241 (NX 12273) Brigadier F.R. (Ron) Evans (Retd) OBE passed away on 16th May 2009 at the age of 96. Ron was a 1935 (Victoria Barracks) Royal Military College graduate. Due to the shortage of opportunities in pre War Australia, he served his initial regimental duties with an Indian Army mountain battery. He became adjutant of 2/5th Field Regiment when it was raised as part of 2AIF and was promoted to major in the same unit, serving with them in the Middle East. Late in the war, as a lieutenant colonel, he was on the headquarters during the Borneo campaign and took over as commanding officer of the 2/5th Field Regiment when its commanding officer was injured during the Balikpapan landings.
After the war, as a lieutenant colonel, Ron attended the Staff College located in Puckapunyal before being sent to the UK on the Gunnery Staff Course. He returned to North Head and became Senior Instructor Field Wing and then subsequently Commanding Officer / Chief Instructor of the School. As a brigadier Ron commanded Puckapunyal and then attended the Imperial Defence College Course in the United Kingdom. He subsequently became the commander of Australian Army troops deployed in the Far East as part of the United Kingdoms FARELF. On his return to Australia he became Commander Royal Artillery (CRA) and retired in 1968.
Ron’s wife of 68 years, Alison, predeceased him last month. Two sons and a daughter and many grandchildren and great grand children survive him. I have known Ron for many years and he and Alison were Julia and my guests at a number of functions at North Head when I was Commanding Officer / Chief Instructor. He was a very distinguished gunner and will be missed. |
