It is with sadness we learned from Mrs Diane French that Ex LAMAE Kevin J French R54765 passed away on May 3rd 2024
Kevin served in the 1st contingent RANHFV and was a A4 Skyhawk man from the early 1970s.
Kevin was born at Armadale W.A. on 15 July 1937 and enlisted for 9-years in the RAN on 27 September 1958, home port Fremantle, previous occupation motor mechanic.
After recruit training at HMAS Cerberus, he was drafted to HMAS Albatross as a Naval Airman Mechanic qualifying in 1959 as a NAM (A/E). Kevin then served on various training and front-line squadrons working on Firefly, Vampire, Sea Venom, Fairey Gannets and Sycamore helicopters, later working on Iroquois, Wessex helicopters and other newly acquired fixed wing aircraft.
Kevin did sea time in HMAS Melbourne serving in Southeast Asia waters on FESR duty. He also served with the first contingent RANHFV, September 1967 to October 1968, as a A/LAM (A/E). This promotion was just prior to his going to Vietnam, and long overdue no doubt caused by the stop/start upheavals in the Fleet Air Arm at the time. Kevin was injured in Vietnam on 12 January 1968 when the ‘Huey’ helicopter he was flying in made a forced landing in jungle at Phuoc Tuy province.
After returning to RANAS Nowra Kevin continued to serve in the Fleet Air Arm signing on for a further 3-years to complete 12-years. Unfortunately, personnel records closed off in February 1970, so his RAN history ends here – except it appears that he married his wife Dianne in 1969 (details not known). Kevin is remembered as a great shipmate, with a quiet, friendly demeanor, who was respected by all.
Photo.
A 23-year-old NAM (A/E) Kevin French standing in front of a 723 Squadron Bristol Sycamore helicopter on the flight deck of HMAS Melbourne (circa 1960).
