The Gala Dinner at the RAFCA Annual Reunion at The Tillington Hall Hotel, Stafford in May. See full report on pages 10/11 Pictures by Tony Holt, our Webmaster. RAF ASSOCIATION including HQ. FEAF August 2014 Issue No 55 2 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) , so they can renew old friendships and make new ones sOur website: www.rafchangi.co.uk THE TEAM Chairman/Archivist John Dicks 4 Langley Crescent, Kings Langley, Herts WD4 8EW Tel: 01923 400221 e-mail: [email protected]

Founder Member/ Mike James 12 Shiners Elms, Yatton, Bristol BS49 4BY Reunion Liaison Officer Tel: 01934 833170 e-mail: [email protected]

Secretary Pat Holt 14 Burrowfields, Basingstoke, Hants RG22 4XJ Tel: 01256 477253 e-mail: [email protected]

Treasurer Richard Collins Sandhurst Cottage, Corsley Heath, Warminster BA12 7PW Tel: 01373 832789 e-mail: [email protected]

Newsletter Editor Ken Dennis 1 Warwick Close, St. Merryn, Cornwall PL28 8LH Tel: 01841 521038 e-mail: [email protected]

Membership Secretary Malcolm Flack 14 Highfield Close, Amersham, Bucks HP6 6HG Tel: 01494 728562 e-mail: [email protected]

Publicity /PressOfficer Brian Lloyd 32 Redwood, Burnham, Bucks SL1 8JN Tel: 01628 661005 e-mail: [email protected]

Webmaster Tony Holt 14 Burrowfields, Basingstoke, Hants RG22 4XJ Tel: 01256 477253 e-mail: [email protected]

Regalia Officer Dolores James 12 Shiners Elms, Yatton, Bristol BS49 4BY Tel: 01934 833170 e-mail: [email protected]

Almoner/Medal Adviser David Haylock 37 Pierces Hill, Tilehurst, Reading, Berks RG31 6RB Tel: 01189 425753 e-mail: [email protected]

Local Reunion Co-ordinators: Malcolm Flack (Amersham) Tel: 01494 728562 John Jones (S East Area) Tel: 01403 783392 Anne Moore (Romsey) Tel: 01794 322444 John Paul (Yorkshire) Tel: 01751 431793 Liaison Officers: Iberia : Brian Morgan Tel: 0034 952 196446 e-mail: [email protected] Australia: David A Wood Tel: 0061 2 8338 9103 e-mail: [email protected] New Zealand: Brian Churcher Tel: 0064 7 549 4230 e-mail: [email protected] COPYRIGHT WARNING No part of this Newsletter may be reproduced in any form, or by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying without the prior permission of the Chairman, or secretary either by writing or telephone. 3 Editorial Chairman / Archivist’s Report Apologies for the late delivery of the At long last the weather seems to be improving and April Newsletter we can now start to enjoy the summer, that is if we are but it was due to not staying up to the early hours of the morning circumstances be- watching the World Cup on our televisions. Ken Dennis The small party of members and friends that returned yond our control. John Dicks It may be of assistance to our read- to Singapore and Penang in late February all seem to have ers who have letters , articles or pic- enjoyed themselves, and some have expressed a wish to repeat the tures they would like to have pub- experience in 2016. Details of this holiday can be found on page 17 of the lished in the Newsletter to know that Newsletter. the deadline is seven weeks prior to th publication date. The 18 Reunion week-end went well and followed the usual format For example copy for the current with visits to places of local interest, and no entertainment after the edition which is published on 1st Au- dinner, which most of you seem to want. The committee have, to-date, gust, needed to be submitted by June received no adverse reports, so we have provisionally booked the same 18. That may seem a long time but venue for the 2015 get together. this is necessary to ensure printing costs can be kept at a reasonable At 10:30 on Sunday morning we held the RAF Changi Association’s th level. Copy submitted after the dead- 12 Annual General Meeting in the hotel’s Garden Suite. The meeting started line has to wait until the next edition. with your chairman welcoming the members present and thanking them for Another point worth keeping in their attendance even though some had long journeys to make after the mind is the length of articles submit- meeting. ted for publication. Articles and let- ters that are too wordy have to be Apologies for absence were received from four committee members, edited to keep within the limits of Malcolm Flack, Brian Lloyd, David Haylock and Ken Dennis, and from space available. eleven other members. Copies of the minutes of this meeting can be obtained Nevertheless, don’t be deterred. from our secretary Pat Holt. Your memoirs or comments are al- ways appreciated. My thanks to all Malcolm Flack has produced a list of “Coming Events” which who have submitted copy. Tony Holt will be updating on the website, and can also be seen in this issue of the Newsletter. I would remind you that we are still seeking members to run local Mini-Reunions for those who are unable to get to the PAGE CONTENTS main event. Contact Brian Lloyd or Malcolm Flack for details. May I 1 Cover picture Gala Dinner finish by wishing you all the very best for the coming months. Kindest regards, John Dicks. 2 Team Contacts 3 Team Reports 4 More team reports 5 Tunnels feature Press & Publicity Report 6 Postcards of the past. 7 Shackletons Flypast Changi As mentioned in previous reports we continue with 8/9 Dennis Skeet article our publicity for new members without spending a lot of 10/11 Annual Reunion report money. As we have found, glossy magazines are expensive and rarely produce few or no enquiries. 12/13 Searchline Brian Lloyd Local letters to the editor in your paper or one to one 14/15 Your letters and photos contact by members produce results. As highlighted in my last report we are 16 Fire Section Party feeling the effect of the completion of National Service because the very 17 The Singapore/Penang trip last day a National Service man served was 16th May 1963. 18 Forthcoming events 19 Membership and Obits We hope to attract new members when we attend the outside events 20 RAF Changi Regalia listed in the last newsletter. Brian W. Lloyd. 4 Secretary’s Report Treasurer’s Report The Committee have had two meetings since the last AGM. Information regarding the The Association’s audited Association finances, Membership accounts for 2013 were presented numbers and Regalia sales were at the Annual General Meeting on th dealt with. Sunday 11 May. Pat Holt The natural erosion of paint from the Richard Collins aircraft Memorial in Changi Village was mentioned The Association continues to be in a sound and although that isn’t our responsibility, but the Plaque healthy financial state. Substantial reserves have been was in need of repair due to dampness getting in and accumulated over the years and funds held in the bank this is being dealt with.. at the end of 2013 amounted to £36,300. Small alterations have been made to the Income for the year exceeded expenditure by £499. Constitution. The last few years have seen a steady decrease in income Item (2) the words ‘Membership is open to’ has been over expenditure which is unsurprising since changed to ‘Qualification for Membership’ membership is falling slightly, the last increase in subscriptions was in 2006 and costs across the board Membership Fees: have inevitably increased. Every year your committee reviews the The words ‘The Fees of those joining after the subscription rates and this year found that there was no 31st August each year will carry them through until 31st immediate need to increase the subscription. A proposal December of the ensuing year’ - this has been changed that the subscription rates remain at the present level for to ’31st December of the following year’. the next five years was carried unanimously at the well Item 3ii (B) Officers of the Committee - the word attended Annual General Meeting. ‘Webmaster’ was added in item b) and item c) was A full summary of the accounts is available to attached to item b). The following paragraphs were members on request to the Treasurer. then re-lettered. Also 3ii was removed, so now only reads as 3 (B).Copies are available of the revised Constitution if required. As you will have seen from the last newsletter, I MEMBERS REQUIRING took over the Raffle from Dolores James, and I am INFORMATION. sure that you will all agree with me a big thank you From time to time members write in for is due to her for all the years that she has been running information and ask for help. We encourage items to this. be sent in to the Newsletter. However, when members require new information please do not overlook approaching any Committee Webmaster’s member, because between us we have a wealth of Report knowledge and experience and are happy to pass it on or find out the answer. This will speed up response to I have literally only just members rather than waiting for a request to be taken over responsibility for the published and then another four months before the next website from John Dicks to give him Newsletter comes out. more time to concentrate on the Tony Holt duties of Chairman and Archivist. I will be liaising with him to put a lot more of our THE OMAN RAF VETERANS archives on to the site, as there is obviously only a limited number of photos that can be squeezed into each ASSOCIATION issue of the Changi-ite. This recently formed Association would Whilst on that subject, my first idea is to make like to hear from anyone who served at Salalah the Changi-ite available on the website, and the four in The Oman or on Masirah Island in the Gulf most recent issues are already displayed. However, to in the fifties until the late 1970s reassure you all, there is no plan to stop delivering the Contact details are : James Andrews, a paper copy. There will be no immediate major changes Changi Association member (M1701), e-mail to the site, but if any member has ideas for [email protected], Or telephone 01937 improvements and innovations please let me know. 522620, Wetherby, Yorkshire. 5 THE MARSILING TUNNELS Report from Robert Lum, GM Changi Beach Club Singapore’s National Heritage Board recently uncovered information on the Marsiling Tunnels from documents in the UK archives revealing that the structure was formerly an RAF reserve fuel depot and the original name of the facility was Woodlands North Depot. See below a 1950 aerial photograph where the red circle indicates the location of the fuel depot. Marked “A” is the causeway and “B” was formerly Woodlands Village which no longer exists. The site was uncovered amongst foliage which preserved the site and the discovery stirred a lot of interest and tours are now being conducted. Recently, some of the Club’s members enjoyed the tour so much that they have asked me to get more information on the site. As we receive your Changi-ite Newsletters, we thought you may be the right contact to help us as we are interested to find out more about the structure and its use. We are wondering if any of your members stationed in Singapore remember the depot or any personal experience or information that they can share with us. Please contact Brian Lloyd (see page 2 for address details).

Pictured above an ariel view of Woodlands North Depot. Pictured below: the Tunnels as they were discovered. 6 POSTCARDS OF THE PAST Compiled by Mike James I would like to thank the members who sent quite a few old postcards to me. There were so many, I have enough to complete several issues in Newsletters to come. How many remember the old Tongkang boat graveyard (in the 1960’s) just before you got to Merdeka Bridge going into Singapore? My memory of it was the smell. The postcard at the top is by courtesy of Mike Horwood (M63)

Below is War Memorial, Singapore, in the 1950s. Postcard by courtesy of Peter Chubb (M1485) 7 Shackletons Flypast at Changi

This picture of a Flypast by 205 Squadron Shackletons at Changi has been reproduced by kind permission of the Shackleton Association from the front page of their Magazine. A number of RAF Changi Association members either flew or worked on Shackletons from 205 Squadron. Numbers of the aircraft in the picture are: WR 952/B, WG 533/D, WL737/E, WL741/F, WR966/G and WL759/N. 8 WHO SAID NEVER VOLUNTEER? By Dennis Skeet (M2290) As an air radio fitter I volunteered for overseas service in 1962. First, I did a course at RAF Yatesbury on Blue Silk radar, used on Shackletons to detect submarines. I flew from Stanstead to airport via Istanbul and Bombay . On arrival at Changi I found someone else had done the course and was already working on the radar at second-line. I was put out of a job before I started! After the initial shock of the tropics I soon settled to life in a barrack block. Not long after my arrival in October 1962 I was sent with 48 Sqn. (Hast- ings) to India for a month. The Indian-Chinese border was the source of a dispute and the Indian Government had requested British assistance to ferry the Indian tea planters back to Dum-Dum Airport in Calcutta. For a young airman Calcutta was an amazing eye- opener. Hot, dusty and bustling with people and sacred cows, we had an eventful thirty mile trip each day from Barrackpore where we were billeted. This was a Ghurka transit camp and the only place we could stay. Officers and aircrews were based in the Grand Hotel, Calcutta. My stint at second-line air radio servicing was quite uneventful, being resigned to modifications and record keeping. I wanted more aircraft experience and Dennis Skeet with 48 Squadron in 1964 travel. TIGHT SQUEEZE DOUBLE DUTY The last one only squeezed in by a few feet at its As an air radio fitter I was responsible for the wing tip much to the chagrin of the pilot who leapt wireless and radar, the double duty gave me an extra out of his cockpit spitting bullets. My flight sergeant 1/6d a day! On a Hastings there was quite a scope for came to the rescue and calmed the poor young man radio and radar equipment, making the job much more down. “We’re not used to little fighters coming in at satisfying than record keeping. such short notice sir,” he explained. To give aircrews long haul experience 48 Sqn often did ‘trainer’ detachments. Usually they wanted For the most part life in Singapore was highly en- airframe and engine fitters to accompany them, but that joyable. When Indonesia’s “Crush ” policy never materialised since most had families and pre- came in and Sukarno threatened to invade Malaysia we ferred not to leave home. On one occasion they reluc- were all put on heightened alert and issued with a .303 tantly agreed to take me and an instrument fitter on a rifle and ammunition. My particular duty was to guard trip to the Middle East. We hadn’t even made the a rather lonely fuel dump at night for four hours. main runway at Changi before the intercom failed when After about 15 minutes a Land Rover appeared taxi-ing. I rectified the problem on the spot and tried and an irate duty officer got out and asked how many not to smile too much at the captain and crew. rounds had I got. Twenty was my reply. Whereupon he Our journey took us to RAF Gan, Khormaksar in took a clip of ten back and said ten was all I was al- Aden, Masirah in Oman, Bombay, Madras and Bang- lowed and don’t shoot to kill, Singapore had a death kok. sentence for murder! Only part of a large strip of tarmac was occupied by I saved up my leave and took it all in one go. 48 Sqn. which every one else used. Air Movements Twice I used Indulgence flights and visited Australia were next door and various aircraft came and went, and New Zealand in 1964 and 1965 courtesy of the including a Comet, Britannia, Valetta, Beverley, DC-6 RNZAF and our own Hastings training flight. (RNZAF) plus a C130 and Canberra of RAAF. A lone US Navy Dakota was parked perma- I re-visited Singapore in 2008 on the way to nently at the end and was run up occasionally when Australia for a holiday. It has changed beyond rec- it suited embassy staff. Once, because of bad weather, ognition and must be up there with we had to guide six Hawker Hunters diverted from the Seven Wonders of the World. RAF Tengah and slot them into a rather narrow space. 9 Changi Association members interested in aircaft of their time in the RAF may find the photos below provided by our member Dennis Skeet will bring back some memories

Changi Hospital photographed by Dennis Skeet on visit to Singapore in 2008, and below he is pic- tured at the Changi Beach Club. An RAAF C130 Hercules

A 52 Sqdn Valetta of FECS

Above a 205 Sqdn Shackleton II USN Dakota Below 41 Sqdn RNZAF Bristol Freighter

A 215 Sqdn Argosy coming into land 10 RAF CHANGI ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL MEETING 66 Members attend event at Stafford Report By Pat Holt, Hon Secretary RAF Changi Association’s Annual Reunion and AGM held at the beginning of May was again at the Tillington Hall Hotel, Stafford and was attended by 66 members and 31 guests The weather was lovely, unlike last year. New arrivals were soon booked in and then made their way THANKS round, meeting up with friends. Dolores James had A big thank you also to Patricia Learwood for her regalia table, with plenty of goodies on it. the lovely baby shawl that she had made. This was This year I organised the raffle, and soon had auctioned for £15, and that money was donated to the guests buying tickets, with me promising that the Naomi House - a Children's hospice in Hampshire tickets I sold them would be the winners! Well, some offering respite care to life-limited and life-threatened were! children and young adults. On Saturday morning some members went to The AGM was held on Sunday morning with a Shrugborough Hall and with the good weather all good number of members attending. A visit was ar- seemed to have enjoyed the visit. ranged for the afternoon for those wishing to visit the At the Gala Dinner, the Chairman John Dicks, National Memorial Arboretum. welcomed everyone. Afterwards, Dolores (pictured below) presented the treasurer Richard Collins with AGM MATTERS two cheques, one from the 2013 raffle and the other The Chairman, John Dicks, spoke of from the sales of Regalia and the book written by our Committee changes in the past year: Mike James late President (Air Commodore H.A.Probert) 'History had stood down as Chairman for health reasons; of Changi'. Tony Holt took over as Webmaster, and Pat Holt as raffle organiser. Membership, he said, was in decline, a situation experienced by other much larger organisations. This in spite of the hard work done by Membership Secretary, Malcolm Flack, and Publicity Officer Brian Lloyd, promoting the Association at Air Shows and other venues around the country. Get togethers are held in local areas although it would be nice to have other mini events if we could get co-ordinators. John also mentioned the visit to Singapore and Penang earlier this year with a party of fourteen - members, their wives and partners - and the surprise of Cedric Moxey when Malcolm presented him with his PJM medal (see full story and picture on p17). The Committee has agreed to help the other two The Chairman’s Cup was presented to Dolores by Far East Associations at our site in the National John Dicks for her work on behalf of the Association. Arboretum in purchasing a new and more durable bench, Tony Holt proposed the Loyal Toast. This was fol- as the old one was looking worse for wear. lowed by the raffle which, after deducting the cost of The Treasurer, Richard Collins, said the the prizes, made a £147 profit. Association’s accounts were in a healthy state His Our thanks go to all who took part by pur- full report is on page 4. chasing items and donating additional raffle prizes. (Continued on next page) . 11 MEMBERSHIP THE RAILWAY MAN Membershiip Secretary, Malcolm Flack , in a written report , said 92 enquiries over the year had MIKE FRANKISH (M1614), a wireless resulted in 47 new members. The total of 1114 paid up members at the end of December 2013 had telegraphist at HQ Signals Communication Flight, now reduced to 1044 due to those who had lapsed, has written to us about a book entitled “The resigned or were now deceased . Railway Man”, written by Eric Lomax. and Publicity Officer, Brian Lloyd, in his written published in 1995. There was also a film made report, said that the Association’s publicity campaign was continuing at small cost. As the last day for about the book which was shown at Stamford Arts National Service was 16th May 1963, it meant that Centre in February 2014. It tells the story of the youngest NS would now be 71, thus reducing Eric’s experiences as a Japanese PoW potential for new members. Mike recommends the book and says it He added: “Regular servicemen and women are the people we are trying to target who served in Changi prompted him to think about his memories when he from 1963 to 1971 when Changi was vacated”. was posted to RAF Changi in 1955/6. He recalls the There was no report from Almoner, David long journey from Liverpool to Singapore aboard Haylock, but the Chairman mentioned that the HMS “Devonshire”, the same ship on which Eric Secretary had now taken over sending out ‘Get Well’ cards for members who were unwell. Lomas travelled when he was repatriated back to UK The Committee was re-elected en bloc. at the end of the war. Mike has happy memories of his tour in Pictured below the table displaying the raffle prizes. Singapore. His job at Changi was to intercept morse signals from Tokyo as well as air/ground and circuit contacts such as Labuan, Kai Tak, Cocos Isles, Saigon, Kuching, Iwakuni and Butterworth. Mike concludes by saying people will go to see this film for many reasons and will find it a moving experience. Do any members remember Mike Frankish as he would be pleased to hear from them? He is already in touch with four RAFCA members. BWL

Write to us about your past experiences at RAF Changi.

As you will see from reports on membership and the annual reunion our numbers are starting to diminish and so too is the amount of material sent to us for publication in this Newsletter.

If you want to continue receiving this Newsletter in its present form KEEP THE ARTICLES COMING. 12 SEARCHLINE Number 55 August 2014 (All responses please direct to B.W. Lloyd, who compiled this feature) 6. JAMES ANDREWS (M1701),Telegraphist, 1. DONALD COOPER (M2322) 64/7, Commcen and 315 SU, Second tour 68/71, Sgt. Airframe Fitter, spent some time with Model is pictured below receiving his LSGC from Railways. Did any other member enjoy this Group Captain Merriman (now deceased) CO pastime Donald would be pleased to hear from of RAF Changi anyone who remembers him. His wife Shirley, (M2323), has also joined, and was a civilian typist at HQFEAF. Any Memories?

2. Were you a member of RAOB, 65/7? Enquiry from Tony Reed (M2327), who worked on Hunters and Javelins at Tengah as aircraft fitter electrical.

7. TOM STRAUGHAN (M115), 46/7 3. Did you Shark Fish, 65/7? BARRY (known Wireless operator, using Morse Code ground as Steve) WILSON did so. Airframes at ASF to air would be pleased to hear from anyone and Hydraulic Bay. Also bowling and darts. Any who remembers him. He was billeted in Meyers memories of him? Flats near Sea View and worked initially at and then transferred to Changi. The Officer staff were F/Lt’s Hallam, Mitchell, Ryde 4. HORNET CRASH 10th August 1951. Does and Sinclair. Tom finished his tour at RAF any member have any knowledge or information Tengah in Spring of 1947 and returned to UK about this accident? There were civilian on the “Queen of Bermuda” casualties when it crashed. 8. THE JUNGLE RESCUE SCHOOL. Did you ever jump from an Aircraft, from the 5. TEN PIN BOWLING. Did you take part in Training stage in the Hangar or from a Balloon? this activity, 70/71? If so, Member Malcolm If so we would like to hear about it (Mal) Smith (M2331) MTD, would like to hear from you. 9. Did you know anyone who played in the Mayfair Quartet? Eric “Gig” Young Information for ANTHONY (Tony) WILDISH. Band formed in 50s. Eric is believed to be in Scandinavia.

(See next page for item 10 “Sailing” with picture) 13

10. SAILING The picture provided by Member PETER HUMPHRIES (M340) W.O Medical lab, at Hospital. Peter is on left, then FG Officer Rosemary Partington, PMRAFNS. Lady on right, the late Mrs. Maureen Humphries, Name unknown on far right. Keith ? in boat. Vessel is Snipe Class “Pegasus”. Any memories? 14 A trip down Memory Lane with...... Your letters and photos FROM Jenny Hull (M1314) Nee Jenny FROM L. Malcolm Cloutt (M2308) Vincent at Changi) An abiding memory of my Far East journey I read with interest in the April Editon the letter from Bryan Millington (M2077) (about the FEAF Band). I earlier this year will be the great disparity between have several photos of the band shows around the same living standards in Singapore, a City of skyscrapers and time. My husband then was Russell Vincent and he stage vast apartment blocks, and Sittwe (formerly Akyab) managed most of the shows . in northern Burma (now Myanmar) also a Cathedral If Bryan is interested I can email him copies. I can’t remember all the names at the time but Bob Pullen, Ron City, but with mostly dirt roads, lined with open- Ogden, Ken Windmill, Ivor Dolbar, Mel Walker and Johnny fronted shops. Hicks are some of the names written on the back of the Businesses of all sorts were carried out on the photos. I was very interested in Gordon March’s (M2194) pavements (such as they were!) in the front of these memories. I lived outside camp on Opera Estate to begin shops: cycle and motor cycle repairs to deal with the with and remember all the places he mentioned. I learnt to hundreds swarming the roads; innumerable eating drive in Singapore and had a few very hair raising trips places, and clothing shops, all open to the dust of the round China Town. My instructor kept a small furry Loris in the glove compartment and it sometimes hung under the roads. But I didn’t see poverty steering wheel for a sleep. Tourism hasn’t caught up with the North. The I really look forward to the news letter, it was a long few Hotels have satisfactory standards, but no lifts, time ago but I enjoyed my time in Changi . Regards Jenny Hull hence my fall down a flight of stairs when my attention was distracted. ( Not good for a 93-year-old. Eight weeks FROM Eddie Heywood (M1232) later I still needed occasional pain killers.) George Learwood and I served for many months Daniel, the Vicar of St. Marks’s Cathedral, helped (1956/7) detached to Labuan, British Borneo from our parent me to find my way around - a fine legacy of British unit Changi. It was hell on earth! th We couldn’t work shifts because as the runway had occupation in the 19 century. He enabled me to perform no lights all flying ceased around 18:00hrs. The reef just the major purpose of my visit described in a Bucks off the beach was so full of fish we had to push them out of Herald article as “ War hero’s return to deadly crash the way to enjoy a swim. We had to play every sport site”. imaginable too and certainly have never been as fit. All the time we were really upset thinking about our friends A wreath was made, bearing the names of my down at Changi doing guard duties, parades etc. and really deceased crew members, and I was able to explain to wished we could have left this tropical paradise and been his congregation (translated by Daniel) what had there with them. happened to them. Their souls were offered up to God Here is George (on left) with me many years later on that very same beach. for blessing. The wreath remains in the Cathedral. The final part of my mission was to see the names of my friends inscribed on the War Memorial at Kranji in Singapore, and in this I was helped by Brother Gideon members, who undertook to take charge of me (!!) I thank God for giving me the strength to undertake such a journey. A remarkable chain of events helped by Changi Member Lim Tow Soon who runs Jacobs Café in Changi Village. Malcolm FROM Frank Long (M1553) FROM Brian Pelling (M2131) 15 I recently enjoyed the TV documentary of the I remember our three day journey from Blackbush to Singapore in a Hermes of Airwork Ltd, registration Malayan terrorist period -1948 onward - helped out with G-ALDO. On the final approach to the runway and just interviews with happy old sweats full of nostalgia. I became before touching down, a monsoon broke over us. The choice reflective and not in the least nostalgic about the Virgin of landing, or going round again blinded by rain, was no Soldiers era all those years ago while in the RAF. choice. We touched down and were losing speed at what appeared to be a normal rate. The Malayan Communist Revolutionaries, terrorists Looking out of the window on the port side, it seemed of course to Western media, were well supplied with small we were cornering rather sharply, as the wing tip was arms, foolishly donated by the Raj, who viewed the Far ploughing through the sand. Strangely, there were no thoughts of any problems until the aircraft stopped and East as a pushover once Japanese occupation had been everything was quiet, then people started to move. There removed and the Utopian wonders of British colonisation was no panic at all.. re-established. Looking out of the window, the outer engine had The most popular small arm was the sten gun, a cheap its prop blades bent back over the engine cowling, just like the pictures of wartime aircraft crashes. The pilot came piece of pressed steel guaranteed to kill more of its users through from the cockpit, apologised for the inconvenience than those it was used against. and asked “would some of you lads come out of the front.” Stationed in Changi I saw brief service in KL, Penang What he really meant was would we get out through the cockpit door down a knotted rope. and Butterworth. I was always terrified, not of the terrorists Outside, the aircraft was down an embankment some but of the quality of leadership promised if things got dicky. 15 foot deep with the front wheel buried in the soft bottom It was a resonant of Flanders, Dunkirk, Dieppe, Arnheim, of the ditch. We were told to shelter under the wing, the wives and children were coming down the escape chute from Crete and the fall of Singapore, so I was always on the alert the main door. for catastrophe. The first person to arrive at the aircraft was a Group On one occasion I had to call in at BMH in Singapore Captain, who was watching the aircraft from the terminal to sympathise with an old school buddy from Sheffield who building. It was said at the time that he had dashed out of the terminal building, spotted a car with keys in it and was recovering from the effects of six sten gun bullets fired “borrowed” it. He went straight to the end of the chute to into him by a fellow soldier. look after the families. Derek and his patrol, lost in the jungle as usual, as the By this time the fire appliance had arrived and British military rarely equipped its foot solders with maps drove straight up to the high starboard wing. There seemed to be a discussion among the fire crew and much pointing at (while a few years previously the invading Japs always had the engine over their heads. The driver then tried to reverse maps) blundered upon another lost British patrol and six out, but only succeeded in bogging the rear wheels of the bullets was the bonus. appliance in the sand. The fire crew then started to throw The Gurkas loved fighting the terrorists as they foam over everything, including the end of the chute, the Group Captain raised his voice and asked them to stop! garnered lots of human ears as souvenirs. Years later I After the incident, we were back in the airport building bumped into another old friend who saw service in khaki in and chatting among ourselves. It would appear that it Malaya during the troubles. He confessed to me that his happened so fast that it did not register how dangerous it could have been. People in the Terminal Building said the patrol, of which he was sergeant, exposed and captured a aircraft had stood on its nose and they were frightened it Chinese girl informer, so pinned her down on an ant hill and was going over on its back. We were not aware of this. smeared her with sugar. They heard her screams for hours The Press were there asking what it was like out there. Well, Service lads together you may guess, had their stories from way off before the ants got to the essential bits. ready such as “blood and bodies all over the place,” and Late in life he had become contrite and I got the laughed like drains as the Press hurried away. The following impression he sought absolution. I couldn’t provide it. morning we read in the newspapers that we came off the After this interesting atrocity his part was revealed. He aircraft stunned and dazed... news to us. The aircraft was in Singapore for some six months was arrested, charged and stuck in the stockade to await being repaired, wing tip, engine change and props, after the court martial. But his favourite colonel came back off leave, army used heavy recovery gear to get it out of the ditch and congratulated him and cancelled the charge. But I fancy on to solid ground. his conscience never stopped being troubled by this event. Brian Pelling It takes all kinds to make the world, doesn’t it. Frank Long 16 Changi Fire Section

FROM Richard Page (M2069) I was stationed at RAF Changi from 1968-1971 The number of high rise buildings dominates the city sky- as a Sgt. Fireman at the Changi Fire Section. My young- line and the traffic is horrendous. est son, Richard, was born at Changi Hopital on 25th A taxi took us back to Changi from the city; the driver December 1968. Our other two sons, Christopher and seemed to be 100 years old. He took us by the motorway and David, attended Changi Junior School. east coast road during a tremendous monsoon. I had thoughts We lived on Opera Estate and then moved to a of us being drowned in the monsoon drain, but the driver hiring at Tanah Merah Besar. On our return trip to Changi was experienced and we arrived safe and sound at the Beach in March 2012 we discovered what was our bungalow is Club. now a house, but the location was still quite familiar, apart Singapore is still as clean as it always was with chew- from the road being wider. Lloyd Leas is still across the ing gum banned and no eating or drinking on public trans- road. We could not get to the beach road as the land has port. My wife June left some shopping on the bus from been reclaimed and there was a barrier blocking the en- Changi Village, some books she had bought. We reported trance to the road. Some of the bungalows on Lloyd Leas the loss to the bus station, but the bus would be continuing are now holiday accommodation. on to . We held little hope of seeing them again. For our trip we stayed at Changi Beach Club in lovely We had settled in for our evening meal when we were told surroundings and reasonably priced. It was nice to see there was a motorbike waiting at the barrier to the Beach the roads around the club still have their English names Club. We were called over and given the bag with the books from the days of the Army and RAF, in fact the Beach Club in, the man would not consider taking a tip. I can’t help was on Cranwell Road. There is a wonderful walk from the but wonder if the same would happen in our country. Beach Club to Changi Village with views across the creek All the staff at the Changi Beach Club were without towards the islands.. It goes past the original yacht club. exception polite and helpful, in fact Amy, one of the This is a wonderful walk to do at sunset and is about a senior staff, took us on a tour around our old haunts, a won- mile long. derful experience and a wonderful thing to do for us. We visited Changi Museum and Chapel, a must for This was our visit back to Singapore after 41 years any visitor. It is a very peaceful place giving you time to and was a wonderful experience. Our son David has worked contemplate on the terrible things that occurred there in years for British Airways for a long time and was able to arrange prior to our tour. Thanks to the Museum and Chapel these the trip for us, so the beginning and end of our trip were all atrocities will always be remembered and the bravery of the more pleasant for having him with us during his layover the men and women never forgotten. in Singapore. We were invited to the Changi Golf Club’s annual Changi Association Members are made very welcome presentation evening as guests of Kenny Goh, the Golf and there is a restaurant in Changi Village called Jacobs that Club Manager. A great evening followed with a delicious gives all its members 10% off and has a large number of buffet. I gave the Golf Captain a Changi Association tie photos from the old days. and was presented with a polo shirt from the Club. This was I cannot recommend making the visit without some a wonderful evening spent with such pleasant and lovely advice, travel on the local buses, eat in the local restaurants people. and enjoy the wonderful hospitality of the Singapore peo- We used to go down to the city after a Saturday Night ple. I promise you a great time. at the Sgts Mess. Raffles is still there of course in all its Richard and June Page glory and across the road St. Andrews Cathedral still stands. The Singapore/Penang Holiday 17 Report by JOHN DICKS

At 0800 on Sunday 23rd February eleven members, wives and partners gathered in Terminal 3 at Heathrow Airport ready to board our Singapore Airlines Airbus A380, which was scheduled to take-off at 1050 destination Changi International Airport, where we would be joined by another member who would be flying from Manchester Airport as he lives in Liverpool. Later in the week our party would be augmented by the addition of another two people. Our flight passed off without incident but when we landed the seven of us that had managed to procure seats on the top deck were invited to meet the captain on the flight deck. He was very interested in the fact that we were ex-RAF and had been stationed at Changi. We then booked into the Grand Pacific Hotel for a welcome rest and spruce up before going out for a leisurely evening meal. The next morning, Tuesday, we all met up in the On the Wednesday we went to Kranji War Cemetery foyer of our hotel to decide the program for the day, but first and laid a wreath on behalf of the Changi Association and we had a surprise for some one. Malcolm Flack presented another from the Royal Air Forces Association, in memory Cedric Moxey (below) with his Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal, of the fallen. I can never get over the feeling of absolute the expression on his face was one of sheer amazement and tranquility that I experience whenever I am here, this place delight, just one of the holiday highlights. is still kept in an immaculate condition and does great credit to the people that work there. Thursday and Friday we did all the usual touristy things like going on the Singapore Flyer, the Midnight Safari at Singapore Zoo, the Gardens on the Bay and to mention just a few. On Saturday we had been invited by Lim Tow Soon (M2000) to Jacob’s Café, in Changi Village, for a farewell gathering, but when we arrived, at mid-day, we discovered that a full Reunion Lunch had been arranged for the RAF Changi Association members and the Changi Village Merchants Association to celebrate Lunar New Year 2014. What a time we all had, meeting again with some of the villagers that we had last seen at the Inauguration of the Changi Camp Monument in 2010. After lunch Margaret and I visited “Charlie’s Corner” to pay our respects to Charlie Han Loon Juan (M2001) who, as usual, made us most welcome. Returning to Jacob’s Café we were immediately transported to the Changi Sailing Club as the guests of Stephen Lim Fung Meng (M2002), where there was even more food to consume and drink to partake of. I don’t know how we managed it, but we did and nobody misbehaved or made a fool of themselves. This, without a doubt, was the best day of the holiday. On Monday we said good bye to Bev Steed and Theodora, who were returning to the United Kingdom, while the rest of us were going on to Penang for complete relaxation, at the Bay View Beach Resort Hotel, in Batu Ferringhi. After the rigours of Singapore we still managed to visit the Spice Gardens, the Butterfly Farm and the Penang War Museum, but a lot of time was spent in the hotel gardens, enjoying the odd Tiger Beer or two, then off to our favourite restaurants for the evening meal, to Mario’s, the Living Room, Ferringhi Beach Gardens and our out and out favourite The Boatman where May always looked after us. After seven days of this Betty and Cedric Moxey couldn’t stand the pace and went home, but we all persevered for another week of the same.Hopefully some of us will be going again in 2016, Later the same day we visited the Changi Museum but if you cannot wait that long you could always accept and Changi Village. After meeting several old acquaintances David Taylor’s kind invitation to go with the we promised that we would all return later in the week. Association in 2015. 18 FORTHCOMING EVENTS in 2014 and 2015 RAF Changi Association will be in attendance at these events

AUGUST NORTHANTS Sun 17th 10.00 Sywell Air Show off A43 Northants NN6 0BN

WEST SUSSEX Sat 30th 10.00 Shoreham Air Show on A27 at Shoreham Airport BN43 5F

Sun 31st 10.00 2 day event

SEPTEMBER HAMPSHIRE Fri 19th 11.30 Informal Local Reunion. Royal British Legion H.Q. Love Lane, ROMSEY SO51 8DE Organiser: Malcolm Flack Tel: 01494 728562 Members in Adjacent Counties will be notified.

SURREY Sun 21st 10.00 Brooklands Aviation Day Brooklands Museum, Brooklands Road, Weybridge. KT13 0QN 1 day event

OCTOBER HERTFORDSHIRE Sat 4th 11.30 Informal Local Reunion. Kings Langley Cricket Club. Vicarage Lane, KINGS LANGLEY WD4 9HS Off Junc. 20 M25 - Organiser: Malcolm Flack Tel:01494 728562 Members in Adjacent Counties will be notified.

ESSEX NEW EVENT Fri 24th 11.30 Informal Local Reunion at the 2004 Ltd Club, 168 Station Lane, HORNCHURCH On A124 Next to Hornchurch LT Station and Off M25 Junc 29 Organiser: Len Daniels Tel: 01708 555077 Members in Adjacent Counties will be notified.

2015 MAY STAFFORDSHIRE 19th ANNUAL REUNION at The Tillington Hall Hotel Eccleshall Road, Stafford ST16 1JJ Fri 8th 15.00 Arrivals (optional) Sat 9th 19.00 Gala Dinner Sun 10th 10.30 13th Annual General Meeting Full details and booking form will be in the December 2014 Newsletter

Other & Potential Members please phone for details of these events. All are welcome

OTHER EVENTS ARE BEING PLANNED Not one in Your Area ? We need more Local Reunions. So why not consider arranging one. Help from the committee and guidelines are available on request. 19 MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY’S REPORT

May I remind members that the accuracy of the Association Database is dependent on the receipt of any changes in membership details, such as changes of Address, Phone Numbers and email. So remember, if these are wrong, not only will you miss out on potential friendship contacts, your Newsletter may go astray!!

Enquiries have slowed up and that has reflected on new members who have recently joined. Malcolm Flack Since my last report I have only registered four new members and one re-instated membership. This therefore gives us a total of 1049 paid up members at 17 June 2014 WELCOME ABOARD We welcome the four new members who have joined the Association since Newsletter No. 54

Firs t Mai de n Service S qdn/ Arrival Depart Me m No. Surname Trade Block No. Name Name No. Section Date Date 2330 Ronald Curran S1930058 Chef Catering Sep-69 Nov-71 Jalan Chempaka Puteh

2331 Malcolm Smith F4292438 M.T.D. M.T. Sep-70 Nov-71 125 Section 2332 Eric Gri ms haw 2756650 Nursing Changi Dec-55 Apr-57 ? Attendant 1. Hos pital 2333 Frank Dell 131049 Pilot 52 Sqdn Jan-45 Dec-46 Private House used as Mess

OBITUARIES

It is with deep regret and sadness that we report the deaths of the following members We offer our condolences to their relatives Mem First Arrival Depart Surname Service No. Trade Sqdn/Section Deceased No. Name Date Date 433 Dorothy Bream 2805693 ACH. G.D. HQFEAF Nov-49 Mar-51 May. 2014

483 Thomas Douthwaite G3528261 A/Mech /A. Tech. Wing Jun-62 Jun-64 Mar. 2014

506 Ronald Fowler 3501038 Teleprinter Op. Comcen Changi. Aug-49 Sep-50 Feb. 2014

911 David Harries 4160022 MT Driver - MT Section Jun-55 Dec-57 Jan. 2014 Mech. 1089 Eric Baverstock 1096300 Code Cypher HQFEAF/Signals Nov-45 Jan-46 Jan. 2014 Singapore 1364 Kenneth Nightingale 3501836 P.T.I. Physical Jun-48 Jun-49 Dec. 2013 Education. 1373 James Ritchie U4001756 Teleg. I C.C.S. Aug-66 Jul-69 2013

1953 David Simmons W1060445 Telegraphist 315 Signals Unit Apr-67 Sep-69 Mar. 2014 (Comcen) 2053 Peter Swansborough 4074702 Aero Fireman Fire Section Jan-52 Jun-54 May. 2014

2104 Kenneth Hartnell B4129078 M.T.D.(Op.) M T Section Jun-60 Jun-62 Mar. 2014 Changi-ite Newsletters Back Issues

All editions of the Changi-ite Newsletter are available from the RAFCA Regalia Officer @ 50p each, plus a donation towards postage.

The first few issues are printed direct from a computer, but most are copies from the original printers. All issues from No.1 through to the latest edition are available.

To obtain back issues of the Changi-ite Newsletter please state which numbered edition(s) are required

In addition to the above, if you prefer to obtain all issues on one DVD, this is available at the price of £10.

Cheques to be made out to RAF Changi Association and contact: Mrs. D.P. James (Regalia Officer) 12 Shiners Elms, Yatton, Bristol BS49 4BY

REGALIA CATALOGUE

Members may be aware that a Regalia Catalogue is now available and can be sent free of charge either by post or by e-mail (PDF format). Since the Association has been able to order items on an individual basis, a number of items (such as clothing) have been possible. This has allowed items to be ordered both for ladies and gentlemen in several colours. To obtain an RAF Changi Catalogue please contact:

Mrs. D. P. James (Regalia Officer) 12, Shiners Elms, Yatton, Bristol. BS49 4BY

Tel: 01934 833170 e-mail: [email protected]