Vale JOHN JAMES(BLUE) HARRISON R35399 who passed away in the early hours of 22 August 2022.
Born in May of 1929, John joined the Navy in October of1947 as one of the first direct entry FAA sailors. He went to the UK for training as an aircraft armourer and returned to Australia on Sydney’s maiden voyage. He was part of the crew on Vengeance return to the UK and became part of the crew for Melbourne’s maiden trip to Australia – thus earning the rather dubious distinction of having served on all three of Australia’s carriers.
He did several tours on Melbourne with the Far East Strategic Reserve (FESR) based in Singapore.
On paying off he got a job with the Directorate Naval Ordnance Inspection where he served out his time as a permanent employee. He then worked as a casual parliamentary attendant.
Blue was a long-time member of the Naval Association where he single-handedly saved it from extinction. With the Naval Association he worked diligently for not just old sailors but for ex-military personnel generally, and for this he was awarded an OAM. The range of his services was astonishing and included Vice Chairman of the Hope Bereavement Care, Chair of the Geelong Advisory Board of the Salvation Army; President of the Kardinia Rotary Club; Board Member of the Uniting Church Frontier Services; Founder of the John Flynn Foundation; Council Member of the Wesley Uniting Church, Geelong and Board Member of the Ambulance Service Victoria.
And so we now say farewell to an old mate as he sets out on as we used to say in the days of our youth “his long stand easy.”
The funeral service will be at the Norwood Crematoria, 65 Sandford Street Mitchell ACT, on 29 August 2022 commencing at 1500.
