Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Paul was born at Canberra Hospital, New Years Day in 1976, the only son of Carole and Ray and brother to Janelle (aged 4). He attended Melba Primary School (1981-1987), Lyneham High School (1998-1991) and Copland College (1992-1994) in Canberra.

After failing to enter in the Navy in 1995, Paul began studying for an applied science degree at the University of Canberra, before he was appointed a Midshipman in the Royal Australian Navy in 1996 as a direct entry pilot.

He graduated his new entry officer course at the Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS Creswell in August 1996. From there he was posted to RAAF Pearce for the 175 pilot's course, from which he graduated in February 1998. On his return to Canberra he completed rotary wing qualifications at the ADF Helicopter School at RAAF Fairburn, receiving his wings in November 1998. He was then posted to 723 squadron at HMAS Albratross, and then 817 squadron in 2001 for type conversion to the Sea King helicopter.

Paul's deployments included Timor-Leste (2000) where he served as the military aviation liaison officer for the United Nations Assistance Mission (UNTAET). He was posted to Operation Relex in Christmas Island (2002), providing Australian border protection. In Iraq (2003) for Operation Catalyst, Paul flew fleet and combat support missions, maintaining a logistical lifeline to the ships in the northern Arabian Gulf and to the Australian forces. His airframe 'Shark 07' because the first RAN aircraft to land in Iraq following the commencement of hostilities. In Indonesia (2005), Paul was posted to HMAS Kanimbla to render aid to the people of Banda Aceh after the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. This aid mission was extended when a subsequent earthquake hit the region and humanitarian aid was required on the island of Nias.

Paul and eight other military personnel, were killed on Saturday 02 April 2005, when their aircraft "Shark 02" which was operating from HMAS Kanimbla crashed while attempting to land on a sports field on Nias. island. The cause of the crash was attributed to separation of a critical control system linkage, when a bolt slipped out of a linkage. 

References

1. Service of thanksgiving for the life of Lieutenant Paul Kimlin, RAN, at the ANZAC Memorial Chapel of St Paul, RMC Duntroon, MOnday 18 April 2005.

2. J. Debrincat, C. Bill and G. Clark. Assessing organisational factors in aircraft accidents: methodologies and limitations, 27th International Congress of the Aeronautical Sciences, 19-24 September 2010.