Commanding Officer Armidale Class Patrol Boat Crew Assail Two
Lieutenant Commander Barry Learoyd, RAN
Lieutenant Commander Barry Learoyd, RAN joined the Navy in April 1970 as a 15 year old Junior Recruit. He graduated from HMAS LEEUWIN in March 1971 having attained dux in Naval Subjects. He also completed the Services General Certificate of Education.
On graduation he was posted to HMAS Vampire (II) as an Ordinary Seaman Weapons Mechanic. A posting to the aircraft Carrier HMAS Sydney (III) saw him deploy to Vietnam. A further posting to HMAS Queenborough completed his Ordinary Seaman sea time. The first of numerous postings to HMAS Cerberus saw him complete his basic WM course and a promotion to Able Seaman second class before joining HMAS Swan (III) for a four year tenure. Sea respite with a posting to HMAS Watson in 1976 was enjoyed before promotion to LS and posting back to sea in HMAS Yarra (III). He remained in Yarra (III) until 1980 and posted to Cerberus as I/C of the 4.5 inch gun at West Head. Selection for the last advanced WM course in 1981 saw him graduate after a 11 month course as a POQMG. A further two years was spent in Cerberus as a Gunnery School instructor prior to posting to HMAS Vampire (II) in 1983. After two years in Vampire (II), POQMG Learoyd joined the navigation faculty in HMAS Watson and completed his Senior Sailor Navigation course and joined the then new Darwin based Fremantle Class Patrol Boat HMAS Launceston (II) in October 1985 as the Chief Boatswains Mate. Promoted CPO in 1986, he was posted south to HMAS Parramatta (III). Postings to HMA ships Waterhen (twice), Bunbury (II), Geraldton, Darwin, Cerberus and Balikpapan completed his period as a Non Commissioned Officer. In 2004 WO Learoyd commissioned and was promoted to LEUT. His first posting as an Officer in the R.A.N. was to Balikpapan as the Commanding Officer for a period of two years. LEUT Learoyd was posted ashore to the Patrol Boat Group in April 2007. Promoted LCDR in January 2008 he commenced the CO designate course in February. LCDR Learoyd assumed Command of ASSAIL TWO in June 2008.
