User:Lesshearn/sandbox

Hartley Vivian Shearn, known as 'Viv', (19/10/1921 - 05/09/2018) was born in Perth, Western Australia on Wednesday, 19th of October, 1921 as the first child of Harry Vivian and Emily Ann Shearn (nee Watts). Viv's sister, Lorraine Marian (Hadlow) was born some four years later. Also living with the family at that time was his Grandmother, Ellen Marian Watts and Uncle, George James Watts. Family life for Viv, as he later liked to be call, was a very special time and he often spoke of the fond memories and great conversations that were had round the dinner table with lots of laughs at his father, Harry’s jokes. Viv's father, Harry Vivian Shearn was a Member of the Legilative Assembly in Western Australia and a Justice of the Peace and set a great example being well known for his honesty and generosity.

Viv’s initial schooling was at Perth College Kindergarten and then onto primary school at Inglewood State School. Inglewood State School was within a short walk from his home. The Headmaster at the time was Mr Nardebom. This was the period running up to the “Great Depression” and his mother always made his clothes.

Vivs local Church of England Clergyman was Canon Lionel Parry, who had recently left Christ Church Grammar School in Claremont as the Headmaster. It was for this reason that his father Harry sent Viv to Christ Church Grammer School (CCGS) and not Guildford Grammar where his uncle George Watts had been sent. Viv later believed that his attendance at CCGS possibly saved his life. At the completion of his training in Canada, one of the interviewing officers recognised the school and because of this, posted him to fighter not bomber command. Viv's first day at CCGS included all the “New Kids” being assembled in the change room toilet area where the “seniors” demanded that the “New Kids” disrobe as part of an apparent normal initiation ceremony. Viv somehow found himself getting into the swing of things with the seniors and that he hadn’t been part of the briefing on proceedings, and before he knew it, the assembly bell was rung and he was most disappointed to been overlooking for indoctrination.

Viv very much enjoyed his days at CCGS with the subjects studied at the time being Math’s, English, History, Biology, Botany, Latin, Physics, Chemistry, Divinity and Woodworking. Sport played a very large part in Vivs life and as the school was relatively young compared to other colleges, he involved himself in as much as possible. Gymnastics and Boxing during school hours, with Cricket, Football, Athletics and shooting after school. He played in the First 11 Cricket and First 18 Football teams representing CCGS in the inter school sports between Hale School, Guildford Grammar School, Scotch College, Wesley College and Acquinas.

Viv was also a CCGS cadet in the 44th Battalion and would on select occasions, attend the Swanbourne Rifle Range for practical rifle and machine gun training with the school. His fathers brother Ernie, was a Captain in the Citizens Military Forces and as such, would take Viv and his cousin to the same range for some extra curricular training on Lee Endfield .303 Quite the marksman, amongst other school colours attained, Shooting was one of them. Viv's house at CCGS was Romsey House.

The Maylands Aerodrome was located close to Viv's home on floodplain reclaimed from the Swan River. The Royal Aero Club of WA, WA Airways, Airlines (WA) Ltd and Horrie Miller operated from Maylands. Aviators such as Charles Kingsford Smith, Ulm, Mollison, Hinkler, Norman, Stan Brearley, Horrie Miller and Harry Baker were all there at some stage. On the odd occasion the Swan was in flood, the aerodrome would become waterlogged and Viv recalls “helping” to push the tyre on the port undercarriage of the Southern Cross for Charles Kingsford Smith. During the 30’s, before RAAF Pearce, RAAF aircraft would fly in for air displays and he was able to get up close to aircraft the likes of Bristol Bulldogs, Hawker Demons and Avro Trainers. Viv was just entering his teens at this stage and would walk to and from the aerodrome.

At the age of 16, Viv’s father arranged for him to see Bob Giles, the manager of Royal Aero Club of WA. He borrowed an old Motorcycle helmet from a friend and reported for duty. Aircraft in use at this time by the Club were Gipsy Moth DH60’s with flying tuition costing $2.75 an hour and solo $2.50 On this flight, Viv carried out his first circuit and landing. Viv was forever grateful to his dear old Dad for the privilege extended to him especially as it was during the Great Depression. He would always regret not telling his father this before he died prematurely at the age of 57 in 1951. After 4.5 hours tuition Viv was deemed ready for his pilots license test. This was conducted by Major Stanley Brearley, a former WW1 pilot and was awarded that day. Not long after this, his Club took delivery of the first Tiger Moth and Moth Minor aircraft both enclosed in wooden boxes and shipped from De Havilland Aircraft Company. Viv found it a great experience assisting in their assembly and to later watch as the Club instructor Len Scott, test flew each aircraft. Later, Viv would go on to be seconded to De Havilland Aircraft Company at Hatfield from the RAAF to carry out R and D test flying on the then “Top Secret” air to air “Firestreak” guided missile.

Viv applied to Join the Air Force as a cadet Pilot In September of 1938, one month short of his 18th birthday. Initially he was accepted as an air observer and he travelled to Sydney by passenger train with the average age of the enlistees on the train around 27. Once the course started he applied to remuster as a trainee pilot and was immediately accepted as he already held a pilots license. He commenced his training with Number 4 Course pilot Training on Tiger Moth. Viv then proceeded overseas to Canada as part of the Empire Air Training Scheme, boarding the NZ ship Aorangi sailing from Sydney, through Auckland, Honolulu through to Vancouver and onto RCAF Camp Borden by train. In Mid March 1939, Viv passed his course, assessed as an “Above Average” pilot/Navigator and was awarded his RAAF Wings by Air Vice Marshal Jim GOBLE (RAAF) This was the Proudest moment of Viv's life.

Viv made his way from Halifax Novia Scotia to the UK and onto RAF Uxbridge to be interviewed and assigned. Viv was scheduled to go to No. 10 Squadron flying Sunderland flying boats on reconnaissance as his Liaison Officer was aware that his Canadian Flying instructor had considered his flying to be to smooth for a fighter pilot. Viv pleaded for “anything but that” and was eventually given the choice of Boston A20 Night intruder/bomber aircraft or Spitfires. During his time at the Operational Training Unit he trained on Miles Master and then Mark 1 Spitfires. During this time, Viv filled his spare time connecting with his fellow servicemen, both commissioned and non commissioned, air and ground crew. Viv flew Spitfires with 457SQN and was posted in the UK to Baginton, Jurby on the Isle of Man and Andreas.

In 1942 the Australian Government was wanting to repatriate aircrews to Australian for the defence of Darwin and Viv shipped back to Australia. Viv was one of the founding members of 77 Squadron at Dunreath, the now Perth Airport and moved with the Squadron to Darwin, Milne Bay and Goodenough Island.

At Perth College Chapel on the 4th of November 1944, the marriage of Edythe Roberta Gardiner and Hartley Vivian Shearn took place. They had 2 children, Jennifer Edythe and Robert Vivian Shearn.

With World War 2 over in 1945, Viv joined his father's Real Estate Business, Shearn Bros, and retaining his Commercial Pilots License, worked with a couple of friends offering Joy flights thought country WA on weekends and conducting Aerial Survey work through out the goldfields. Viv Shearn had a long and distinguished service career as a stalwart of 77 Squadron having served during the defence of Darwin and up into the Pacific flying his Kittyhawk; A29-189 “Shaggus”.

Viv re-joined the Citizens Air Force in October 1948 and in 1950, the permanent air force until his retirement in 1971. He re-joined 77 Squadron in 1953 flying Meteors in the Korean War. It was during this period he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 6th October 1953.

His DFC citation reads: “Flight Lieutenant Shearn joined 77 squadron on 19 December 1952 and since that date has flown 157 missions. For the greatest part of his tour, his appointment has been that of Flight Commander. This officer has planned and led many successful attacks against the enemy. The thorough manner in which he has assessed every detail of the impending raid has enabled his formations to hit heavily defended targets with the minimum of loss. On the 5th June 1953, this officer planned and led an attack by 16 aircraft against an anti- aircraft training battalion, far into enemy territory. The target consisted of nine 76mm anti-aircraft guns, three heavy machine guns, and a considerable quantity of small arm weapons and 32 buildings. Flight Lieutenant Shearn personally selected as his target the anti-aircraft pits and attacked them first with such success that the remaining 15 aircraft attacked the target and evaded without any aircraft receiving damage. The final assessment revealed that 30 buildings and several gun emplacements had been destroyed. Flight Lieutenant Shearn’s eagerness to fly on operations has been a fine example and inspiration to his fellow pilots and reflects great credit on himself and the Royal Australian Air Force.”

Viv is recognised as one of 77 Squadron's warriors.

Hartley Vivian Shearn was later awarded the Air Force Cross with the citation providing an excellent summary of Viv's remarkable career:

SQNLDR Hartley Vivian Shearn joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1940 and completed his pilot training in Canada. During 1941 he participated in the air defence on the United Kingdom and on repatriation to Australia in 1942 was engaged as a Kittyhawk pilot of No 77 (fighter) Squadron in sorties, escorts and strike attacks from Darwin, Milne Bay and Goodenough Island. Following his demobilization in 1946, SQNLDR Shearn flew actively as a Citizen Air Force Officer with No 25 Squadron until he again joined the Permanent Service in 1951. After a two year break from flying during which time he commanded the Western Australian University Squadron, this officer was posted to No 77 Squadron in Korea. It was during this operational tour that he was awarded an immediate Distinguished Flying Cross for a courageous strike against a heavy anti-aircraft gun emplacement. Whilst in Korea he flew a total of 163 operational missions and was assessed as an exceptional pilot. Between 1953 and 1958, SQNLDR Shearn was employed on research and development test flying which included attachment to the United Kingdom for research and development trials on air to air missiles. On returning to Australia, he commanded and trained aircrew members in the techniques and procedures of air-to-air missles firing. Flying personally over 1,000 hours in these tasks at Woomera and Edinburgh, he was undoubtedly a key man in the development and trials of the highly successful ‘Firestreak’ missile. In 1960 this officer was posted to his present squadron as OIC Flying and during the last three years has continued to add to an already distinguished career. He was responsible for the conversion of 10 Squadron aircrews prior to their departure for the United States to ferry Neptune aircraft back to Australia. SQNLDR Shearn also participated in a number of spectacular mercy missions including the location of the foundered motor vessel ‘Verao’ which sunk in heavy seas 400 miles off Brisbane. His aircraft circled the survivors for eight hours until relieved by another Neptune and rescue ships, undoubtedly saving the lives of this ship’s crew.

SQNLDR SHEARN possesses one of the most outstanding flying records of serving officer in the Royal Australian Air Force. He carried out three operational wartime tours totaling over three hundred missions, the complete research and development trials of an air to air missile and an outstanding tour on a maritime reconnaissance squadron. He has flown a total of 6,500 hours including 1,000 hours in jet aircraft and has flown 59 types of Service aircraft. By example, he has at all times upheld the highest traditions of the Royal Australian Air Force. The Air Force Cross Award was approved by Her Majesty, Queen Elzabeth in 1963, and was promulgated in the 1964 New Years Honour’s List. From 1964 to 1970, Viv Shearn completed several staff officer postings at RAAF Edinburgh. He retired from the Royal Australian Air Force on 19 October 1970 with the Honourary Rank of Wing Commander.

WGCDR Viv Shearn was awarded the following awards and commendations: The Distinguished Flying Cross The Air Force Cross The 1939-45 Star The Air Crew Eruope Star The Pacific Star The Defence Medal The War Medal 1939-45 The Australian Service Medal 1939-45 The Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 with Clasp KOREA The Korea Medal and the Australian Defence Medal In 2011, the US Ambassador presented Viv Shearn, alongside 10 other colleagues, the US Air Medal for his flying in Korea.

On the 14th April 1965 Moya Dorothy Cluff and Hartley Vivian Shearn were Married on the and they went on to have three children, Hadley Vivian, Leslie James and Alexander Michael Shearn. Viv finished his service in Adelaide, and the family remained in South Australia with Moya and Viv building a in the suburb of Waterfall Gully in the lower Adelaide Hills. With the new home completed Viv and Moya took to raising their 3 boys and building a new life outside of the services. Much spare time was taken mastering the art of stone masonry, and on weekends off, walking and exploring with his children through the Lofty ranges. Viv Joined Beneficial Finance soon after leaving the Air Force and set about mastering a career in the Finance industry. Viv committed himself whole heartedly to this new career.

Beneficial serviced a lot of the Agri Market through the Bank of Scotland, and with the onset of the the Eastern Australian Drought of 79 to 83, Viv was in charge of managing the Agri Book. Viv had personally dealt with quite a lot of these now struggling Agri Clients and believed that to look a man in the eye and shake his hand was worth as much as any written contract. He set about travelling through Northern South Australia visiting Bank Managers and Farmers encouraging the rather new practice of “managing” clients through the drought rather than straight to foreclosure. The death of so much livestock and stress caused to farmers had a lasting effect on Viv.

1984 saw Beneficial Finance bought out by Bank SA and Viv finished up with beneficial the same year. In anticipation, Viv had already been elected the previous year a City of Burnside Councillor for the Beaumont Ward and served as a councillor from 1983 to 1991 and was elected Mayor of the City of Burnside from 1991 to 1993. During his time on council, Viv also served as: - Delegate of Linden Park Senior Citizens Club Committee - Chairman of the Finance and Administration Committee - Representative to Eastern Metropolitan Councils, Drainage Board

During late 1993 his youngest son Alexander and his wife Jenny had opened their workshop located close to his home in Waterfall Gully and at the age of 72, Viv joined the business as the unofficial Manager and found a new lease on life and focus for his plethora of life long skills.

At 4.50pm on Wednesday 5th September, 2018, Viv passed away peacefully at the home he and his wife, Moya, built in Waterfall Gully.