Howells, Clive (Oral history)

Sound: © IWM (34460)

717637750
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1035997192
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
1200650981
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.

Description

Object description

British NCO served with Royal Corps of Signals in GB, 1953-1959, with 621 Signal Troop, 230 and 249 Signal Sqdns in Malaya and Borneo, 1961-1964 and attached to 1st Bn Queen's Own Highlanders in Brunei, Borneo, 12/1962-1/1963.

Content description

REEL 1: Aspects of period in GB, 1938-1953: family background; father's military service during Second World War; memories of air raids on Sheffield; moved from Sheffield to South Shields; description of air raids on Sheffield, education; joined Durham Light Infantry Cadets in South Shields; left school age 15 and admitted to Army Apprentices School, Harrogate, 9/1953. Aspects of period with Royal Corps of Signals in GB, 1953-1959: reason for choosing to join the Royal Corps of Signals; medical examination; sporting activities; description of basic training and further training as signaller; story about RSM Lonsbrough; opinion of accommodation; relations with other boys; opinion of food; discipline and punishments; qualified as communications operator and posted to Catterick; description of role with trial squadron testing new equipment; story of working with scientists testing equipment at the Signals Research and Development Establishment, Christchurch. Aspects of period with 30 Signal Regt in GB, 1959-1961: posted to 3rd Infantry Division, Bulford; marriage; promoted corporal; lived in Salisbury; took part in exercise in Libya, 12/1960; requested posting to Far East. Aspects of operations with 621 Signal Troop, 230 and 249 Signal Sqdns in Malaya, 6/1961-12/1962: reason for wanting to serve overseas; description of journey to Singapore; first impressions of Singapore; posted to transit camp and issued with tropical kit; description of train journey to HQ at Seremban; attitude to lack of knowledge about political situation; role of 621 Signal Troop requesting air strikes and acting as forward radio controller; liaison with pilots and commanders; posted to 249 Signal Sqdn, Singapore, 12/1961; exercises with RAF; climate; importance of comradeship. REEL 2 Continues: opinion of married quarters in Princess Mary Barracks; description of jungle exercises and problem of communications; living conditions in jungle and effect of humidity on radio equipment; type of radio sets used; always carried spare valves and fuses; attitude to role as signaller; use of Morse code; problem of HF reception deteriorating at night; use of codes and types of messages sent and received; description of uniform, weapon and ammunition; opinion of rations; water ration and problem of having to shave every day; use of Paludrine tablets for malaria; problem of insects and snakes; method of sleeping in jungle; attached to 1st Bn Queen's Own Highlanders in Borneo, 12/1962. Aspects of operations with 1st Bn Queen's Own Highlanders in Brunei, Borneo, 12/1962-1/1963: comparison of jungle in Malaya and Borneo; role in operations to rescue hostages during Brunei Revolt; problem of not being briefed on mission; description of landing at Anduki airfield and establishing HQ in clearing; patrols; number of hostages held by rebels; role in air support; relieved by Gurkhas; reaction to seeing dead bodies at airfield; attitude to rebels and political situation in Brunei; number of men in tentacle; description of HQ in Brunei; opinion of Iban and Dayak trackers. Aspects of operations with 621 Signal Troop, 249 Signal Sqdn in Malaya, 1/1963-6/1964: role in establishing communications with Singapore; shift work; opinion of CO Major Pat Webb; use of cyphers; opinion of living conditions in Brunei; story about Christmas dinner with local civilians; posted to Kuching; description of duties including sending daily situation reports to Singapore.. REEL 3 Continues: relations with local civilians; story about wife and cobra; further tours in Borneo; story of opening fire on rebels; morale of troops; comparison of Malaya and Borneo campaigns; opinion of US signallers and equipment; question of being well-informed about military situation; story of sharing accommodation block with SAS unit; duties as signaller; attitude to returning to GB, 6/1964; story of being awarded PJM medal in Kuala Lumpur, 2007. Reflections on period of military service and question of Malaya and Borneo conflicts being forgotten.

Object Details

Category: Sound
Related period: 1945-1989 (production), 1945-1989 (content), 1945-1989 (association)
Creator: Yorkshire Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association (Production company)
Pugh, Cathy (Recorder)
Howells, Clive (Interviewee/Speaker)
Production date: 2012-07-11
Dimensions: whole: Duration 84, Number Of Items 3
Catalogue number: 34460

Object associations

Associated people and organisations

Howells, Clive
British Army, Royal Corps of Signals
British Army, Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons), Bn, 1
Associated places

Malaya
Borneo
Brunei

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Object Details

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Associated places

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