Rear Admiral William John Rourke AO RAN (Rtd) as Flight Deck Engineer HMAS Sydney, Korea 1951-1952, interviewed by Colonel David Chinn MBE (Rtd)

William Rourke talks about his training at the Royal Australian Naval College from the age of thirteen and his training as an engineering officer at the Royal Naval Engineering College; serving aboard several Royal Navy ships; being posted to HMAS Sydney in January 1950; a rocket misfiring that damaged a New Zealand boat; his appointment as Flight Deck Engineer; working up for service in Korean waters; some incidents during the work up that resulted in the loss of aircraft; the batman¿s role; the deployment to Korea; the daily routine in support of flying operations; the Sydney's aircraft complement; Sydney's operational, revictualling and maintenance routine; relaxing in Kure; relations with the Japanese; Commander Smith, captain of the Sydney. the balance between RAN and RN personnel; the aircraft catapult and its maintenance; improving components of the catapult; increasing the frequency of catapult launches; the Sydney's flight deck; surviving Typhoon Ruth at sea; difficulties in winter caused by the removal of the catapult¿s steam heating; accommodation and clothing; the work load of aircraft maintenance personnel; a US- manned helicopter used as a rescue helicopter during flying operations and an actual rescue; combined operations off the east Korean coast; a Minister for the Navy leaving a bad impression; a wounded pilot quickly losing his flying pay; Sydney's officers making a happy ship; more about the catapult and its crews; a posting to HMAS Leeuwin: being part of the Coronation Contingent: his postings culminating in his appointment as Chief of Naval Materiel; restarting Australian naval ship-building; a review of his career; his service on the Sydney and some memorable naval personnel from that time; The falling through of the purchase of HMS Invincible from the RN and the discontinuance of fixed-wing flying in the RAN.