Bio / Text:
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Full Name: H.F. Astell (Howard Fredrick Astell)
Service Number: 1317758
Rank: Warrant Officer (W/O)
Branch / Unit: Royal Air Force (273 Squadron)
One of the most significant members of the family was my grandfather, who was a Spitfire pilot from England during World War II. Unfortunatlely, we have limited information about his time as a pilot. The only information I found on the internet is Under the line under 'History' it mentions my grandpa being involved in incident . https://allspitfirepilots.org/aircraft/JG681.
His contribution to the top end of the Northern Territory continued after the war, where he remained Among his many activities and community contributions were:
• He was a volunteer fireman at Nightcliff Fire Station in the early 1960s.
• He served as an Alderman on Darwin City Council during the 1960s and played a major part in the establishment of the Parap Swimming Pool.
• He was Treasurer of the Darwin Show Society and later the Royal Darwin Show Society from the early 1970s until his death on 21 March 1973.
• He was co-owner of Jim Jim and Cooinda in the late 1960s along with his wife Jariyah Astell and was involved in establishing the motel there. Unfortunately, following his death, his contribution and the Astell family’s involvement were not always reflected in subsequent accounts of the property's history, and I would like to ensure that his role and the family’s contribution are appropriately recognised.
• During the 1960s, he went on an expedition to Port Essington with Peter Spillet and his crew.
• After WW2 my grandfather was involved with the newly established wild crocodile hunting venture here in the Top End for the skins.
Howard Fred Astell (often referred to simply as Fred Astell) is featured in Judy Opitz's autobiography, An English Rose in Kakadu.
Context in the Book
Fred Astell plays a notable role in the story of how tourism was pioneered in the Jim Jim Creek and Cooinda regions:
• Business Partnership: In the mid-to-late 1960s, Tom and Judy Opitz entered into a business partnership with Fred and Jariyah Astell to help expand and run the original Cooinda store and tourism venture on Jim Jim Creek.
• Development of Cooinda: Their partnership was a key stepping stone in the transition from a modest bush store serving local buffalo and crocodile hunters into a structured enterprise, which eventually led to the incorporation of the company and the establishment of what is now Cooinda Lodge.
Other Astell Family Contributions, Australia after WW2;
The family's involvement in the Northern Territory continued through other members of the Astell family who are Harold (Fred) children);.
• My uncle was one of the early people involved in establishing the barramundi fishing industry in the Northern Territory (Robert Astell).
• My Aunty Jenny was involved as both a volunteer and permanently employed paramedic, contributing to emergency services in the Territory (Jennifer Astell).
• The family has also had a long history of involvement in station and pastoral work in the Northern Territory (Jennifer Astell).
Taken together, these contributions demonstrate a long-standing connection between the Astell family involvment in WW2 and the Northern Territory, Australia extending across several generations.