Sadly, we have to report that Commander Roger Phillip Scovell GLEX (O) RAN (Ret’d) passed away peacefully on 24 July 2023.

Roger was born in Sydney 11th January 1950 and, after working for the CBC for a short period, joined the Royal Australian Naval College HMAS Creswell in January 1969. After gaining his Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate and spending time at sea in HMA Ships he commenced Observer Training at the School of Air Navigation RAAF East Sale on No.2 RAN Observers Course. After graduation in 1974 he was posted to VC851 for S2E Tracker OFS. Postings followed to VS816 and VC851 both embarked in HMAS Melbourne and ashore, based at HMAS Albatross. He was also engaged in  Operation SEAWATCH out of Darwin, initially as a Sensor Operator and then TACCO on the Tracker Aircraft.

In 1980 after Command Training Roger took Command of HMAS Barbette based in Cairns conducting surveillance operations from Darwin to Bass Strait.

1982 saw Roger posted back to VC851 and in the following year after promotion to LCDR he became the VC851 Senior Observer operating the S2E/G Tracker and after an EW conversion the EW HS748. On 4thJune 1984 he became the last Commanding Officer prior to decommissioning on 31st August 1984 when cessation of Fixed Wing Flying took place. Roger felt passionately that the stopping of FW Flying in the FAA was a travesty of the first order.

After his stint as CO VC851 Roger was posted as OIC HS748 EW Flight with 723 Squadron where he remained until 1986.

Non-flying postings followed in Sydney, Canberra and Darwin with promotion to Commander in 1986. CMDR Scovell retired from the PNF in 1991 after 22 years’ service and joined the RAN Reserve as Commanding Officer Cairns Port Division. During the next seven years he completed tertiary studies and was engaged in commercial maritime training until moving to DMS in 1998. In 2006 Roger began two years CFTS as the Operations Requirements Manager in the Armidale class patrol boat Systems program Office in Darwin before returning to DMS. He retired to Bribie Island around 2017 and took up Reactional Boating with his wife Kay.

After a protracted illness Roger passed away surrounded by family at 2000 on 24th July 2023.

We know that you share our condolences for Roger with Kay and her family.

With thanks to Murray Smythe and Jeff Dalgliesh.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS.
A funeral service will be held on Monday 31st July 2023, commencing at 1330. The venue is Traditional Funerals, 17 Anzac Avenue Redcliffe (QLD), and a reception afterwards at 99 Marine Parade, Redcliffe.  In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Demential Australia here in Roger’s name.
 If you are unable to attend in person you can watch the Service in real time by clicking here.