John Fairbairn (naval officer)
John Fairbairn | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 March 1912 Plumstead, Cape Town |
| Died | 20 March 1984 (aged 72) Tygerberg |
| Allegiance | South Africa |
| Service/ | South African Navy |
| Years of service | 1939–1972 |
| Rank | Commodore |
| Commands held |
|
| Battles/wars | World War 2 |
| Awards |          |
| Spouse(s) | Tessa |
| Relations | John Fairbairn (grandfather) |
Commodore John Fairbairn (12 March 1912 – 20 March 1984) was a South African Naval officer.
Fairbairn was born in
Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) on 1 July 1929 on a part-time basis while still working at the bank until the start of World War II, when he signed up to the South African Navy full-time on 4 September 1939 and was promoted to lieutenant on 12 November the same year.[1][2]
On 1 May 1946, he joined the SA Navy Permanent Force and was given the rank of lieutenant-commander. On 4 January 1948 while in command of the Loch-class frigate HMSAS Transvaal, the Marion and Prince Edward islands were annexed from Great Britain.[3][4] He commanded the Rothesay-class frigate SAS President Steyn[5] before being appointed naval officer in charge (NoiC) of the Simon's Town Naval Base.[2]
Fairbairn retired in 1972 and died in Cape Town in March 1984.[2]
Awards and decorations
Southern Cross Medal (1952) (SM)
Union Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal- 1939–45 Star
Atlantic Star
Africa Star (NORTH AFRICA 1942–43 clasp)
War Medal 1939–1945
Africa Service Medal (WWII)
Order of Prince Henry (Grand Cross) (GCIH) [a]
Notes
- ^ Portuguese: Grã-Cruz - The star bears the inscription Portuguese: Talant de bien faire
References
- ^ "Obituary of Commodore John Fairbairn" (PDF) – via alp.lib.sun.ac.za.
- ^ a b c "Fairbairn dies at 72". Cape Times. 22 March 1984. p. 13.
- ^ "Marion and Prince Edward Islands".
- ^ "Marion Island – History". Sanap.ac.za. Archived from the original on 24 July 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
- ISBN 0-949989-02-9.
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