- Author
- Linton, E.W. (Jake), BEM, MCD, Commander, RAN (Rtd)
- Subjects
- Biographies and personal histories, RAN operations
- Tags
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- RAN Ships
- HMAS Rushcutter (Shores establishment), HMAS Penguin (Shore Base - Balmoral)
- Publication
- March 2007 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
For all sorts of reasons I retired in 1986 after nearly 35 years in the Navy and 31 years as a Clearance Diver. A testament to the camaraderie of the branch is that I am still well informed of the comings and goings of the branch and consider myself indeed fortunate to be a member of it, and like all other Clearance Divers past and present am fiercely protective and proud of my branch.
I have not mentioned too many names here. Those I have will, I’m sure, bring back personal memories to some of the old and bold amongst us. One thing I will say – I never met a Clearance Diver that I could not work or socialise with. I have made many lasting and close friendships across a number of generations and don’t know of too many other branches of any Navy that has so many fathers, sons and grandsons who have put on the facemask. The branch has also proved to be great preparation for future careers; we currently have the Head of the Queensland Pilot Service, owners of very successful diving businesses, a Deep Draft Oil Tanker Captain, car dealership owners, ferry and merchant ship captains and who knows what in the future – Governor General perhaps!
Much has happened since I retired in 1986, with a clearance Diving team of 70 odd members maintained on each coast and our first Rear Admiral promoted. In addition there are many more Battle Honours on our Banner. All this from a bunch of blokes who just like swimming and eating fish.