What did you do in the Navy Grandpa
05 December 2007
The original Recruit Naval Airmen have a handy reference source ready to answer this question after the publication of Naval Airman Recruits 1948, a history of their experiences as the first group of RAN Sailors to be trained in airframe and engine skills.
CAPT Bob Morrison with some of the original Naval Airman Recruits, Les Matterson, CMDR Ron Hay (rtd), Ray Spargo, Bruce Schmitz, Len Murray, Clem Conlan, LCDR Hugh Molyneux (rtd) and Fleet Air Arm Museum Director, Terence Hetherington.
A copy was presented to CAPT Bob Morrison, Commanding Officer of HMAS Albatross, at Nowra’s Fleet Air Arm Museum where those attending were surrounded by many of the aircraft the men had maintained in their standard-setting careers in the Royal Australian Navy.
LCDR Hugh Molyneux (rtd) presents CAPT Bob Morrison with a copy of Naval Airman Recruits.
Naval Airman Recruits is an engaging record of the men’s training and provides an interesting insight into naval life in the late 1940’s and early 50’s.
Due to a lack of local training facilities the recruits were sent to the UK for specialist training with the Royal Navy where they spent two and a half years before returning to HMAS Albatross and the fledgling Fleet Air Arm.
CAPT Bob Morrison thanked the group for their efforts in keeping history alive and also their contributions to the RAN and the local community.
“They played an integral part in the establishment of HMAS Albatross and its reputation for excellence”, he said.
Naval Airman Recruits was very much a group effort, Les Matterson initiated the idea, Ron Hay wrote much of the text, Madge Hay did the typing, John Edward produced the artwork, John Currie, John Edward, Len Murray, Bruce Schmitz, Ray Spargo, Norm Kilduff, John Snodgrass, Warwick Robinson and Hugh Molyneux provided information and Hugh Molyneux multi-tasked by also taking on the printing.
Originally the group thought their memories would have limited appeal apart from themselves and their families but it could turn out to be a best seller with more than 20 copies being requested after the launch.
