Memories of Service 2 - Tom Beale

Like many others who signed up at the beginning of World War II, Tom Beale was looking for excitement, travel and the glamour of the uniform. Where he ended up was Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. A Leading Aircraftman (a junior rank in the air force), Beale served alongside Americans and Australians as they fought to push the last remaining Japanese soldiers off the island. Daily Japanese bombing raids added to the discomfort of fighting in the tropics. Returning home, Beale found it difficult to settle and re-enlisted, ending up in Japan as part of the occupation force.

Around about three o’clock in the afternoon I heard the bands going and around the corner came Americans coming off the ship. That was the first intake in this area. And alongside them were all these girls, running alongside them, and I thought I’ve got to get into a uniform.

– Tom Beale

Key Cast & Crew

David Blyth

Director, Interviewer

Patricia Stroud

Producer, Research

Jed Town

Composer

Edward Larsen

Editor

Simon Schueller

Camera, Sound