details. All are welcome. May Friday 5th/ Noon 21st ANNUAL REUNION Saturday 6th at The Tillington Hall Hotel Eccleshall Road, Stafford ST16 1JJ (Arrival times optional) Full details and booking form in the Christmas Newsletter. Sunday 7th 10.30am 15th Annual General Meeting followed by departures Monday 8th Departures (times optional) June Saturday 17th 10.00am DORSET – Armed Forces Day at Weymouth (Promenade) Two-day event. Sunday 18th 10.00am RAF Changi Association will be in attendance. July Friday 7th 11.30am WILTSHIRE – Informal Local Reunion The Bremhill Social Club, Bremhill View, Calne SN11 9EE. Local Member: Geoff Eatwell. Members in the area will be notified. Other and potential members please phone for details. All are welcome. September Friday 8th 11.30am HAMPSHIRE – Informal Local Reunion Royal British Legion HQ, Love Lane, Romsey SO51 8DE (Off Junction 2 M27). Local Member: Anne Moore (via Tel. No 01494 728562). Members in adjacent counties will be notified. Other and potential members please phone for details. All are welcome.

OTHER EVENTS ARE BEING PLANNED Not one in your Area! We need more Local Reunions So why not consider help to arrange one Guidelines are available on request

RAF Changi Association Changi-iteNewsletter RAF FEAF Tea Towel Regalia Catalogue 2016 e FEAF Tea Towel is a replica Back Issues of a wall hanging which depicts (View on website) conflicts between 1948 and 1966 All editions of the which involved the Far East Air Members are reminded that a Regalia Changi-ite Newsletter are Force (FEAF) branch of the available from Mike James Royal Air Force in the three areas Catalogue is now available and can be of conflict, namely e Malayan sent free of charge either by post or at 50p each, plus a Emergency (1948-1960), the donation for postage. e Brunei Rebellion of 1962 and the Indonesian email (pdf format). e Association is first few editions are printed direct from a Confrontation (1963-1966). e eight aircraft shown able to order items on an individual in silhouette around the FEAF crest are typical of those computer, but most are printed copies. All employed in the transportation of troops and supplies basis, such as clothing, for ladies and issues from No. 1 to the latest edition are to the various theatres, some of which were also used to available. To obtain back issues please state drop supplies, to broadcast voice messages and in the gentlemen, in several colours and sizes. distribution of leaflets over the jungles of Malaya and number(s) of edition(s) required. North Borneo. e aircraft, shown clockwise from the Cheques should be made payable to “RAF top, are: Handley Page Hastings, Bristol Freighter, Changi Association”. Bristol Britannia, Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer, Armstrong Whitworth Argosy, Vickers Valetta, To obtain a catalogue, please contact: Please contact: Blackburn Beverley and Douglas Dakota. e wall hanging, produced by Mrs Margaret Dicks, Mrs D. P. James (Regalia Officer) Mike James was presented to the Changi Museum by the Royal Air 12 Shiners Elms, Yatton, 12 Shiners Elms, Yatton, Force Changi Association on the 17th February 2012. Tea Towels are available at a cost of £4 from Bristol BS49 4BY Bristol BS49 4BY Mrs D. P. James (Regalia Officer), Telephone 01934 833170 or Telephone 01934 833170 or 12 Shiners Elms, Yatton, Bristol BS49 4BY Telephone 01934 833170 or email: [email protected] email: [email protected] email: [email protected]

Changi-ite Newsletter 20 April 2017