OBITUARIES

MM winner’s life of service

Then Corporal Eddie Power on patrol during the Vietnam War.

WOFF Eddie Power

REMEMBRANCE Day will forever hold an added meaning for the family of Warrant Officer Eddie Power, MM, after his death on November 11.

WOFF Power is the only Air Force recipient of the Military Medal since World War II. The decoration followed his actions as a Corporal with the Airfield Defence Guards in Vietnam in 1970.

WOFF Power’s Air Force career spanned more than 30 years. He was the second person to be appointed WOD Air Force and eventually retired from the PAF in 1987. He then served in the Reserves until he reached the compulsory retiring age of 55 in 1994.

CAF Air Marshal Angus Houston, who was at the dedication of the Australian War Memorial in London when WOFF Power died, said it was symbolic that he passed away on Remembrance Day.

“His life was certainly one that epitomised the service and sacrifice we commemorate on that day,” AIRMSHL Houston said. “Eddie Power deserves a special place in the hearts and memories of all of us who form the Air Force family. We are not a big Air Force, and the bravery and courage of our colleagues in battle is something that we all take great pride in.”

As a section commander on the night of January 11, 1970, the then CPL Power and his eight-man section were conducting a listening watch outside the perimeter at Phan Rang air base when the enemy began probing the wire directly behind them.

Unaware of the ADGs presence, the enemy had placed themselves between the section and the perimeter. This resulted in the return fire from the base security section falling on the ADGs unprotected position.

CPL Power took the initiative. He knew the area and quickly realised that the enemy’s withdrawal could involve crossing a canal at either a footbridge or vehicle bridge located 15m apart and 300m from his current location. With no time to consult the base, he quickly redeployed his section to cover both possibilities. In doing so he weighed up a difficult decision in placing his section in a position that forced them to fire in the direction of the base.

“We risked shooting up our own blokes on the other side of the perimeter and firing into the aircraft at the end of the airstrip,” he later recalled.

His bold decision proved correct, and within two minutes of being in position movement was heard on the opposite side of the canal.

The ensuing firefight with small arms and grenades was short but decisive, with the enemy breaking contact after about five minutes.

Initial clearing patrols in the night revealed nothing, but in the dawn a badly wounded PAVN artillery major was discovered along with two dead sappers. After interrogation it was discovered that their mission had been to reconnoitre the base for an attack within 72 hours.

As a direct result of the action of CPL Power and his men the attack never materialised. The example he set on that night remains an inspiration for those required to act decisively and manage the risks.

WOFF Power passed away at the age of 64 shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. His funeral service was held on November 19 in Maryborough, Queensland.

A long time friend, Squadron Leader Ian Dainer, of No. 23 Squadron, read the eulogy and a letter from CAF at the service.

“The service and the attendance of such a large crowd, many of whom had travelled from far north Queensland and interstate, was a fitting testament to the regard that Eddie Power had been held in,” he said.

Eddie’s first wife Agnes passed away five years ago, and his second wife Meg passed away earlier this year. He is survived by his sons, James, Robert and John – the latter of whom is a Corporal with No. 6 Squadron at RAAF Amberley.

Outstanding talent

Excellent officer and a gifted sportsman and musician.

FLTLT Craig Turton

FLIGHT Lieutenant Craig “Turtz” Turton, a highly talented Air Traffic Controller who excelled at sport and music, has died suddenly of natural causes at the age of 35.

FLTLT Turton was an outstanding volleyball player who was widely known throughout the Air Force for his sporting ability.

He was perhaps even more famous for his musical skills.

Largely self taught, he was in a number of bands with other Air Force members and played at Officers Mess functions at many bases.

He was well known for commandeering the piano at social venues to entertain the crowd, turning an average section function into a highly memorable one.

“Turtz” joined the Air Force in 1987 and graduated from 101 Air Traffic Control course in June 1988. During his career he was posted to Darwin, Tindal and East Sale. Colleagues and friends described him as an excellent officer who lived by the Air Force’s values.

He was a fine air traffic controller, a gifted instructor and great friend.

FLTLT Turton’s funeral was held on December 2 at St Aidens Presbyterian Church in Wagga, the same church where he was christened.

A strong work ethic

Very much a part of the Air Force family.

LAC Adam Fairley

A PROMISING career was cut short when Leading Aircraftman Adam Fairley, 19, died in a skate boarding accident in Brisbane.

Flight Sergeant Peter Roberts, of No. 1 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley, said that although LAC Fairley had only been a member of the unit for seven months, his loss was felt across the Squadron.

“Adam most definitely had a promising career ahead of him,” he said.

“He had a great work ethic and was ahead of his peers on his aerospace journal for his civilian qualifications. He was very much a part of our family and will be deeply missed.”

About 50 Squadron members attended the funeral in Rockhampton. Leading Aircraftman Marcus Pagbilao, a close friend, said that Adam was always fun to be around and always made the best of every situation.

“Adam, or Fairdog to his mates, was somebody that lived life to the fullest,” he said. “With Fairdog it was a laugh a minute, and that’s what’s going to make him so dearly missed.”

LAC Fairley was killed after he fell when leaving the Indooroopilly shopping centre’s multi-storey car park on October 24 after skate boarding with friends. Indooroopilly CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Geoff Acreman said that the matter was still to go before the coroner’s court, however it was clear it was a death by misadventure.

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