In Memoriam

Volume 48, No. 8, May 18, 2006

John Niel Spencer

John Niel Spencer
August 5, 1939 – April 26, 2006

CHERISHED, wonderful, respected and outstanding.

These are just some of the words used to describe the late John Spencer — former GPCAPT, Commanding Officer of 482 Squadron, pilot and aeronautical engineer.

John, who piloted the first RAAF Iroquois helicopter used to evacuate the wounded from the frontline in Vietnam, died on April 26, his life celebrated in a moving ceremony at the Centenary Memorial Gardens Federation Chapel, Sumner, two days later.

Born in Kyogle, NSW, John completed his High School Certificate and went on to study at the RAAF College, the University of Sydney and Cranfield Institute of Technology in the UK. By the time he was 21 he received a Bachelor of Engineering in Aeronautical Engineering.

He had completed the pilot’s course by 1963 and his academic success continued — he became an engineering lecturer and received a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, attending RAAF Staff College in 1975 and Australian Joint Service Staff College in 1979.

John’s success was not only in the world of academia. He had an outstanding career as an aeronautical engineer and pilot.

He flew Dakota and Hercules aircraft throughout Australia, South-East Asia and the Pacific and saw service in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Borneo.

One stage of his career saw him responsible for all RAAF jet engines then, as a Wing Commander, he prepared officers for senior command and staff appointments.

After a two-year posting as a RAAF Technical Liaison Officer for F-111 aircraft with the US Air Force in the late 70s, John returned to Australia and was part of a team responsible for implementing organisational changes in the Air Force under the direction of the Chief of Air Staff. His final role in the Air Force was CO 482SQN.

John left the Air Force and worked at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, where he was Chief Engineer. He retired at age 60.

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