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ADF Serials Message Board > General Discussion > Bob "Windy"geale

Posted by: Dave Masterson Jul 30 2013, 09:55 PM

From the Nowra News
http://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/1666822/windys-widow-opens-library-in-his-name/?cs=203

ONE of the navy’s legends was honoured posthumously at the Fleet Air Arm Museum on Thursday when an archive and library was named after him.

The Windy Geale Archive and Library was introduced at a ceremony at the museum with an intimate gathering of navy personnel, family members and special guests.

Museum manager Terry Hetherington and Fleet Air Arm Commander Commodore Vince Di Pietro both paid tribute to the life and contributions of Windy to both the FAA and Defence as a whole.

Windy’s widow, Kit, their daughters Bev and Robyn and husbands Peter Clarke and Lyall Davis were present for the ceremony.

Robert Edward Norman Geale, MBE was born in Ontario, Canada in 1925 and joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve as a Naval Airman 2nd Class in 1943.

As a Royal Navy telegraphist and air gunner he served in various squadrons and on ships until transferring to the Royal Canadian Navy in 1950, where he became a Lieutenant Commander.

He joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1969 as a tracker and became the senior observer on 851 and 816 squadrons.

In 1978 Mr Geale became the Commanding Officer of 851 Squadron.

He was also RAN Fleet Air Arm Museum officer and he continued his association with the museum after his retirement in 1985 until his passing in 2009.

Through his efforts the size and quality of the archive collection grew significantly.

His foresight and perseverance meant that invaluable research material remained available for historians, individuals and institutions seeking detailed information about the history of the Fleet Air Arm.

Windy guided all aspects of the museum’s structural design and display development during the 1990s.

He was known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of the people, places and events associated with the FAA.

Posted by: Luig Jul 31 2013, 07:03 AM

Thanks to Windy a heck of a lot is known/recorded about the old RAN FAA. Great to know his work has been recognised/acknowledged.

Posted by: Martin Edwards Jul 31 2013, 09:50 AM

Yes a fitting tribute to Windy, well done to all concerned.

Posted by: Brendan Cowan Jul 31 2013, 02:13 PM

Good old Windy,

Sadly missed but his legacy lives on.

Thaks for letting us know Dave.

Brendan

Posted by: Luig Aug 1 2013, 09:18 AM

Unfortunately 'Windy's' photo receiving an award is not at this old URL:

Windy Geale to be farewelled today Dec. 8, 2009

http://www.southcoastregister.com.au/news/local/news/general/windy-geale-to-be-farewelled-today/1699909.aspx?storypage=0

QUOTE

"FLEET Air Arm historian and Navy legend Bob ‘Windy’ Geale will be officially farewelled at 11am today at a funeral service held, most appropriately, at the Fleet Air Arm Museum.

The much loved and respected man, who passed away on Sunday, was well-known for his remarkable service to three navies over his lifetime, in particular his voluntary service to the Fleet Air Arm Museum.

Just last month, on November 13, at the HMAS Albatross Ceremonial Divisions Windy was recognised for his past efforts and presented with a Commander Fleet Air Arm Commendation by the Reviewing Officer, RADM Neil Ralph AO DSC RAN (Rtd).

Commodore Tony Dalton CSC, RAN commended Windy’s “tireless and exemplary performance in his role as the Honorary Historian to the Fleet Air Arm Museum between 1985 and 2009”.

Windy’s forethought and diligence meant that invaluable research material remained available for historians, individuals and institutions seeking detailed information about the history of the Fleet Air Arm.

As a result, future generations of Australians will more fully understand the role of the Fleet Air Arm’s service to the nation.

Born Robert Edward Norman Geale in Ontario on March 19, 1925, Windy went on to forge a considerable and significant navy career.

He began as a young Canadian Naval Airman 2nd Class, who joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve and graduated in 1944 from Number 59 Royal Navy Telegraph/Air Gunners’ Course at HMS St Vincent.

He flew the Fairey Barracuda torpedo-bomber from the carrier HMS Formidable in 1946 and over the next four years he also flew the Firefly and the Mosquito, serving in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and Northern Ireland and flying from the Royal Navy carriers Colossus, Triumph and Victorious.

He transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy in 1950 and opened the second chapter of his flying career, qualifying as an observer and being promoted through to Lieutenant Commander.

The Royal Canadian Navy carriers HMCS Magnificent and HMCS Bonaventure were two of Windy’s ships, as was HMCS Terra Nova for his Bridge Watchkeeping training upon being commissioned.

The final chapter in Windy’s flying career was written here in Australia after he joined the Navy as a Tracker Tactical Coordinator in 1969.

He went on to be the Senior Observer on both 851 and 816 Squadrons (HMAS Melbourne II) and in 1978 served as the Commanding Officer of 851 Squadron.

He retired in 1985 after nearly 43 years continuous service in three navies, only to commence his voluntary role with the Fleet Air Arm Museum with barely a break in service.

Windy Geale was held in the highest regard by everyone with whom he was associated and his reputation remains without peer."

Posted by: Luig Aug 1 2013, 01:25 PM

Dave has sent me the pic kindly so here it is (missing from news report above).

Posted by: rockdropper Sep 3 2013, 12:29 PM

What a character he was too, and a very inspiring bloke.