South to safety by Peter Reynolds (From Penarth Times)

South to safety by Peter Reynolds

AFTER the fall of Singapore our squadron moved firstly to Sumatra and after being bombed out there, to Java.

We had lost all our aircraft but were joined by a squadron of Hudsons from India. However we lost all these aircraft in a heavy bombing raid on the airfield.

We were instructed to make our way as best we could to the south of the island. I set off with an Australian friend to walk southwards.

Some time later we were crossing a river when we saw a party of Japanese soldiers bathing in the water about 200 yards away.

We carefully continued on and were eventually passed by a mini-bus driven by a soldier, who stopped, and we joined the other passengers.

By late evening we had arrived at a small town and were dropped off at the station and told that there might be a train at around midnight.

Sure enough a train packed with soldiers and civilians pulled in and we managed to climb aboard.

The train eventually came to a halt at a port in south Java and an army quartermaster directed us to two ships, one bound to Australia and the other to India.

I parted from my friend and boarded the Kota Gede.

We sailed later that day and had a smooth passage to Colombo. The ship was only able to provide us with one meal a day and the facilities were extremely basic.

After arriving in Colombo I was told that I had been promoted to Warrant Officer and had a tidy amount of back pay to come.

I was able to write home to my relatives and friends and relieve them from the terrible anxiety they had endured following the news from the far east.

* THE Penarth Times wants to hear about your wartime recollections or stories - happy or sad.

We have already received lots of letters from readers, and we will be featuring them all over the coming weeks.

Everyone who sends us a wartime memory will be entered into a monthly draw, with one lucky winner each month bagging a meal for two and a bottle of wine at Mediterraneo - one of Penarth"s most popular restaurants.

The first draw took place last Thursday, May 27. The winner of the first special meal out is Mr L T Crates, who told us about his training in Kent and his experiences in Europe, where he lost, among other comrades, a close childhood friend. We will be in touch with Mr Crates.

The next draw will take place on Thursday, June 30, and all those people who have already sent us their memories will be entered into it, as well as any new contributors.

Write down your memories, in no more than 300 words, and send, along with your name, address and contact details, to Penarth Times/Wartime Memories, 12 Royal Buildings, Stanwell Road, Penarth CF64 3YU.

Or email them to penarthtimes@gwent-wales.co.uk