BATTLE OF BRITAIN ‘LACE’
On 15 May, AFA-SA joined with the family, friends and colleagues of GPCAPT (Retd) Dr Robert Black AM RFD to farewell the Air Force veteran, long time AFA-SA member and former AFA-SA State President, at a moving and inspiring funeral service.
The service featured a strong Air Force and veteran element with Royal Australian Air Force officers in uniform attending, a RAAF Ensign and Rob’s GPCAPT peaked cap emplaced on the casket, Rob’s medals displayed on a pillow alongside the casket, the reciting of the Ode by GPCAPT Steve Fielder, the sounding of Last Post and Rouse, and the reciting of In Flanders Field prior to laying of poppies on the casket by serving and ex-serving veterans.
Known for always wearing a hat, a collection of his favourite hats was on a table near the casket. This included a slouch hat that he wore as a cadet and his UN beret he wore in Rwanda and an AFA cap. On the table was also a set of Bridge cards, several commendations and awards, and a set of bird watching binoculars.
The church was packed with people standing at the rear. In particular, it was wonderful seeing members of the Order of St John in their colourful red robes, the Royal Australian Air Force in uniform and a group of doctors, the 1963 graduating class that Rob was a member of, with their stethoscopes honouring Robert.
Our Vice-President, GPCAPT Greg Weller provided a military eulogy that detailed not just Robert’s military service but also his incredible service out of uniform to the veteran community. The notion of service to the community was a common theme throughout the service which highlighted Robs remarkable commitment to serving others across the community particularly including veterans, medicine, the church, and St Johns.
It was a wonderful service that Rob would have been chuffed about and one that people will have left being inspired to embrace the notion of serving others that Rob so believed in.
AFA-SA Vice-President, GPCAPT Greg Weller has produced a biographical profile detailing the remarkable career of GPCAPT (Retd) Dr Robert Black which is available from our AFA-SA website: https://afasa.org.au/…/aviat…/robert-barham-black-v2.pdf
Story courtesy of Greg Weller, Vice President AFA SA
Image Captions
GPCAPT Rob Black taking a break during the UNAMIR deployment in Rwanda. Note the blue UN scarf and Red Cross medical insignia.
The display of hats and commendations of GPCAPT (Retd) Dr Robert Black at his funeral in late May
GPCAPT (retd) Dr Robert Black AM RFD when he was State President AFA Division at the 2021 Air Force Centenary Commemorative Service
