We were forced to listen to KNDI, KHVH KORL and the other stations from Honolulu and were surprised to hear that we had suffered a disaster and that the SURVIVORS were flying up to LULU. The Americans rallied round when they found out the true situation and the radio stations there broadcast an appeal for anything that could be of use to us, especially records. As usual their openhanded generosity brought forth a good selection, from old singlesided 14" records to LPs. Most however were 10" shellacs which we transcribed on to tape for use.

In association with the "works and bricks" I designed what we would like and as it was purpose built it was really great. 2 studios with interconnections, a record library, workshop and office completed the site. We shared the building with the corporals mess. A bit ad hoc but better than a nasty blackened shell. Next came the scrounging and fitting. All power to the Army lads of 73 sqdn who did the building. It took several months of negotiation and a couple of rethinks before everyone was satisfied.

Finally, the big re-opening which was 24hours early and 5 minutes late at the same time. Usual last minute panic when 1 turntable did not work but it had not been plugged in. We selected Beyond the reef as the signature tune for opening the evening and sunset and last post for the close. In between there was a good selection of programmes with a selection of the "redidents" as presenters. Only one was a problem as he had an extremely broad accent so was not understood very well, he agreed when we recorded one of his programmes and played it back to him.He stood down.

The signature tune had to be changed when a couple of lads went boating and never returned. It was felt that beyond the reef was inappropriate as this is most likely where they finished up. A very sad time for all concerned, especially the families.

The settlement was at Port Camp on the Northern part of the Island, Close to London village on the A1. This led you to Main camp and the airfield. Further down and you came to Aeon Field and South East point. If you knew the way you could go across the Isles Lagoons to Poland village and the Sea Plane Alighting Lagoon [SPAL] and return to port camp via the A2. It was not as easy as it sounds as you had to negotiate some beasts of streams en route but it was all good clean fun.

I bade goodbye to Christmas Island in February of 1962 and within 36 hours had gone from 95degrees to a foot of snow and freezing temperatures . It was nice to be home to a decent pint of draught and all the other comforts, not the least of which was home cooking.

Not for publication:::: I did a write up similar to this for the R.A.F. News in 1962 but it was rejected by them. I never did get to know the real reason why but had my thoughts on the matter.