Fleet Air Arm
Association of Australia
Naval Airman Recruits 1948
8 January 2008
Original Recruit Naval Airmen have produced Naval Airman Recruits 1948, a history of their experiences as the first group of RAN sailors to be trained in airframe and engine skills.
[In the picture at right, LCDR Hugh Molyneux (rtd) presents Captain Bob Morrison of HMAS Albatross with a copy of the publication].
Naval Airman Recruits is an engaging record of the men's training and provides an interesting insight into naval life in the late 1940s and early 50s.
Due to a lack of local training facilities, the recruits were sent to the UK for specialist training with the Royal Navy where they spent two and a half years before returning to HMAS Albatross and the fledgling Fleet Air Arm.
Captain Morrison has thanked the group for their efforts in keeping history alive and also their contributions to the RAN and the local community.
"They played an integral part in the establishment of HMAS Albatross and its reputation for excellence", he said.
Naval Airman Recruits was very much a group effort - Les Matterson initiated the idea, Ron Hay wrote much of the text, Madge Hay did the typing, John Edward produced the artwork, John Currie, John Edward, Len Murray, Bruce Schmitz, Ray Spargo, Norm Kilduff, John Snodgrass, Warwick Robinson and Hugh Molyneux provided information, and Hugh Molyneux 'multi-tasked' by also taking on the printing.
Originally the group thought their memories would have limited appeal to just themselves and their families but more than 20 copies were requested after the launch.
Pictured, above: Captain Morrison with some of the original Naval Airman Recruits, Les Matterson, CMDR Ron Hay (rtd), Ray Spargo, Bruce Schmitz, Len Murray, Clem Conlan, LCDR Hugh Molyneux (rtd) and Fleet Air Arm Museum Director, Terence Hetherington.
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