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Fleet Air Arm
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Fleet Air Arm
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7 May 2012 - Bob Griffiths
CPOATA Bob Griffiths, formerly of the Fleet Air Arm's 748 Squadron, passed away on the evening of Saturday, 5 May 2012, in Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital. His funeral will be held at Worriggee on Friday, 11 May 2012, starting at 1300.
6 May 2012 - Dave Gibson
Former naval aviator Dave Gibson died in Western Australia on 3 May 2012. He is remembered as a skilled pilot and a helpful and friendly colleague. He was a member of the 3rd Contingent RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam when as a lieutenant he was seriously injured (6 March 1970) when he brought his slick into a landing zone east of Ben Tre that had been booby-trapped with a 105mm-artillery shell. The shell detonated as the helicopter was hovering above the landing zone with the explosion completely destroying the helicopter and killing two ARVN soldiers travelling in it. Seriously wounded, Lieutenant Gibson was evacuated to Australia and did not return to the RANHFV. His funeral will be at Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park, Whitford Avenue, Padbury.
4 May 2012 - Neale Vincent Coulch
Neale Vincent Coulch, a former Tracker and Sea King observer, has died in Queensland. His friends have been invited to attend a celebration of Neale's life, to be held at Traditional Funerals Chapel, 17 Anzac Avenue, Redcliffe, on Tuesday, 8 May 2012, starting at 10.30am. Association President Geoff Ledger has sent condolences to Neale's family on behalf of Association members.
31 March 2012 - Dennis 'Squire' Wilkins
Dennis "Squire" Wilkins, who has died aged 87, was a former Fleet Air Arm pilot. He joined the FAA in 1943 as an observer
(navigator) in the Swordfish “Stringbag” torpedo-bomber. But the back seat was not Wilkins’s natural position in any sphere of activity, and he transferred to the role of pilot, going solo on 4 June 1946 after 11 hours in a de Havilland Tiger Moth. He made his first deck-landing on the carrier Implacable on 1 December 1947.
Wilkins flew Fireflies with 812 Naval Air Squadron from the carrier Ocean in the Mediterranean in 1948-49, and in March 1950 survived a forced landing
when his Seafire XV suffered an engine failure at 5,000ft and he made a wheels-up landing in a Scottish field.
In 1953, during the Korean War, Wilkins was loaned to the Royal Australian Navy and flew from the carriers Vengeance and Sydney. His last flight
as pilot was on 5 July 1957; he had made 129 deck-landings and flown more than 1,000 hours on many types of aircraft, from biplanes to the twin-engined Meteor jet.
Dennis Wilkins, born 26 December 1924, died on 30 January 2012.
13 March 2012 - Mike McKay
It is with regret that we announce the passing of Mike McKay who died last weekend. Mike spend around twenty years in the Navy in the 1980s and late 90s and reached the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He has been in the information management space for some time and I know some of you have forged relationships with him over the years. Mike was also a Tracker observer in the later years of the aircraft's service. His funeral was in Canberra where the family welcomed former Defence members.
01 March 2012 - Mike (Micky) Edmonds
It appears the FAAAA may not have been advised of the death of Mike (Micky) Edmonds last Sunday. His funeral was held on the Gold Coast on 02
March 2012.
Mike was an S2 Tracker observer, having joined in the mid-1960s. He served on VC851, VS816 and was SOBS VS816 in the late 1970s and was onboard HMAS Melbourne for the 1980 Indian Ocean deployment. He paid off as a CMDR in the late 1980s.
07 February 2012 - Norman James (Jim) Hill (ex-CPOATWO)
James (Jim) Hill (ex-CPOATWO) departed on his final voyage this morning at 0130. A strong Fleet Air Arm contingent attended his funeral service at the HMAS Albatross chapel on 13 February 2012. Armourers, EMU Flight and 'Class of 64' members were among those to attend. A get-together in his memory was held at the FAA Museum function room. Farewell mate.
04 February 2012 - John (Kipper) Keefe
John (Kipper) Keefe was one of the original Mobies to be posted to HMAS Albatross. His funeral was held at Worriggee on Friday, February 10.
04 February 2012 - Stoker Ray Major
Stoker Ray Major passed away on the 12 January (his 89th
birthday!). He was the last known survivor of HMAS Kuttabul,
the depot ship sunk by Japanese midget submarines on the night of 31
May/1 June 1942. There was a lunch-time harbour cruise on Sydney
Harbour and a laying of
wreath on the water near where Kuttabul was sunk, to
commemorate this event. Naval historian Steven Carruthers will narrate
the battle as the cruise boat
Bella Vista follows the route of the battle. Also, the divers
who discovered the wreck of the missing submarine, M24, off Sydney's
northern beaches will also give a presentation. The event is in support
of Legacy and includes a buffet lunch and unlimited beer/wine/soft
drinks. Tickets for the four hour lunch-time cruise
are $80. Any members interested in attending this event contact Gary
Traynor, Administrator, Medals Gone Missing, www.medalsgonemissing.com.
18 January 2012 - Patrick Francis "Fagan" Lawford
Tuesday, 17 January 2012 was touched with sadness with the passing of
one of the "characters"of the Navy. R33011, WOETC Patrick Francis
"Fagan" Lawford, 83, passed away after a long period of poor health.
Fagan saw active service on HMAS Hobart in Vietnam in 1967.
He was known to many in the RAN due to his long period of service on
many ships and establishments, and was well known in the Navy (and
civvy) Rugby circles. Funeral details will be posted when known
- Peter Maher, Greenies Organization.
30 December 2011 - Harry Jenkins
Passing of WOAVN Harry Jenkins - he did not report for “Flying
Stations” and was marked ‘adrift’ as of 1315 December
28th 2011.
30 November 2011 - Captain Jeffrey Gledhill
Captain Jeffrey Gledhill, who has died aged 90, dive bombed the German battleship Tirpitz and fought hard to preserve the Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne and the Navy's fixed-wing capability.
He was a sub-lieutenant when on 3 April 1944 he took off from the carrier HMS Victorious in his Fairey Barracuda dive-bomber as part of an attack on the Tirpitz. On his final approach to the Norwegian fjords, where the ship was hiding, he climbed over mountains to 2,500ft, then began a 45 degree dive and released his 1,600lb armour piercing bomb (post-war analysis showed that his bomb struck one of Tirpitz's two 15-inch guns). The battleship was badly crippled by this and other direct hits. After further operations that April, he was awarded a DSC.
Jeffrey Allan Gledhill was born on 11 November 1921 in Wellington, New Zealand, and joined the RNZVR in 1941. Post-war, he returned to New Zealand but after study at university he joined the RAN in 1948 and was almost immediately sent to Britain to form the RAN's 817 squadron. He became the squadron's senior pilot and flew from the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney in 1951-52 during the Korean War.
In the late 1950s he saw loan service in the Royal Navy and attended the staff course at Greenwich from 1958 to 1960; by 1961, when he was a commander, he was appointed Director of Air Warfare Organisation and Training (DAWOT) in the RAN. His experience of operational flying had convinced him of the value of naval aviation. As DAWOT, he found the future of Australian naval aviation in doubt but he staunchly defended the Service. Working with his supportive minister, John Gorton, Gledhill drew up a plan to fund the refit of the carrier Melbourne and to replace its ageing British aircraft. He was so successful that in 1963 Melbourne marked her 20,000th deck landing, and she remained in service until 1982.
Later, Gledhill became Naval Officer in Charge, Northern Australia, and then commanded the training establishment HMAS Penguin. In 1968 he returned to New Zealand as defence adviser at the Australian High Commission. In retirement he lived at Avalon, northern Sydney, where he enjoyed sailing in the harbour and worked as a consultant to Lamoore Yacht Sales.
He married Third Officer Margaret Armstrong, whom he had met in 1944 when she was Captain's Secretary at the naval air station at Grimsetter, Orkney; she survives him with their two daughters.
Updated 15 November 2011 - Chaplain Lawrie Styles
Lawrie Styles, chaplain to the Victorian Division of the Association,
passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 13, at Epworth Hospital in
Melbourne. Lawrie was a fighter pilot with the Royal Navy during the
World War Two and was involved in the raid on the German battleship Tirpitz.
He migrated to Australia after the war and became a chaplain. He is
survived by a sister and will be sadly missed by the Victorian Division.
Lawrie's funeral service was at St Peter's Church at Eastern Hill on
November 17. A private cremation followed.
5 September 2011 - Monsignor Frank 'Tiger' Lyons
For many years, Monsignor Frank 'Tiger' Lyons was widely regarded as
the chaplain to the Fleet Air Arm. Just a few weeks short of his 90th
birthday, he died in Melbourne on 4 September 2011. He will be sadly
missed by many.
He passed away peacefully at St Joseph's Home, Northcote, Victoria and
had been in care for some years. His funeral Mass will be at St
Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne on Thursday, 8 September commencing at
1400. He will be buried in the Priest's Crypt at Melbourne General
Cemetery after the Mass concludes.
Mons Lyons was appointed as a chaplain in the RANR in February 1957
from St Columba's Church, Elwood and later transferred to the RAN on
the 23rd June 1958. He served for twenty-one years and retired from the
RAN as a Principal Chaplain (RC). Mons. Lyons served in HMA ships Lonsdale,
Albatross, Cerberus, Penguin, Creswell, Kuttabul, Watson, Leeuwin,
Melbourne, Sydney, Supply, Stalwart, Derwent and Queenborough
as well as on the staffs of the Fleet Commander as the Fleet Chaplain
and the Naval Support Commander as the Command Chaplain.
His honours and awards included being appointed as a Member of the
Order of Australia, Vietnam Medal, Australian Active Service Medal with
Clasp Vietnam, Australian Service Medal with Clasp FESR, Defence Force
Service Medal and the National Medal.
When he retired from the RAN, he always retained a great interest in
the Navy, its people and the wider Navy family. Mons Lyons had a deep
devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary - as will be noted by the many
gifts he left as memorials to those who had died during service in the
RAN which include this Marian theme. He was serving in Melbourne
at the time of the Melbourne/Voyager collision.
Updated 26 July 2011 - Lee Schleusener
Lee Schleusener joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1974 as a Junior
Recruit and was a member of the Marks/Morrow 46th intake and a former
805 Squadron member. He was tragically killed in a vehicle accident
north of Brisbane on Friday, 21 July 2011.
His funeral was held on Friday, 29 July 2011, at Pinnaroo Lawn Cemetery
Chapel, Bridgeman Downs, Qld - Colin Bott, 46th Intake, mobile
0403 982 576.
Updated 27 July 2011 - Jim Firth
Funeral arrangements have been announced for the late CMDR Jim Firth,
who died suddenly on 20 July 2011 while on a pleasure ship cruise.
His funeral was held on Tuesday, 2 August 2011, at St Catherine Laboure
Catholic Church,
Cnr President Avenue and Gymea Bay Rd, Gymea NSW.
Jim, who was born on 19 July 1940 at Arncliffe, NSW, was well known
within the Fleet Air Arm. He joined the Navy as a midshipman in 1963
and initially underwent flying training with the RAAF at Point Cook. He
then transferred to an observers course and followed a flying career in
the Fleet Air Arm. His experience as an observer covered both the
Wessex and Sea King era. Career highlights included postings as CO HS
817 and later air operations officer onboard HMAS Melbourne.
For his performance in the latter role he was awarded an MBE in 1981.
CMDR Firth is fondly remembered within the FAA as a lively character
who did much to lift the spirits of all those who served with him.
1 May 2011 - A. A. (Tony) Hill
A former RAN pilot who distinguished himself on Vietnam operations,
Anthony Arthur (Tony) Hill, died on 1 May 2011 after a long illness.
The thoughts of members of the Fleet Air Arm Association go out to his
family.
His funeral was held at Garden Island Naval Chapel on 6 May 2011.
Tony, English-born but with a great heart for Australia, flew Wessex
and Iroquois helicopters during his RAN service and he was one of eight
RAN pilots attached to the RAAF's 9 Squadron which provided troop-lift
capacity for the 1st Australian Task Force, and which re-supplied
troops in the field with food, ammunition and stores. It also provided
aerial fire support using modified UH-1H helicopters dubbed
'Bushrangers.'
For his work on his deployment during 1968-69, Tony was awarded a
Mention in Despatches.
Tony left the RAN in 1972 and followed a civil aviation career but
returned to the RAN in 2002 and served with 817 Squadron before finally
retiring in 2009.
In an email tribute, John (Bomber) Brown recalled some of "Hurl's"
life, and added: "His family, the Navy, his mates and society in
general will miss him dearly. I just wish the public of this great
country could get to know what one of its "rat-bags" does, and did for
them, when our "wonderful" Press gets stuck into something not
"correct" nowadays."
9 March 2011 - John (Cal) Pain
The Victoria Division is sorry to record the passing of one of its
members, John (Cal) Pain, who died on March 7 after an extended
illness. He is survived by wife Josephine and their sons Christopher
and Jonathon. His funeral will be held at the church of St James the
Less, Koetong Pde (cnr Nepean Hwy), Mt Eliza, beginning at 11.30am on
Saturday, March 12.
9 December 2010 - Ray (Mondo) France
Ray (Mondo) France, who died in Brisbane in October 2010, was a Navy
A4G Skyhawk pilot who graduated from No. 13 A4G OFS school in 1978.
[Pictured in 1978: SBLT Ray France, right, with SBLT Gary Osmond]
He later transferred to the RAAF to fly Mirages in 77 Squadron. He was
well received in the Air Force's fighter community as indeed were all
the ex-RAN pilots (one, Air Vice-Marshal Mark Binskin, is now Chief of
Air Force).
On the demise of the Mirage, Ray returned to the Navy and flew the
HS 748 electronic warfare training and transport aircraft and then
became recruiting officer at Brisbane.
Later still, he joined Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong and his last
appointment there was as a training captain on B777 where he did
several flights with First Officer Paul Wilson, son of his first RAAF
CO, Group Captain Roger Wilson (now retired).
Mondo's last flight with Cathay Pacific was on 7 June 2010 and shortly
thereafter he was diagnosed with cancer. After initial treatment in
Hong Kong, he returned to the family home in Brisbane and died there on
4 October 2010.
He is survived by his wife Beryl and children Daniel and Stephanie.
November 2011 - Keith Stopford
Former Fleet Air Arm identity, LCDR (Ret) Keith Stopford (pictured
at right during a 1963 presentation at HMAS Albatross), died in
Canberra on 6 November 2010 after a short illness. His funeral was held
in Canberra on November 19.
Keith undertook his training/flying during the Fleet Air Arm's fixed
wing days. Prior to joining the RAN, he lived in the Perth suburb of
Victoria Park. It is believed he did an apprenticeship designing and
making leadlight windows.
He was already in the Naval Reserve when he joined the Navy from Perth
as a Direct Entry Aircrew (Recruit Naval Airman [Aircrew]) on 31 March
1955 on Naval Airman Aircrew Course (NAAC) 14 at Flinders Naval Depot
(HMAS Cerberus).
After three months he was posted to RAAF Basic Flying Training School
at Uranquinty near Wagga, NSW to participate in RAAF Course No 23.
After three months of ground subjects, he started flying training in
Tiger Moth aircraft.
Some, including Keith, were later given the option of transferring to
other areas. Keith was posted to NAS Nowra (HMAS Albatross)
to commence observer training on No 3 Observer Course.
This began about late July 1956 and participants were awarded their
wings on 2 May 1957, these being presented by the then Governor
General, Sir William Slim. Keith then commenced an operational flying
course on Firefly anti-submarine warfare aircraft with 725 Squadron. He
later served on 816 Squadron (Gannet ASW aircraft) aboard HMAS Melbourne.
The Association extends its sympathies to Keith's wife Linley and to
her family, Evan and Sam, and Adrian and Kate.
September 2010 - Fred Mellish
Fred Mellish (R94250), joined the RAN on 7 January 1964 as part of the
8th Intake JRTE, and retired in 1976. He joined the Queensland
Ambulance Service (then the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade) on
25 July 1976, and had worked at Caboolture, Nambour and Buderim
stations. He became officer in charge of Buderim station in 1984 and
remained in this position until he passed away in September 2010.
October 2010 - Trevor Leggo
Western Australian Division members of the Fleet Air Arm Association
have learned of the passing of ex-LREMA Trevor Leggo who crossed the
bar on October 21 after loosing a battle with a brain tumour. He had
requested no funeral service and was cremated. Our thoughts are with
Jan and family.
October 2010 - Tom Mitchell and Amy Bushe-Jones
Western Australian Division members of the Fleet Air Arm Association
have been saddened to learn of the passing in October of two friends
and colleagues.
Tom Mitchell, the first elected Treasurer and a
Foundation Member of the Association, died recently, and Amy
Bushe-Jones, wife of Theo Bushe-Jones and mother of Sharron
(Spargo) has passed away.
The Association extends its condolences to the family and friends of
both.
August 2010 - Graeme 'Dagwood' Sharp
Graeme 'Dagwood' Sharp passed away on Thursday, 26 August 2010, and his
funeral was held at Worrigee Cemetery Chapel at 1400 on Thursday,
September 2.
Graeme left the RAN as a CPOATA3 after having served with the RAN
Helicopter Flight Vietnam. He spent the rest of his working life at the
Aircraft Support Unit (ASU) as the sheetmetal and structural repairs
wizard, both in an APS position and then with British Aerospace Ltd.
RIP.
July 2010 - CPO Ken King
Ken King served in the RAN Fleet Air Arm from 1966 to 1985-86 when he
transferred to General Service as a result of the Fleet Air Arm
cut-backs of the time. Shortly afterwards, he paid-off as a CPO.
He returned to HMAS Albatross as a Reservist on a number of
occasions to assist in various projects.
Ken passed away in Nowra at the David Berry Hospital's Karinya
Palliative Care Unit on Sunday, 27 June 2010. His funeral service was
held at Worrigee on Friday, July 2.
25 February 2009 - Gordon (Pancho) Walters
It is with regret that we have to inform all members that well-known
member, Gordon (Pancho) Walters passed away
yesterday, February 24. Our best wishes and condolences go out to his
wife Sandra and family.
15 March 2007 - Joan Ferguson
It is with regret that we note the passing of Joan Ferguson on Monday,
March 12. Joan was the wife of Ian, a former armourer in the RAN Fleet
Air Arm. Ian was also the first national secretary of the Fleet Air Arm
Association of Australia. Our sympathy is extended to Ian and his
family. Joan's funeral service was held in Shoalhaven Memorial Gardens
Chapel, Worrigee, on March 17.
10 October 2006 - John "Monty" Moncrieff
Ex-Leading Airman Aircraft Handler John "Monty" Moncrieff crossed the
bar on 7 October 2006, in Mt. Olivet Hospital, Brisbane. His funeral
service was held on 12 October 2006 in the Chapel of Lohrich Funeral
Directors, Beenleigh - Joe Linaker.
5 October 2006 - John Selby
Members will be saddened to learn of the death of John Selby on
Tuesday, 3 October 2006. His funeral was at Kiama, on Monday, 9
October. John joined the RAN College in 1953 and became the Chief Cadet
Captain. On graduating he was awarded the Queen's Medal. He specialised
in aeronautical engineering and quickly displayed high skills in his
chosen field.
He rose to the rank of captain and his last postings in the RAN was as
the Director of Naval Aircraft Engineering. John Selby was respected
and admired by all who were fortunate enough to serve with him.
He is survived by his wife Jill and two daughters and their families.
The Association extends to Jill and the family our deepest sympathy.
28 Sept 2005 - Chaplain Walter Wheeldon
Members of the FAAAA will be saddened to hear of the recent death of
Chaplain Walter Wheeldon.
Wally originally came from England and joined the RN during World War
2. He became a fighter pilot and flew combat missions from HMS Implacable
in the Pacific. After the war he settled in Australia and in the early
1950s became an Anglican priest.
He joined the RAN and served as a chaplain for many years including two
postings in Albatross and three in Melbourne. On
one occasion he visited the RAN Helo Flight Vietnam and was in a Huey
when it came under enemy fire. Despite his protests, Wally was ordered
by the pilot to man the waist gun and return fire. Wally claimed he
aimed high.
Wally was always a FAA chaplain and the Association extends to his
family our condolences.
8 March 2005 - Admiral Mike Hudson
I attended Admiral Mike Hudson's funeral at Garden Island on Friday, 4
March. As most will know, Mike Hudson was CO Melbourne, Fleet
Commander and CNS, and thus had much contact with the FAA.
As to be expected, there was a big crowd and the full ceremonial was
conducted with great formality and to the highest standard. Tom
Frame, Bishop of the Forces, presided over the church service
- he had previously had a tour as Admiral Hudson's personal assistant.
There was an impressive line up of VIPs - including the Minister,
General Peter Cosgrove, Kim Beasley, Bob Hawke, Heads of the Services
and retired CDFs, Peter Gration and Chris Barry. FAA faces included Fred
Lane, John Da Costa and Ken Barnett - all
looking in fine fettle!
I signed the Condolence Book on behalf of the FAAAA - David
Farthing, National President, Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia.
16 Nov 2004 - CMDR Guy Beange DSC
Commander Guy Beange DSC, a foundation member of the Fleet Air Arm who
had a distinguished career in the RAN, died on November 15. His funeral
was held in Sydney on Friday, November 19, at Holy Name Priory Church,
Billyard Avenue, Wahroonga.
11 Nov 2004 - CMDRE Gordon Jervis
News has been received that former air engineer Cmdre Gordon Jervis
passed away on November 10 after a long illness. His burial was a
private ceremony with a memorial service held in the chapel at HMAS Watson
on November 15.
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