Vale: 235149 LTCOL Philip John Calvert, MID
‘A’ Battery Association have advised of the death on 6 May 2022 of LTCOL Phil Calvert, MID. Phil was the first BK of ‘A’ Field Battery during their Malaysian tour in 1965 – 67. He was later posted to a staff job with the British Army in Sabah. Phil visited 1st Field Regiment in Vietnam in March/April 1967 and completed a tour of duty with 161 (Independent) Reconnaissance Flight from June 1970 until February 1971. He was the last surviving OC of 161 Recce Flt in Vietnam and passed away after a very long battle with illness.
A graduate of RMC in 1958, Phil was allocated to the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery and was one of the last pilots to achieve AOP wings. He was a foundation member of 16 Army Light Aircraft Squadron later and returned to serve with the RAA on deployment to Malaya and Borneo. He joined the Aviation Corps when it was formed in 1968 serving in the Directorate of Army Aviation before being posted as the Senior Instructor, Corps Training Wing of the 1st Aviation Regiment at Amberley, a forerunner of the School of Army Aviation. From there he took command of 161 (Independent) Recce Flight in Vietnam in 1970. For his service in command, Phil Calvert was mentioned in dispatches.
He retired from the Army after twenty years but later joined the New Zealand Army where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and commanded 16 Field Regiment.
A long time member of Fourays (the Australian Army Aviation Association) and a genuine pioneer of Australian Army Aviation. Phil Calvert served two nations with distinction and will be much missed by all who knew him.
Phil was 86. His memorial service will be held at War Veterans Chapel Narrabeen on 26 May at 1400 hours.
RIP Philip John Calvert.
Peter Bruce
Obituary Resource Officer
