Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Vale by Barry Higgins and Dick Pelling Almoner

 31033493   RAEME / 2 Commando Company / 3 Squadron SAS - Retired as a Sergeant 

Dick was born in January 1943 in Poland. Dick and Karl Jahn (Kalisz) were lifelong friends, having first met in a displaced persons camp in Germany in 1947 as young children. Dick and Karl, with their families, arrived in Melbourne as migrants in September 1949. The two families lived near each other in Newport and remained friends.

After he left school Dick served his apprenticeship as a boilermaker-welder for the company where Karl was a truck driver. They both joined the CMF in the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. It was there that a friend, David Waterston, convinced them to join 2 Commando Coy. They transferred in September 1963, reverting from Sergeants to Corporals, serving under their OC Major Geoff Cohen, who had previously served as OC of 1 SAS Company before posting to 2 Cdo Coy. This may have influenced Dick’s thinking about his future Army career.

With his previous rank and experience Dick had to wait only a few months before he did his Basic Parachute Course with Bob McDowell, Nick Howlett, Paul Butler and others.
 After completing a number of specialist courses Dick again relinquished his rank, now back to Private, to work full time ARA duties from January to July 1965. During this time he shared staff accommodation with the legendary WO2 Jim Husband, who had just returned from Vietnam.

Soon after, following a selection course and “many interesting escapades”, Dick posted to SASR.

With the SAS he served in Vietnam, with the 1 Australian Reinforcement Unit from February to June 1969 then the 3rd Special Air Service Squadron until February 1970.

Before and after his Vietnam service Dick maintained his contact with 2 Cdo Coy by participation in specialist Courses, and made sure he kept his parachute rating current by jumping with 2 Cdo Coy on occasions.
 

Peter Tierney wrote, “I visited Dick in Perth about five years ago, he was the same bloke I remember about 60 years ago. I enjoyed the afternoon and having a few drinks with him”.
Bruce Parker also commented, “A good soldier and a good bloke.  I served with Dick as did Bluey and many more of you – he had some villain in him!  “RIP Dick”.

The meaning of Dick’s surname translates into two words, ‘key’ and ‘man’ and Dick was a ‘Key-man’ to many people during his greatly respected lifetime.

All members of the Australian Commando Association and Dick’s old friends from Victoria offer their thoughts and sympathy to Glennis and all family members.