With much sadness we report the death of John (Jack) William HERBERT O/N A35403, who was a member of the first intake of FAA recruits to join the RAN. Jack passed away on Tuesday 24th July 2018 in a Nursing home in Mornington, Vic. We believe he suffered a cardiac failure, which he only survived by a few hours . He was 89 years old, having been born on 25 Dec. 1929.
Jack arrived at FND on 13th October 1947 and shipped to UK with his classmates on the old “Largs Bay” passenger ship for training RNAS Yeovilton as an Ordnance mechanic.
On completion of his training (which lasted six months), Jack was posted to the 20th CAG in Northern Ireland. After arriving home on HMAS Sydney he spent the rest of his 12 year engagement with postings to HMA Ships Albatross, Sydney and Melbourne.
Jack completed his engagement in October 1959 and paid off as a Leading Air Mechanic (Ord). He moved to Melbourne where he joined the Defence Department as a Clerk. He married and had one daughter, and lived in Carrum.
With thanks to
John J. Harrison, classmate.
FAAA Member A 1305.