Ray Withnall - The Ukulele Man...with TRE's Giles Brown

Tom Boardman was a talented ukulele player from Leigh in Lancashire. At the start of the Second World War, he joined the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. After his training, he was posted to Singapore. To his surprise, there was no actual fighting, but a growing threat that the Japanese might attack. For six months he enjoyed the easy-going vibrancy of a city where cultures mixed and bright lights shone. But Tom wondered why planning and preparation for a Japanese attack on the British Empire’s Jewel of the Empire appeared to be unhurried, disorganised and complacent. Singapore surrendered to the Japanese in February 1942, and Tom became a Prisoner of War. He lost his treasured ukulele in the confusion and chaos of bitter fighting, but cleverly concealed the cherished ring his wife Irene had lovingly given to him as he left England.Catch Giles live - 'Let's Talk' - Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday - from 10.00CET...on tre.radio