Very sadly Horace Billon has passed away at his home.
Horace joined DSTO in 1986 and prior to that worked at RAAF Quality Assurance Laboratories in Highett, Victoria. He was always regarded as one of DST's leading specialists in the field of electrostatics, energetic materials, ballistic phenomena, armour materials and mathematical modelling. Over his 34 plus year career with DST, he contributed to many significant research programs and collaborations with industry and academia. Horace was the recipient of several awards for scientific and technical excellence, and author of numerous scientific publications.
A professional scientist in every sense of the word and an intellectual presence who will be missed by many people.
It has been really nice that Horace’s close friends and colleagues have been sharing stories and fond memories of him, and supporting each other at this sad time.
Dr Peter Shoubridge
Chief Land Division
Defence Science & Technology Group
13 October 2020
For a small insight into Horace's work, click here.
DSTG lost a valued friend and colleague with the passing of Horace Billon last month. Many people across DSTG and the wider Defence community would have known Horace for his research contributions as well as his distinctive personality and he will be sadly missed.
Horace studied applied physics and mathematics at RMIT and joined the former DSTO in 1986 after working at the RAAF Quality Assurance Laboratories in Highett, Victoria. He was regarded as one of DSTG’s leading specialists in the fields of electrostatics, energetic materials, ballistic phenomena, armour materials and mathematical modelling and just about anything else one might consider asking him about. Over his 34 plus year career with DSTG, he contributed to many significant research programs and collaborations with industry and academia. Horace was the recipient of several awards for scientific and technical excellence, and the author of numerous scientific publications.
Horace was remembered by his friends and colleagues at a virtual wake on Friday 16 October where many tales were recounted. As one long term colleague noted, “I knew Horace for over 30 years and never won a scientific argument with him. He could recall every little detail about anything he had studied and seemed to be able to recall Defence policy on everything from staff management to infrastructure”. Land Division is planning a formal recognition for Horace’s contributions to Defence.
Horace was a scientist in every sense of the word and an intellectual presence who will be missed by many people.
Vale Horace, too soon.
Tim Bussell (LD), and on behalf of colleagues.
As published in Connections November 2020