John was a longtime member of the Military Ordinariate Finance Council and a great friend of the Military Diocese. He assisted in the production of the Diocese’s newsletter, ‘Serving faithfully.’
His association with the Royal Australian Air Force commenced in 1950 when he was posted to the 5th (Post WW11) Aircrew Training Course. He underwent navigator training and later posted to N0 82 Wing, Amberley QLD.
His service included training exercises in PNG, and an operational tour on Lincoln Bombers with No1 Squadron, Tengah, Singapore in 1952. At No 82 Wing, he flew on Operation Totem with British Atomic Test at Emu Field, SA. In 1955 and again, in 1957 he was posted to the Air Trials Unit, Woomera, SA. He served with the USAF at Tan Son Nhut, South Vietnam.
John served as Staff Officer to two successive Chiefs of Air Force, followed by a posting to ANZUK HQ in Singapore where he was promoted to Group Captain, with a final posting to Defence HQ, Canberra.
John was married for 58 years to Geraldine, who died in September 2019. Together they had five children. John lived the ripe old age of 94 years.
Over all these years, John was profoundly committed to his Christian faith, from which he drew much strength. He was a humble and exceedingly kind man whose serenity and warmth touched those he met. For his services to the Church, he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of John will be held at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, Stutchbury Street, Page, ACT on Friday 22 August 2025, commencing at 11am.
May he rest in peace.
FURTHER TRIBUTES
https://www.mytributes.com.au/notice/funeral-notices/pratt-john-doughan/6317112/
https://www.goulburnpost.com.au/tributes-funerals/funeral-notices/725292/pratt-john-doughan/
