RAF CHANGI ASSOCIATION including HQ FEAF August 2019 Issue No. 70 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) , in order to renew old friendships and make new ones. www.rafchangi.com Chairman/Archivist: John Dicks 4 Langley Crescent, Kings Langley, Herts. WD4 8EW. Tel: 01923 400221 [email protected] Founding Member/Newsletter Distributor: Mike James 12 Shiners Elms, Yatton, Bristol BS49 4BY. Tel: 01934 833170 [email protected] Secretary/Regalia Officer: Pat Holt 14 Burrowfields, Basingstoke, Hants RG22 4XJ. Tel: 01256 477253 [email protected] Treasurer: Richard Collins 115 Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex CM0 8HQ. Tel: 01621 785096 [email protected] Newsletter Editor: Les Davies 4 The Bryceway, Liverpool L12 3HJ. Tel: 0151 228 9874 [email protected] Membership Secretary: Malcolm Flack 14 Highfield Close, Amersham, Bucks. HP6 6HG. Tel: 01494 728562 [email protected] Publicity/Press Officer: Brian Lloyd Apartment 26, Hardy Lodge, Coppice Street,, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8GY Tel: 01747 850898 • [email protected] Webmaster: Tony Holt 14 Burrowfields, Basingstoke, Hants RG22 4XJ. Tel: 01256 477253 [email protected] Reunion Liaison Officer: Peter Mersh 24 Asher Reeds, Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 0AN Tel: 01892 862643 [email protected] Overseas Liaison Officers Iberia: Brian Morgan Tel: 0034 952 196446 • [email protected] Australia: David A. Wood Tel: 0402 195390 • [email protected] New Zealand: Brian Churcher Tel: 0064 7 549 4230 • [email protected] Singapore: Lim Tow Soon Tel: 0065 9647 2953 • [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.

Changi-ite Newsletter 2 August 2019 EDITORIAL Chairman/Archivist’s Report THE Singapore Bicen- tennial in 2019 marks Unfortunately, we are unable to include a report from John Dicks, our the 200th anniversary Chairman, in this issue. of Sir Stamford Raffles’ arrival in Singapore – a Sadly, John recently suffered two mini strokes and was admitted to key milestone in the country’s rich hospital. Although he is now back in his home, I felt it would be an history; and each of us are in some imposition to ask him to submit his usual report. way a small part of that history as, We offer John our good wishes and send vibes for a speedy recovery to indeed, their beautiful country has full health! We look forward to seeing him “back in the saddle” very soon. been a small but memorable part Take care, John! of our own lives. I feel confident their success will continue for many more years to come. Treasurer’s Report Financial Year 2018 The Annual Reunion in Notting- ham proved extremely successful The Association’s audited accounts for 2018 were presented at the Annual and it was good to see that David General Meeting on Sunday, 12th May 2019. Wood, our Australia Liaison The Association continues to be in a sound financial state. Expenditure Officer, had made the long trip to for the year exceeded income by £1109. This was almost entirely due to the be present. Well done, David! increased postage caused by the GDPR exercise so ably managed by our Thanks must go to Peter Mersh, Membership Secretary, Malcolm Flack. the Association’s liaison officer Income from membership fell this year from £9400 in 2017 to £8928, a continuing trend. It and also the hotel staff. It was my is a sad fact that income from subscriptions will continue to reduce over the years. A very rough first visit to this venue and it proved a good experience. Once I calculation shows that our membership could reduce to around 400 in five years or so when we have discovered the correct button may have to consider the future of the Association. Other expenditure across the board remained to press in the lift to get me to the broadly in line with that of 2018. right floor, it will be even better. Regalia, now incorporated in the main account, shows an excess of income over expenditure The Saturday trip into Lincoln of £713. Well done to Secretary and Regalia Officer Pat Holt. was memorable and our visit to Funds held in the bank at the end of 2018 were £49 in the Current Account and £27,067 in Bomber Command outstanding, the Capital Deposit Account . enhanced by the knowledge and A full summary of the accounts is available to members on request to the Treasurer. presentation of an extremely good Richard Collins (Hon. Treasurer) tour guide. Your contributions for inclusion in the Newsletter have been sparse to put it mildly, accompanied by a Secretary’s Report dearth of letters. I know postal rates have risen sharply since Many thanks to all the members and friends who kept Tony and myself busy privatisation, guys, but remember that members’ contributions are with the raffle tickets at the Reunion. People seemed pleased with all the the lifeblood of our magazine! items I had bought for this. Let’s try and make it a ‘bumper’ Margaret Dicks, the winner of the table prize was very happy with the Christmas Newsletter. Finally, my hand made coasters that she won. thanks to all those who did Because of hospital visits for both Tony and myself, it is possible that subscribe to this issue. the Regalia Shop will be closed at some time, but notice will be put on the rafchangi.com website Les Davies (Editor) as and when that happens. Pat Holt (Secretary)

CONTENTS Membership Secretary’s Report Committee Reports...... 3 Annual Reunion 2019 ...... 4/5 The year started off very quietly as far as enquiries and new members go. Postcards from the Past...... 6 However, March through to June eventually has brought four new members and, including in mid-June, a surprise telephone call from a nanogenarian Searchline ...... 7 wanting to be a member – only just having heard about the Changi The Shackleton Boys ...... 8 Association and who was scheduled in the ensuing days to be flying off to Memories from the 1940s ...... 9 visit Changi with his family. Let’s hope the trip was successful and maybe Your Letters...... 10/11 we shall hear all about it in due course. Britain’s Secret Vietnam Missions ...12 Sadly we are still learning of the demise of many of our members as you will see in the Bukit Timah Races ...... 13 Obituary Listing. This then leaves the membership total now at the end of June at 805, which is A Flight Engineer’s Tale ...... 14/15 very close to my previous report prediction. The Cunning Dragons ...... 16/17 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, Telephone Numbers Singapore Bicentennial ...... 18 and E-mail addresses. So remember, if these are wrong, not only will you miss out on potential New Members/Obituaries/Cenotaph .19 friendship contacts, but your Newsletter may go astray! Regalia Shop ...... 20 Malcolm Flack (Membership Secretary) August 2019 3 Changi-ite Newsletter Changi Association 23rd ANNUAL REUNION held at the Novotel, Nottingham, from 10th to 13th May 2019

N early May we returned to Unlike last year there was no art Centre and Lincoln city centre. e INottingham for our second visit to exhibition on at the hotel, so things Sunday trip was a River Trent cruise the Novotel for our Annual Reunion were much easier to arrange. (with cream tea). It had originally and AGM. Attendance dropped from e Gala Dinner on the Saturday been planned for last year but was 114 last year to 94 this time, but this night followed the usual format and cancelled for reasons beyond our is most likely an inevitable trend since was regarded as a great success by control. our membership numbers are most of those present. At the AGM on Sunday morning gradually depleting. a show of hands clearly indicated a It’s not every year that we have a desire to come back here again next member from ‘down under’ joining Report and pictures year. At this point it was pointed out us, but our Australian liaison officer, by Tony Holt by a member that there was a proposal David Wood, made the long journey to shift the Mayday bank holiday and we were all extremely pleased to from Monday 4th to Friday 8th to extend a particularly warm welcome e traditional raffle followed the commemorate the 75th Anniversary to him. dinner with, as always, a varied of VE Day. In view of the uncertainty David’s trip seemed all the more selection of prizes purchased by Pat we decided to avoid both weekends worthwhile since he was able to meet during the year. Ticket sales totalled by arranging our 2020 Reunion for up with one of his airframe mechanic £420. the 15th to 18th May. e friends who had stayed in Block 144 Saturday’s excursion was to the government eventually confirmed the (ground) at the same time as he did. International Bomber Command change of date about a month later.

Vanessa from Isle of Wight Tours welcomes guests at the hotel’s reception desk while Pat is busy selling raffle tickets. Changi-ite Newsletter 4 August 2019 RAFCA 23rd Annual Reunion

August 2019 5 Changi-ite Newsletter Postcards from the past Compiled by Mike James

View of Penang Road, Penang (1960s). Courtesy Mike Horwood (M63)

Aerial View of Telok Ayer Basin, (1950s). Courtesy of Malcolm Flack (M119) Changi-ite Newsletter 6 August 2019 Searchline

No. 70 Compiled by Brian Lloyd (Please respond directly to: [email protected])

1. SGT. L. HAY 3033105. Vague enquiry from Picture provided by Association Member Bev someone who found some old newspapers. No Steed (M348). Pictured (from left to right): other information available. Unknown, ‘Chalky’ White, Bev Steed, Unknown, 2. JOSEPH (Jude) MELLON. Flight Sgt. Tony Robinson (Bridegroom) and John Palmer. Family enquiry. No other information to hand. Any 5. JAMES PARRY, J/T, known as Jim. Where is Memories? he now? Early 1960s at CCS, ‘D’ watch. Resided 3. OWEN MASTERS M2447. Clerk 57/58, in Block 128 (top). Personnel. Part served at Seletar. Taught Sunday 6. SPITFIRE TP205. Had an enquiry. Does any School at Trafalgar Home Leprosy Colony. Did you member have a picture of the aircraft? Apparently do any similar charity work off site? Including a Gate Guard. Scouts, Cubs and Girl Guides; any rewarding 7. JOHN BENTLEY 1946-1948. Was M1521. memories? Deceased. Played football in RAF Malayan 4. MT Section. Where are they now? Circa Football League and were league winners in 1963/64. See picture at bottom of page, taken after 1947. Family enquiry. John now deceased. Does wedding of Tony Robinson. Note Fancy dress. Can anybody have any memories of him? you name any of the people in the picture or know 8. LEN FLOWERS (1967-1969) Sgt. Dental of their present locations. All are from Block 128. Section. Any memories or pictures. Family enquiry.

August 2019 7 Changi-ite Newsletter The Shackleton Boys Dr. Steve Bond writes to Changi-ite . . .

Following the great success of the launch of Shackleton Boys (Volume 1) last year, please find attached details of the launch of Volume 2, covering all the squadrons based overseas, which will again be held at the Newark Air Museum on 31 August and 1 September this year. Perhaps your Newsletter would be kind enough to bring this to the attention of your members please. Thanks and best regards, Steve. Enquiries to: Dr. Steve Bond PhD CEng FRAeS, Walnut Cottage, 4 Pant Glas, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 7HS

URELY all of us will be aware that my book Shackleton Boys (Volume 1) signing event at Newark Air Museum, S2019 marks the 70th anniversary (covering all the UK-based units) at on Saturday 31st August and Sunday of the first flight of the prototype Newark Air Museum, attended by 27 1st September. So far a good number Shackleton, from Woodford, on 9th chaps who had shared their stories for of contributors have said they are of March 1949. e pilot was Avro it and were signing copies, plus planning to be there, including two Chief Test Pilot Jimmy Orrell, another seven or eight ex-Shack from South Africa. accompanied by co-pilot Sam Esler people who came along with the is second volume is dedicated to and flight engineer Mr. A. Blake. e crowd. People had travelled from as Roy Chadwick, best known perhaps flight lasted for 33 minutes and was far away as France and Portugal to be for his design work on the quickly followed by a second, there. A good time was had by all in Manchester, Lancaster and Lincoln, 45-minute, flight. is year also glorious weather and we were treated but who also initiated the Shackleton marks the 35th anniversary of the loss to three magnificent flypasts by the design a few months before his of ‘Pelican 16’, the South African Air BBMF Lancaster on the Saturday, and untimely death in an Avro Tudor test Force MR.3 that was force-landed in one of their Hurricanes on the flight accident. I have been in touch the Sahara after engine failure while Sunday. with his descendants and am hoping on its way to to take part in Volume 2 , which looks at all the to persuade the family to be air shows, fortunately without injury overseas-based RAF units plus the represented at the launch and cut the to the crew. South African Air Force, is being birthday cake! Last year (2018) saw the launch of launched this year, once again with a Steve Bond Changi-ite Newsletter 8 August 2019 Clive Bentley, son of ROYAL AIR FORCE MALAYA former RAF Changi Football League Winners 1947 Association member John A C F E Bentley (M1521), now deceased, discovered some Changi memorabilia among his late father’s belongings and kindly forwarded copies to our Publicity Officer, Brian Lloyd. In the picture (top right) John is pictured third from the right on the front row. Below (bottom left): Field Marshal Montgomery is taken by car to board his aircraft at Changi circa 1946; and below (bottom right) the Sergeants’ Mess Christmas Dinner Menu in 1947.

August 2019 9 Changi-ite Newsletter 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 the editor by post or via email to [email protected] and include your name and membership number.

READING John Dicks’ memories of I WAS pleasantly surprised to see Unfortunately, due to chronic ‘Nasho’ made me think of my own the photograph on page 17 of the illness, I have not been able to time. latest Changi-ite Newsletter as I was participate in any of the RAF I too had a deferment because of at the Cost Analysis Section during Changi Association’s activities but I an apprenticeship and was enlisted at the same period. I am enclosing a sincerely appreciate my copy of the the age of 21. photograph of a group of Changi-ite Newsletter. I had also been a member of the supporters of the ‘Lodgers’. William Allan (M2383) ATC, which gave me a slight advantage, and had two older brothers, one who had served with the RAF in Port Said and one who signed up for life. is gave me an advantage as to what I could expect. I must, in all honesty, say I really enjoyed my service time and when I got my posting to Singapore I was so delighted that instead of swatting for the LAC exam I, along with two mates, went out to the pub to celebrate: bad move! AFTER turning out a couple of When the results of the exam were drawers the other day I came across announced every one had passed these two photographs (right). ey except the three of us. were taken in October 1971 just a After a short panic it was decided few short weeks before the that we would have to sit the LAC phenomenal Changi Air Base closed test again, as we couldn’t go oversees for good. without it. Now 75 years old, I’m looking After great embarrassment we all back at a time long ago when I was 27 passed and were on our way to years old; it came as quite a shock. I heaven. am photographed with my Malaysian I’m quite sure that I couldn’t have driver (sadly I can’t remember his had a better posting and, as John name) and the Group shot is an Dicks recalled, it also turned out to be almost complete RAF Police shift that the best two years of my life. I feel worked in that imposing guardroom sorry for the young men of today who which, I understand, has long since don’t get a chance to experience the been demolished. same adventures as we did. Again, sadly names I Living in Australia is a great place have forgotten, but to be for travelling to Singapore, as it’s hopefully if you decide to only about eight hours’ flying time, publish my letter, some of one of our favourite places to visit. the other members with Hope to see you all soon at the better memories than mine Nottingham Annual Reunion. can identify some of my David Wood (M2196) former comrades. (Australian Liaison Officer) Keith Christian (M1390) Changi-ite Newsletter 10 August 2019 WHAT is an ‘Erk’? I would be most I FOUND the certificate (below) certificate is genuine; it was passed to grateful if any member could give an among my memorabilia and thought me by a friend who knows I served at explanation. Research has left me per- you may like to use this in a future RAF Changi. plexed. It was a term frequently used edition of Changi -ite . It looks hand made and if it is at square-bashing and I deemed it to I am also a member of the RAOB genuine it would have to be. I hope be a derogatory appellation or having been initiated in Singapore in you can use it since it may evoke perhaps an alternative to “you ’orrible 1957. memories. little man!” It is not listed in the OED I do not know if this is particular Leslie Kemp (M733) and the Urban Dictionary proved to be of little help describing it to be “more like an onomatopoeia” (apparently a word used to describe a sound). Other unreliable explanations are: “a word to describe annoyance or displeasure” (although I thought that would have been spelt ‘irk’) or, coupled with the word ‘jerk’, “slang for E&J brandy” (whatever that is). My parents taught me never to use a word unless I knew what it meant and I’ve always tried to follow that rule. Research, however, was not totally fruitless, since I can say with absolute certainty that it is a valid word in the game of Scrabble! (Name and Membership Number supplied)

Please submit any items to be considered for inclusion in the Newsletter to [email protected] and please include your membership number Laying a new airfield at Changi in 1945 A neighbour of mine, Les Davies, was at Changi from September 1945 until his return to the UK in April 1946. He was RAVR and travelled to Changi by ship with the RAF Airfield Construction Group with the original purpose of building an airfield in the Philippines for the Americans. However, during the voyage the untimely dropping of a bomb forced the ship to be diverted to Singapore. Mr Davies was a crane operator whose job was to lift the PSP, which came in huge rolls, and the operation of a cutting machine. The diversion of the ship turned out to be convenient for the Allies since the items were used to lay an airfield at Changi rather than the Philippines. Accommodation for all personnel at that time was in tents on either side of the strip; these can be seen in the distance in the picture (right). B.W.L.

August 2019 11 Changi-ite Newsletter Although response was light to our request in the April Newsletter for information from aircrew at Changi who could recall covert flights over Laos during the second half of 1962, we did receive the following feedback. Britain’s secret Vietnam missions David Battye (M751) I In response to the story in page 12 emergency diversion landing ground in of the Changi-ite Newsletter No. 69, the Philippines. All this to demonstrate this offering might interest Professor that 48 Squadron roamed about a lot. Roberts since I believe it may suggest Reading from my diary for 28th RAF involvement in covert Vietnam April 1963: “From Changi, Hastings missions. TG531 – stopped overnight in Bangkok; From 1963-65 I was stationed as an 29th April 1963: “To Ubon Korat (NZ) engine fitter with 48 Squadron + (Yank) Bangkok again 1600-meal. Hastings aircraft at RAF Changi. is T/O again1700 packed tight with yonx sometimes involved me in trips as blokes and mountains of luggage. Arrived ‘flying spanner’ to service/fix the Changi 10.30pm – home.” aircraft as best we could. We carried e above diary is as I wrote it - and boxes of bits which included spare I have no idea what our passengers magnetos-spark plugs and a reel of were doing. It’s noisy in a Hastings. locking wire. e third picture down shows the e picture (top right) shows the outpost in Korat. However, what logic for four engines, since magneto particularly sticks in my mind were the failures over Calcutta were not lines of American aircraft on the main uncommon. airfield; but it was forbidden to take Trips to Clark Field (American) in photographs, because ‘they were not the Philippines, Bangkok, Hong-Kong, there’ . So that’s that! Japan (Tachikawa, American base), e fourth picture shows the New Zealand via Butterworth, Cocos swampy terrain over which we Islands. sometimes flew and the bottom picture On to Australia, Perth, Edinburgh is of Clark Field or Saigon (I can't be Field, Sydney then to Whenuapai NZ. sure which), but it was a stop/refuel/go Also India, Madras, Bombay, New visit. e aircraft door is guarded by Delhi, Calcutta, etc. crew wireless-op Eric. Once again “no e second picture is Hastings TG pictures” . Being naughty I did get a shot 612 at Zamboanga City - an of the British Ambassador’s aircraft.

DAVID BLOOMFIELD writes to us of an unusual incident regarding a Vulcan that landed at Butterworth. David made several detachments to Butterworth from Seletar. In one he was attached to 110 Squadron and during one weekend was called out to attend to a Vulcan bomber that had holes in the underside, to be repaired as a matter of urgency. He, and others on the job, were not told of the cause of the holes, and also were to remain quiet about them; and he has done since 1961/62. It was thought the aircraft may have got too close to the Vietnam border. It was believed to be fitted with cameras. A bit of a mystery this one. Robert Fleming, in his 2012 lecture at the National Army Museum stated that Britain’s supposed non-involvement in the Vietnam War was something of a foreign policy oddity and mentions possible covert operations over Vietnam by the RAF. Vulcans, according to my source, states that they were able to carry (in the bomb aimers compartment) the F95 aerial camera, initially designed for taking high speed, low altitude oblique reconnaissance photographs.

Changi-ite Newsletter 12 August 2019 Paddy Gough (M2363) remembers a day at the Bukit Timah Race Course on the 29th March 1958

The finish of Race 6: 1st James Aitch (No. 5) and 2nd Nazakat (No. 9). Course record over 9 Furlongs was set in time of 1 minute 51 seconds. The Grand Stand

No. 11 College Tutor and jockey Chadwick were placed fourth. PADDY’S WINNINGS

Postmark C3 RAF Blast from the past Changi Singapore. THE SERVICE OF GROUP CAPTAIN GERALD EDWARD LIVOCK The Disbandment WITH FAR EAST FLIGHT NO. 2 IN AUSTRALIA 1928 of No. 205 (M.R.) Squadron RAF I GROUP CAPTAIN GERALD EDWARD LIVOCK flown in formation was the first Officer Commanding No. 205 (MR) Shackletons Mk. II Squadron in Singapore on 28th Febuary 1928. WR 952, WG 533 He was confirmed in his rank in 27th March 1915, and WR 966 from and posted to HMS President, before finally seeing active Tengah, Singapore, service aboard the Seaplane tender HMS Engadine, based via Gan, Bahrain, Jedda, Akrotiri, Gibraltar, Plymouth to at Rosyth, flying seaplanes on reconnaissance patrols over RAF St. Mawgan by Sqdn. Ldr. D. F. Wimble, Sqdn. Ldr. the North Sea. On 28 June 1915 he was promoted to P. M. Stean and Flt. Lt. W. J. Howard. Flight Lieutenant. He was still at Rosyth during the Battle Distinguished Flying Cross. His citation read: of Jutland on 31 May 1916, but was afterwards posted to Captain (Temporary Major) Gerald Edward Livock RNAS to pilot flying Boats. On 30 June (Sea Patrol) has rendered valuable services on numerous 1917 he was promoted to flight Commander and received occasions on reconnaissance patrols in enemy waters, in a mention in despatches on 1 October 1917. attacks on hostile seaplanes, and in connection with On 1 April 1918, the (RNAS) anti-submarine patrol work. was merged with the Army’s Royal Flying Corps to form On 1 January 1919 Livock received his second the Royal Air Force, and the naval units at Great mention in despatches “for distinguished service in war Yarmouth became No. 73 Wing RAF, in which Livock areas”. He was then attached to the North Russia Reflief served alongside Egbert and Robert Leckie. Force, flying seaplanes from a base on Lake Onega, during Livock was promoted to the temporary rank of major on the Russian Civil War and was again appointed a 23 July 1918, and on 20 September was awarded the temporary major between 1 May and 29 June 1919.

August 2019 13 Changi-ite Newsletter A Flight Engineer’s Tale

HIS story will tell you of my No.10 Squadron’s VC10 aircraft. I was Texperiences during my training as a also promoted to Master Engineer Flight Engineer and later on as a By Gordon March (Warrant Officer status). e first three squadron member. (M2194) months’ training was carried out by To be a F/Eng. you have to have full British Airways at Heathrow. I bought knowledge of the aircraft you are flying myself a three-wheeler Reliant to do the After orney Island I was posted to in and be able to respond quickly to any travelling to and from , RAF Colerne, near Bath. is Squadron problems that may occur – there is no eventually to married quarters at Brize. did not normally carry passengers but stopping and putting on the handbrake is was a big change from the old concentrated on freight, some dropped and getting your tools out at 35,000 ft. Hastings; the VC10 was full of new (in from the air to soldiers or supplies to Initial training for me started at RAF those days) electronics which, as an farms in the floods. Also we did a lot of Kirkham, near Preston. is lasted six engineer, I had to learn thoroughly. e parachute dropping, on one occasion months and we were taught a great deal aircraft was very fast with four dropping S.A.S Reservists into Poole about Engines and Airframes, each part Rolls-Royce Conway engines giving a Harbour at night. is also allowed me of the course ended in an exam which minimum thrust of 90,000 lbs. Part of to build up my flying hours to above the was Pass or Fail – Failure on any part the Pilot training was to take the aircraft 500. In addition, my Chief Tech. came meant return to your old unit. During up to 40,000 feet, increase speed to through so I became F/Sgt. After two this time I bought myself a DKR Mach 0.92, then the autopilot was years I was posted to the Far East Scooter and travelled to and from switched of and the pilots had to fly the Communication Squadron (F.E.C.s). in Doncaster each weekend throughout the aircraft manually. RAF Changi. winter. (Story already in previous Back to Brize for a further three Most of my Changi adventures have Newsletter.) months to learn how to operate the already been documented in past On completion of the first six aircraft, some of this done in the flight newsletters. At the end of two and half months we were sent down to RAF simulator with no end of faults put into years I was posted home to No.10 Melksham and started another six the system to keep you awake. As a Squadron at RAF Brize Norton. months’ training, this time on Electrics matter of interest all Flight Engineers Another six months’ training to join and Instrumentation. I was previously had to spend one hour in the Captain’s trained as an Aircraft Electrician so this seat doing landings and take offs. No was no hardship. autopilot was allowed. First flight At the end of the course we were told overseas was to be to Changi via which aircraft we would be flying on; I Akrotiri, Bahrein and Gan with five was given the Hastings – much to my training crews on board. I did the first great delight because I had spent five leg to Akrotiri with my captain Wg. years servicing this aircraft and knew Cdr. Palmer; this proved uneventful. every nut and bolt of it. e second leg to Bahrein was to Stage three was the combined deliver an aircraft engine so we had to Ground and Flying training to be use the freight door for the first time. All carried out at RAF orney Island in delivered successfully then on to Gan on The original concept of the Sussex. Another six months, but helped the next day. We had only been integral part of the 10 Squadron by the fact that my wife’s family lived travelling for about 45 minutes when all just down the road from the camp. e Crest came from an idea the oxygen masks came down and the ground training of this part of the course conceived by the Squadron freight door opened up about two feet. was fairly easy because of my previous Commander, Wing Commander e crew flying the aircraft at this time knowledge of the aircraft. I enjoyed the A. T. Whitlock in 1929. reduced the aircraft altitude and turned flying stage especially as we spent two A medieval arrow was to return to Bahrein. In the meanwhile weeks in North Africa to do our night thought to depict a modern the freight door was lashed up to prevent flying. At the end of the course we were bomb and the wings to denote it opening any further and the rest of the given our flying badges, but at this stage great speed. The Latin motto crew had the job of stowing the oxygen we were told we would not be qualified Rem Acu Tangere freely masks back into their respective to carry passengers until we had translates as “Hit the Mark”. stowages. Arrival at Bahrein was completed 500 hours flying. achieved successfully. Changi-ite Newsletter 14 August 2019 is proved to be a problem as far as to Brize Norton I supervised the other collect all the crews on route and bring training was concerned, all the training engineers taking their turn in doing their them home for Christmas. On Boxing staff and the crew had to stay in Bahrein flying duties. Day the aircraft delivered all the crews to attend a Court of Enquiry. e Senior On return to Brize Norton I was down the route ready for the first engineer asked me for my Cat card and posted to 10 Squadron to start my Schedule next day signed me off as a fully qualified normal duties. It should be noted that at I enjoyed my time in the service, Engineer; this meant I was now in 8’oclock in the morning every day of the especially the flying. I retired from the charge of the remaining three engineers year except Christmas day an aircraft RAF after spending five years with 10 to fly on to Changi when the relief would depart for Changi. Christmas eve Squadron and completing almost 25 aircraft arrived. During the return trip the aircraft would fly out empty to years in the service. Gordon’s Scrapbook

Boarding a VC10 at RAF Lyneham.

HM The Queen and HRH Prince Philip board a VC10 at Heathrow for a Far East tour in 1972. VC10s were often used for VVIP trips were flown all over the world. The Queen boards a flight at RAF Güttersloh.

A VC10 landing at El Adem, Libya. A VC10 in dock.

August 2019 15 Changi-ite Newsletter Frank Long (M1555) served at Changi from June 1948 till June 1950, probably earlier than most of our members. It was a period when evidence and memories of the Japanese occupation was still fairly fresh in the mind. The Japanese were brutal to their prisoners, who were known to have eaten rats and grasshoppers for nourishment. Some were used for medical experiments and many Allied prisoners when liberated looked like those freed from Auschwitz. Frank is an author and member of Croydon Writers. His books and plays are available from Amazon.

The following is an extract from an un-published war story of the same name, which follows the adventures of warriors too old for war but who go to war anyway, led by a rich British Soldier of Fortune who has anticipated the attack by the Japanese. It appeared in “A Solitary Act - Croydon Writers Anthology 2013” The Cunning Dragons UT it was getting time to leave. Bay Hotel in the north east. Fort battle but saw no reason to surrender Bere was no longer a role for Stanley was still holding out and they themselves to the tender mercies of Rosinante and her crew to play in had a grandstand view of this valiant the merciless Japs. At the central Hong Kong. e battle, as Captain but vain last ditch operation. hospital, the lieutenants informed Gibbs had said, was over and the As night fell a tiny sampan them, medical men of some eminence British colonial defenders were in the containing three exhausted Royal and achievement were lined up process of being mopped up by New Zealand Naval Reserve outside and bayoneted. ey superior forces under superior lieutenants that Captain Gibbs had recounted the attempts the victims leadership. had contact with days earlier, paddled had made to ward off the naked e twilight of the British Empire, over to request passage out to the free blades with their bare hands, to the in fact, was descending in the Far East world. ey were young, filthy and intense amusement of their killers. for any saronged and dhotied native bloodied by nearly a week’s battle with e nurses among them were to witness. Little Asian men who the invaders. Behind them as they marched off to special yards for hated tall Occidental men were here staggered aboard Rosinante the torture and rape. e prettier ones, of to frame Gotterdammerung in blood darkening sky was lit up by explosions course, received the most and transform their hatred into a and in parts made even darker by concentrated attention. e officer murderous frenzy that would be billows of black smoke arising from husband of one, on finding her tied remembered for a hundred years. the oil storage tanks destroyed by the down and disembowelled had More and more Jap soldiers were British to keep the fuel from falling immediately collapsed. e British pouring into the locality from literally into Japanese hands. wounded were killed in their beds or every direction, Captain Gibbs e young men were soon partially pursued on their crutches until noticed, indeed a delay of only restored by alcoholic libations and cornered and impaled. is treatment another day or so on his part and their unctions from the First Aid Box. ey was even meted out to those already freedom to sneak out into the China gasped out their story. e on the operating tables. Nor was this Sea would be seriously threatened. Governor-General had at last barbaric behaviour simply random Glassing off the major Hong Kong conceded defeat and ordered the brutality by individual sadists among island, from Green Island to the defenders to lay down their arms. But the Nipponese peasants but the Dragon’s Back, he was aware that the men of Fort Stanley, from lack of dictated policy of General Dakai who wholesale capitulation had begun. communications or sheer brave saw torture, especially visible torture White flags were seen to be dangling pig-headedness preferred to continue of brave defenders a strong physic for from the windows of the Hong Kong the fight. e three ‘wavy navy’ lads bringing other defenders to their Hotel to the north and the Repulse had seen the sense of discontinuing knees. Changi-ite Newsletter 16 August 2019 By this time, too, according to With that, Captain Gibbs was locate the rolling pineapple. ey their informers, the streets and under the attap and down the rungs were unsuccessful in getting their pathways of the dozen islands that to the steel deck aft of the bridge. hands on it in time. made up the colony were littered with From this position, concealed, he e bomb exploded, destroying the corpses of young British soldiers, waited for the Jap visitors to come the sampan as a floatable artefact, only a proportion of whom it seemed closer and pause awhile, well within flinging maimed and dead Japs into had died in combat. While the pistol distance. e Jap officer was a the bay to accompany their living Japanese extolled the martial virtue of captain with the three stars signifying comrades who had prudently taken fighting until nothing might be rank on the epaulettes. A gold, off earlier. is gave Captain Gibbs gained by continuing, the surrender five-pointed star adorned his peak the chance to put a couple of of an opponent was often merely just cap. He now threw an order over his well-directed slugs into the chest of another opportunity to bayonet him shoulder to the helmsman and the the Jap captain, who was at that time to death. Sadism was well in evidence, engine was immediately disengaged. clinging to the severed prow of the the three young lieutenants told them e sampan continued to make a sampan. e rest of Rosinante’s crew . . . in the control room where the little way towards the waiting now revealed themselves and poured crew were to some extent assembled Rosinante . At this moment Abe’s head a withering small arms fire into the to listen to their visitors’ accounts. breasted the conning tower parapet Japs in the water, who seemed anxious e speaking tube flapped and the and he shouted a spirited, “Bansai! to make their way to land. mate on watch up on the bridge Bansai!” in the way of welcome. Amidst the carnage Captain Gibbs interrupted them. is halloo was accompanied by a had time to inch his way down to the “Captain on the bridge! All hands raised clenched fist as if the first mate water’s edge and drag the Jap captain up top to repel boarders!” was saluting Emperor Hirohito aboard long enough to relieve the ere was an immediate scramble himself. Astonishment on the face of officer of his ornamented sword. e fore and aft. Captain Gibbs went up all the little Asiatics so harangued was Jap captain was still alive if in extremis through the two hatches with a writ large. e captain and his NCO and his eyes consumed Gibbs with a couple of stokers following him while exchanged a glance of enquiry. But feral hatred. another half dozen sailors made their only for a moment for the captain, “I know just the way you feel, way to the forward loading hatch just immediatelly recognising a lunatic or Captain,” Captain Gibbs com- for’ard of the deck guns. a hated Occident, screamed some miserated, unhitching the sword. He When Gibbs breathlessly joined unidentified imprecation at Abe thought the sword would look just his Number One, Abe Jackson, the Jackson and pointed his Nambu great mounted over his mantelpiece in mate indicated an approaching straight at him. is could only be Portsmouth, if he ever lived to see his motorised sampan. Even in the dark interpreted as a demand for home-town again. en Gibbs they could see it contained six or immediate and unconditional slipped the un-sworded Jap back into seven Jap soldiers with up front at the surrender. the water and the waves closed over prow an officer and a senior NCO. At this, Abe laughed and bobbed him. e Jap owed both God and his ese two stalwarts were adorned down out of sight, whereupon the five Emperor a death and Captain Gibbs with the statutory samurai swords and Jap soldiers with their neck flaps and didn’t want to stand in his way. at the same time while struggling to helmets, responding to an order from e shooting didn’t cease until retain their balance with their left their samurai lord, directed the Captain Gibbs’ crew were convinced hands their right fists enclosed Arisaka rifles and loosed off a volley of that every last Jap was dead. It would workmanlike Nambu pistols. Captain angry fire towards the space but have been foolish to leave even one to Gibbs now unloosed from a carved recently vacated by Abe’s head. carry the word that a British wooden holster at his belt his own en suddenly everything went submarine was skulking in Lamma favourite sidearm, a fifty-year-old wrong for the Japs. From the foredeck Island inlet. e skipper now made 9mm Mauser semi-automatic that a Mills bom with pin removed arcked his wishes known. had been in his family since Teddy the accurately and plopped into the “at’s it boys. We can’t hang Seventh’s time. sampan. Immediately there was a around here any longer. ere’ll be “Keep your head down, Abe,” he jabbering panic of Jap soldiery and more coming over soon to look for instructed, “till I get down on the several of them, recognising the their friends. So we’re strictly casing. Stall them with your take-off danger, flung themselves overboard superfluous to requirements. Secure of Clark Gable if you like while the while braver comrades began to the forward hatch and prepare to boys take up positions!” scrabble in the thwarts in an effort to bend a course for Singapore.”

August 2019 17 Changi-ite Newsletter The Singapore Bicentennial 2019

HE Singapore Bicentennial marks the 200th to and intertwined with others in this history and this Tanniversary of Sir Stamford Raffles’ arrival in bicentennial is therefore the time for them to explore how Singapore – a key milestone in the country’s rich and their past has formed them, discover what it means for storied history. But their story did not start in 1819. their future, and find their way for the years to come. It actually began 700 years ago in 1299. Many of our members who served in Singapore For over 700 years, Singapore has been open to in the middle years of the 20th century have a diverse flow of people and ideas, and connected re-visited the country several times; we have to wider geopolitical currents, all of which shaped witnessed the phenomenal development in such a her evolution. Singapore’s history is a rich and expansive short time which has resulted in a country that has one – the journey of an island that has never been become the envy of the world. constrained by its shores, but has always been made from e Royal Air Force Changi Association offers more. Singapore our congratulations and fraternal good wishes e people of Singapore are in many ways connected for the years ahead.

© Singapore Bicentennial Office

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong with Kayla Choy, 11, the youngest participant in the bicentennial launch.

Singapore and the United Kingdom

HIS year will celebrate the 200th Company trading post to the end of Tanniverary of Stamford Raffles the British Empire. Two years after and William Farquahar first arriving in Singapore separated from Malaysia, the Singapore and a new book, by Tommy UK Government brought forward its Koh, Singapore’s Ambassador-at- planned withdrawal of British Forces, Large, and Scott Wightman, British originally arranged for the mid 1970s, High Commissioner to Singapore, has to 1971. e decision triggered dismay been published by Straits Times Press. among Singapore’s political leaders ey tell afresh the story of the since the young nation had cherished relationship between Singapore and the hopes of economic salvation through a United Kingdom through a long and common market through a larger eventful journey. entity. e book recalls fascinating A recommended read for all who accounts of personalities and events love Singapore. that have shaped Singapore from its www.stpressbooks.com for details. establishment as an East India L.D. Changi-ite Newsletter 18 August 2019 WELCOME ABOARD! We welcome the following four new members of the Association who have joined between 15 February 2019 and 26 June 2019

Mem. No. First Name Surname Service No. Rank or Trade Squadron/Section/School Arrival Departure Block No. Father’s Rank 2445 Graham Turner 505788 Flt. Lt. Physician Changi Hospital T.1 Jan. ’59 July ’61 Lloyd Leas >> Wg. Cdr. Changi Hospital T.2 Mar. ’70 Sept. ’72 Netheravon Rd. 2446 Frederick Ackrill 4182500 Cpl. Telephone Supervisor Communications May ’60 May ’63 ? 447 Owen Masters 4172748 Cpl. Clerk Personnel HQ(u)FEAF Orderly Room Nov. ’57 Aug. ’58 81 2448 Eric Harvison 3103903 AC Signals Clerk S.S.C. Jan. ’47 Dec. ’50 125 (Top)

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

35 Brian Fox SAC 5020564 Typist HQ FEAF - (u) Feb. ’57 July ’59 Mar. 2019 418 (LM) Eleanor Roxburgh Flt. Off. (W) 2819203 Secretarial (C&C) S.S.C. June ’55 June ’57 Jan. 2018 444 Graham Humberstone Sgt. 4144174 Air Signaller 110 Sqn. - F.E.C.S. Nov. ’55 May ’58 Jan. 2018 455 John Deering LAC M4005261 Clerk Accounts Catering March ’48 Oct. ’51 April 2019 561 Peter Dorricott AC 2329745 Flight Mech. (Engines) R&I Servicing July ’47 Aug. ’48 Jan. 2018 HQ FEAF CTST & 580 Peter Jackson Cpl. 2541722 Clerk G.D. Command Equipment July ’52 Oct. ’53 May 2019 639 Donald Thompson AC1 2357817 Pay Accounts ACFE - Base Accts. April ’48 Aug. ’49 Feb. 2019 787 Russell Farman Civilian n/a Schoolmaster RAF Changi Primary Jan. ’58 Aug. ’61 Oct. 2018 849 John Lear AC1 3125371 Wireless Operator Signals Nov. ’50 Dec. ’50 Mar. 2019

1366 Dennis Shipton Sgt. S4082242 RAF Police HQ P & SS FEAF Aug. ’64 Aug. ’67 Aug. 2018 1493 Walter Bennetts Snr. Tech. B0584926 Airframe Fitter A.S.F. Aug. ’57 Feb. ’60 Mar. 2019 1564 Peter Dolby SAC 4245516 Air Movements Clerk Air Movements Feb. ’60 Oct. ’61 April 2019 2041 Norman Blacker SAC 5037381 Clerk Accounts HQ FEAF Nov. ’57 Nov. ’58 April 2019 2091 John McQuistan Cpl. C4125172 M.T. Driver M.T. Section Mar. ’65 Sept. ’67 Jan. 2018

2092 Samuel Adair AC2 3504061 F.M.E. F.E.C.S. June ’49 June ’51 June 2019 2109 Norah Holland SAC(W) 2826665 Telephonist Signals PBX Jan. ’55 Dec. ’56 Jan. 2018 2296 Vivian Greengrass Sgt. 3516660 Air Signaller 110 Sqdn. June ’55 Dec. ’57 Sep. 2018

LM=Lapsed Member

Tony Parrini, the chairman of the RAF Butterworth and Penang Association, has written to Changi-ite to remind us of the correct procedure for those members who wish to be part of the ‘Units of the Far East Air Force’ for this year’s Cenotaph Parade on Remembrance Sunday in London. Places have been reserved for up to 30 people and this will be made available on a first come, first served basis. Applications are required by 30th August 2019 and should include the following details: Full name (as it appears on a photo identification which must be carried on the day - driving licence, passport, etc.), full address (including post code), date of birth, service (RAF/RN/Army) and service number, email address, mobile phone number. If you wish to attend, please send your individual details by 30th August 2019 to: Mr A. L. Parrini, Hamethwaite, Lonning Foot, Rockliffe, Carlisle CA6 4AB or email [email protected]

August 2019 19 Changi-ite Newsletter Changi-ite Newsletter 20 August 2019