They moved into the Estia Health community of Dalmeny, to be close to son Michael. There he had a charming, well-mannered and distinguished presence, the quintessential Englishman.

The funeral service was held at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Narooma on Monday, December 19.

Peter’s passing was formally acknowledged by the RAN with the Chief of Navy releasing a General Message to all personnel on December 16.  

The Chief of Navy was officially represented at the funeral service by Commander Sue Cunningham the Executive Officer, HMAS Albatross.  Other distinguished mourners included former Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral David Shackleton, AO, RAN (rtd); Rear Admiral Ken Doolan, AO, RAN (rtd), the commissioning Commanding Officer HMAS Tobruk, and Rear Admiral Brian Adams, AO, RAN a former Deputy Chief of Navy and Staff Officer to Commander Shevlin.

The Narooma RSL Sub-Branch also conducted a moving service at the end of the Requiem Mass, which honoured Peter’s active service in World War II and Korea.

Commander Peter Shevlin was born in Kenilworth, England on September 22, 1923.  He was the eldest child of James and Amy Shevlin.

Peter attended Ratcliffe College in Leicester and was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps as a dentist.  He commenced studies at Birmingham University in 1941 but his aversion to blood and his fascination with the Royal Navy led him to a change in course and, with his father’s blessing, he enlisted in the Royal Navy as a University entrant.

As a Midshipman and Sub Lieutenant Peter served primarily in the Mediterranean.  Malta and its Grand Harbour were to hold a special place in his heart as he operated out of here for a total of 16 years during his career.

Family lore also tells that he liberated the Italian port of Capri.  As the junior officer on board he led a Landing Party ashore arriving only hours after the German forces had departed.  They were greeted not by guns but by grateful townsfolk and bottles of Chianti.  He charmed them all and, just perhaps, this was where he honed those qualities that so distinguished his actions and his reputation as a true gentleman in the years ahead.

Following victory in Europe, his ship transferred to the British Pacific Fleet and he was en-route to Malaya when Japan surrendered.  He was present in Singapore when Lord Louis Mountbatten accepted the formal surrender of Japanese forces on the steps of Parliament House.  During the war he served in HMS MUTINE, GLOXINIA and FARNDALE.

Peter was granted a permanent commission in the Royal Navy at war’s end and returned again to the Mediterranean as a Lieutenant in HMS CHIEFTAIN.  It was a memorable commission which forged not only lifelong friendships amongst his fellow officers - but, most importantly, a love affair that was to last almost 70 years.  He met Margaret in Beirut, whilst operating there as part of the Palestine Patrol. 

Their love blossomed and they were married on July 17, 1948.  It was a love that was to bind them together for a lifetime and produce a family of six children; 10 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and one great-great grand-daughter, so far!

Peter returned to sea shortly after their wedding in a routine that was to become a familiar pattern throughout his career.  In all, he served at sea in more than a dozen ships.  He came ashore in 1950 and commenced the Long Gunnery course at Whale Island.  This time ashore also saw the birth of their first child, Paul.

Following successful completion of the Long G course in 1951, Peter was posted on exchange to the Royal Australian Navy.  He served firstly at the Gunnery School at HMAS CERBERUS in Victoria where a second son, Michael, was also born.  Peter was then posted to HMAS TOBRUK as Gunnery Officer seeing operational service in Korea.

After the Korean War, Peter returned to England and, after a short period ashore as an instructor, he went back to sea again and participated in the Suez landings in 1956. 

In 1960 he was promoted Commander, became a father to Suzanne (dec) and then Caroline, and assumed command of HMS LOCH FYNE, where he saw extensive service in the Persian Gulf and was involved in amphibious landings in Kuwait and Zanzibar in East Africa.  It was a busy commission full of diplomacy and action.  Twin sons, James and John, followed in 1962. 

In 1965 Peter was appointed the commissioning Executive Officer of HMS FEARLESS, the first of class of a new Amphibious Assault Ship.  It was a commission that firmly established his credentials as an authority in joint warfare and, in particular, amphibious operations. 

In 1969 Peter commenced a second exchange with the RAN and became the Director, Joint Warfare Policy in Navy Office, a position he was to occupy for 12 years.  In this role he was a passionate and single-minded advocate for Joint Operations, was instrumental in writing much of Australia's Joint Warfare doctrine and, almost single-handedly, promoted the role of amphibious warfare in the Australian Defence Force. 

He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday honours in June 1976 in recognition of his outstanding professionalism and service to the RAN.

As the Director, Joint Warfare Policy – Navy, he was responsible for the transfer of Army's Landing Craft Heavy to the RAN and he also oversaw the construction and introduction into service of a new HMAS TOBRUK, a ship that was to be a true workhorse of the navy for almost 35 years. 

Peter retired in 1983 and was acknowledged as the 'Father of the Amphibious Navy' and recognised as ‘the most experienced joint warfare specialist in the Australian Services’.  He was, in the words of one senior officer ‘a rare giant when our Navy needed giants!’

This success did not come easily however.  It was the result of much hard work, doggedness and determination, and an unwavering belief in his cause.  A former staff officer remembers him as ‘without doubt, the most industrious and dogged officer with whom I had the pleasure to work.’

On retiring from the navy Peter became an active member of the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol and was the Commodore, NSW for a number of years subsequently being made an honorary Life Member of the RVCP and Marine Rescue NSW which he served faithfully for more than 20 years. 

Above all, however, he was husband and partner of Margaret, he will never be forgotten and his example will continue to guide and inspire his family.  He has earned the right to “Stand Down” and let others “Have the Watch.”