Rear Admiral Daryall Frederick (‘Fred’) Lynam CBE RAN Retd

“Fred” Lynam passed away peacefully in the Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, at 4:30 pm on Wednesday, 12th July, aged 91.

Fred was well and widely known in the RAN where he served in a variety of technical positions in both the naval aviation and surface ship communities over his 30 year career. 

He served as a private in the army in the latter stages of WW2, after which he pursued his education at Sydney Technical College and Sydney University, from where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. He joined the RAN with the rank of Lieutenant as a direct entry engineer on a short service commission in July 1954. 

Fred spent the first years of his naval career in the aviation world, serving in ALBATROSS, SYDNEY and MELBOURNE, principally with 816 squadron. On promotion to Lieutenant Commander in August 1957, he was posted to TOBRUK as the Weapons Electrical Engineer for the 10th Destroyer Squadron. After postings to Navy Office, Melbourne(June 58 – July 60) and Garden Island Dockyard (July 60 – Sept 61), he was a member of the team to introduce the Wessex helicopter into RAN service from September 61 to June 63. 

He was promoted to Commander in June 1963, and became part of the RAN Charles F. Adams DDG team for the introduction of this class into the RAN. He became the commissioning Weapons Electrical Engineer of the first of class HMAS PERTH, which commissioned in July 1965. 

On return to Australia, he imported his very large American car, a Buick from memory, which he claimed had “more fins than Helsinki”. 

From March 67 to late 70, he was the Superintendent Weapons Engineer at Garden Island Dockyard. 

Fred was promoted to Captain in December 1970, and served in a Navy Office posting in the DDL project and thereafter, as Director Naval Weapons Design. 

At this time, his wife Mona was the Principal of Lyneham Public School – Mrs Lynam of Lyneham. 

He was the Chief Staff Officer Technical for ANRUK in London Jan 77 – Jan 79, and returned to Australia to fill the post of Director General Fleet Maintenance and Naval Adviser (Technical) in which he was confirmed in the rank of Commodore in March 79. 

Only a few months later in July 79, he was promoted to Rear Admiral and posted as the Chief of Service Laboratories and Trials Division DoD. In mid 80, he became the Chief of Naval Technical Services. He was appointed CBE in December 1982 for services to the Navy, particularly as CNTS. He retired from the RAN in late 1983. 

For four years after his retirement from the RAN, Fred served as Chairman NSW of the Defence Industry Mobilisation Course. He also served on the boards of Krupp (Australia), NSW State Dockyard Newcastle, and Stanilite Electronics. He was President of the Naval Officers Club from 1993 to 1995. 

Fred is survived by his wife Mona. 

Fred was an ebullient character, a great messmate, mentorer and promoter of an “all of one company” vision of serving and former members of the RAN. 

Professionally, he contributed significantly to the RAN, not least in facilitating and managing the absorption and deployment of new capabilities such as the Wessex’ and the DDGs.