VALE: Rear Admiral P.G.N. Kennedy, AO RAN (RETD)

[Hippy Chippy]

UNCLASSIFIED

Regret to advise that Rear Admiral P.G.N. Kennedy, AO, RAN (RETD) passed away today peacefully.

Admiral Kennedy was born in Malta in 1931 when his father was serving in HMS GLORIOUS after the conversion from a battle cruiser to an aircraft carrier as an Observer.

Admiral Kennedy joined the Naval College at HMAS CERBERUS as a Special Entry in 1949 from the Sacred Heart College, Glenelg.

After graduation later in the year, he proceeded to the United Kingdom and served in the cruisers, HMS DEVONSHIRE and HMS SWIFTSURE and the Z class destroyer, HMS ZEPHYR.

On promotion to Sub Lieutenant in 1951 he served at HMS Royal Prince, a RN establishment at Emden in Germany.

HMS Royal Prince was in the British Zone of Occupation and the unit was responsible for the safe and secure passage of all waterborne traffic along the River Rhine between the Dutch border and the French zone south of Bonn.

In 1953 he returned to Australia and joined HMAS CONDAMINE as the Navigator and seven months later joined HMAS SHOALHAVEN.

In 1955 he joined HMAS ARUNTA and served as the Navigator until July 1956 and then was posted ashore to HMAS CERBERUS as a year officer at RANC and participated in moving RANC back to Jervis Bay in 1957.

In 1958 he was posted to HMS Vernon to undertake the TAS course and on completion served in HMS RHYL on two years Exchange.
On return to Australia he was then selected for two years exchange with the USN.

In 1965 he was selected to be the Executive Officer of HMAS VAMPIRE and in late 1966 he became the Fleet TASO prior to being posted to AJASS at HMAS ALBATROSS.

In 1967 on promotion to Commander, he was selected to be the commissioning Executive Officer of HMAS BRISBANE and served in BRISBANE for two years.

In 1969 he was appointed to HMAS CRESWELL as the Commander of RANC and the Executive Officer for two years before being selected for his first command, HMAS PARRAMATTA.

On completion of his command he was posted to Fleet Headquarters prior to being the Project Director for the Naval Combat Data Systems in 1974.

After three years as the Project Director he was selected for his second command, HMAS HOBART, in 1977.

On promotion to Commodore he was appointed as the Commandant of the Joint Services Staff College for two years prior then the Deputy Fleet Commander.

In 1984 he was promoted to Rear Admiral and appointed as the Chief of Naval Operations, Requirements and Plans.

He retired from the RAN in 1987.

The details of his funeral will be advised when known.

sincerely,

Brian Gorringe
CAPTAIN, RANR
Director Navy Senior Officer Management
Office of the Chief of Navy
R1-4-COO1
Russell Offices
CANBERRA ACT
Tel: 02 62652619
Fax: 02 62654790

[Seejay]

Well, how about that, one shipmate advising of another shipmate's passing.

It is very sad to see Phil (Crash) Kennedy has crossed the bar. He was the skipper of HOBART when I posted on in '77, and a more decent bloke I couldn't have found. He was one of those officers that I'd always acknowledge as 'sir', regardless of where we may have been.

And also on HOBART as the deputy supply officer was a young lieutenant Brian Gorringe. Also known as 'Clockwork' Gorringe. Another decent bloke in a ship that won the Gloucester Cup.

They were good times.

Vale Crash Kennedy, may the seas you travel on remain calm for the rest of your journey. You'll find some real characters from our crew awaiting you - Pete Cottam being one of them.

[tafmo]

Very sad news indeed.

Phil was the Director at the Combat Data Systems Centre in Fyshwick when I first joined in 74/75. He was a great skipper, was very approachable, made you feel like you were part of a large family, and that he was genuinely concerned with your welfare and satisfaction in the job. Working there was a pleasure with Phil at the helm.

Smooth seas and fair winds Phil......Rest In Peace.

[Hippy Chippy]

Hello all,

For the benefit of those who have not read or received a copy of todays West,
Admiral Kennedy's funeral details are as follows.

The Funeral Mass for Phil Kennedy will be celebrated at the Holy Rosary Church in Nedlands at 9.30 on
Tuesday the 31st of May. The Church is at the corner Thomas and Elizabeth Streets Nedlands.

On completion of the service the cortege will proceed to Karrakatta for a burial service at 11.15.
The RAN will be providing a Funeral Party from HMAS Stirling and the VLSVA will Parade their
Banner also providing a guard of honour. It is hoped that the Brisbane banner will also be Paraded.

Flowers appreciated or donations in lieu to the Arthritis Foundation of WA.Inc.

Medals are to be worn.

There will be a gathering of the family and friends at Hollywood Bowling Club on completion of the Funeral.
The Club is at 42 Smyth Road Nedlands

In order that a fine Officer a true Gentleman and every ones friend be given a very fitting farewell it is
requested that as many of you who can put aside some time to attend, do so.
It would be great to see you all there.

Yours Aye,

Peter Flockhart.

[Hippy Chippy]

I was sent this today from Peter Maher... An obituary on RADM Phil Kennedy published in last Friday’s West Australian.

[Seejay]

I was very sad to hear of Phil's passing, but I am now saddened further to hear he had dementia. It is true that the best of us get dealt the worst hands.

Vale, Phil Kennedy, you will always be Sir to me.

[Viv]

Its sad to see the Admiral leave us He was one of my wife's favorite patients when she was working for a Specialist Surgeon he found out through her I was a chippie He used to love talking to her about the navy

One of his memories was on a DDG (I dont want to mention the chippies who on board at the time they will get bigger swollen heads) when they had to build a helo landing platform in an emergency he just could not talk enough of there skills.

Well done to the chippies , you know who I'm talking about you made an Admiral happy to talk about your skills long after he left the navy

Viv

[Seejay]

Thank you Viv. You've just added to my great memories of a good bloke.

[Stroppy Chippie]

I seem to remember hearing about that truly incredible feat............

[tafmo]

The only problem was they had to then put her through refit to replace all the toilet pipe they cut out for the platform....