|
|
Post by capney on Oct 26, 2010 16:22:24 GMT
I have a few pictures and a tale or two to tell of my time spent in Malaysia in the 60s.
Is anyone interested in history..?
If so I can bore you , or maybe not in my time spent at RAAF Butterworth
|
|
|
|
Post by DAG on Oct 26, 2010 16:53:47 GMT
By all means post it all up Robert, it must be more interesting than spending 2 years National Service, RAF Bomber Command at High Wycombe, Bucks from 1960 to 62, and to think that I wanted to go to the far east, ha ha!
It didn't even have an airfield, just offices and underground radar operations in the woods and all I did was to pound a typwriter! ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by kedigato on Oct 26, 2010 17:02:30 GMT
Yes, please do bore us, Robert.
|
|
|
|
Post by capney on Oct 26, 2010 18:12:14 GMT
Ok.. Where to start.. I Travelled out to Changi in Singapore before transferring to Royal Australian Air Force up country at RAAF Butterworth. Positioned on the West coast of Malaysia mainland just a few short miles from Penang Island. It was a 2.5 year posting to 52 Squadron, RAF Far East Transport Command. The aircraft where ageing Vickers Valetta twin pistoned engined transports. My flight from the UK in a comet 4C took me to Singapore via Malta, Aden, Ceylon , Gan and finally after about 21 Hours of flying to arrive at Changi. The expectation was for me to then stay a day or two in the transit billet and catch the next available flight up country to Butterworth. Three weeks later I was still there! I had a lovely three weeks holiday in Singapore. Thinking I was forgotten about I made some enquires and after a bit of a stink I was on the next plane to Buttereworth. It was VIP Dakota DC3 of the New Zealand Air Force. That flight was by far the worst ever. On landing at Butterworth we crabbed down the runway bouncing in ever decreasing bounces.. These first pictures I took at the Toger Palm gardens in Singapore. Not quite sure how to described it. A collection plaster and framework depictions from Chinese history.  After arrival and settling in this was to be my space for the next 2.5 years  The swimming pool was a place to chill and cool off after a hard days graft with temperatures and humidity like you would not believe !  Going to post this first lot now before I lose it all... plenty more to come. |
|
|
|
Post by capney on Oct 26, 2010 18:19:37 GMT
The Squadron official picture next.  I can name most of them, but only because I have it wirten down on a piece of paper! Top row left to right M.Webber/D.Paul/FS.Wheller/T.Rees/ J.Burns/R.Thain/T.Chinock/R.Gipson/G.anderson/S Stevens/D Warrington/Maru Middle row left to right G.Cameron/D.Ralphs/A Davidson/R.Ineson/P.Downey/B.Hay/G.George/A.Carr/J.Godwin/G.Parsons/T.Massey/P.Young/J.Davies/A.Samy/J.Jones/A.Winn/N.Clark/ P.Reavley Front row left to right D.Hull/J.Heron/F.Punson/L.Hines/B.Merriot/?/Rowe/Capp/Roby/Munden/Sdn Ldr White(boss)/Brown/Eglington/Teather/McDonald/?/Stanford/Whitfield/Hall/Walsh/Whittle/Milne Phew... I wonder where you all are now. I cant put an exact date to the photo but my best guess would be 1965. Back later with loads more pictures of the guys, the aircraft and locations of my October 64 to Apr 66 tour with the 52 Squadron pigs. Pigs was our nickname for the aircraft. |
|
|
|
Post by capney on Oct 26, 2010 18:54:30 GMT
Just a short word on what the RAF was doing in that part of the world. There was a crisis. Actually two in the area. The well known Vietnam conflict and a rather smaller upraising between Malaysia ( A British protectorate at the time) and Indonesia A certain Fred Sukano had notions to take the country and us Brits had the job of stopping border excursions. Stationed at Butterworth I saw results of the Vietnam conflict I do not wish to talk about here. I still have strong visions of casivac Australian service men returning to Australia from Vietnam. Nuff said on that subject. Our job was to transport whatever to wherever and that included people, equipment and munitions. Also our duty was to carry out air drops to our Army lads stationed in the “Forts” along the Borneo / Indonesian border. As a ground technician I was often part of the crew and travelled around while in the Far East. Borneo, Sarawak, Philippines Labuan Island, Jesselton, and many places I just cant remember the name of...As Butterworth was our base we had detachments to Borneo so it possible to supply the air drops for the lads in the jungle. These were at Labuan Island and a place called Kuching. LIke a lot us ground bods in the squadron I found myself on regular detachments to Labuan and Kuching during those troubled times. I have a few memories of those times including joining the army 55 depatches on board the aircraft to carry out supply drops to our guys on the ground located in jungle "forts" scattered along the border. It was very low level stuff and hard work to get the next load on the sheet of hardboard with two handles and located by the open door so that all we had to do was to lift the load on the green light and hope for the best that the chute deploys correctly. and does not candle or get wrapped around the tailplane! The pilots were master of the game. with each one having his own chinagrapth pencil marks on their front windscreen. These would be lined up with maybe a balloon sent up by the army guys below or the most interesting I saw was two rather tall jungle trees like goalposts that when lines up with the pilots marks would give us the green light to drop. Could not help laughing on one drop. The load was Tiger beer and the chute candled on the way down with the resulting explosions of beer cans. I swear to this day on the next pass I could hear the army guys cheering and shouting at us.. I have often wondered what they were saying ! More memories of Labuan: The mess running out of food. It seems the supply was delayed somewhere. It was amazing what can be made from just bananas and potatoes. I remember the cinama with the screen in the middle of the basher. It was allways a rush to get to the same side of the screen as the projector! On the other side there was always the bright light from the projector in the middle of the screen and the credits were back to front! Nights in the NAAFI were interesting: Any rats spotted walking across the roof beams would quickly be despatched with a broadside of empty tiger cans. Great sport was to to had by all. If it was anybodies birthday they were in for treat. With a few tables lined up so the last one was level with the open window, all the empties were piles up to cover the opening. The birthday boy was lied on the table and projected by his mates at great speed along the table to exit the NAFFI through the pile of cans and the window. I do bekieve there was one or two broken bones due to this practise. I recall a few extra trips up for grabs or the choice of the short straw. Clark field in the Philipines. Hong Kong and Australia. I pulled for Clark Field, but more of that another day. More pictures now. This is me on Butterworth Beach  Another picture of me visiting the Chinese Snake Temple in Penang. Yes.. those snakes a poisonous but are drugged up by incense burning in the temple. (At least that what I was told) I understand that temple is still there and some cultures still worship snakes.  |
|
|
|
Post by capney on Oct 26, 2010 19:18:11 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by capney on Oct 26, 2010 19:23:58 GMT
More tomorrow?
can you take it.
|
|
|
|
Post by nazimundo on Oct 26, 2010 19:43:35 GMT
Yes please Robert  both Ann and I would love to hear more . My Dad was a prisoner of war there and spent time in Changi jail.we'd love to see more pictures |
|
|
|
Post by DAG on Oct 27, 2010 8:29:19 GMT
Yes please Robert, please keep it coming! |
|
|
|
Post by kedigato on Oct 27, 2010 11:28:58 GMT
Yes, please, Robert, although those torture ones are ghastly and unnerving. I see that PB has removed one of them. Just hope nobody gets any ideas for the upcoming Halloween.  I love those old B&W pics of the village and beach, like in old movies. The one of you with the snake around your shoulders seems familiar, have I seen it before, here or on GC? It must have been an experience, an adventure, to have lived and worked over there. The group photo reminded me of one I recently saw of a cousin who was stationed with the ................ in Hong Kong. (Shall look that up and edit it in) Alfie, you must have first-hand accounts from your Dad of how it was in those camps. shudder-shudder! Hope he managed to get over it all. |
|
|
|
Post by capney on Oct 27, 2010 13:10:00 GMT
As requested I have removed both torture pictures as being a bit unnerving.
More to come shortly
|
|
|
|
Post by capney on Oct 27, 2010 13:19:02 GMT
Yes I think I used the snake picture as a "Whats Missing" on GC... I removed the snakes..
Changi jail... yes , I was once close to it and even at a distance it had a for boding sense about it. Not at all a nice place.
I can remember after dining at the mess there was an elderly lady outside the mess with a barrow load of fruit.
A slice of the most wonderful pineapple for 10 cents.
I Leant that she used to go to Changi jail and give the prisoners fruit which I could imagine was very welcome.
|
|
|
|
Post by DAG on Oct 27, 2010 13:26:07 GMT
As requested I have removed both torture pictures as being a bit unnerving. Much appreciated Robert, thank you! |
|
|
|
Post by kedigato on Oct 27, 2010 13:36:35 GMT
Thanks Robert ...... but more of what?  ?? Hopefully not other torture pics, would much prefer more of your time in Asia.  ;D |
|
