Commodore J.L.W. (”Red”) Merson RAN

Born 16 Mar 1922 Armadale, VIC
 
Jan 1939 Joined RANC as Cadet Midshipman
Sep 1939 HMAS Australia Promoted Midshipman
May 1941 Promoted to Acting Sub Lieutenant
Mar 1941 RN Sub Lieutenant’s course in HM Ships Emerald, Victory, Excellent, Dryad and Vernon
Jun 1941 Promoted Sub Lieutenant
Jan 1942 HMAS Nestor (ship scuttled because of severe damage as a result of enemy action)
Sep 1942 HMAS Voyager
Nov 1942 HMAS Warramunga
Mar 1943 Promoted to Lieutenant
Oct 1944 1st Lieutenant HMAS Quickmatch
Jun 1946 HMAS Watson
Jan 1947 ND Course with RN HMS Dryad, then served in HM Ships Peacock, Glory and Sea Eagle
Oct 1947 Awarded Governor General’s Cup
Dec 1948 ND HMAS Sydney
Jun 1950 ND+ course with RN
Feb 1951 XO HMAS Warramunga
1951 Fleet ND Officer
Mar 1951 Promoted Lieutenant Commander
Dec 1952 HMAS Australia as FNO
Jul 1955 Specialisation changed to D+ in Navy List
Jan 1955 HMAS Vengeance
Sep 1955 RN Staff Course 20 – HMS President
Mar 1956 UK Joint Services Staff Course
Nov 1956 HMAS Melbourne as FNO (as Acting Commander)
Jun 1957 Promoted to Commander
Oct 1958 Navy Office (Melbourne) – Deputy Director of Plans
Mar 1960 HMS President – Course
May 1961 CO HMAS Yarra (on commissioning)
Jan 1963 Navy Office Canberra for Special Duties 
May 1963 Superintendent RANEL (Temp)
Jan 1964 CO HMAS Rushcutter
Apr 1964 Dir Officers Appointments (as Acting Captain)
Dec 1964 Promoted to Captain
Aug 1965 CO HMAS Vampire (and CAPT(D) 10th Destroyer Sqn)
Jan 1967 CO HMAS Watson
Feb 1968 Appointed as ADC to Governor General (for three years)
Nov 1968 Services Adviser Australian High Commission Singapore (later Australian Defence Adviser Singapore)
Jan 1972 CO HMAS Sydney (and Commander 1st Australian Training Sqn)
Jan 1973 Promoted to Commodore and appointed as COS to FOCEA
After Mar 76 transfer to RANEM
 
CDRE Merson qualified for medals for his service during WWII 1939-45, Korea 1951, Borneo 1966 and Vietnam 1966.
 
There 
Rank
Commodore
Service
RAN
Nickname
'Red'
Died
10/02/2016

Source of information: Director Navy Senior Officer Management (RAN)