Vale

Tim joined the Royal Navy on 12 September 1945 as a Boy Seaman, aged just 16, only days after the end of World War II. He served on the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious and the Battle-class destroyer HMS Alamein before being commissioned as a sub-lieutenant in 1950. He qualified at sea as a seaman officer aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Perseus before commencing his submarine career in 1952.

Submarines would become his life. As a junior officer, Tim served on the T-class submarine HMS Telemachus in the Far East and Australia from 1952 to 1954, followed by a posting on the A-class submarine HMS Artemis, operating from Portsmouth, the Mediterranean, and the East Indies. Subsequent postings included the small World War Two S-class submarine HMS Scythian in home waters, and then another T-class boat, HMS Talent. In 1956, Tim—now a lieutenant and Executive Officer (XO) of Scythian—married Jennette Patricia Turner.

In 1959, Tim passed his Submarine Commanding Officer’s Qualifying Course ("Perisher") and took command of the S-class submarine HMS Scotsman, a role he held until November 1961. As part of his career progression, he returned to general service as XO of the U-class destroyer HMS Ulster, serving on the West Indies and North American station. Tim returned to submarines in 1963, commanding HMS Astute for two years before becoming Officer in Charge of submarine workups at the Faslane submarine base, a post he held until 1967.

In October 1967, Tim transferred to the Royal Australian Navy as the Australian Submarine Service’s Operations Officer, based at HMAS Platypus in Sydney. In 1969, he assumed command of HMAS Otway as the submarine’s second commanding officer. His skill and leadership saw him promoted to commander in December 1971 and selected for the Australian Defence Force’s Joint Service Staff Course in 1972. Upon completing the Staff Course, Tim became Commander of the Australian Submarine Squadron (COMAUSSUBRON), remaining in that position for three years before handing over command to the late Bill Owen, when the role was upgraded to captain.

After a series of Navy Office postings—including as Director of Submarine Policy, where he was promoted to captain in 1979—Tim returned to the squadron as COMAUSSUBRON in January 1982. He remained in that role until his retirement from the RAN in January 1985. In retirement we worked in the legal profession.

Following his retirement, Tim joined the NSW Branch of the SAA, providing exceptional service to the Association over the next four decades. This included many years astutely chairing the Submarine Welfare Trust Fund, steadily growing its resources. His contributions were recognised with Life Membership of the SAA and, more recently, an SAA Achievement Award when he stepped down as Chair of the Trust.

Captain Tim Duchesne was one of several former Royal Navy officers who, by bringing their skill and expertise to Australia during the formulative years of our submarine service, laid the foundations upon which our current submarine force was built.

Tim was predeceased by his wife, Jeanette, in 2002, he is survived by his daughter Sue and son Stephen and six grandchildren.

Funeral details

The funeral of Captain Timothy Richard Duchesne RAN (Rtd) will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, 22 April 2026, at The Garrison Church, 60 Lower Fort Street, Millers Point, NSW 2000. Service medals are to be worn.

The SAA extends its condolences to Tim’s extended family and friends..