A Farewell to those with whom we served...

[Hippy Chippy]

VALE - Captain (E) Alex A. Townsend RAN Retd.

Dear Members,

We have been advised that Captain (E) Alex A. Townsend RAN Retd died in Canberra on 8th October 2013. His funeral will be conducted at St Paul's ANZAC Memorial Chapel, Duntroon, at 10.30am on Wednesday 16th October.

Alex Townsend was a former RN artificer who served in WWII and in South East Asia during the Malayan Emergency and Indonesian Confrontation. He was the MEO of the commissioning crew of HMAS Perth, and later involved in planning the HMAS Stirling. base. He was a much respected MEO and an officer with a fun outlook on life; and a great mentor of many young RAN Marine Engineers.

Regards,
Mike.

[BC]

This has been circulated from the HMAS Sydney Assoc.

LIEUTENANT COMMANDER JOHN (Ces) WILLIAMS RAN (Retd)

It is with much sadness that I inform you of the passing of our long standing Member, John Cecil Williams. Ces passed away at 2:30 am Friday morning after a long battle with cancer.

His funeral will be on Thursday 17 October at Macquarie Park Crematorium, Plassey Road, North Ryde at 12:30 in the Camilla Chapel.

It is requested that as many Association Members as possible attend. Medals to be worn

LEST WE FORGET

Brian Yeo
Secretary

[Hippy Chippy]

It is with great sadness that I inform of the passing of CPOP John "Snow" Larkin. John was one of my dearest friends.

He commissioned Vendetta, survived Voyager, then commissioned Hobart. He eventually paid off Diamantina.

Snow then spent many years as an electrical engineer in the merchant marine. Most recently he was the president of the RSL here in Briagolong, where he was responsible for many large ventures, most notably the complete refurbishment of the local cenotaph.

Also a valued member of the Fire brigade and Lions Club. He was awarded Briagolong citizen of the Year in 2012. He was killed today when he toppled from a ladder in high winds.

I was RSL secretary to Snow's presidency for many years.

Words cannot express my grief.

Can you please pass on this message to wherever you think appropriate. We locally will do our utmost to support Anna.

I will provide funeral details to you.

Chris "Blue" Lawless (ex EMWR)

[Seejay]

Just received this from Bob Wilson:

Some of you may have known or may not have known...Ken Cook has been in both Wyong Hospital and Gosford hospital for the last 4 weeks. He was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma - a rare form of cancer - typical of dad to get something left of field.

Unfortunately we lost him last night with Pat, David & myself around him.

Arrangements for his funeral are yet to be made but will let you know asap.

If you can think of anyone who might have missed (sorry) please feel free to forward this message on.

Michelle Woodhouse (Ken's daughter)
if you need to contact...
0414 400 558
mlwoodhouse@optusnet.com.au

[piquet]

This is not "Crazy Cook" is it?
Gosh, I hope not as if it is then its another member of my JR intake that has crossed the bar
Either way my condolences to the family. This cancer thing is insidious.

regards

[Ray Lawrence]

Your hopes is right Peter, Crazy was William Cook, paid off as a CPOMTP, last I heard he is in MacKay, QLD.

Hope you are still travelling well.

Ray

[piquet]

Im relieved at hearing that news
Thanks for your thoughts. My cancer is travelling really well. To the extent that the heamotologists ar more concerned that something else may take me out not the leukemia. Go figure

[Hippy Chippy]

Wal 'Midge' Midgley informs us that Ken was an early MOBI; there is a K.J. Cook in the 3rd MOBI Intake of July 1957, (as yet unverified...)

If verified, (as is our custom,) Ken, as one of 'us', is deserving of his own Topic...



P.S. Yesterday I received the following confirmation from Ken's classmate and buddy, Tom Shaw ...

Hi Rick

I have just checked into your web site and noticed the entry re my great friend Ken Cook.

Ken passed away on Friday as his daughters email said.

Ken was in the third entry into Nirimba and eventually paid off as a WOMTH.

I am sure we all send our sincere condolences to his wife Pat and their family.

Ken was always first to respond when I sent out an email to organise our lunch and get together before Xmas each year.We will miss his great company.

I will inform you of Kens funeral arrangements when known.

Regards

Tom Shaw.... mobi 17

Accordingly, Ken has been given his own topic HERE...




Webmaster's Footnote:

Members are reminded that, as RAN Skilled Hands was primarily created as a communication platform to connect the broader RANATE Community,
via our own unique form of 'social media', any Ex-MOBIs, Muppets, Phasies, Drect Entry Tradespersons, Instructors, Officers and Ships Company
'departing this mortal coil' should be honoured with a dedicated 'VALE' Topic of their own...
Conversely, the RAN was (and still is,) a big firm. To honour the passing of those not fitting the above criteria, please continue to use this Topic...

[piquet]

12 months since my mate Reg Coldwell died. Great guy sadly missed
cheers

[Ray Lawrence]

I have just found out that ex LSMTPD3* Geoff 'Flash' Jordan passed away on the 3rd of November.

Funeral to be held on Thursday 7th of November at 1100 at Mersey Vale Gardens Chapel & Crematorium 20-24 Stony Rise Road Devonport.
In lieu of flowers donations may be given to the Royal Flying doctors.

May you have smooth seas and fair winds Geoff, your watch below is over.