The South Australian division of the Naval Officers Association of Australia held its quarterly lunch at the Naval & Military & Air Force Club on 28th March 2025. The guest speaker was Chief Petty Officer Yeoman Reg Swanborough RN Rtd, age 102!

Bob Pritchard introduced CPO Swanborough as follows: Swannie enlisted in the RN in July, 1938 at the age of 15 as, what was known back then, a Boy Recruit. He then progressed to the communication school where he learnt his trade as a Yeoman. He was subsequently posted to HM ships in the Mediterranean and then to anti-submarine duties in the Atlantic where he served with the famous CAPT Walker. He was then posted to Arctic Convoy duty in 1944.  Swannie received the Arctic Star for his service on four convoys and much later, the Russian Ushakov Medal from President Putin for his role in assisting Russia in their war efforts.

Jock Thornton, Garth Morgan, Dave Rattray, Jim Howard, John Eastham, LCDR Carol Belcher

Steve Impett, Michael Livingston, Ian Weekly, John Siebert, Bronte Hockley, Andrew Burnett

Sandy Coulson, Ian Clarke, Jim Howard, David Quick, Peter Coulson

Bob Pritchard introducing CPO Reg Swanborough RN Rtd