It is with regret that we advise of the death of one of our ACT Division members Don ‘Sandy’ Sandberg, who passed away on 22 September 2022 in Canberra.

Sandy joined the RAN in April 1950 as a recruit Seaman, turned out at HMAS CERBERUS for recruit training and was promoted to Ordinary Seaman in November 1950. A selection board, acceptance and then transferred to probationary aircrew training in the second Naval Aircrew course. A posting to RAAF Point Cook Aircrew Course No.7 followed, thence to the United Kingdom for Observer training and graduated October 1952. On completion of the stint in UK a posting to 816 Squadron in Australia saw him join HMAS Vengeance and then HMAS Sydney and off to Korea for the second deployment to that theatre.
 
Home in July 1954, he succumbed to the fairer sex and married in November of that year. His next avenue of employment embodied another posting back to the UK for night fighter training and then to 808 Squadron and HMAS Melbourne. Sea Venom aircraft occupied his flying time and he spent the next 5 years between 808 and 805 squadrons. The training squadron then  beckoned and whilst at 724 Squadron he was involved in a night flying incident which encompassed a ‘frightening’ ejection.
 
He subsequently went to 723 Squadron for a while then back to 805 Squadron, finally given further ‘rest’ by a posting from Melbourne VF805 Squadron to HMAS Penguin. Navy Office and a desk carried him through to retirement in 1972. Sandy re-entered the Navy in 1976 for a further 6 years then retired for good in 1982 for a life of golf and relaxation.
 
A funeral service and subsequent wake was held on Friday 30 September to farewell this respected member of the FAA veteran community. 
 
Our condolences to his family at this sad time.   May he Rest In Peace.