Members Profile
Welcome to our first member profile where we get to know a little more about one of our valued members. We record answers to a few standard questions. This way the same approach is applied to everyone, but the responses reflect the individual’s own story. We post name, a photo(s) (e.g. when serving and perhaps present), age and area where they live e.g. Five Dock, Concord, etc.
There is a wealth of history and a story to be told by all of our members, this section is dedicated to acknowledging the contribution they have made in protection of our country.
Liam Farrell – Member Profile
Service Branch: Royal Air Force
Years of Service: 1959–1967
Trade: Wireless Operator
Rank: Junior Tech.
Locations Served: UK, Germany, Berlin, Aden, Ascension Island
Early Life & Education
Liam Farrell was born on August 6, 1942, in Dublin, Ireland. Raised in a working-class family, he attended St Ciaran’s Primary School and later earned a scholarship to Killester College, a trade-focused institution. Despite academic promise, Liam left school after a year to support his family financially, beginning work at just 14 years old in a local shoe factory.
Joining the RAF
In search of a better future, Liam enlisted in the Royal Air Force at nearly 18 years of age. His decision came as a surprise to his family—he had never been away from home—but his father, a WWII veteran, offered quiet encouragement.
Liam began his RAF journey with basic training at RAF Bridgnorth, followed by technical training at RAF Compton Bassett, where he qualified as a wireless operator. His training included Morse code, radio operations, and basic maintenance, alongside regular RAF duties and sporting activities such as football, athletics, and boxing.
Advanced Training & Intelligence Work
Liam’s next posting was to RAF Digby, where he undertook advanced training in wireless telegraphy. Here, he entered the world of signals intelligence—referred to by servicemen as “The Dark Side”—involving the interception of communications. This phase included weapons training, security protocols, and signing the Official Secrets Act.
Postings & Service Abroad
Liam’s career took him across the globe. He was stationed at RAF Butzweilerhof near Cologne, Germany, with additional deployments to RAF Gatow in Berlin and RAF Steamer Point in Aden. He later returned to Digby before serving a six-month tour on Ascension Island, concluding his service back at Digby in 1967.
Reflections on Service
Liam spent his entire RAF career in the same trade, forming lifelong friendships and gaining a deep appreciation for service life. When asked about his least favorite posting, he recalls Aden as “dirty, hot, and smelly”—but even that didn’t dampen his overall experience.
He reflects on his time in the RAF with humour and pride: “I joined as an uncouth lad and left not much better—but with that dark sense of service humour ingrained in me.”
We’re very proud that Liam is a member of our Sub-branch, thank him for his service, and for choosing to share in our Members’ Profile.
18 September 2025
Michael Perrott MG MID
This edition, we profile Michael Perrott, or more properly, O-2478 Lieutenant Commander Michael Anthony Perrott, MG, RAN. Michael kindly sent us some pics from 1968, which he notated.
Also, the picture shown above is from the Australian War Memorial (AWM), which notes ‘an informal portrait of 2478 Sub Lieutenant Michael Anthony Perrott, Pilot, 2nd Contingent, RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam (RANHFV), in his cabin at Bachelor Officers' Quarters (BOQ), 135th Assault Helicopter Company (135th AHC), United States Army. RANHFV is serving with the 135th AHC. Due to its integrated nature, the unit is designated an 'experimental military unit', with the nickname EMU.
Based originally at Vung Tau Air Base, the company moved to Fire Support Base Black Horse near Xuan Loc in December 1967. In December 1968 the unit was moved to Bearcat Base, north east of Saigon. Throughout their service in Vietnam members of RANHFV provided tactical airlift and gunship support for Australian and allied ground forces.’
Award for Gallantry
In 1969, during his operational tour to South Vietnam, Michael was engaged in an action for which he was ‘Mentioned in Dispatches’ (MID). The citation published in ‘The Navy Day By Day: Historical Naval in Australia and Abroad’ dated 2 Feb 1969 (p.2), states that, ‘In 1969, a helicopter crewed by Sub Lieuts M.A. Perrott, RAN and R.J. Kyle, RAN, rescued the crew of a helicopter gunship shot down within 20m of a Viet Cong bunker. The rescued crew were Sub Lieuts W.E. Symons, RAN, and T.E. Supple, RAN.’
Medal for Gallantry
On 17 July 2019, it was officially promulgated in the ‘Special Honours, Australia’ the award to Michael of the Medal for Gallantry (MG), which recognises acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. It is ranked third in the Gallantry Decorations in the Australian Honours System, and was cited as follows: Awarded to Lieutenant Commander Michael Anthony Perrott, RAN – For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as the aircraft captain commanding the rescue of a downed helicopter crew in the vicinity of Vinh Long, South Vietnam on 2 February 1969.
Personal
While on his 13th return visit to Vietnam to attend a wedding in Nov 2O15, Mike met Ella. They were married in June 2016 and now have a 25-month-old son, named Louis.
We’re very proud that Michael is a member of our Sub-branch, thank him for his service, and for choosing to being part of the first Members’ Profile.
2 December 2020