It is with deep regret that the FAAAA learned of the death of Alan “Ace” Kleidon, who passed away on Saturday 2nd July 2016. He was a great friend to many and was an “Original” handler as he went to England to train in 1948 and came back on HMAS Sydney.
Born in Brisbane on 22 March 1926, Ace grew up in the Western Darling Downs town of Warra. He worked on a farm after leaving school and joined the Navy on 9 September 1943 as a ordinary seaman. His first draft was to HMAS Ladaua in New Guinea on 15 February 1944. He saw service behind the lines and was evacuated by the Americans in December 1944 suffering from malaria. He was then drafted to HMAS Madang in New Guinea on 5 January 1945. On 17 April 1945 he was drafted to HMAS Cairns and served in New Guinea, Phillipines, Hong Kong and Moratai before going on to serve a long and distinguished career in the RAN.
Alan leaves behind his wife of many years, Julia, and his children Allan and Louise.
