Regional Director Queensland Retires [Arch Shields]

As mentioned in the editorial of August 1977 Weather News, we have managed to run some of the more recent retirements in this issue. The following article on former RD Queensland Arch Shields was written by DIR.

Arch Shields retired in June after 37 years of service with the Bureau. Arch was a member of a Weather Officer training course in 1940,which included Andy Garriock, Bill Brann and I. On completion of the course, Arch was posted to Pierce RAAF Station for forecasting duties with Bryan Rofe and Doug Forder. The stories of the colourful activities of these three luminaries are legend. Following service in Pierce, Arch served in Darwin, Timor, Morotai and Labuan and rose to the rank of squadron leader. He was mentioned in despatches for his part in the invasion of Borneo.

During service in Timor he and Brian Rofe were subjected to a great deal of strafing and bombing from the Japanese, and at times had to find shelter in unconventional and non-salubrious ditches. When invasion of Timor by the Japanese was imminent, and the number of places on the last aeroplane to leave the island was limited, Arch and Bryan tossed a coin to see who would remain and Bryan was it. Bryan eventually escaped by American submarine.

Following his war service Arch served initially as a senior meteorologist in Central Analysis and was later transferred as senior forecaster to the Brisbane Regional Office. He was subsequently promoted as Deputy Director (now Regional Director) Tasmania and moved from that position to Deputy Director in charge of Queensland and PNG region. While in charge of this region Arch did much to bring the tropical cyclone warning service to its present high level of efficiency. He frequently worked for long periods without sleep during the presence of cyclones off the Queensland coast.

Arch was awarded an MBE in 1972 for his outstanding service in the Bureau.

Arch has made a significant contribution to the science of tropical meteorology and, in particular, to cyclone forecasting. His expertise was much sought after both in national and international circles and he served on a number of committees and attended a number of conferences. The clarity of his literary style was admired by many and his book for students "Australian Weather" published in 1963 is still much in demand.

Arch's outside interests include a keen interest in Rotary and Legacy to which he has given a great deal of service. He has also served on numerous expert committees such as those associated with the Great Barrier Reef and the Water Resources Foundation.

During his early years Arch distinguished himself as a league footballer playing for the Melbourne club of Carlton. He is also a keen lover of the land and was a part-time farmer and orchardist in Tasmania and in Brisbane.

Bureau of Meteorology