With sadness we must inform you of the passing of LCDR. Anthony Peter (Pete) Adams PSEX (P) RAN (Ret’d), born 1940, who passed away on 22 December 2025 aged 85.
Pete Adams was raised in Clackline WA and educated in Northam. He entered in the RAN in 1958 joining No 1 BFTS on No 34 Pilots Course in Uranquinty in June of the same year and graduated from Pearce in September 1959.
He served on 725 and 816 Squadron flying the Fairy Gannet both shore based at HMAS Albatross and embarked in HMAS Melbourne until August 1962. Posting to 723 Squadron for Helicopter Conversion followed and in January 1963 Pete joined the re-formed 817 Squadron and underwent a Wessex conversion course. He was a squadron pilot when called to assist in the rescue operation following the tragedy of the HMAS Voyager collision in February 1964.
By 1966 he was in HMCS Shearwater undergoing conversion to the Tracker aircraft, particularly the CS2F, serving subsequently in Canada’s frontline Tracker squadron VS880. In September 1967 he joined USN VS41 (NAS North Island) in San Diego, for conversion to the S2E. As one of two qualified captains, he delivered with Ron McKenzie, the first of the Grumman S2E Tracker aircraft to Nowra in November 1967 where they re-eqipped 816 Squadron.
After completing a Macchi Conversion and QFI’s Course late 1969 Peter was posted to RAAF Pearce and became Senior Naval Officer early in 1970. By 1973, he was Flight Deck Officer in HMAS Melbourne.
In May/June of 1974 Pete deployed to Broome, where Tracker aircraft engaged in anti-illegal fishing patrols. On Boxing Day six months later, Pete was in the first wave of aircraft into Darwin in the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy, piloting one of two 851 Squadron HS748 aircraft carrying vital medical supplies, Red Cross personnel, and a Clearance Diving team. In the days that followed, the 748s provided round the clock evacuation of civilians from the devastated city, returning from each flight with much needed supplies.
He was Senior Pilot of 851 Squadron before retiring from the RAN and joining the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Western Australia, an organisation he served with much distinction, retiring as its Chief Pilot.
Pete Adams is survived by his wife of 46 years Kathy, and his daughters Sarah and Joanne, and on behalf of us all we extend to them our most sincere condolences.
In compiling the summary of Peter’s life in aviation, we are indebted to many of his former squadron colleagues including Max Speedy,
Terry Hetherington, and Peter Williams for their recollections.
Murray Smythe and Jeff Dalgliesh.
