Paul White at Lockington Foodworks.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Service has shaped Lockington local Paul White’s life for as long as he can remember.
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Raised in a family that regularly volunteered and raised funds for the community, he followed their lead from a young age.
Just shy of his 21st birthday, he chose to serve in a different way, leaving home to join the Royal Australian Navy.
Mr White said he was inspired after hearing stories of his uncle, who served in the army.
“I had an interest in it because my uncle was a prisoner of war over at Changi (prisoner-of-war camp) with Weary Dunlop,” he said.
“So I heard a lot of different things, but I didn't like the idea of the army, so I chose the navy.”
After completing training at HMAS Cerberus, he was assigned as a mechanical technician – propulsion to HMAS Melbourne in 1977, a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier that served as the Royal Australian Navy’s flagship from 1955 to 1982.
As an MTP, he was responsible for maintaining and repairing the ship’s engines, evaporators and boilers.
He also worked on the flight deck, carrying out hot refuels to keep aircraft moving and maintaining aviation fuel systems.
While MTPs specialised in engineering, they were expected to be adaptable, able to step into other roles if needed to keep the ship operating.
With about four groups of MTPs on board, Mr White said they would rotate around the clock.
“When I was at sea, we used to work four hours on, four hours off, 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said.
“I’d only sleep probably two and a half hours at a time, then I’d get out of bed and wander around.”
Mr White would travel for three to six months at a time, with a crew of up to 1200 when the ship was at full capacity.
The crew lived simply, sleeping on beds made from two-inch water pipes and chain link style mesh with a thin foam mattress on top.
The beds could be folded back up when not in use to create a recreational space, where the crew could play cards and hang out.
During his service, Mr White took part in multiple Rim of the Pacific exercises, where international forces trained together in combat scenarios and live-fire drills.
He also worked on HMAS Vendetta carrying out general maintenance, served as standby crew for patrol boats, and helped commission the Humpty Doo transmitting station in Darwin.
Paul White raises funds for the Anzac Appeal.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
After six years, he left the navy, but his commitment to service did not end there.
He continues to volunteer with his local RSL and raises money each year for the Anzac Appeal as an individual collector.
With Anzac Day approaching, Mr White has once again been out in the community collecting, continuing a lifetime of service.
He said it was important to recognise those who had served, both past and present, and to ensure younger generations understood their sacrifice.
“It’s important for the recognition of those who fought before us and have fought since ... and to maintain the momentum of the young ones learning,” he said.
“Years ago, the young ones didn't know much about it. Whereas now, they know a lot about the Anzacs and all of those that were involved in the wars.”
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