RAF Tengah - Singapore

[Zero-Five-Two]

Not quite sure where exactly to post this thread, as it contains all sorts of bits, not just MV’s but uniforms, people and places,etc. The one common theme is history,about 60 years ago to be precise, when me Dad was a lad, as they say in someparts.

 

Me Dad is the person in question, the old fella passed away earlier this year having clocked up a good run of 82 years. Had just sat down for breakfast, halfway through his first mug of tea. Heart gave out they said, dead before he knew it.

 

Anyway, sorting through his estate I knew he had 2 big photo albums hidden away somewhere, full of pictures taken during his service with the RAF, I remembered seeing them when I was a small boy, but that was 40 or more years ago.

 

Eventually found them in the back of a cupboard, and spent the next few hours going through some fascinating pictures I didn’t know existed. These pics need sharing and over the next few weeks I intend to post a few more each time I get a few minutes to add captions etc. I would welcome any additional info, comments on the pics.

 

Some shots are a bit fuzzy, but they were taken on a Box Brownie camera, developed into little 2” square pictures, and then scanned onto my computer, so be patient.

 

First off a bit more about the bloke who took most of thephotographs. One Alfred George Smith,born 1930, left school at 14 and went straight to work in the local shipyard with most of the rest of his class.

 

National Service was alive and well in those days, but word was those who joined early got a better deal than those who waited to be called up. With this in mind he signed up with the RAF in 1948. I don’t have the exact date at the moment, as I haven’t got his service record.

 

I have got this picture which is dated 3 July 1948 on the back. Looks a lot like a passing out parade, but I’ve no idea where, and it looks like an American officer taking the salute.

 

After basic training he volunteered for fire crew training and sent to the RAF Fire School at Moreton in Marsh, Gloucestershire. Wikipedia states it is now used as a college for the countries’ senior fire officers, but back then the RAF had it.

 

Again I’ve no real idea how long he stayed there, but I do know he left as a fully trained Driver/Mechanic/Firecrew, ready to do his bit for King and country. From here his first posting was just up the road at Little Rissington.

 

As any historian will tell you the Malayan Emergency was kicking off about now and anyone who was anyone got invited to join in. October 1951 saw Leading Aircraftsman Smith on a boat to Singapore and 45 Squadron RAF Tengah

 

I don't think this is himself, could be one of his mates,caption on the back just says on the boat out.

Edited September 24, 2013 by Zero-Five-Two
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[Zero-Five-Two]

 

Official RAF picture of fire team first response jeep and crew. My Dad is the one holding the steering wheel

[Zero-Five-Two]

 

Trained man with business end of Bedford bowser

[Zero-Five-Two]

 

Height of fashion these shorts, official issue for tropical climes

[Richard Farrant]

Good photos Rob. Trouble is after all those years since you last saw them, it is too late to ask questions about them. At the time you probably did not think. This has happened to me as well.

 

The photo of the jeep, I think that could be an Avro Lincoln in the right hand background.

[Simon Daymond]

Nice pictures Rob, keep them coming

[AndyFowler]

Thanks for taking the time to share the photos Rob , very interesting ! :-D

[Zero-Five-Two]

I think you may be right Richard, and that is a Lincoln in the background. Both 45 Sqn and the Austrailian Air Force used them at that time. One thing is for certain, it wasn’t this one.

 

 

Caption on photo says “First crash” and is dated 31/11/51. (I’m guessing he meant 31/10/51)

[Zero-Five-Two]

This beast features in a lot of the photos, so I assume it was one of the main section vehicles. A friend of mine reckons it is an American Dodge truck, but I’ll wait to be corrected on that one.

 

It even gets polished up now and again, this must have been done for a parade of some sort.

 

It’s not all good though! Looks like the star in the reasonably priced fire truck went off at the first corner. I guess that’s him leaning against the back wheel

[Zero-Five-Two]

Various Fire Section Members posing with the above truck

[Richard Farrant]

Rob, I think the fire truck is an International ( K series ?)

[fesm_ndt]

I believe Tengah field is still operational with the SAF. Oddly enough I saw a jeep in a yard up here and it has a brass plate on it to say it was refurbed by RAF Singapore

[ted angus]

Rob fantastic shots !!! The truck in your posts is an International K-8. A number- thought to be 150- were shipped to the Middle East from the USA along with a number of Federals. Post war, one went to the Far East and this is it . post 1949 there were still 35 in RAF service and they received the xxAGxx style registrations, 34 of them were with middle East units and this sole example at Tengah. your posts have answered a long term question was their a hose reel behind the tank ? clearly there wasn't I will see if I have any other shots of this truck your Dad might be on them ; The bulled up shot is possibly nothing special, in those days firemen both civvy & military took great pride in both the function and appearance of their trucks

regards TED

Edited September 19, 2013 by ted angus

[Zero-Five-Two]

Next instalment of pictures. These look posed especially the one with the casualties. Could be a training exercise, but the damage to the two vehicles is real enough

 

 

 

 

I have a name for one of the casualties. A W Richards, on the back of the photo, and an address in Holloway, London.

I haven't been tempted to try it, not sure if I should or even if I want to

[Zero-Five-Two]

Thanks for the additional picture Ted, amazing how one thing can trigger another on a forum like this.

[Zero-Five-Two]

Selection of planes, some good some a bit poorly.

 

First 2 at RAF Seletar which was at the waterside, especially for these magnificent Sunderlands

 

 

 

Back at Tengah.

 

 

 

Caption states Vampire crash 29 Dec '51

 

 

 

These 2 are also shown as Vampire on the same date. Looks more like a Mosquito to me

 

Looks like he left the telephoto lens behind for this one

 

 

But then got a bit too close for this. Spitfire judging by the shape of the canopy

 

 

Not sure what this one is, but the stylish curve on the propeller says it didn't quite land how the pilot would have liked. Looks like my Dad in the jeep

 

 

Last one for this batch, looks like it missed the runway altogether, but made a reasonable landing. The damage to the rear end would suggest they've been upsetting the neighbours again

 

[Richard Farrant]

Hi Rob,

The aircraft with the cranes, not a Spitfire, look at the length of the canopy. Think it is a Royal Navy Firefly

[ted angus]

Hi Rob,

The aircraft with the cranes, not a Spitfire, look at the length of the canopy. Think it is a Royal Navy Firefly

 

Second that RN firefly, the 2 engined prop job wheels up is a De Hav Hornet , the final picture of the twin fin job is a Bristol Brigand, both types used in the ground attack role against the commie insurgets

 

TED

[Zero-Five-Two]

Thanks for the plane identities, gents, I trust the one titled vampire is one

[ted angus]

Thanks for the plane identities, gents, I trust the one titled vampire is one

 

Ja for Sure !!

[Tony B]

Looking up the Brigand on Wiki gives a precise date for service. Sounds like it was a good idea, except for sevral little problems, like shooting itself down.

[Zero-Five-Two]

Next round of pictures, mostly Bedford QL. I assume they are water or foam bowsers rather than refuellers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeeps keep popping up now and again

 

 

Hose trailer is the right size for towing by a Jeep

 

 

Is this just a big hose truck or a complete fire engine

 

 

CO's Driver! Short term Regimental Duty, wear civvies, drive nice Morris.

 

 

M.T. Garages and Vehicle Hangar

 

 

[RattlesnakeBob]

awesome pictures ! thanks for sharing !

[ted angus]

The Bedford OYs were 350 gal water bowsers to replen the foam tenders; or provide water for brush fires or structural fire fighting; the later Fordson foam tenders carried about 100 gal compound and 300 gal water, about 25 gal compound to each 300 gal water, so they could roughly take 3 bowsers full of water before the compound ran out. Your Austin K6 6x4 was a CO2 tender it didn't carry foam or water; The trailer pump is a Coventry Climax FSM ( I own an ex army one ) it would normally be towed behind one of the Bedford water bowsers, The light truck you have called a Morris is a Fordson WOT2 15 cwt ; I was fairly sure on looking at the picture then confirmed it in my list of registrations. Post WW2 the RAF had virtually no Morris Commercials in that area. What a fantastic collection thanks for sharing these- as a total fire truck anorack they are priceless ! and the final shot is an AEC 0854 6x6 refueller.

regards TED

Edited September 30, 2013 by ted angus

[Zero-Five-Two]

Thanks for putting me right on the details of some of the vehicles Ted, there is more to come so keep your anorak handy:-D