CHAMPION, John Lambton (1930-2021).jpg)
Image supplied S Hudson, 2021
John was born to Alan and Gwynneth Champion in 1930. His father was an accountant who later worked for the SEC. After attending Colac High School, John was enrolled as a boarder at the Geelong College, beginning in Form IA. He became a day student in 1945 and finished Form V at the end of 1946.
In 1946 John also graduated from the Navy Pilots course, marking the beginning of his pilot career.
Pegasus of December 1954 noted: 'Probationary Naval Airman John Champion (1946) was presented with his "wings" in May'
In December 1955
Pegasus further reported:
John Champion, after a term with the Royal Navy as a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm, has returned to Australia to take up an RAN posting at Nowra, NSW
Through his career, John flew with both the military and civilian services, with the RAN, RAF, RAAF and was in the Fleet Air Arm Australia (Vic) Inc from 1994. His flight log book tallied over 10 300 hours, with various aircraft over the years, such as Tiger Moth, Sea Fury, Shackleton and many Cessna’s.
In his later years, he lived amongst fellow veterans at Royal Australian Airforce Veterans Residencies Trust Home. He had only recently relocated to Albury to be close to his son Alan.
John passed away 1 November 2021. He was farewelled by family and friends at the Hampton RSL, 25 November 2021.
Sources: 'Geelong Collegians at the Second World War and Subsequent Conflicts' compiled by J. Affleck p563 (citing The Pegasus; Australian War Memorial; National Archives), S. Hudson November 2021, Pegasus, OGC 1943.