Tweedale's War

Harry Tweedale's war years would see their share of drama, excitement, horror and loss. Conscripted into the RAF in 1940, Harry trained as a signalman and was posted to the Far East theatre of war. Here he would witness the withdrawal from Malaya, the loss of Singapore and the chaos that ensued. His perspective of these historic events would be experienced from amongst the lowest ranks. Harry had attended a prestigious grammar school but the depression years had meant leaving education early, without final academic qualifications, in order to take up paid employment. This would mean he would enter the RAF at the lowest level - AC2, Aircraftman (Second Class). Harry and so many of his colleagues would feel dropped into an alien world, into a campaign disastrously equipped, haphazardly led and with no apparent strategy. After the frenzied allied withdrawal from the Malaysian peninsula Harry would eventually arrive in India. Here he would carry out his wartime signalman duties with care and diligence for a further three years. In spite of feeling stranded far from home and from the front line of action, his easy going nature would ensure that he made the most of this unexpected opportunity to travel and experience other cultures. However his self-confessed and honest prime motivation would be to survive and to return safely to his parents and to the woman he loved.