JOHN Fenton is a Vice President at the City of Penrith RSL sub-Branch, a volunteer Advocate with Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans and Associated Forces Inc at Springwood, a member of the Regional Implementation Group, over-viewing volunteer Advocates in NSW/ACT/WA, and a volunteer Advocate and Regional Mentor for service and ex-service personnel, who consider training as volunteer Advocates to assist their fellow veterans.

John said, “In 2023, I was humbled by being recognised by the City of Penrith Council with a Community ‘Making a Difference’ Award and, in 2024, I was honoured with Life Membership of the RSL Australia.”

John joined the Australian Army in 1954 and served for twenty-five years, graduating into the Royal Australian Electrical Mechanical Engineers.

During his early service, he was posted to workshop units in both NSW and Victoria, along with a short term with the Radiation Detection Unit, which was based at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment in Maralinga (SA) during minor nuclear trials.

As a Lieutenant, John was posted to the Territory of Papua New Guinea (TPNG) for two years, to train Pacific Island soldiers. It was not known how long it would be to establish that nation’s independence and John has two highlights from his deployment, the first being the satisfaction in playing a small role in bringing that nation to independence, and the second the opportunity to walk the historic Kokoda Track on three occasions, the last to search for three Australian soldiers who were serving in TPNG and had become disoriented whilst traversing the track from Kokoda to Owers Corner, as an adventure during the holiday period.

Upon his return to Australia, he commanded 18 Field Squadron Workshop, in support of the Field Engineers, for twelve months prior to deployment to Vietnam.

Deployed to Vietnam, he commanded 17 Construction Squadron Workshop, supporting the Construction Squadron in its role of undertaking the Task Force Commander’s objectives, especially land and mine clearing using armoured protected bulldozers, and civic action tasks, such as building civilian hospitals and housing, aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the local Vietnamese. John is a current member of the management committee of 17 Construction Squadron Workshop, Vietnam Veterans Association.

John returned to Australia and commanded North Queensland Area Workshop, Townsville, then was posted to 5 Aviation Workshop, initially at RAAF Base Amberley, and then to the Army Aviation Centre, Oakey.

He was later posted on exchange to the British Army with the REME Support Group, located at Woolwich UK for just over two years. Upon his return to Australia, John was posted to HQ Logistic Command in Melbourne, in an administrative role.

His final appointment, before resigning his Commission, was Logistics representative with the Tri- Service/Multi National Joint Exercise Planning Staff, preparing for the “Kangaroo” exercise.

John was subsequently appointed in a Quality Assurance role at Jaguar Rover Australia (JRA), then became involved with Project Perentie, which provided 3,000 Land Rover vehicles to the Australian Army.

Upon leaving JRA, John joined the Small Arms Factory in Lithgow as Quality Manager, then was reappointed as Site Manager. The factory manufactured Steyr rifles and Minimi machine guns for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), as well as modifying 50 calibre machine guns which were utilised in Gulf
War 1, and modifying the Steyr rifle to mount the 40mm grenade
launcher.

As a result of commanding soldiers in both peace and war, John has always believed it is his continuing role to be responsible for the well-being of ADF members, both serving and ex-serving, both men and women.

Because of that perceived responsibility, since retiring from the workforce, John has undertaken applicable training courses to provide ongoing support as a volunteer Advocate to the Defence Community in the greater Penrith area.

John Fenton was nominated as a Legend of the Nepean by Anthony Eddie
If you know a local legend, send us a nomination at nepeannews@aol.com