Description
Object description
British NCO served as wireless mechanic and loadmaster with 83, 267 and 205 Sqdns RAF in GB, Germany and Malaya, 1957-1965; officer served as air traffic controller with RAF in GB and Germany.
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of period in GB, 1940-1957: family background and education in Nelson, Lancashire; story of joining RAF age 15½ at RAF Cosford; trained as wireless mechanic; opinion of training; posted to RAF Waddington for further training on Vulcan. Aspects of period with 83 and 267 Sqdns RAF in GB and Germany, 1957-1965: story about delivery of Vulcan Mk 2 and problem with hangar; attended fitters' course at RAF Yatesbury; posted to RAF Geilenkirchen, Germany; description of duties servicing V Force aircraft and maintaining electronics equipment in base radio station and mess; story of being advised to change trade; description of training as air traffic assistant operations clerk; attended runway controllers' course; posted to RAF Ballykelly, Northern Ireland; description of duties as runway controller; social life; problem of wearing glasses; passed medical to train as loadmaster; story of attending ceremony for new RAF Queen's Colour at Buckingham Palace; description of training as loadmaster sergeant at RAF Abingdon; promoted to flight sergeant age 17½, 1958; description of parachute jump training and further training as loadmaster at RAF Thorney Island; story about lining route for Winston Churchill's funeral in London, 30/Jan/1965; posted to 267 Sqdn, RAF Benson; posted to 205 Sqdn, RAF Changi, Singapore.
REEL 2 Continues: Aspects of operations with 205 Sqdn RAF in Malaya; opinion of facilities at RAF Changi, Singapore; reason for not buying car; description of duties as loadmaster and role of Sqdn in air supply; method of packing and dropping supplies from Armstrong Whitworth Argosy; number of trips per day; sent on jungle survival course; story of flying Gurkhas to Hong Kong; problem of having no briefing about political situation in Malaya; relations with local civilians; story of tour in Cyprus; role as loadmaster on VIP trips in Handley Page Hastings; trained as air traffic controller and commissioned; attended approach controllers' course; physical condition; opinion of instructors and training at RAF Ballykelly; applied to go overseas and posted to RAF Gutersloh, Germany.
REEL 3 Continues: description of radar course; reaction to being promoted flight lieutenant; duties as area controller with Midland Radar; promoted squadron leader; story of being appointed as examiner; role in charge of station riding school; posted as staff officer to RAF Strike Command; retired from RAF, 1980; reflections on period of RAF service.