www.ran-skilledhands.net

I cannot really remember Ray but PK's words tell me he was a very well respected man who stood up for his troops!

Smooth seas Ray and RIP.

RIP Ray. I was his assistant at FHQ from 1980-83 when he was the Fleet Shipwright Officer. Ray was a dedicated officer who was thorough and professional in the way he required hull surveys to be carried out. Following on from Peter Sneddon's post above, immediately following my stint at FHQ I was posted to DNB, did the dockmaster's course and was involved in docking patrol boats. A much easier task after the construction of sidearms for use on the synchrolift cradle which I believe Ray was, in large part, responsible for introducing.

An e-mail from Bob Mummery tonight announced the sad passing of another of 'The Black Hole Gang'... Ex CERA Bob Woodland...

.......................................

Another passed to the Great Engine Room in the Sky.

I did not know Bob Woodland but many of you may have.

Yours aye

Bob Mummery

.....................................

Ex CERA Bob Woodland

Bob,

Some of your mailing list members may remember Bob Woodland, ex-RN and later RAN Chief ERA.

I understand he served in MELBOURNE and at NIRIMBA during his time in the RAN.

Bob passed away last night after a very brief illness with multiple cancers.

Regards,

Peter Plumridge

Bob was an instructor at Nirimba and I met him briefly when I was also on the instructional staff. Didn't know him well but in all my dealings with him he came across as an easy to get on with nice guy. Rest your oars Bob, may you have fair winds and following seas. RIP.

Dear All,

Many of you will have known the late Rear Admiral J.D. Stevens RAN ret., who passed away on Thursday 30th July after a short illness. The funeral notice is in today’s Sydney Morning Herald.
A Farewell service will be held at the Camellia Chapel, Macquarie Park Crematorium, cnr Dehli and Plassey Roads, North Ryde, at 10:30 am, Wednesday 5th August.

Yours aye

Bob Mummery

I have been advised that in today's Courier Mail is the funeral notice for:

Chief Petty Officer MTP3 Brian Charles Wood, aged 68, from Minden.

RIP Brian, finished with main engines, may you enjoy peaceful seas and warm breezes on your journey forward.

January 64 intake. Keith Wood's brother I think. Now I know what the FB article was about.
Fair winds and following seas fellow Tiff.

Brian is/was Keith brother and joined with me in January '64. Had many a good time with Brian and spent many a weekend on leave at their house in Canley Vale, conveniently next door to the pub. Had my introduction to Rugby League when I went with Brain, Keith and their elder brother Trevor and Lenny to my first game of League (Parramatta v Newton) at Cumberland Oval. Pretty one sided game from memory with the Thornett brothers Ken and Dick, Bob Bugden, Brian Hambly, Barry Leaney, Ivor Lingard, Ron Lynch, Barry Rushworth, Ron Willey playing for Parramatta and Bob Keys, Brian Moore, Paul Quinn, Graham Wilson and Clarrie Jeffries playing for Newton. I remember the day quite well as it was the first of many such outings that we went on including later RL tests against the Kiwis and the the Poms.

Unfortunately Brian didn't attend our 50th reunion last year. Very sad day indeed and too close to home.

Vale Brian, rest your oars. May you have fair seas and following seas. Condolences to Keith and all your family.

As it is our custom to give former RANATE Apprentices an 'In Memorium' topic of their own, I've
copy/ pasted the three (3) posts above into Brian's own topic which you can access HERE...

In todays Herald sun in Melbourne a notice from Waverly RSL. This person may have been an ex apprentice by his O/n number
Magee, Martin
Service number R46415, Navy
2 Dec 2015
From yesterday a family notice
Magee, Martin William Phillip (Capt)
20/2/1933-2/12/2015.
husband of Val
Father to 5 children and 11 grand children.