Last night, Saturday 16th August 2008, Peter Cottam let go all lines and crossed the bar for his final time. His wife Desley was with him at the time.
Pete fought a hard battle against cancer over a short couple of months, but as happens so often in these circumstances, he was not victorious this time.
Pete was no stranger to this fight, having lost his first wife to the same malady shortly after the birth of his daughter Christie in the mid 70's. (Interestingly, he always called her Polly, and I never knew her real name until the mid 80's.) And his assistance to Christie's son Elijah in his fight against a similar disease is well documented on this site.
Farewell, my friend. You take with you the knowledge that you were loved by all you knew. Likewise, thank you for the privilege of being your mate for 30 years.
I am reminded of one of George S. Patton's quotes, where he said: "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the loss of such men. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived!"
Essentially right, but Pete's passing still leaves an empty space in my soul.
Vale, Peter Cottam. May you always have gentle breezes, fair skies, and a following sea wherever you go.
And save me a spot on the upper deck for when I get there.
Vale Chief RP Peter 'Lumpy' Cottam.
Moderators: Hippy Chippy, Seejay, Chippy Ned
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Seejay
- Site Admin
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- Given Name: Chris
- Surname: O'Keefe
- Original Official Number: R43136
- Rank and Rate: CPOMTH
- Intake or Class: 19th MOBI Intake
- Date of Enlistment: July 65
- Date of Discharge: July 85
- Ships and Establishments.: Nirimba X 4 -Penguin-Sydney-Queenborough - Creswell - Moreton - Stalwart - Platypus - Coonawarra Reconstruction Team 76 - Platypus - Hobart - Cerberus - FHQ - Coonawarra.
- City or Town: Cairns
- State: QLD
- Country: Australia
- Occupation: Retired
- Location: Cairns, FNQ
Vale Chief RP Peter 'Lumpy' Cottam.
Chris O'Keefe
R43136
Ex WO Chippy
19th MOBI Intake
July 65 to July 85
HMAS Nirimba X 4 -Penguin-Sydney-Queenborough - Creswell - Moreton - Stalwart - Platypus - Coonawarra Reconstruction Team 76 - Platypus - Hobart - Cerberus - FHQ - Coonawarra.
Anyone can be ordinary. Shipwrights choose to be extraordinary!
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BC
- Div. Officer
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- Given Name: Brian
- Surname: Carney
- Original Official Number: R43371
- Rank and Rate: ex-WOMTP5
- Intake or Class: 22nd MOBI Intake
- Date of Enlistment: 13 Jan 67
- Date of Discharge: 22 Jan 89
- Ships and Establishments.: Nirimba x3, Sydney, Swan, Creswell, Stalwart, Cerberus, Derwent, Parramatta, FHQ.
- City or Town: Tinonee
- State: NSW
- Country: Australia
- Occupation: Retired
- Location: Tinonee, NSW
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Hippy Chippy
- Site Admin
- Posts: 4172
- Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2003 8:09 am
- Given Name: Rick
- Surname: Pengilly
- Original Official Number: R42630
- Rank and Rate: CPOMTH3
- Intake or Class: 13th MOBI Intake
- Date of Enlistment: July 1962
- Date of Discharge: July 1974
- Ships and Establishments.: HMAS Nirimba - HMAS Melbourne - HMAS Cerberus - HMAS Tarangau - HMAS Lonsdale - HMAS Tarangau - HMAS Nirimba - HMAS Brisbane
- City or Town: Lake Munmorah
- State: NSW
- Country: Australia
- Occupation: Retired
- Location: Mosman, NSW
- Contact:
Farewell Lumpy, whilst I met you only once, through SeeJay and your presence on the site we all feel we've known you forever... 
Rest on your oars brother, your journey's done... 
My sincere condolences for all those who's lives you've touched....
Rest on your oars brother, your journey's done... My sincere condolences for all those who's lives you've touched....
Rick Pengilly
WEBMASTER
Ex-CPOMTH3
R42630
13th MOBI Intake
July'62 to July'74
HMAS Nirimba - HMAS Melbourne - HMAS Cerberus - HMAS Tarangau - HMAS Lonsdale - HMAS Tarangau - HMAS Nirimba - HMAS Brisbane
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Steelcat41
- Sprog
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- Surname:
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- Intake or Class:
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- City or Town:
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- Location: Sydney
- Contact:
Vale Peter Cottam
Peter, thank you for keeping us informed. The sentiments expressed by Chris & yourself are shared by many people. The 4th intake of LEEUWIN JR's in particular have been keeping each other informed as to Pete's deteriorating condition.
Yes, we have all lost a good mate, the world has lost a good man, & more importantly Desley & family have lost a good husband & father.
Let's keep them in our prayers....Vic Boreham.
Yes, we have all lost a good mate, the world has lost a good man, & more importantly Desley & family have lost a good husband & father.
Let's keep them in our prayers....Vic Boreham.
Peter Maher
R59705
Ex-POETP3*
Joined Feb 63 Cerberus
Feb 1963 to Feb 1978
Cerberus Sydney, Watson, Commissioned Brisbane, Melbourne and Kimbla
R59705
Ex-POETP3*
Joined Feb 63 Cerberus
Feb 1963 to Feb 1978
Cerberus Sydney, Watson, Commissioned Brisbane, Melbourne and Kimbla
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Robert W Moult
- Div. Officer
- Posts: 106
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- Given Name: Robert
- Surname: Moult
- Original Official Number: R42629
- Rank and Rate: CPOMT(H)
- Intake or Class: 13th
- Date of Enlistment: July 1962
- Date of Discharge: Dec 2004
- Ships and Establishments.: Nirimba,Sydney,Melbourne,Tarangau,Penguin,Albatross,Kuttabul,Harman(NavyOffice),Hobart,Platypus,Duchess,Brisbane,Moreton,Sydney(FFG),Manoora,Tobruk,Kuttabul(FIMA).
- City or Town: Blackbutt
- State: Qld
- Country: Australia
- Occupation: Unemployed Gigolo.
- Location: Brisbane
"Lumpy"
My deepest condolences to Peter's family and friends,although he has gone from your lives ,he obviously left his mark.Take strength in the knowledge that only his physical prescence has gone but his spirit will never leave you.
Vale "Lumpy",fair winds and a following sea.
Bob Moult
Vale "Lumpy",fair winds and a following sea.
Bob Moult
Bob Moult
R42629
Ex-CPOMTH
13th MOBI Intake
1962 to 1982
Nirimba, Sydney, Melbourne, Tarangau, Penguin, Albatross Kuttabul, Harman, Hobart, Platypus, Duchess, Brisbane, Moreton
R42629
Ex-CPOMTH
13th MOBI Intake
1962 to 1982
Nirimba, Sydney, Melbourne, Tarangau, Penguin, Albatross Kuttabul, Harman, Hobart, Platypus, Duchess, Brisbane, Moreton
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Chippy Ned
- Site Admin
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- Surname: Kelly
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- Rank and Rate: WOMTH
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- Date of Enlistment: July 1962
- Date of Discharge: July 1983
- Ships and Establishments.: Nirimba x3 - Rushcutter - Carrier/Sydney x2 - Melbourne - Penguin - Kuttabul - Creswell x3 - Stalwart x2 - Brisbane.
- City or Town: St Georges Basin
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Rest in peace Pete, my thoughts are with you.
Your popularity was astounding, many people are very sad today.
Your popularity was astounding, many people are very sad today.
John Kelly (WEBMASTER)
R42620
Ex-WOMTH
13th MOBI Intake
July'62 to July'83
Nirimba x3 - Rushcutter - Sydney x2 (Carrier) - Melbourne (Carrier) - Penguin - Kuttabul - Creswell x3 - Stalwart x2 - Brisbane.
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Lucii
- Reg. Chief
- Posts: 67
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- Given Name: Gary
- Surname: Lucev
- Original Official Number: R43594
- Rank and Rate: CPOMTP5
- Intake or Class: 24th MOBI Intake
- Date of Enlistment: 4th Jan 1968
- Date of Discharge: 3rd Jan 1988
- Ships and Establishments.: Nirimba, Melbourne, Penguin(medical several times), Leeuwin, Harman(NO), SWAN, RANTAU, Cerberus(Q course), RANTAU, Vampire and Stirling(DEE).
Last Chief Tiffy on the last Daring in the world. - City or Town: Rockingham
- State: WA
- Country: Australia
- Occupation: Retired TPI
- Location: Rockingham WA
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Jak Cuttle
- Div. Vice Captain
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- Given Name: Jak
- Surname: Cuttle
- Original Official Number: R42531
- Rank and Rate: CPOMTH
- Intake or Class: 12th Intake
- Date of Enlistment: 12 Jan 1962
- Date of Discharge: 11 Jan 1982
- Ships and Establishments.: Nirimba, Kuttabul x 2, Sydney x 3, Melbourne x 2, Stalwart x 3, Waterhen, Platypus, CoDock
- City or Town: Creewah
- State: NSW
- Country: OZ
- Occupation: Retired
- Location: Creewah (WTF's that?!) NSW
The wind became a gentle breeze
The seas abated
The bar was smooth
Farewell Lumpy and God's speed
The seas abated
The bar was smooth
Farewell Lumpy and God's speed
Jak Cuttle
R42531
Ex-CPOMTH
12th MOBI Intake
Jan '62 - Jan '82
Nirimba, Sydney & Melbourne, (flattops, not the later plastic fantastics) Kuttabul, (FMP & FIMA) Rushcutter (HMAS and RANTAU), Waterhen, Co-dock-PNO, Stalwart-FMU, Platypus, not necessarily in that order and some two/three times. Nirimba Jan '82 to close-civ instr, training dev, closure staff '93
R42531
Ex-CPOMTH
12th MOBI Intake
Jan '62 - Jan '82
Nirimba, Sydney & Melbourne, (flattops, not the later plastic fantastics) Kuttabul, (FMP & FIMA) Rushcutter (HMAS and RANTAU), Waterhen, Co-dock-PNO, Stalwart-FMU, Platypus, not necessarily in that order and some two/three times. Nirimba Jan '82 to close-civ instr, training dev, closure staff '93
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Ray Lawrence
- Div. Chief
- Posts: 56
- Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2005 11:25 pm
- Given Name: Ray
- Surname: Lawrence
- Original Official Number: R95904
- Rank and Rate: POETC3
- Intake or Class: 18th JRTE Rhodes
- Date of Enlistment: Dec 1966
- Date of Discharge: Dec 1986
- Ships and Establishments.: Leeuwin, Diamantina, Cerberusx4, Harmanx4, Waterhen, Barricade, Lae, Tarangau, Melbourne, Buccaneer, Coonawarrax3, Stuart, Swan, Adroit, Perth, Vampire.
- City or Town: Lynbrook
- State: Victoria
- Country: Australia
- Occupation: Truckie
- Location: SE Melbourne
Very sad to hear of Peters passing, he has gone on ahead of us and yet he lives on in each of us.
Ray Lawrence (Boris)
R95904
Ex-POETC3
18th JRTE Rhodes
Dec 1966 - Dec 1986
Leeuwin, Diamantina, Cerberusx4, Harmanx4, Waterhen, Barricade, Lae, Tarangau, Melbourne, Buccaneer, Coonawarrax3, Stuart, Swan, Adroit, Perth, Vampire.
Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. ~Robert Louis Stevenson
R95904
Ex-POETC3
18th JRTE Rhodes
Dec 1966 - Dec 1986
Leeuwin, Diamantina, Cerberusx4, Harmanx4, Waterhen, Barricade, Lae, Tarangau, Melbourne, Buccaneer, Coonawarrax3, Stuart, Swan, Adroit, Perth, Vampire.
Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. ~Robert Louis Stevenson
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Wayne
- Div. Officer
- Posts: 168
- Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2003 2:44 pm
- Given Name: Wayne
- Surname: Johnson
- Original Official Number: 000000
- Rank and Rate: Chief Radarman / RP
- Intake or Class: 0000
- Date of Enlistment: 1970
- Date of Discharge: 1994
- Ships and Establishments.: USS Trenton LPD-14, Hermitage LSD-34, Shreveport LPD-12, Saipan LHA-2, COMPHRIBRON-4 staff embarked in the Guam LPH 2, Saipan LHA-2, Nashville LPD-13, and Wasp LHD-1
- City or Town: N/A
- State: Florida
- Country: USA
- Occupation: Retired
- Location: Florida, USA
Pete
You can rest easy now, we have the watch.
When you are in that big CIC in the sky and you get a call for fire, a fire mission from Hell, go ahead and take it as that will be me in trouble again and I'll need a good Aussie RP to bail me out again.
Remember to cancel danger close and fire for effect.
Psalm 23, Mariner's Version by Captain J. H. Rogers
The Lord is my Pilot; I shall not drift.
He leadeth me across the dark waters
And steereth me in the deep channels.
He keepeth my Log and guideth me by the star of holiness
for His Name's sake.
Yea, though I sail amid the thunders and tempests of life,
I shall dread no danger, For Thou art with me;
Thy love and Thy care, they shelter me.
Thou preparest a harbor before me in the homeland of eternity;
Thou anointest the waves with oil, and my ship rideth calmly,
Surely sunlight and starlight
Shall favor me all the days of my voyaging,
And I will rest in the port of my Lord forever.
Vale "Lumpy",fair winds and a following sea.
You can rest easy now, we have the watch.
When you are in that big CIC in the sky and you get a call for fire, a fire mission from Hell, go ahead and take it as that will be me in trouble again and I'll need a good Aussie RP to bail me out again.
Remember to cancel danger close and fire for effect.
Psalm 23, Mariner's Version by Captain J. H. Rogers
The Lord is my Pilot; I shall not drift.
He leadeth me across the dark waters
And steereth me in the deep channels.
He keepeth my Log and guideth me by the star of holiness
for His Name's sake.
Yea, though I sail amid the thunders and tempests of life,
I shall dread no danger, For Thou art with me;
Thy love and Thy care, they shelter me.
Thou preparest a harbor before me in the homeland of eternity;
Thou anointest the waves with oil, and my ship rideth calmly,
Surely sunlight and starlight
Shall favor me all the days of my voyaging,
And I will rest in the port of my Lord forever.
Vale "Lumpy",fair winds and a following sea.
Wayne Johnson
(B149415)
OSC(SW) RET (RADARMAN)
Joined the Navy Jan 6, 1970, retired Jan 31, 1994
USS Trenton LPD-14, Hermitage LSD-34, Shreveport LPD-12, Saipan LHA-2, COMPHRIBRON-4 staff embarked in the Guam LPH 2, Saipan LHA-2, Nashville LPD-13, and Wasp LHD-1
(B149415)
OSC(SW) RET (RADARMAN)
Joined the Navy Jan 6, 1970, retired Jan 31, 1994
USS Trenton LPD-14, Hermitage LSD-34, Shreveport LPD-12, Saipan LHA-2, COMPHRIBRON-4 staff embarked in the Guam LPH 2, Saipan LHA-2, Nashville LPD-13, and Wasp LHD-1