Submarines

Association

Australia 

In Memory of

VALE – LSUCSM ANDREW “BUTCH” MACKINNON URQUHART R 62806

May He Rest In Peace

The Submarines Association of Australia is saddened to advise of the passing of former member and former Victorian Branch President, Andrew “Butch” Urquhart.

Butch was born in Mount Barker, South Australia, in December 1946 and he enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy on 8 January 1964. He undertook his recruit training at HMAS Cerberus, and on completion of the course in April 1964 was rated as an Ordinary Seaman Underwater Control. Butch’s first sea posting was to the training ship and fast troop transport HMAS Sydney, where he served for three months.

In July 1964, he commenced his category courses, firstly at the ASW School HMAS Rushcutter, then at HMAS Watson and HMAS Cerberus. He was advanced to ABUC2 in January 1965 before travelling to the United States to commission the Charles F. Adams- class guided missile destroyer HMAS Perth in July of that year.

Butch served on Perth for two years, during which time he was advanced to ABUC. After commissioning in Boston, Massachusetts, Perth spent eight months in American waters conducting trials and exercises. On 12 February 1966, she sailed for Australia via Panama and Pearl Harbour, arriving at Perth, Western Australia, on 4 March 1966, where she was granted Freedom of Entry to the city. In April–May 1967, Perth made an emergency dash to Macquarie Island in sub-Antarctic waters to evacuate an ill expeditioner, transferring the patient to Hobart.

In July 1967, Butch was posted briefly to the destroyer escort HMAS Parramatta and then to her sister frigate HMAS Yarra. He deployed to Vietnam on escort duties aboard Yarra in late 1967, for which he was later awarded the Vietnam Logistic Support Medal and the Returned from Active Service Badge.

While posted to Yarra, he volunteered for submarine service. After completing the submarine suitability assessment, he was posted to the United Kingdom in January 1969 to train at HMS Dolphin at Gosport, Hampshire. He qualified at sea as a submariner aboard the Royal Navy submarine HMS Olympus, where he was awarded his Dolphins.

Butch was a member of HMAS Onslow’s commissioning crew, remaining aboard until 1972. He returned to sea on HMAS Oxley in 1973, serving on her until 1974. He separated from the Royal Australian Navy as a Leading Seaman Underwater Control, moving to Melbourne where he worked as a courier. He joined the SAA in 1988 and was a foundation member of the Victorian Branch, of which he was the second President and an active member until he retired to Broadford in country Victoria.

Leading Seaman Andrew Urquhart passed away in Victoria on 12 September 2026, aged 89. He was predeceased by his wife. The SAA extends its heartfelt condolences to his sons, Jason and Ross, and to his wider family and friends. Funeral details will be advised when known.

Vale Butch – Your watch is over