Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Leading Stoker John Henry BOYER

ALE – ex Leading Stoker John Henry BOYER R/28486 6th September 1928 – 13th December 2024
John joined the Royal Australian Navy on 11th December 1945 from Northcote, Victoria, aged 17 years and 3 months looking for an adventure and he got more than he bargained for. He was initially categorised as a Cook and his first sea posting was to HMAS Reserve a Tugboat operated by the Navy between 1943 and 1953. It was crewed mainly by Reservists and John did not particularly like being on a Tugboat when all of his mates were on REAL Warships.
During the next two years he also served in HMAS Shoalhaven a modified River Class Frigate named after the Shoalhaven River that runs through Nowra, NSW and then HMAS Hobart 1 a WWII Modified Leander Class Light Cruiser. A real Warship at last!
However, his heart was not in cooking and after harassing enough people he spent some time in the Engine Room of HMAS Hobart to assess his suitability for a transfer to a Stoker.
On 15th September 1948 he was posted to HMAS Cerberus for a Stokers Course. His other sea postings were as follows: HMAS Bataan – 8th February 1949 to 18th June 1951. This included service in Korea. HMAS Arunta – 27th October 1953 to 11th May 1955. This also included a further tour of duty to Korea. In total, John spent a massive 593 days in Korean waters. HMAS Vengeance – 12th May 1955 to 24th October 1955. He took it back to the U.K. to pick up HMAS Melbourne II. HMAS Melbourne II – 25th October 1955 to 23rd July 1956. 𝐿onsdale 𝑜, 1956. (see Lonsdale story below) HMAS Melbourne II – 10th September 1956 to 20th November 1956. HMAS Melbourne II – 20th September 1957 to 30th June 1959. HMAS Vampire II – 22nd June 1960 to 12th January 1961. HMAS Quickmatch – 24th June 1961 to 27th October 1961. Discharged – 27th October 1961.
The majority of his service was spent at sea. s Whilst serving in HMAS Bataan in September 1950, and under fire from shore batteries off the coast of Korea, John fell down a ladder into the Boiler Room whilst the ship was taking evasive action. His leg was broken in numerous places. Although the ship had a Sick Bay it did not have a Medical Officer onboard. His leg was so bad that it required urgent surgery, and the ship made its way to Inchon and transferred him to a US Navy hospital ship. When he was able, he was eventually returned to Bataan. His leg was never the same again and later in life, it was eventually amputated.
Because this happened during action, he should have been considered a casualty of War but that never happened. He eventually was to go on an EDA (Extreme Disablement Adjustment) Pension from DVA.
His HMAS Lonsdale Story: In June, 1956, a call went out for Stokers with a Navy Drivers licence (qualified MTD) with at least four years continuous sea time to volunteer for driving duties in Melbourne for the upcoming Olympics to give them a well-earned break. Navy Office was still located in Victoria Barracks and as the 3rd Naval Member (Engineering), was soon to lose his driver on posting, John was offered the plum role and was subsequently posted.
One night, after the Wets had closed, the Stokers were having a smoky (Piss up) in the garage and having a wow of a time. John needed to go to the heads and when he got back, he discovered the Naval Police had busted the group and they were all going to face disciplinary charges. Being a two badged Leader, and the most senior of the miscreants, he said, “No worries boys, I will sort this out”. He then headed off to the Wardroom and thumped on the door.
Unfortunately, the X.O., (a Rocky), was onboard and answered the door. It was on for young and old, and John pulled his jacket off and offered him some form of violence. Luckily no punches were thrown and John duly returned to the blocks and proudly reported that he had read the X.O.'s horoscope.
The next day, he picked the Admiral up from his rented home in Toorak and drove him to work. Thirty minutes later the secretary contacted John and said the Admiral wanted to see him urgently. He received a severe dressing down and the Admiral said the only way he could help him was to ship him out immediately. He was back onboard HMAS Melbourne two days later. Despite being married with two daughters who lived in Melbourne, his punishment was another five years at sea, none of which was on a Melbourne based ship.
However, he did become a Legend. John was very bright and had completed and passed 2 HSC (Higher School Certificate Subjects – equivalent to Victorian Leaving) and was 2nd on the roster to undergo the next Mechanicians course at HMAS Nirimba.
However, that meant another two years interstate and away from his family. He was eventually given the ultimatum by “she who must be obeyed” and he very reluctantly paid off. A decision he said, he regretted for the rest of his life.
When John paid off in 1961, he became a qualified Boilermaker and had some great jobs until his retirement at 55. He then threw himself into all matters Naval and formed the HMAS Bataan Association and was the President when it folded about eight years ago.
A lot of their memorabilia was donated to the museum at HMAS Cerberus. John was also the driving force behind the formation of the TS Bataan Navy Cadet group stationed in an Army Reserve Hall near Dandenong.
Unfortunately, approximately three months ago, John had to have his other leg amputated. Following the operation, he never returned home and passed away whilst in palliative care on Friday, 13 December 2024, aged 96.
John was a true Sailor, a bit of a larrikin, but he had a heart of gold and will be sorely missed. Stand down Leader. Your duty is done. We have the watch. Footnote:
At this time, as far as we know, there are only 10 Navy Korea Veterans still alive in Victoria. By me: Our Stan is one of them.