Harry Tweedale's war years would see their share of drama, excitement, horror and loss. He would witness the withdrawal from Malaya, the loss of Singapore and the ensuing chaos. Chaos that he would witness from his position amongst the lowest ranks. Harry had attended a prestigious grammar school but the Depression years had meant leaving early, without final academic qualifications, in order to take up the offer of paid employment. Conscripted in 1941, he would consequently enter the services at the lowest level - RAF AC2, Aircraftman (Second Class). Trained as a Signalman he was sent immediately into the Far East theatre of war, arriving in Singapore just as the Japanese threat was gathering force. Harry would feel dropped into an alien world, into a campaign disastrously equipped, chaotically led and without a vestige of apparent organisation. Communication as to strategy, plans, events or aims, rarely filtered down to the lower ranks and would essentially be non-existent. Motivation was correspondingly non-existent.
Harry would carry out his service duties as an RAF Signalman with care and diligence for three years. His practical, easy going nature would ensure he made the best of a shambolic situation and he would make the most of this unexpected opportunity to travel and experience other cultures. However his self-confessed prime motivation would be to survive and to return safely to his parents and to the woman he loved.
Harry would carry out his service duties as an RAF Signalman with care and diligence for three years. His practical, easy going nature would ensure he made the best of a shambolic situation and he would make the most of this unexpected opportunity to travel and experience other cultures. However his self-confessed prime motivation would be to survive and to return safely to his parents and to the woman he loved.
