VALE: CAPT Michael John Astbury GLEX (P) RAN (Ret’d)
We have been advised of the death of CAPT. Michael John Astbury RAN (Ret’d) on 21st May 2026 in Canberra aged nearly 92 years
Mike was born on 2nd October 1934 in Victor Harbour South Australia and joined the RAN as a Naval Airman at HMAS Cerberus on 25th April 1953 from Kalamunda Western Australia. He was re-categorised as a PNA on 31st August 1953.
After completing initial RAN training Mike joined 16 RAAF Pilots Course for Flying Training at Archerfield, Uranquinty and Point Cook graduating in February 1955 and being promoted to ASLT. The eight RAN graduating pilots were posted to 724 Squadron at HMAS Albatross for OFS training. Mike was placed in the Firefly stream and did his deck landing training on the straight deck of HMAS Sydney in the Firefly in March1956. One of his two accidents in Naval Aircraft occurred in the Firefly when he suffered an engine failure which required an engine inoperative landing at Jervis Bay Airfield which damaged the undercarriage on the aircraft. He was on one of the early Gannet courses in Australia and joined 817 Squadron (Gannets) for several deployments to the FESR and the ANZ area in HMAS Melbourne. He was promoted to Lieutenant in January 1957 and prior to the expiry of his 7 years Short Service Commission he was offered a Permanent Commission which he accepted.
The latter months of 1963 saw Mike Helicopter Flying on the Bristol Sycamore and serving as a helicopter pilot in 723 Squadron embarked in HMAS Melbourne as a SAR pilot. He was also designated as an Instructor on type and this was when he was involved in his second accident- during a training sortie the Helicopter Tail Rotor failed resulting in an upside-down landing behind Nowra Hill with major damage and a subsequent fire- both Mike and his student escaped with minor scratches from blackberry thorns. Jet conversion to the Vampire followed and a Flying Instructors Course at RAAF Central Flying School. During his FAA time he also flew the Sea Fury, Dakota and Auster and managed a few hours in the Skyhawk. Promoted to LCDR in 1965 and awarded his Full Watchkeeping Ticket in HMAS Parramatta in 1967 was for a short period SP 724 prior to Commanding 816 Squadron for two years flying the Gannet embarked in HMAS Melbourne and shore based at HMAS Albatross. Navy Office followed on the staff of DNAP for two years, and thence to HMAS Melbourne as LCDR (Flying) where he was famous for his radio call “ROGER – STANDBY” and was known by this nickname (respectfully of course) by at least the embarked Squadron Junior Officers.
Promotion followed in December of 1972 with a posting to London as Staff Officer (Air) on the Staff of ANRUK and then to Navy Office as Deputy Director of Naval Personal Services. In January 1977 he moved back to the air world as CMDR (Air) at NAS Nowra, a position he held for 12 months before becoming CMDR (Air) and FAVO in HMAS Melbourne.
March of 1980 he returned to Navy Office as Deputy Director of Naval Aviation Policy and on promotion to Captain in December 1981 as the Director (DNAP). Mike’s final posting was as Chief of Staff (Planning/Facilities) to Naval Support Command. Captain Astbury retired to Canberra in 1986 after a career spanning 33 years and transferred to the RAN Emergency List on 16 July 1986.
Until his retirement Captain Astbury was the last serving RAN aviator who had flown off both HMAS Sydney and Melbourne and was a Member of the ACT Division of the Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia.
Mike had been ill for some time and is survived by Margaret, his wife of 69 years, three children and their spouses, 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
A celebration of Mike’s life will be held at Norwood Park Crematorium Tuesday 9th June 2026 at 10:30am. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Dementia Australia.
Vale: CAPT Michael John Astbury GLEX(P) RAN Ret’d.
Murray Smythe and Jeff Dalgliesh
Thanks to Jack McCaffrie, Jerry O’Day, Phil Thompson and Marcus Peake for helping in compiling this Notification.
