More detail on this person: Vale: CMDR Rowley Alan Waddell-Wood GLEX (P) DFC RAN (Ret'd) Dear All, Again, we are the bearers of sad news. CMDR. Rowley Alan Waddell-Wood GLEX (P) DFC RAN Ret'd. passed away in Canberra ACT on Friday 15th August 2025 aged 93 years. Rowley (W2) was born in Moree NSW on 30th July 1932 and moved to another property on the Darling Downs at an early age. Initial schooling was conducted at the Esk State School followed by two years at Toowoomba Grammar School. On completion of schooling, he worked on the family property and then as a Trainee Executive at Coles in Brisbane. Having always been interested in Flying and the Fleet Air Arm he signed up for a short service engagement in March of 1954, aged 22. After completing basic training at HMAS Cerberus, he was rated as a Provisional Naval Airman (Aircrew) and commenced flying training on No.19 RAAF Pilots Course flying Tiger Moths and Wirraways at Archerfield, Uranquinty and Point Cook graduating with his Navy Wings and a Commission as an Acting Sub-Lieutenant. Initially he flew the Sea Fury and then converted to Sea Venom's prior to moving onto Helicopters. During this period of his career, he served with 724, 805, 808 and 723 Squadrons both ashore at NAS Nowra and embarked in HMAS Melbourne. While on 724, Rowley was the leader of the Checkmates aerobatic team at the time of the famous mid-air collision over Sydney Harbour in October 1962. After completing a Helicopter Instructors Course in the United Kingdom, he joined 705 Squadron Royal Navy for an Exchange Posting as a QHI. 1966-67 saw Rowley as Flight Deck Officer in HMAS Melbourne followed by a short posting - 23rd Oct 1967-15 Jan1968 - as CO HS817. During this period he completed at least one trip to Vietnam embarked in HMAS Sydney flying Wessex before pre-Vietnam flying Iroquois with 5 Squadron RAAF in Canberra. Rowley served with 9 Squadron RAAF in Vietnam from May 1968 to May 1969 as a Flight Commander and Detachment Commander for the RAN FAA Pilots posted to that Unit. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his Services in Vietnam with the RAN detachment 9 Squadron RAAF. ? Rowley was promoted to CMDR and completed a posting as Naval attaché in Manila during the early to mid-seventies and remained in RAN service until 1976 before buying a property called "Bonanza" halfway between Boorowa and Cowra in New South Wales. Retiring later to Aranda in Canberra, he and Elaine travelled widely in their motorhome. He was hospitalised with influenza a few weeks before his death on Friday 15th of August 1925 at age 93. Rowley is survived by his Wife Elaine, Family Peter, Sue (Bluse), Dianne, Gaye and Grandchildren Pen, Claire, Georgia, Rose, Tilly, Percy and Milton. The funeral service for Rowley will be held in the Bluegum Chapel of William Cole Funerals, 60 Nettlefold Street, Belconnen on Monday,25 August 2025, commencing at 1pm. Private cremation to follow. Vale: Rowley Waddell-Wood (W2) We would like to thank Geoff Vidal, John Da Costa and Phil Thompson for providing information for this Notification. Best Regards Murray Smythe and Jeff Dalgliesh.
Burial information: Cremation
This information was last updated 08/30/2025
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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
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