The following photos were taken before the service began, so it doesn’t show the full congregation. There would, at an easy estimate, around 200 people and another 20 odd veterans.
BC, Chook Howell, Mick Lynch and Eddie Thomson
Eddie Thomson, Garry Ballhause and Chook Howell
Eddie, Chook, Mick, Garry Ballhause and myself, were welcomed to join the local Sub-branch for their Poppy Ceremony.
There was a display including Sooty’s No: 1’s Blues Uniform, his cap, his bowling team shirt, a XXXX can of beer and a framed pictorial history of his RAN service. This was presented to the family on behalf of our Intake and other shipmates. Another copy was also presented to the local RSL Sub-branch as they did not have any photos or memorabilia about Sooty's service.
Sooty was a champion bowler in his region and the first to put his hand up to help at events or working bees.
From my observations, there were a lot of tears being shed from men, women and young teens as well. Sooty was well liked and loved by many in his community and he will be sadly missed.
After the service had completed, Garry Ballhause went and placed a “Once A MOBI – Always a MOBI” sticker onto the ashes casket.
We were all invited to the Muswellbrook Hotel. We politely thanked them for their offer, as the hotel had COVID limitations and there was a huge number family friends wanting to attend. So, we joined the Sub-branch at the RSL, where they shouted us for the next couple of hours.
It was good to catch albeit on a sad occasion.
RIP Sooty
Your watch is done
'Sootie' would have appreciated your report...! 