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Haggarty, Trish
(Nee Price) K120737 Joined the RAN: 05OCT76. Served at Cerberus for registry duties Apr77-Mar78. To Kuttabul for Naval Police Training School duties Garden Island Mar78-Mar79, then Harman(NO) with Director Joint Warfare Policy Navy with Leut Brian Adams (Now RADM) Mar79-May80. To Penguin Jun 80- Feb 81. Return to Kuttabul for Naval Police Investigations Feb81-May84 (Proceeded on maternity leave) From Jan85-to Feb86 posted to Kuttabul FHQ and removals. (Proceeded on maternity leave and paid off from PNF Nov 86) From April 1992 to December 1998 was at Kuttabul MHQ as ready reservist. January 1999-September 1999 at Defence establishment Orchard Hills (formerly 1CAMD Kingsford) ready reserve expired and transferred to standby reserve. (Updated July 2003)
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Haley, David
 P/N R114402. History: Joined Apr 73 JR Ramsay 43rd. Discharged: DAOR Jul 93. Initial WTRs course 3/4/74 (Instructors POWTR Smith/Atkins)Promoted to LS 28 Feb 87.Postings: Mainly East Coast establishments and only two sea postings - too many Writers not enough ships/sea postings. (Picture David’s 50th)
Thoroughly enjoyed my limited sea time and made the most of being single overseas. Best times were at Cerberus where members of the "Cerberus Orphans" club ran the JS piss bar and could hold BBQs and theme nights that made living onboard enjoyable. The JS messes at Cerberus, Harman and Albatross where the best with many a night and day were spent in discussing issues of vast importance and holding events to entertain and amuse you. Best Writers encountered were Lou Horsfield, Morgan Dunbar, Brett Saunders (killer on the volleyball court), Peter Goldsmith, Greg Kinnear, Bruce Klimeck and many others with whom I shared a drink with over the years (memory has faded over time). I must also mention Shirley Makin, Jo Salton, Hiliary Ruston, Liz Budek and Petra Bugglesheim all who had the misfortune to know or work with me when I young and drinking. I can honestly say it today "When we were in, the Navy was fun - we worked hard and played even harder".Currently am employed within the Navy (Sea Change) organisation as a civilian trying to keep sailors in the Navy - no easy task. Thank you to everyone who has crossed my path and made my life what it has become today.(Updated November 2007)
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Hall, Kenneth Walter
Served 09/06/1949 to 29/08/1970 Ex CPOWTR.
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Hambour, Bruce
R63241 - Joined as Junior Recruit 4th April 1964 HMAS Cerberus G Block (hammocks for beds). Discharge as CPOWTR 3rd April 1984. Ordinary Seaman tr aining in Duchess under the well known St Kilda supporter Doug Higgins. They were the days of Hammocks to sleep in and one minute showers. Ten seconds to get wet, soap up, and then 50 seconds to wash off soap.
Served in the writer category when typewriters with carbon were used and we maintained personnel records and calculated all pay and accounts manually. I served in Watson, Melville, Kuttabul, Penguin, Harman, Encounter, Leeuwin and Harman (NO). Most enjoyable posting was Melville in Darwin where we could play football sports all year round and also find time for Crocodile, Buffalo and Pig Shooting when it was all legal.
Picture left below LSWTR in 1979.
Served in Duchess, Supply, Yarra and Hobart. On the Hobart I served as a WTR, LSWTR, POWTR and even CPOWTR when conducting Admirals Inspection. I was lucky enough to take this vessel to San Francisco for refit, unfortunate to be serving on her when we were hit by 3 missiles in Vietnam. My action stations were obliterated so lucky once again not to be at action stations.
As most writers found the best way to upset your Supply Officer if he treated you harshly was to throw a coin into his cash tray and see him try to balance his Cash Account. I enjoyed being a Ships Diver for 10 years, and representing the Navy and Combined Services in many sports.
Medals & Awards: Australian Active Service Medal, Borneo Medal with Malay Peninsular Bar, Vietnam Medal, Australian Service Medal 1945/75, Defence Force Service Medal. National, Australian Defence Medal, Pinjat Jasar Malaysia Medal and Vietnam Star.
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Hamilton, Derek
I joined Cerberus on the 25th November 1963 (From Tassie) categorised as a Writer. Posted to the Vendetta for approx nine months, did the tour of duty as escort to the Melbourne (after her major refit, after the Voyager collision). Returned to Cerberus for the AB's course and then posted to Cerberus Ships Company, working Registry and then pay office. Promoted to LSWTR October 1966 and in December I was posted to Melbourne Pay office and later to Captain's Office. Did the Strategic Reserve deployment, and all associated stop over’s, including Japan. Returned to Sydney and then went to the States to collect aircraft and logistics. Posted to Watson '67 on return and then to Albatross as MAG Scribe. Towards the end of '67 posted back to Cerberus. Worked as travel office (office de Tourisme), and then to Sydney (Vung Tau Ferry) as accounts. Promoted to POWTR. Transferred to the Naval Police November '72, served mainly at Cerberus, did the Detective Training Course, Federal Tri Service Drug Course, became part of VFADD and lectured on Naval Drug Policy at the Medical School Cerberus. Promotions to Senior Constable, Sergeant, and then Warrant Officer (just prior to discharge). (Updated April 2006)
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Hamilton, Ray
Served 1968-1988 Ex CPOWTR
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Hancock, David
Ex CPOWTR. 1972 – 1993. Joined 28 August 1972 from Townsville, Eric Okley (POWTR) was the Recruiting Officer. Postings: 1973 Stuart - ORD Cerberus – WTR course with Woggie as instructer. Albatross – Nick Geyer, John Chant, Liz Budek – SO's Eric Okley, Brian Gorringe. Melbourne – Bluey Gill, Ted Ozels, Wally Sweet, Bill Trott, John Robinson, (Ken Black & PJ Walsh). Banjo Patterson. SO’s Sharpe, Ellis and Pritchard. 1975 Coonawarra – Trevor Barnes, Terry Standen, Steve Rogers – SO’s Dusty Miller & Dick Power. Harman(NO) – LWRWTR Sue Hamilton 1976 Vendetta – Charlie Sugden, Pete Sanders (& Best Man – later), Stew Merrilles, Paul Longley. SOs Darryl Sexton & Montgomery. Six month deployment in South East Asia. 1977 Brisbane – Steve Rogers & Buck Buchanan, Frank Dekoning, Andy Seigman. SO’s – I’m sure that it was Woggie’s older brother and Fred May. 1978 Harman (NOPO). John Halpin, Lindsay Lake, Deno, Saltmarsh, Dutchy – SO infamous Bernie Herringberg. Were my casual sheets that Bernie amended. 1980 Married to Gloria Hamilton (civilian) 1981 Cairns – Old Base in Grafton Street. Geoff Locke, Paul Ferris. SO’S Les Roberts & Pete Jacobsen. Commissioning POWTR of New Base. 1983 Lonsdale – RMIT. 1983 Harman(NO). 1984 Tobruk – Andy Seigman, Paul Chilton (dropped the Pay Office keys overboard – accidentally) - SO Shalders. 1986 Harman(NO) – Lindsay Lake. 1988 HMAS Cairns –Blue & Sarah Reirdon, Chalky, Terry, Liz, Glenda, Ron, Jack and others that unfortunately were great hands but due to time restraints, I am unable to research names – remember the lunch time sausage sizzles you so much enjoyed – the one that the stroppie DSO never got an invite. SO’s Teague & Pearce. I was the first Senior Sailor Cash Officer able to (and did) carry a float of > $100K and also with Tony Pearce’s support to initiate direct deposit of pays (using HMAS FLINDERS as trial) – shortly afterwards, introduced into all Fremantle Class Patrol Boats and then all fleet seagoing sailors pay. 1991 Penguin – There were a lot of writer during this period that I won’t name for fear of leaving someone out. However, with the exception of those that we had to discharge, you were all great blokes/ladies – including you Dave. Final posting and a most rewarding job. 1993 Decommissioned.
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Hanley, Colin Patrick
Served 01/1974 to 12/1979. Ex ABWTR
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Hardwick, Geoffrey
Joined 22/08/1964 and discharged after 21yrs service as CPOWTR on 14/09/1985. Commenced ORDWTR training on Sydney and was subsequently posted to Harman(NO) after the initial Writer course. Sea time as LSWTR on Stuart and seconded to the Fleet Writer team for a number of years in the early 70's being deployed to relieve staff on Sydney, Moresby, Vampire, Stuart, Vendetta, Perth. Served in TarangauII renamed Basilisk in the mid 70's during independence of Papua New Guinea. Subsequent postings to Navy Office in Electrical postings, promotions and Officer candidate promotions.
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Hardy, Margaret
(nee Huxtable). Served as WRWTR for period 1971-1973.
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H ardy, Robert John ‘Bob’ Deceased 13/09/2008
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Hardy, Ross
Joined up in '65 (Greg Gadd joined with him) and did 10 years, being discharged medically. He served on the Sydney as ORDWTR on the second trip. He did his Wtr Training soon after and about 13 months later promoted to LSWTR. He served at Fleet Headquarters GI for some time (Googa Gent PO, Mick Compton LSWTR, Bob Baird, Terry Gavin, Jeff Wake, Doug Noble, Robert (Dinga) Bell ). Did two trips on the Vendetta (Brian Wedlock, Lew Horsfield, Bob Raue, Joe McGrade, Lindsay Klem, Brian Eagles, Bernie McKay, Neil Spackman, Peter Vincent). The second trip was to Vietnam. From the Vendetta to ANA Washington for 2 years (Bob Raue again and Greg Amos; he replaced Jeff Wake). Then posted Melbourne as Admirals Leading Writer. (Updated October 2005)
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Hardie, Tom
R53617. Served 1957-1963 in Establishments Cerberus (Twice), Albatross and ships Quiberon and Sydney. ‘When I was stationed at Albatross, the Navy’s Fleet Air Arm Base, from 1958 to 1960, the duty writer was detailed off to guard the pay during the first watch (1600-1800). Guards at Albatross at that time were given a firecracker which had the appearance of a WWII German hand grenade complete with handle.
Our instructions were as follows: If someone approached you, you would say ‘Halt who goes there?’ If you received an unsatisfactory reply, you were to pull the end off the firecracker, strike the end to light it and then throw the firecracker at the offender. When you had accomplished this, you were to calmly walk into the Regulating Office, which was attached to the pay office, ring the main gate and tell them you had a problem.
It does not take much imagination to work out what would happen if there was a real robbery and the robber had a gun. The last pay day before Christmas leave was always a big pay. The pay was in cash and was made up on the Wednesday before pay day and then placed in a safe. During the lead up to the 1959 leave pay, we received word from the police in Sydney that members of the underworld were planning to rob the leave pay at Albatross. Extra precautions were taken with a doubling of the guard from the bank in Nowra and all personnel involved were armed to the teeth.
I was duty writer that particular Wednesday and had to stand guard during the first watch. I was sent to see a Chief (GI) and was given a Smith and Wesson and decked out in guards clothes. I was instructed on how to use the revolver and firing practice. The Chief GI soon found out that, try as I might, I couldn’t hit the side of a barn. He said to me ‘son, you would be better off throwing the revolver at them’ fortunately, it was all a false alarm. However, every guard person that bright was full of adrenalin and extremely apprehensive.”
Postscript. Dave Jordan says ‘I also took my turn in ‘guarding’ the pay and it was exactly as Tom described except I wasn’t given any pistol practice. The pay office was one mile from the guard house. Other brave hearts who did this duty were Writers ‘Boots’ Brittain, Taffy Fauchon and Doug Casey. There never was an incident and the sailors received their pay on time.
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Harlow, Peter J. (Pardre)
Ex LWTR R63660. Joined the Navy in 1964 out of Brisbane and trained at Recruit School in Moran Division. I shared a cabin with Geoff Hardwick, Helmut Pieda and others whose names escape me at the moment. I went to the Sydney for OD Training until her first trip to Viet Nam. Ashore again, I returned to Cerberus for the Writer Course and on completion, drafted to Cerberus Pay Office. During the first 12 months, I was given a temporary draft, with Dick Gottschalk, to Harman for duty at Parliament House during the 24th Military Advisers Conference and S.E.A.T.O. This was a top ‘perk,’ being chauffeured around in limos to and from Harman, whilst Navy Office crews caught freezing cold buses! (Malcolm Fraser, who was at that time Minister for the Army, wasn’t real impressed that our group had taken over his Parliamentary Office for the duration of the Conference. He returned each day to make sure we hadn’t misplaced anything or flogged his pencils!) After this, I posted back to Cerberus for a short period and then moved onto Creswell for six months. I was due to join Voyager in Jervis Bay, but was delayed due to compassionate leave. She went down the night before I was to draft on board.) I went on to Albatross as a substitute draft and worked in the Pay Office with ‘Googa’ Gent, ‘Rusty’ Dance, Max Wilson and Dave (Rick) Rickard, to mention just a few. At the ‘Tross, I also met my future wife, Kathleen Reddy, who as a MTD, drove the victualling truck with each morning’s milk delivery for the days’ brews. I posted to Tarangau, at Manus Is., not long after and at the end of the first six months there, asked Kathie to join me before I became a drunk or went mad. Fortunately she consented and with the Skipper’s permission, we were married there. (We were married by a self ordained Seven Day Adventist Priest in an old American Army WWII Quanset Hut, with a choir singing in Pidgin English! Legal or not – who’s to know?) We stayed on for two and a half years, during which I spent some time on HMAS Samarai with LEUT Boyd Fegan, who later became Godfather to my daughter, who was born on Manus shortly before we returned to Australia. After three months leave, I went on to Penguin, Stalwart and Platypus, from where I paid off in 1974. I went on to managing service stations for Esso Australia for a few years before returning to QLD.
Like most blokes, I could fill a book with all the antics we got up to and with the mates I met along the way. I apologize for not mentioning all those left out and the ‘runs’ ashore we had. I’ll leave that for perhaps another day.
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Hart, Jim
Jim joined the RAN in May 1982. During his service he has served at shore postings including Penguin, Coonawarra, Creswell, Cerberus; two postings to DSCM (93-95), and a staff posting to NHQ-TAS. Sea postings included Darwin (of which 10 months was spent in the US post Darwin commissioning and delivery to Australia), Westralia, and Success. He has also participated in Exercise Anzac Exchange and Exercise Long Look. Has been posted in the role of Fleet WOWTR since 10 Jan 05.
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Hase, Detlef Rudolf (Ted)
I Joined the RAN in January 1963 as a 16 year old Junior Recruit and retired in August 2005. On completion of JR training, I joined HMAS MELBOURNE to undertake sea training under the ‘Ordinary Seaman Various Scheme’. (Was on board when MELBOURNE collided with HMAS VOYAGER on 10 February 1964). After Writer category training in 1965, I was posted to Navy Office, in the Directorate of Sailors’ Postings in the Promotion Section. Subsequently served in YARRA (up top and Vietnam) LONSDALE, (with the likes of Mick Scully, Mac McKinnon, John Counsel, Beachball Sharman all deceased). Then posted to VAMPIRE followed by KUTTABUL. In 1975, having been promoted to CPOWTR, was posted as the Administrative Officer to the Australian Defence Force Academy Development Council Secretariat. During the next four and a half years I saw the project develop from concept to the commencement of earth works with turbulent Parliamentary Public Works Committee hearings and a change of government in between. Another stint in the Directorate of Sailors’ Posting followed; this time as the Fleet Air Arm, Submariners and Motor Transport Drivers’ Poster. In 1981 I was promoted to Warrant Officer and posted to the Directorate of Naval Legal Services as the Staff Officer Discipline. Subsequently, I was promoted to Lieutenant SDLD in 1986 and within days was sent to Hong Kong to act as Divisional Officer for a sailor being tried for murder. During my eight years with the Naval Legal Service, I was deeply involved in the development and introduction of the Defence Force Discipline Act as well as managing a number of major high profile cases. In 1989, I was posted to the newly created position of Deputy Director of Sailors’ Postings (Policy) and promoted to LCDR in 1990. During this posting I wrote the proposal to restructure the directorate to the Directorate of Sailors’ Career Management. In 1992, I ceased full-time service and transferred to the Naval Reserve after 29 years service. As a reservist I was involved in a number of projects, such as assisting in the preparation of Navy’s submission and other material for the HMAS SWAN Senate Inquiry into sexual harassment. I also participated in an extensive review of the Navy’s Divisional System and assisted the Defence team in preparing submissions for a Parliamentary inquiry into Military Justice Procedures. The last eight years of my part time service was as the senior Naval Investigator with the Complaint Resolution Agency, conducting investigations into applications for redress of grievance and providing briefs to the Service Chiefs and their delegates. I was also appointed by the Minister as the Deputy Naval Member of the DFRDB Authority on 27 November 2000 until retiring in August 2005. I was made a member of the Order of Australia (AM) in June 1989 for service to the RAN in DNLS. I have been awarded the Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75, Vietnam Logistic Support Medal, Australian Service Medal 1945-75, Defence Force Service Medal with two clasps, National Medal and the Defence Force Medal.
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Hatton, Ian
January 75 Cerberus Writers course 1/75, SMNWTR Albatross 75-76, ABWTR Vampire 76-78, Cairns 78, Moreton 78-80, Penguin 80-81 LSWTR Tobruk 81-82, Moreton paid off in 83.
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Hawke, Jason E (Bob)
Joined the RAN 07 Jan 1991. Postings: Cerberus(Removals Office) under Greg 'Occa' O'conell (1991), then to the Pay Office with CPOWTR Rick Bray and LSWTR J.R. Cadman,Lonsdale outstation Defence Force School of Music (DFSM) Watsonia (1992), DDG Brisbane (1994), PSO Frankston (1996) under POWTR Kerry McMullen, decommissioned DDGPerth (1998) with LSWTR Athol Bennett ABWTR Brodie Wooten & ABWTR Richard Peart, DEFPLAZA Sydney (2000), FFG Melbourne
(2000) for 3mth OP Relief under POWTR Mark Lansdell, Penguin (2002) under CPOWTR Liz Budek, LPA Kanimbla (2002) under POWTR J.R. Cadman, DEFPLAZA Sydney (2005) and since December 2005 as the COSEC Sydney.
Awards: ADM - Australian Defence Medal, DLSM - Defence Force Long Service Medal, HOSMIND - Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal with Clasp Indian Ocean, AASM - Australian Active Service Medal with Clasps Iraq 2003 & ICAT, MUC - Meritorious Unit Citation, IRAQCAMMED - Iraq Campaign Medal
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Hays, Rose
nee Wood WRAN WTR. She served from June 1987-Jun 1990 at Kuttabul, Maritime Headquarters and then with the RAN Chaplains as the God Squad Writer.
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Hegarty, Leah Denise
Ex Wtr. Deceased 13th December 2003. Tragically killed whist jogging by a motor vehicle. Leah served the best part of her career as a WTR before transferring to PTI. On 1st July 2003 she transferred to the Army and was serving with the Army Aviation Centre when the accident occurred.
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Henderson, David Charles ‘Chick’
R44098. Born 17/2/1932 Deceased 21/6/2008. Chick joined the RAN 21/12/1950 at Cerberus. After initial training he was posted to Cerberus and then Warrego 11/5/1954, Albatross 9/5/1955 and was discharged 20/12/1956 DEE. He re-entered the RAN 22/3/1958 and posted Cerberus for WTR training and joined the Melbourne 28/71958 (Strategic Reserve time 28/3/1959 to 24/5/1959). He was posted to Lonsdale 18/8/1959, Cerberus 25/7/1960, Melville 23/8/1961, Leeuwin 1/12/1963 and Moresby 21/2/1964. Albatross 14/3/1966, Tarangau 8/1/1968 and Penguin 25/11/1969. He joined Stuart in 1972 and in approx. 1975 joined FHQ in the Fleet Legal Office. After leaving the Navy in the late 70’s he became Penguin canteen manager for some years.
Promoted LSWTR 22/11/1956 and on re-entry retained that rank with seniority of 23/3/1958. POWTR 12/2/1960 and CPO 4/2/1966. WOWTR in the 70’s.
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Henderson, Marc
I joined on the 20 July 1992 at the age of 20 from Adelaide, South Australia. On completion of initial Writer training at Cerberus I posted as a SMNWTR to the submarine support base Platypus in 1993. Following promotion to ABWTR, I joined Torrens in 1994 for my first sea posting. This included three overseas deployments throughout South East Asia and the South West Pacific. After a couple of years at sea and promotion to LSWTR, I served at Watson and Cerberus from 1996 to 2000 working various positions in Pay, Accounts and Personnel. I participated in Exercise Long Look in 2000, attached to the D3/D5 Destroyer Squadron offices in Portsmouth, England. While attached to the squadron I deployed to sea in HMS York, HMS Glasgow and HMS Edinburgh. In late 2000, I returned to Williamstown, Victoria where I joined Warramunga, commissioning the ship in 2001. While posted here I was involved in Op Relex and later on promoted to POWTR in January 2002. I joined Kuttabul working at the Military Pay and Accounting Centre in Pitt Street, Sydney. In October 2002, I deployed as part of Command Task Group staff for Op Slipper, enforcing UN sanctions against Iraq. I spent the following months in the Persian Gulf serving in United States Navy ships USS Paul Hamilton, USS Fletcher, USS Milius and USS Valley Forge. The team joined Kanimbla in February 2003 and were present for the transition to Op Falconer and ensuing war with Iraq. After return to Australia, I posted to Defence Force Recruiting in Adelaide as the Chief Clerk. May 2006 promoted CPOWTR, I took up my present posting in the Promotion Cell at the Directorate of Sailors’ Career Management.
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Heyes, John (Jack)
Served 13/07/1942 - 24/09/1946 Discharged as ABWTR. P/N S6929 Served on ships Rushcutter, Ladava, Madang, Kuttabul and Shropshire
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Higgins, Douglas John
R52874. Born on the 14/07/1937 he did National Service in the Army August to November 1956 and joined the Navy on the 25/03/1957. He served at Harman 1958, Tobruk 1959-1960 (paid off Tobruk), Lonsdale (for NHBS) 1961 -1962,Yarra 1963. Cerberus 1964. Anzac 1965 then promoted to POWTR mid 1965 transferred to Duchess 1965 -1966, Harman 1967 -1968, Cerberus 1969 (Supply School), Anzac 1970-1971, thence Cerberus 1972 followed and finally Lonsdale (for RANRTF) 1972 to mid 1977 (paid off on the 13/07/1977. One particular highlight of his Career was being in the Colour Party that led the Anzac March through Sydney on Sunday 25th April, 1965 the 50th Commemoration of Anzac. An official Navy Photograph hangs with pride in his home at SEBASTOPOL. It was on the following day (26 April, 1965) he spent most of the day out at E.G. Whitlam’s home at Cabramatta NSW. discussing the inadequacies of the, then, DFRB Scheme. Mr. Whitlam was then Deputy Leader of the Federal Opposition. Although he does not claim credit fully for the change in the DFRB Legislation when Whitlam came to power in 1972 he would like to think that he did play a part in this important and vital change to the Scheme. He and Mr Whitlam exchanged correspondence for a period following his visit in 1965. Since leaving the Service Doug served for ten years as Secretary/Treasurer of the SEBASTOPOL FIRE BRIGADE and has been an active Member of the RSL having served as Vice president and A/Sec for the past 13 years as President. In 2003 he was awarded the Centenary Medal for service to the Community and Veterans’. Made a Life member of the RSL. of Australia in 2002. In July, 2007 was awarded Life Membership of the RSL with Gold Badge by the National Executive of the RSL.
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Higgon, Leon ‘The Leper’ Deceased date NK
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Hinterholzl, Rachel
Joined 16th Oct 89 in Moran Division. Posted to CERBERUS on completion of Basic Writers course until Apr 05 (AB/LSWTR) under POWTR Vicky Hicks, CPOWTR Rick Bray, CPOWTR Kennerley, CPOWTR Hilary Rushton, LEUT George Edgel, SBLT Booth and CMDR Oats to name a few. I was fortunate enough to travel on many interstate sporting trips during my five years there.
Posted to HQNORCOM at Larrakeyah Barracks Darwin for a five-year stint. I was again fortunate to travel interstate on sporting trips, and two overseas sporting trips to Thailand and the UK. I discharged from HQNORCOM in 2000 as a LSWTR. Absolutely loved my time up north. Have since completed many reserve postings, which included being a member of the Centenary Naval Review team in Sydney, which was later cancelled due to the events on September 11. Other Reserve postings included another two-year stint at HQNORCOM. I then had a great three month posting to RNOTI (Thursday Island – LCDR ‘J.J’ Williams) filling the billet of the ABBM. Many seagoing adventures were had on MALU BAIZAM, and a cultural experience with the Torres Strait Islanders. I finally made it to sea, as a reservist.
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Hockham, David
EX POWTR Grade 4. Born 10/07/1952. Died 01/01/2006. Joined RAN 30/05/1970. Promotions ORDWTR 30/08/1970. ABWTR 30/03/1972. LSWTR 02/05/1975, POWTR 02/03/1979. Postings: Cerberus initially, Derwent 21/08/1970, Cerberus 30/11/1971, Parramatta 04/01/1972, Nirimba 23/10/1972, Cairns 16/01/1974, Albatross 15/04/1975, Torrens 13/12//1976, Harold E Holt 30/10/1978, Stirling 15/02/1982, Albatross 20/021984, Stalwart 02/04/1986, Harman(NO) 19/10/1987 until discharge 13/05/1992. He did undertake periods of reserve time until January 2000. Awards: AASM45 75VIE Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 with clasp VIETNAM. ASM45 75 FESR Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with clasp FESR. VLSM LSM Vietnam Logistic and Support medal. DFSM* First clasp to the Defence Force Service medal. RAS Returned form Active service Badge DFSM Defence Forces Services medal
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Hodgson, John Deceased 1977
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Hoffman, Leonard Arthur ‘Len.
 Deceased 24th May 2008. Len joined the RAN on the 18th December 1950. P/N 39757. He went to Cerberus for his Wtr training. On 6th October 1951 he was posted to Harman and promoted LSWTR 1st July 1954. Posting to Sydney on 23rd August 1954. Moreton 12th October 1955. Back to Cerberus 8th November 1956 where he was promoted POWTR 10th May 1957. The following year he was posted to Quickmatch (1st July 1958) and had subsequent postings to Penguin (26/3/59), Harman (27/6/59) and then Anzac 23rd June 1961 where he was promoted to CPOWTR 9th February 1962. He posted to Kuttabul 1st February 1963 and then Moreton 10th August 1964. Len was promoted to SBLT 5th February 1966 and was Cerberus bound for the Officer indoctrination course.He had subsequent postings to Melbourne (14/3/67), Albatross (30/1/67) and Lonsdale for DMD. He was promoted to LEUT 1st April 1969. He posted to Harman in 1973. His date of discharge was the 7/7/1980.
My Early Days
I joined the Navy in 1950 and stayed for 30 years, serving in the Supply and Secretariat Branch. After initial training in HMAS Cerberus I was posted for two years and ten months in HMAS Harman, which was at that time, the largest W/T station in the Southern Hemisphere. In August 1954 I joined the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney at Garden Island in Sydney Harbour, and this talk is mainly an account of the eighteen months I spent aboard that ship.
In late September 1954, after completing the mid - Winter leave cycle and partial refit, Sydney slipped its moorings and departed the big smoke, heading South to the Jervis Bay area where it took aboard its aircraft from RAN Air station, HMAS Albatross. The aircraft comprised single seater SEAFURY(S), two seater FIREFLY(S) and a pair of SYCAMORE helicopters.
After the batman had landed these aboard, the ship turned her nose north and headed for Hervy Bay where repeated deck landings and take offs were practised by the new pilots, and re-stimulated the older ones. Hervey Bay was ideal for these operations because its prevailing stable seasonal weather makes it ideal for training. The Captain and Commander (Air) were very satisfied with progress and delighted that it was entirely incident free. At the conclusion of a days flying the ship anchored and anglers in the crew took the opportunity to drop a fishing line and catch some of the abundant fish. Nothing was more pleasing to the eye than to see a Red Emporer breaking the surface of the blue bay water! The cooks happily prepared catches for Ships Company to eat.
The air training completed, the ship headed for Brisbane to replenish fuels and victuals; and after completing a cordial 5 day visit we sailed for Manus Island via Rabaul to take part in the scheduled SATEX (South Asia Tactical Exercise) with ships and aircraft of all shapes and sizes from a number of navies. Upon approaching the Coral Sea we joined up with our consorts of two destroyers and one frigate and opportunity was taken to refuel each of these ships and transfer official and personal mail by jackstay. One advantage of crewing a carrier involved our aircraft collecting mail at designated towns with arrangements with the Warship's Section of the GPO. The receipt of personal mail by a ship's company is a great blessing and morale booster for the ship's company. All ships were eager to compete as "good guys versus bad guys"'; or more aptly put, the "Blue against Orange Forces", and because it involved operating both North and South of the Equator and was classified as being "on war footing" and because of repeated crossings of the traditional crossing the line ceremony was abandoned. At the wash up, the exercise was classed as an outstanding success and we met on friendly terms. Of interest, the ship used "daylight saving" to gain maximum use of the sun to maximise flying hours and counter inclement weather when flying could be hazardous; days were shuffled; and Wednesday could become Sunday and Sunday a Wednesday with maximum flying activity. While all this occurred years ago I recall that with recycling working and free time came out square in the end.
Effective from 1955, HMAS Sydney was scheduled to convert to a role of Training Ship and in February it participated in exercises with several ships of the New Zealand Navy, using Jervis Bay to rest up (J.B. was always a home port when deployed). Since we were classed to function as an aircraft carrier it should be mentioned that Jervis Bay is large enough in area to allow aircraft to be launched flight deck. We returned to Sydney once more for necessary replenishment and then set sail on a "Goodwill" visit to New Zealand, visiting Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. At Auckland I was fortunate to be member of a party of 100, chosen for a tour of Rotauru and while en route there we stopped for refreshments at a roadhouse which is internationally renowned for its salmon ponds. I have never seen so many fish of that species in all my life. At Rotaura we received a royal welcome shown their geysers and the mud pots where, in the old days Maori warriors would throw their enemies! The Maidens performed the ritual Poi dance which features a tiny ball on the end of a string and warriors who were especially decorated in war paint performed a war dance which I was told literally scared the pants off the enemy and sent them running for their lives.
We farewelled Auckland and slipped off to Wellington. At that city, selected members of the ship's company were hosted by the citizens for car trips. My name came out of the hat and with two others, our host with his wife and a four year old daughter drove into the mountains, along an extremely winding road where I noticed sign posts bearing the message; "Beware of Frost"! Ironically; we were guests of a family named Frost! At sailing time a local band played the Hawaiian Farewell, and after leaving harbour we set course for Christchurch where we berthed at the adjacent port of Lylleton. The visit to Christchurch provided a delightful finale to New Zealand and upon leaving port we sailed up the East coast of the South Island, where; while passing through Cook Strait I recalled the popular "James Fitzpatrick" travel talks of the 1940s which always wound up with the words; "so we say farewell to this lovely land of splendour, its wonderful people and sail off into the sunset". This fitted the New Zealand trip to a tee.
Upon arrival in our home port of Sydney there was a period of leave followed by a cleanup of the Ship prior to slipping away again. Our next deployment involved showing the flag at Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth; berthing at their respective ports. We had a great time at each of these cities where people readily adopted us. In truth we needed to relax after enduring an extremely demanding program of exercises. Having jettisoned the birdies, the flight deck was now quite accessible and at the cessation of each working day there was PIT, deck hockey and volleyball, (Which we played in the two aircraft lift wells (With the lifts down). The ship returned to its home port once more, in early in December for Christmas leave and a long refit. I have many memories of the carrier - because accidents did happen:
(a) One unfortunate incident occurred when the tail wheel of a Firefly broke off during a heavy landing, skidded down the flight, hitting an aircraft handler who sustained a broken leg and cracked ribs. The aircraft was duty assessed as unserviceable but the pilot was not "deck bound" and was assigned the ships spare aircraft. On another occasion the same young lieutenant pilot, while positioning his Seafury for his departing takeoff gave a cheeky gesture of farewell to Commander Air, who was stationed on the bridge! I am sure that in response Cdr.(Air} must have pointed the bone at the young flyer as the engine of his aircraft cut out and refused to re-start. The aircraft was duly removed from the flight deck by the Clark Tow motor and the Officer paid a penalty for his sauciness by returning to Sydney with the ship and making an ignominious journey to Nowra by rail. Of interest, he later made Commodore, equating to Brigadier in the Army and Air Commodore in the Air Force! (Perhaps it pays to be cheeky!)
(b) During a quiet time gave a recital on the foc’sle and as an audience we were all crowding around dressed in shorts and sandals and one of the old chief handlers was smoking his pipe. While tamping down the red hot ash in his pipe and landed on the foot of a young rating who was standing nearby; the war dance he performed would have made a red skin jealous; but it wasn't funny!
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Holland, Kieth ‘Dutchy; Deceased 2000
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Holton-Picard, Margaret 
WR85193. Joined November 1960 - Free discharge 02/1966. Served Cerberus, Movements Office Melbourne, Coonawarra, Penguin and Adelaide recruiting. Lived in Canada 1966-1969 and London UK 1969-72, then back to Sydney for 4 years. Have now been in London since 1976. (Updated April 2005)
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Hooley, Alan (Tim)
 Service 20/01/1942-1946. Cerberus January 1942 - March 1942 Probationary Writer. Penguin March 1942 - December 1942 Writer. (Degaussing Range) Kuttabul December 1942 - May 1943 Writer (Ship's Office) Westralia May 1943 - March 1945 Writer (Ship's Office) March 1945 - August 1945 Leading Writer Lonsdale August 1945 - October 1946 Leading Writer (Demobilisation Staff) Alan was demobilised in October 1946. My life as a sailor began when I arrived at the gangway of Lonsdale, prior to being drafted to Cerberus (FND) for new entry training. At that time, there were around 14,000 personnel at the Depot. There, I completed an intensive training programme, which included marching endlessly around the Parade Ground, gas mask drill, swimming, gymnastics, and lots of other exercises not at all related to my future duties as a Probationary Writer. Shortly after, I received my first draft - the Degaussing Range located on Shark Island in Sydney Harbour. The Range was attached to Penguin (Garden Island). The name of the Base was later changed to Kuttabul and the name Penguin was allocated to the newly established Naval Base situated at Balmoral. The conditions of living whilst being attached to Penguin meant that the sailors lived ashore and they received four shillings and six pence per day (45 cents) to pay for their accommodation and food. Staying at 'Johnnies' - a building in Grosvenor Street, near Wynyard Station, which catered exclusively for sailors who were temporarily without a home, was quite an experience for one who had never before ventured into the wide wide world. The Degaussing Range was eventually moved to Bradley's Head and I transferred to Ship's Office at Garden Island, where I remained as Fair Ledger-keeper until being drafted to Westralia in May 1943. The ship, formerly an interstate passenger liner, had been acquired by the RAN in 1939, when it was converted to an Armed Merchant Cruiser. It was subsequently converted and recommissioned as a Landing Ship Infantry, when it took part in seven major landing operations in New Guinea, Philippines and Borneo, as a unit of the United States Seventh Fleet. (Pic right 1943) The Ship's Office was headed by a Petty Officer Writer, who operated the Rough Ledger, and I looked after the Fair Ledger. As Rough and Fair Ledgers are now a thing of the past, I should explain their purpose for those Writers who have only experienced the use of computers in compiling pay records. Both Rough and Fair Ledgers contained identical pay records of the Ship's Company and all entries made were manually calculated and cross checked. Every three months, the Fair Ledger would be forwarded to Navy Office and the records of the crew (all 600) would have to be rewritten - quite a laborious task. Woe betide the Writer who made a mistake in making an entry in the Fair Ledger. In August 1945, having been promoted to Leading Writer, I was drafted to Lonsdale. There I encountered WRANS for the first time, which I found to be a very enjoyable experience. After serving around twelve months at Lonsdale with the Ship's Office Demobilisation Staff, the majority of the Reserve sailors had been discharged back into Civvy Street and I had obtained the necessary number of points to also look forward to a life in the outside world.
Alan remembers: Having competed my new entry training at Flinders Naval Depot In March 1942, I and another writer, Ray Saunders, arrived at central station in Sydney and made our way to Garden Island and duly reported to ship's office. There we met Captain Trivett who was sitting at a desk near the door in an open office and without his coat.
I mistakenly mistook him as being just another writer. The manner in which I greeted him must have astounded all those writers in ear-shot, as they all stopped their work and looked earnestly at Captain Trivett, waiting for him to explode. Much to their disappointment, however, Captain Trivett spoke kindly to me and he called over a Petty Officer Writer who took Ray and I In hand.
On another occasion, when I arrived at garden Island, I found that I had been drafted to the degaussing range on Shark Island, situated off rose bay In Sydney harbour. There, with three other writers, three officers and three signalmen, we worked from dawn to dusk checking the magnetism of ships as they passed over the range and made appropriate adjustment to their magnetic coils to minimise the risk of
Magnetic mines. Technicality, the work was quite challenging. In April 1942, I was due to be advanced from probationary writer to writer and I made the appropriate request. The request, however, was refused. I was then directed to present myself to Captain Trivett, who stated that I did not have the knowledge expected of a writer performing writer's normal duties.
At the time, I considered his decision to be quite unfair and for the time being I remained on four shillings and six pence (45 cents) per day.
The answer lay in captain's office and ship's office and three times a week for the next three months, after completing my day's work on Shark Island, I would proceed to Garden Island where with the generous assistance of two of the writers who worked In each office, I diligently studied KR &I and learn about service records, rough and fair ledgers and the many other facets associated with the normal duties of a writer. After three months, I was confident that I now knew more about what was expected of a writer than many others. I must have impressed captain Trivett as he congratulated me on my tenacity and gave Instructions that I be Immediately transferred to ship’s office and advanced to writer, with back pay.
I spent another six months In ship's office at garden Island, quite happily working under the watchful eye of Captain Trivett, until I was subsequently drafted to HMAS WESTRALIA which was In the process of being converted to a landing ship Infantry from an armed merchant cruiser, but that Is another story.
It was my responsibility to buy him, together with Paymaster Commander Eric Kingsford-Smith and two other Officers, their daily lunch-time fruit at Circular Quay, which I was required to purchase for an amount, not to exceed one shilling (10 cents). As each officer insisted on receiving two pieces of fruit, it was always a daily battle of bargaining with the stall-holder to supply me with the eight pieces and keep within the allocated sum. Captain Trivett was a kind fatherly figure and I remember him as one who was always excellent terms with his staff, which comprised around twenty Writers.”
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Horsfield, Lew
 Pictures left -Recruit School 1957 Right 1960 at Watson and below right 2005. Joined in June 1959. Joined RAN on 29/06/19 59. Got envious of my elder brother telling me about all the good times he was having on Voyager in the Far East. Left for Cerberus on the night train the same day as the Voyager returned from its overseas deployment. As my Writer Course was finishing which I topped – only member of the Class, I was asked did I have any preference for a posting. I replied anywhere but Sydney. First Lesson Learned! Joined Watson as Recruit Writer on 1/1/1960 – I quickly advanced in rank to Writer 2nd Class – as soon as my Service Certificate arrived and Captains Requestmen were held. In 4/1961 promoted to WTR. October 1961 off to Queenborough. There I stayed until August 1962 when they posted me to Albatross. Only stayed in ALBATROSS for 3 months and then posted to Rushcutter – Depot type. Bubblies but no Bandies. I was promoted to LWTR 02/1963. All good things must end and in September 1963 I was off to the Melbourne – CVA Type. Did not like it very much so in January 1964 exchanged postings to Vampire. Stayed until 06/1965. June 1965 I was posted to Kuttabul (FOCAF). I was in Fleet Operations as the Shore Based Leading Writer. I stayed in that posting until 01/1967 when posted to Harman. Before going to Harman. I posted to Cerberus for my ADVWTR CSE in January 1966. Time in Harman went quickly as they seem to in good postings. I was promoted to POWTR in 05/1967. In October 1969 it was back to Vampire and stayed until her modernisation refit in August 1970. From Dogs Town it was back to Sydney to join Vendetta and stayed until October 1971 when once again it was back to Dogs Town to put her in for her modernisation. Punishment again back to Albatross in October 1971. I was a good Writer and with time off for Bad Behaviour and April 1972 seen me off to Harman again. I was promoted to CPO in 1973. Here I stayed until 1975. In December 1975 it was off to Yarra for a change from the  Daring’s. But this did not last long for in October 1976 I took Yarra into Cockatoo Island for modernisation. To fill in time they sent me back to Harman for six weeks in 1976 before being posted to Vampire [3rd Time] in November 1976. I stayed in Vampire until December 1977 when I was posted back to Canberra this time to Navy Office into DNLS. Did not like it at all, so was made ineffective in July 1978 and sent to DNT for the rewrite of ABR 27. A good interesting job. The irony of being made ineffective was that Geoffrey Hardwick [British] took the position number and was promoted Chief. Paid off in June 1979 after 20 years of Good Times. Sure there were some bad times but they are soon forgotten. Post RAN I spent 21 years with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, spending 11 years in overseas Embassies. In between I commenced the groundwork for the RAN Writers Association
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Hoskin, Jay Deceased 01/12/1995
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Houston, Russell Wayne
Ex CPOWTR. I enlisted as a Recruit Writer on 28/7/1976 and completed the Basic Writer course  1/77 with POWTR Smith as the instructor. (1/77 had three POWTR instructors during the course, being Smith, Black and Brown.)
My first posting as a writer was to Lonsdale in 1977, to work with a young POWTR Brian Eagles. (I believe that I am responsible for Brian’s demeanour, as I recall vividly an episode with the Commanding Officer and myself.) Brian took me under his wing and showed me the ropes in the Ship’s Office, as he was the CO’s Secretary. He said that I could call him ‘Brian’ in the office whilst working together. One day in ‘77 I was taking some files to the CO and he asked where the Sec was. I replied that Brian was not in the office at the moment. The CO (CMDR McGowan) said when Brian returned to the office, would he be so kind as to see him. I passed this on to Brian when he got back. He went to see the CO, and a few minutes later, my life changed forever. On his return from the CO, Brian swiftly briefed me on the etiquette of rank and privilege. Needless to say, I always referred to Brian via his rank from then on.
On 16/10/1978, I joined Melbourne in dry dock at Garden Island. Doing a post in on the Melbourne was fun, if you liked trying to drag your kit bag with you everywhere. I found myself in the writer mess of 3 Papa Port, on the top bunk (being four high) and clueless as to where anything else was. Later in the year, I was transferred to the staff of the Fleet Commander where I met LSWTR Dino Dowling and then later, LSWTR John Kent. (So, my influences as a young writer were Brian Eagles, Dino Dowling and John Kent and yet, I still turned out okay.)
I was promoted to LSWTR and posted ashore back to Lonsdale from 1981 to 1982, where I worked with LSWTR Andy Thomas, POWTR Colin Bray, LSWTR Rick Bray and POWTR Mick Boyd. (Was I the only one who thought Colin and Rick Bray looked like twins?)
In 1982, I made my way to Navy Office, Canberra, and worked in the Record and Training Employment Office in ‘D’ building. Later in ’82, I was transferred to the Personal Services Offices, Canberra, and worked for CPOWTR Terry Wigney. Lunch time was a haze then, as I discovered Manny’s underground tavern only steps away from the PSO. Needless to say, I never drove the work car in the afternoon. I was back at sea again by Christmas 1983, as the Secretary onboard Kimbla. A great little ship; I wore no uniform and only had eight hours sleep a day. What I got at night was extra. I was more of a deck hand than a writer on Kimbla, which was a converted boom defence vessel. The skipper was a gentleman by the name of Allan Vidler (LCDR), known as ‘Whispers Vidler.’ (I thought this odd, as he was an old time gunnery officer.) The skipper loved to tell jokes from his chair on the bridge, however, his voice would drop off to a whisper during the joke. On one occasion, I remember listening to the Skipper’s story up there and laughing at what I thought was the appropriate time. The problem was, he had not finished the tale and had only taken a breath before delivering the punch line. (Moral of the story is to wait til the Skipper starts laughing before you do.)
I decommissioned the Kimbla in 1985 and was posted to the Pay Office at the Australian Defence Force Academy in March, 1985. Problem was that the Academy was only half built and the Pay Office was in a corridor outside of what was to be the clothing store. This was the first time I had worked with the Army and Airforce in a tri-service environment; that was to say, the ‘Army way.’ It was not long before I met the RSM of the Academy. I recall racing excitedly to my Divisional Officer, to say that the RSM had invited me to his office at morning tea time. I entered the RSM’s office right on time, but there were no smally eats anywhere to be seen. It so happened that I had failed to wish the RSM ‘good morning’ before he said it to me. Apparently this is a major crime in the Army and I was lucky not to get ‘extras.’ I am still confused as to ‘extra’ what?
I completed the Advanced Writer Course 4/86, with CPOWTR Hardie as the instructor, and in 1987, I was promoted to POWTR. In that year I was posted to the Directorate of Naval Supply Services (DNSS) and worked with the likes of LEUT Andy Hamilton and former WOWTR Paddy O’Brien. In July, 1989, I was fortunate to return to my home town, Geelong, in the Recruiting Office. This was a fun job, involving lots of country travel and hotel stays. Recruiting Geelong moved to Ballarat in 1991. The reasoning at the time was that Ballarat was a larger population centre. Geelong, being three times the population of Ballarat, did confuse me at the time. (By the way, the Ballarat office only lasted three years.)
I was promoted to CPOWTR in March, 1993, and had a short stint as the Chief Clerk for the ADF war room. I moved on to the Directorate of Naval Manpower Planning as a special projects officer. During 1994, I was asked to restructure the Writer’s Branch from a peak of over 500 billets to around 270, all virtually overnight. Not a popular job, however, I did manage to disestablish my own billet in January, 1996, and was subsequently posted additional to Recruiting Geelong, prior to my discharge in July, 1996.
I stayed on as an active reservist from 1996, doing stints in the Melbourne Recruiting Office as an interviewing officer. Then, at Christmas, 1999, I had the opportunity for active service with Operation Warden (INTERFET). I was a staff officer within the Australian National Command Support Element – East Timor (ASNCE-EM). My role was to establish who was where and the movements in and out of the theatre of operation for all Australian military personnel. It was during one of the evening mannings of the duty phone that I took the call advising that my father was critically ill with a brain tumour and not expected to live. I left Dili after three weeks there and returned home to Geelong. My father passed away twelve months later.
Again, I was working as an active reservist with the new company responsible for recruitment for the ADF, namely Manpower Australia. I served 150 days per year as an interviewing officer from 2001 to 2005. In June, 2005, I was asked to fill in as the Executive Officer of the Military Personnel and Administration Centre, Sydney Central, on CFTS. I enjoyed this role, however, I became unwell and was medically discharged in June, 2006.
My service as a writer was 20 years with the PNF from 1976 to 1996 and ten years, 1996 to 2006, as an active reservist, with several periods of full time service. I live in Geelong and teach part time at the Gordon Institute of Technology within the School of Business and Management. I also assist as a volunteer Pensions Officer with the Torquay Sub Branch RSL.
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Humphrey, Peter John Frederick
R 40821. Born 6/1/1926 Deceased 19/6/2008. John the Royal Navy on the 18/3/1943 and served until in the RN until the 25th July 1950 when he transferred to the RAN and joined the Sydney. John was a seaman. He joined Leeuwin 28/11/1950 an the Warramunga 11/12/1951, transferred to the Arunta 12/11/1952, Penguin 6/1/1953, Leeuwin 23/6/1953 and discharged BNPS 13/7/1953.
He re-entered the RAN as a Writer at Leeuwin 2/9/1956 and was posted to Cerberus for the Writer Cse 6/9/1956. Posted Watson 4/9/1956, Fremantle 26/7/1957, Albatross 15/10/1958, Queenborough 5/1/1959. From there he was posted to Rushcutter 21/3/1962, Kuttabul 5/12/1962, Cerberus 4/4/1963, Huon 2/7/1963, Leeuwin 25/7/1964, Terror 9/1/1966, Penguin 4/3/1967 and Yarra 28/12/1968. Retired 1974.
Promoted ABWTR 1/2/1057, LSWTR 9/11/1958, PO 9/2/1962 and CPO 19/10/1966.
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Humphreys, John
Presently serving (2007) on Anzac. Sea Postings include Swan 1992-94 (ABWTR), Darwin 1997-00 (LSWTR), Westralia 2000-02 (LSWTR), Warramunga 2002-05 (POWTR), Anzac (CPOWTR) 2006-2008 and in March 2008 will post to Perth. Shore Establishments include Cerberus (Instructor was POWTR now WOWTR Hillis) 89-90, Creswell 1990, Harman 95-97 and Stirling (three time over two decades). Currently lives in Rockingham with his wife Joadi and 3 boys. Best known for the things he should have done and notably, the ‘fun things’ he got away with.
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Humphries, Mike
R67119 Joined RAN Feb 1968. Recruit time on Anzac - Writers Course June 1968 - Posted to Nirimba and worked in the pay office with the then Chief WTR McCosker, then completed EDP Course at Harman. In 1969 Drafted to Sydney and did 4 trips to Vietnam including the pay off trip by the Sydney to the US & Canada, then drafted to Watson and finally Albatross.
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