Lighting a candle for fallen aviators on London trip

Australia’s new Chief of Air Force has embarked on his first overseas trip, arriving in London for a series of high-level engagements. His first was a deeply personal one.

CAPTION: From left, Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, Warrant Officer of the Air Force Ralph Clifton; Saskia Hobbs and Reverend Mark Perry take part in the lighting of the candle ceremony. Story and photos by Lieutenant Commander John Thompson.

Within hours of landing, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell made a pilgrimage to St Clement Danes Church, opposite the Australian High Commission in London.

St Clement Danes is the Central Church of the Royal Air Force (RAF), also known by the traditional English nursery rhyme Oranges and Lemons.

In 2019, the church accepted a special request from the office of the Royal Australian Air Force Adviser to London to host a memorial service marking the 20th anniversary of the deaths of two RAAF squadron leaders, Anthony ‘Shorty’ Short and Stephen ‘Nige’ Hobbs.

The two aviators were killed when, during an exercise, their F-111G aircraft, Pisces 1, impacted Pulau Aur, a mountainous and densely forested island in the South China Sea.

“This was a terrible tragedy and had a huge impact on Shorty and Nige’s families — and the broader air force family,” Air Marshal Chappell said.

“I was privileged to host the 2019 commemorations at RAAF Base Amberley with the families of the two officers but Nige’s daughter, Kieva, was studying in London and unable to make it back in time.  We made an urgent request for help to the RAF via our then London-based Assistant Air Adviser, Group Captain Leigh Dunnett,” he said.

Group Captain Dunnett says there was an immediate response.

“The RAF and Chaplain in Chief arranged for a special service at St Clement Danes attended by the soon to be RAF Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, and Lady Wigston alongside several other high-ranking RAF members and a small group of friends and colleagues of Nige, Saskia and Kieva,” he said.

Air Marshal Chappell visited the church to say thank you.

“I, and the rest of the Royal Australian Air Force, will be forever grateful for the way the RAF and St Clement Danes responded and showed such love and caring towards Kieva,” Air Marshal Chappell said.

By coincidence, Squadron Leader Short’s daughter, Sophie, now lives in London, while Squadron Leader Hobbs’ wife Saskia was visiting London. Both were invited to join Air Marshal Chappell and Warrant Officer of the Air Force, Ralph Clifton, for the tour. Unfortunately, Sophie was unable to join the visit; however, Saskia was able to attend.

“It was an honour to have Saskia with us today, to thank the RAF and St Clement Danes for their kindness, and to keep the faith with Nige and Shorty,” Air Marshal Chappell said.

A small lighting of candles ceremony was conducted by the Resident Chaplain, Reverend Mark Perry, to honour the memory of the two Air Force officers.

The visiting party was given a tour of the church by retired Wing Commander Di Bentley, who pointed out Australia’s contribution to the church, rebuilt after World War 2, including the brass lectern with a map of Australia on the side, as well as several slate squadron and unit badges on the floor of the church.

Air Marshal Chappell will also be attending the Global Air and Space Chiefs’ Conference and the Royal International Air Tattoo along with Defence Space Commander, Major General Greg Novak, during his visit to the United Kingdom.

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