Fleet Air Arm
Association of Australia
FAA Wall of Service and Honour Roll
The Wall of Service and the Naval Aviation Roll of Honour are now established landmarks near the entrance of the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Nowra. Together they record the names of almost 900 people who have been a part of the Fleet Air Arm.
This story records the events which led to the opening of the Wall of Service in 2005 and the Roll of Honour in 2009.
Wall of Service
In 1991 an idea had been running around the head of Fleet Air Arm Association member Greg Wise - that a brick wall in a "U" shape standing about 6 foot high be constructed in the area of the memorial garden at the Australian Naval Aviation Museum and on which members could have placed a bronze plaque recording their time spent on RAN service. It was basically to record them being a "birdie" and having served in the Fleet Air Arm.
The idea was raised at a NSW Division committee meeting to see how the rest of the committee regarded it. It was not something that created an uproar but it was not rejected.
From that meeting onwards, the idea started to develop. Drawings of an overall layout, a site plan, numerous designs of individual plaques and a naming plaque were put together by Greg and Neville Newbold. The latter operated an engraving business and it was here that they made the prototypes for the plaques. These were then forwarded to a foundry in Victoria for comment and costing. By then it was early August 2004 and one year had passed since the inception of the idea.
The management of the NSW committee changed around this time and these two found themselves on the committee, and once again their ideas were put forward as a proposal along with the plans they had put together.
Quite a few changes were made to these plans. The height of the proposed brickwork was the first with a decision that to keep the site from looking like a 'cell block' the height had to come down so the wall was not above eye level. And for convenience and simplicity of construction, the curves of the "U" were changed to 90 degree angles. The curves were originally designed to fit into the overall curved nature of the memorial garden itself. The site plan was also changed so this new shape fitted into an area which would leave the flag pole area clear.
From this drawing a plan was decided on and the plaque prototypes were reduced to a single version that encapsulated the required information in a format that was simple, neat and looked smart. It was decided that no nicknames or comments would be considered as it was deemed essential that if this whole concept was to get approval, it would have to appear "Service like". As well, the committee would only endorse a proposal that would improve the location.
A basic plan was then put forward that encompassed all the discussed alterations and it was accepted by the committee as a firm starting point. This was then presented to the Board of the Museum of Flight for approval but the response was less than favourable. Several approaches were made, but these also did not meet with approval. It appeared that the whole plan was doomed.
Time passed and the subject simmered below the surface. Along with this proposal there was the turmoil of the fate of the Museum itself. It had been operating at a loss for some time and was in a position that it may have to close if financial support could not be found. One of its major backers had got into financial trouble and thus the museum lost the support that was forthcoming from that avenue. At one of the discussions about the whole situation, the idea of attracting more people to the museum because of family connections was raised by Greg Wise and as the Wall of Service was considered a chance to do this, it could be seen as assisting the museum.
As no firm decision was made by the museum to continue the previous objections, the NSW committee accepted this as an okay to proceed. Also, a firm stance on the fate of the museum was taking shape (a return to Navy control and ownership) and this made it essential that the format planned for the Wall would be such that it had to be something that would fit into a Service surround.
The plans were again examined in this light and a firm set of guidelines were added that set out how, when, where and why a person would be eligible to have his name on a plaque on the Wall. This was considered essential so there would be no controversy at a later date about the appropriateness of a plaque on the Wall (the guidelines are set out below).
The costings were formalised and an application form for a plaque produced. Distribution of this form was initiated among members of the local naval community. It was felt it was essential that the first plaques be affixed to the Wall as soon as possible just in case the attitude to the project changed.
Construction of the brickwork began almost immediately (plans were already in hand) and within a fortnight (in March 2005) the Wall was erected. Along with the plans for the Wall, plans also had been under way with a firm that acted as agents in Southern NSW for a Melbourne foundry. These entailed a final draft for the plaque that would be used as well as a commitment from them to provide (free of charge) a large bronze 'naming plaque' for the Wall.
The initial order sent to the foundry was for 91 plaques. This could have been for more but time was a factor and the organisers wanted the first of the plaques (and naming plaque) quickly established. It was obvious by the short time taken to get this many commitments that numbers taking up the proposal would be up to expectations.
The organisers hoped to have about 200 plaques on the Wall by the time of the Fleet Air Arm's 60th anniversary in October 2008, and after that they expected the rate to slow a little but still maintain a steady flow.
The first plaques arrived in conjunction with the naming plaque and the process of affixing them started. The final result a few days later was very pleasing to the eye.
Continuing additions of plaques to the Wall have up to this date (March 2010) come to more than 700 and continue at regular intervals. It has taken a long time to get news of the Wall out to everybody and just as long to get them to act, but every week more applications arrive and it is noticeable that quite a few serving members are having plaques added along with previous serving members (usually family).
The condition that they are affixed as the orders arrive means that the names of naval airman are alongside admirals and this adds to the 'familiarity' of the Wall. The one exception is the lone plaque affixed to the end face of the Wall and this is for the 'father' of the Fleet Air Arm, Sir Victor Smith.
With the front face of the Wall containing eight rows, it was decided to then make a start on the rear forward-facing side - this was merely to balance the appearance and make it not look lopsided.
The first row on this side is almost complete and applications keep coming at a regular rate. In all, there are spaces for about 14,000 so it will be a while before extensions will need to be considered.
See also:
Wall of Service criteria
Wall of Service application form (PDF file, 116 kb, requires the Acrobat Reader on your computer)
Roll of Honour
The latest major change to the Wall is the addition of the Naval Aviation Roll of Honour. This has been added in the form of bronze plaques on the south-facing inner wall and it has also been named with a separate large plaque. The individual plaques are of similar size to those on the Wall of Service but to have a simple cross and the details of the person added.
It will be noted that those named in the Roll come from all walks of life - civilians, reservists and other services but all have one common denominator - they died in Australian naval aviation accidents.
The proposal was considered by the Association's National Executive when it was submitted by Greg Wise and they designated Toz Dadswell and Greg Wise to develop a list of those people who had died in the service of naval aviation since its inception. Again there were strict guidelines drawn up and every nomination was tested against these.
It was found there were many who were on different lists that had been produced over the years but finally a list was produced, verified, checked and re-checked to ensure it was consistent with the guidelines. It was then submitted to the Association's National Executive for approval.
Because the site of the memorial garden and Wall of Service is now back in the ownership of the Navy, joint discussions were undertaken and it was decided that the dedication and opening of the Honour Roll would be incorporated into the Remembrance Day service held at HMAS Albatross on 11 November 2009.
The Honour Roll was officially dedicated and opened by the President of the FAAAA (David Farthing) and the Chief of the FAA (Cdre A. Dalton) at 1100 on 11 November 2009. A large contingent of FAAAA members and serving RAN personnel attended.
It is anticipated that Remembrance Day will be celebrated at this site each year as the complete complex is a dedication to ex-FAA personnel - the memorial garden has been consecrated and the ashes of ex-FAA personnel are scattered there.
This list of names has been accepted as qualified to be on the Roll of Honour at the present time (PDF file, 16 kb, requires the Acrobat Reader on your computer).