Vale Armourer "Carl" DAWSON

He was always full of stories about the Sabre jet aircraft that were "State of the Art" during his time of Service, and in particular was very keen to correct an inaccuracy that has crept into some published Histories, about the "first operational RAAF Sabre Squadron". Carl was there, and so he knew very well that it was 3 Squadron!

My dad, Herbert ‘Carl’ DAWSON, was born in Cabramatta on 2nd November 1935, a baby brother for his sister Peg. Together with his mum, Margaret and father Herbert, he grew up in Canley Vale and went to school in Cabramatta.

After leaving school, Dad enlisted in the RAAF on the 27th of January 1954, at the age of 18. He trained to become an Armament Fitter, a skill which required precision and attention to detail, something that held true throughout his life. From then on, he was always making, mending and modifying all manner of things.

In November of that year, Dad was deployed to the RAAF base in Butterworth in Malaya as part of Australia’s involvement in the Malayan Emergency. He shipped-out within days of the birth of his first son, Phillip, but his family soon joined him, living on Penang Island while Dad commuted to the base on the mainland. One of Dad’s favourite stories of his time there was about building a motorboat in our lounge room with many of his mates to assist. When completed, with Dad’s ingenuity and thoughtful planning, they were able to safely remove the boat and managed to manoeuvre it quite some distance to the water, without a trailer. Apparently it was a popular addition to life on the island and over the years we heard many stories of daring sorties across the Straits of Malacca, boat races, water skiing and even rumours of contraband on board.

Towards the end of his deployment Mum and Dad welcomed a second child, Sharon and it was as a family of four that they returned to Australia in early 1961. They built a home and settled in Penrith, with Dad stationed at Kingswood and later the family was complete with the addition of a second son, Mark.

After being discharged in 1966, Dad had various jobs including being a fitter and turner at the Sydney Water Board and was always doing things around home. I happily remember shovelling sand and cement for him as he made the slurry for the besser wall up the back. He must have instructed me well enough, as it’s still standing!

Dad was a keen darts and squash player and apparently quite competitive. One night he returned home from a squash competition with stitches right between his eyes but happily told Mum “Hey, at least I won!”

Around 1975, Dad took a job as a maintenance supervisor at the copper mine on Bougainville Island. This time he found himself working on some truly large equipment, once again using his planning and machining skills to problem-solve issues as they arose. Dad was happy to share his vast knowledge with others, and found himself teaching the locals all about the importance of using the right tool for the job, often swapping out his own tools to assist. As in Malaya, his use of Pidgin English enabled him to build a rapport with the locals and they developed a mutual respect.

Not long after his return from New Guinea, Carl and Ruth divorced and went their separate ways. We kids spent time with Dad at Oran and Amaroo Park raceways, watching touring car races and learning that Brock’s Holden was much better than Moffat’s Ford. Later, Dad indulged his passion for motor racing and qualified as a flag marshal, obtaining his CAM’S licence so he could get even closer to the action on Mount Panorama and at Eastern Creek. (Whilst visiting Dad in hospital in February, it was easy to still see the passion in Dad’s eyes as he and Mark watched the Bathurst 12 Hour on TV.)

In 1994, when his mum chose to move north for the warmer weather, Dad moved with her and they settled at Macquarie Shores Village. Dad took to the new lifestyle and was soon modifying and making things in and around their home. He was always ready to lend a hand, or his tools, to any neighbours with jobs to be done. Dad set up a new and improved sound system in the Community Hall, where he delighted in emcee-ing the weekly dances and frequently took to the dance-floor himself.

Ever the organiser, holiday planning was also on the agenda with Dad being involved in trips to Darwin and the Top End. Not only did he drive the coaches, but along with a colleague, he was responsible for planning itineraries, cook-outs and accommodation along the way. It was during one of these trips that Dad ran into his son, Mark, at the amenities block in Uluru and the two caught up on the years since they’d seen each other.

Following in his parents’ footsteps, Dad joined the Druid’s Friendly Society, frequently travelling with Nanna to Sydney to attend meetings and formal functions. Dad proudly held various positions, including Grand President and served on the Board of Directors for 10 years, with four of those as Chairman. Testament to Dad being a stickler for the rules are his notes scrawled throughout the well-worn pages of his manual on the correct procedure for chairing a Lodge meeting.

Carl liked to be able to quote the rules - chapter and verse. Whether it was the rules of a sport in which he was competing, the manual for fixing things using the right tools, or protocols to be followed.

Carl was constantly learning new skills and was an avid reader of How To books. When approaching a new task, such as re-roofing the carport, he set out to make sure he knew the right way to go about it and even attended a Men’s Shed course in aluminium welding in preparation. Of course he also had to acquire the correct tools for the job.

Dad always believed in learning all he could about the things that interested him and when he took up Lawn Bowls, he didn’t just compete quite successfully, but also went on to become a qualified National Umpire and Selector.

Not to be left behind by technology, Dad embraced it with his usual enthusiasm and completed various TAFE courses. Of course it wasn’t enough just to know how to use one, Dad had to include a course in maintenance and continued to stay up to date with magazines and online learning. He called on his computer skills when he was again studying, this time a Certificate II in Business Studies. Dad loved tackling a new challenge, his hands and mind always busy. Even when reading late into the night - his favourite novels were Crime Fiction - as he tried to work out who had "done it" before it was revealed.

When he moved to the Central Coast, Dad joined the local RSL Sub Branch, proudly continuing a connection he had for over 50 years. He applied his knowledge of Business when he took on his new role as Treasurer of the Doyalson-Wyee RSL sub-Branch, a position he held with much pride and performed with due diligence.

Working at the sub branch, Dad met Les, also once a member of 3 Squadron, who shared Dad’s love of planes. Together they would attend air shows such as at Temora and watch in awe the flying skill of aviators and reminisce on their time spent working on Sabre aircraft.

It was at the Doylo that Dad was introduced to Cissie, as Mr Have-a-Chat! And chat they did - for years, becoming great friends who travelled and enjoyed time together and became loving partners. Thank you Cissie for being such an important part of Dad’s life.

Carl will be remembered for always being willing to lend a hand, contribute ideas and have a great chat while doing it.

For me, Dad, it’s the bear hugs I’ll remember most.

Herbert ‘Carl’ DAWSON 3SQN Armourer. 2/11/1935 to 23/04/2024. Aged 88.

Herbert ‘Carl’ DAWSON
3SQN Armourer.
2/11/1935 to 23/04/2024. Aged 88.