Vale Air Commodore Stanley Clark (retired), Dfc, A RAAF Airlift Legend

[Brendan Cowan]

Department of Defence Media Mail List
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CPA 194/07 Thursday, 5 July 2007

FUNERAL SERVICE FOR AIR COMMODORE STANLEY CLARK (RETIRED), DFC

Full military honours were provided for the funeral of Air Commodore Stanley Clark (retired) DFC, at St Matthew’s Anglican Church in Windsor on Thursday, July 5.

AIRCDRE Clark passed away at his Bowen Mountain home on 30 June, aged 68. He is survived by his wife, three children and seven grandchildren.

Born in Sydney, Stanley Clark served 38 years with the Air Force, joining in 1956. In 1959, he graduated as a pilot and was posted to No. 38 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond to fly Dakota aircraft.

AIRCDRE Clark was an illustrious figure within the RAAF’s airlift units, going on to fly the Caribou and Hercules aircraft, and serving as the Commanding Officer of 38 Squadron (Caribou) between 1976 and 1978 and as Commander Air Lift Group between 1990 and 1993.

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service as Commanding Officer of No.35 Squadron (Caribou) in 1970 and 1971, when the unit was deployed to Vung Tau in South Vietnam.

AIRCDRE Clark also served internationally on an exchange posting with the Royal Malaysian Air Force, and later as the Air Attaché in the Australian Embassy in Jakarta.

Retiring from the Air Force in 1994, he went on to become NSW State President of the RAAF Association, a post he held until shortly before his death.

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd, and Commander Air Lift Group, Air Commodore Jack Plenty, were among the Air Force personnel who joined AIRCDRE Clark’s family and friends at the funeral service.

A C-130H Hercules conducted a flyover of St Matthew’s Anglican Church. Three Caribou aircraft flew over Richmond Lawn Cemetery as a further sign of respect.

Media contact: Defence Media Liaison (02) 6265 3343 or (0408) 498 664

[herkman]

I flew with Stan on the mighty C130 in 1966/7.

A nicer man you would not wish to meet. A great and talented pilot.

Used you have a Sunbeam that was his pride and joy, and so it did not sit out in the weather, used to give Stan a lift when we were tasked together.

Rest in peace my friend

Col Tigwell