VALE 3165724 Ian Geoffrey Storey 2cdo
16 July 1940 7 January 2024
Ian’s Statement of Service reads: Ian Geoffrey Storey RFD
Citizen Military Forces 07 August 1958 to 14 July 1988
(Full Time Service 28 November 1960 to 08 January 1961)
Employment: Instructor, Signals Officer, Infantry Officer Rank on discharge: Lieutenant
Postings: 2 Commando Company 07 August 1958 Officer Cadet Training Unit, 3 Training Group 13 November 1985 Attachment:
6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment 04 February 1970 to 18 February 1970 Operational Service/Deployment: Vietnam 03 February 1970 to 18 February 1970
Honours and Awards:
Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp Vietnam
Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal
Reserve Force Decoration
National Medal
Australian Defence Medal
Returned from Active Service Badge
At the time of Ian’s posting to 2 Cdo Coy, the Company was commanded by Regular Army Staff that included the Officer Commanding Major Phil Bennett, the Adjutant Captain Jack Fletcher, and Warrant Officers Peter Askew, Col Barber and Staff Sergeant Jack Cousins.
Ian did his basic parachute course in 1959, with Roger Wood, Frank Wheatland, Leigh Power and other notable unit members. Ian recalls that back then, they jumped without the benefit of a reserve parachute! Ian was promoted to Corporal in late 1959, just prior to the infamous February 1960 Rip incident. During the Rip tragedy Ian was in a 3-man Zodiac with Rob Dunball and Roger Wood. Swept out through the Rip entrance, their outboard motor died. They eventually went aboard Maurie Priestley’s 10Z. With nine huddled in the 10Z, they were deluged by crashing waves. After a Chinese freighter, the Singkiang, failed to bring them aboard they eventually came alongside the Toscana, after Joe Lamb loaded a rifle and fired some blanks in the traditional pattern of the SOS signal. The men, wet and cold, climbed up the ship’s ladder, but Roger Wood was swept away after being hurled against the ship’s hull.
This account is from an interview with Ian conducted around 2017 by Capt Mike Knowles (Retd), formerly 2 Cdo Coy;- “The Rip, as public news spread rapidly the press arrived at Lonsdale Bight which was one of the landing points for those rescued on the Bay side of the Heads. When an interviewer with microphone in hand asked one of the work-worn soldiers as he was wading out of the water and onto the beach if he had anything to say, the mettle of the men and the camaraderie of the Company was reflected in his reply, “yes, gimme a cigarette. For his actions Ian Storey was promoted to Sergeant in July that year and it was in this capacity that I met him two years later when I joined the Company. As we became acquainted, we started to exchange stories and experiences and I remember him observing wistfully one time that “to get his platoon onto parade and ready to go takes him 1 minute; to get his young family into the car and ready to go takes 1 hour”. In the early 1960s the Unit Whaleboat, “Strike Swiftly”, under its skipper, Adjutant Captain Harry Smith, won numerous sailing races around Port Phillip. Ian was often one of its crew, with Barry Rust, David Waterston, and many others. Ian was a keen free-fall participant with the 2 Commando Company Sky Divers, later Commando Skydivers. Ian completed numerous advanced and special courses and qualified as an instructor on many of them, over a number of years. He was a qualified Stick Commander; among many other skills he developed over his years of dedicated service. He was appointed to Commissioned Rank in 1966 and later promoted to Captain.
One of Ian’s specialities was Submarines. He co-authored the Standard Operating Procedures for Army small craft operations with submarines and fast patrol boats. These were adopted by the RAN, providing a platform capable of clandestinely inserting and extracting Special Forces teams in their various roles. In early 1970 Ian did a short-term posting to Vietnam, as did a number of other 2 Cdo Coy officers during the Vietnam War period. Ian served for 25 years before retiring in 1983. He then spent a period at OCTU Training Group as an instructor. He did this alongside a distinguished career in the Victoria Police.
Ian was one of the early members of the Victorian Commando Association, serving as Vice President and as a long – time committee member. Late 1990s Company OC Mike Hoffman said Ian was, “a fount of wisdom and information”. Committee members agreed, especially when Ian told them the location of the Police booze bus, prior to them leaving the Association committee meeting to return home!
Ian was often the Top shooter for the day at Association rifle and pistol shoots, and it was a pleasure to also see his wife Di and the family at many Association functions. Di has also supported the Association in her role as a civil celebrant. The Australian Commando Association of Victoria offers Ian’s family it’s deepest condolences at this sad time.
A service for Ian will be at 1.00PM at the Fort Gellibrand Depot Dress- Tie, Beret Medals Post service will be at the Morning Star Hotel Electra street Williamstown (not Steam packet hotel as previously announced)
Almoner
Dick Pelling
