Submarines

Association

Australia 

In Memory of

VALE- CPOUCSM JEFFREY LANCE HARDING R108712

May He Rest In Peace

The Submarines Association of Australia is saddened to advise of the passing of South Australian member Jeff Harding on the 11 th of September this year.

Jeff was born in August 1953 in Adelaide, South Australia, the son of Lance and Yvonne Harding. He enlisted in the RAN in late 1970 or early 1971 at the age of 17, completing his initial training at HMAS Cerberus before being posted to the fast troop transport HMAS Sydney—formerly an aircraft carrier—as an Ordinary Seaman Sick Berth Attendant. Whilst he was posted to Sydney, the ship transported elements of the 4th Royal Australian Regiment to Vietnam in mid-May 1971, returning with elements of the 2nd Royal Australian Regiment to Townsville in early June. He would later be awarded the Vietnam Logistics Service Medal and the Returned from Active Service Badge for this deployment.

On completion of his Ordinary Seaman’s time, Jeff changed category to Underwater Control and trained at HMAS Watson before returning to sea in General Service as a UC rating. He joined the Submarine Service in the late 1970s, by then he was an experienced and mature sailor in his mid-twenties. Jeff undertook his Submarine shore training at HMS Dolphin before qualifying at sea on HMAS Otway in 1978, where he was awarded his Dolphins.

Between 1978 and 1988, Jeff served almost continuously at sea, on HMAS Otway in 1978–79, HMAS Onslow in 1979–80, HMAS Ovens in 1981–83 and 1986–87, HMAS Otama in 1985, and HMAS Oxley in 1986. His shore postings included the Submarine Sea Training Group and the Submarine School at HMAS Platypus. He was highly regarded in his branch.

Jeff retired from the RAN as a Chief Petty Officer and resided in South Australia, where he joined the Submarines Association in 1994.

A submariner who served with Jeff on a couple of boats described him as “the best of shipmates: a quiet, solid sort of bloke with a great sense of humour and always with a twinkle in his eye.”
A resident of Paralowie, SA, and a member of the Salisbury RSL, he passed away from a very aggressive carcinoma which had affected his liver and heart.

The SAA extends its heartfelt condolences to Jeff’s widow Jacqui, his son Lance, and his grandchild Dakota.

The funeral service for the late CPOUC SM Jeff Harding will be held at the Salisbury RSL, 19 Park Terrace, Salisbury, South Australia 5108, on Friday, 25 September at 2:00 PM.
To assist with catering arrangements, those wishing to attend are kindly requested to RSVP to Jeff's widow, Jacqui, via:

Email: JacquiHarding20@hotmail.com

Phone: 0417 270 071

Dolphins and medal