Description
Object description
British NCO served as air traffic controller with RAF in GB, Hong Kong and Borneo, 1962-1966.
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of period in GB, Germany and Hong Kong, 1945-1962: family background and education in Plymouth, GB and Germany; father's career with Army; returned to GB, 1953; accommodation at hotel in Blackpool; story of voyage to Hong Kong aboard SS Asturias and staying with father in Hong Kong for five months, 1954-1955; problem of father contracting pneumonia; returned to GB aboard HMT Empire Orwell; father posted to Aldershot and retired from Army, 1961; story of joining RAF as Boy Entrant, 1962. Aspects of period with RAF in GB, 1962-12/1965: reason for joining RAF; description of 18 months basic training at Hereford and further training as statistics clerk; re-mustered into air traffic branch and trained as assistant air traffic controller; method of making bed; sporting activities; opinion of basic training; posted to RAF Waddington, 2/1964; duties in control tower; description of flight to Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong, 4/1965. Aspects of period with RAF in Hong Kong, 4-12/1965: first impressions of Hong Kong and climate; description of duties in international control tower at Kai Tak airport and with 117 Signals Unit on Tai Mo Shan mountain; sporting activities; posted to Borneo, 12/1965. Aspects of period with RAF in Borneo, 12/1965-6/1966: description of flight to Changi, Singapore; accommodation in barracks; description of flight on Armstrong Whitworth Argosy to RAF Labuan, 2/Dec/1965; awareness of situation in Borneo; description of accommodation with medics in metal basha; services of room boy; opinion of food; description of duties with Combined Operations organising supply drops from helicopters and aircraft; story about authorising launch of Australian Sabre fighter aircraft on Christmas Day, 1965; weight of men and equipment carried; story about friendship with Sultan of Brunei's niece; story about flying as passenger on Blackburn Beverley during supply drop into jungle.
REEL 2 Continues: description of jungle from the air; story of harness coming unclipped during flight over jungle; reaction to monitoring signals about engagements and casualties; liaison with New Zealand SAS; returned to GB, 6/1966; reflections on period of service in Borneo; types of aircraft; posted to RAF Brize Norton; question of Borneo being a forgotten conflict; awarded General Service Medal; further reflections on duties in Borneo; retired from RAF in 1992; further postings in air traffic control in Germany and GB; importance of remembering conflicts in Malaya and Borneo.