www.ran-skilledhands.net

I have now been able to confirm some sad news that I picked up from Facebook a few minutes ago, that Michele
Butcher, lovely wife of our buddy and 13th MOBI Intake Subs Tiffy (WO) Fred Butcher has passed away.

Fred tells me it was all quiet sudden, after Michele retired with a severe migraine, later passing away peacefully in her sleep...

I'd like to offer my sincere condolences to Fred and to son Nicholas.

That's very sad news. Worked with Fred for many years in the ILS Dept of ASC when we were building the COLLINS Class. I think the last time I caught up with him and Michele was in Tanunda at your last reunion.

My condolences to Fred and his family for their loss of a lovely lady.

Yes, Bob, I remember hooking you and Rhonda and Fred and Michele up over lunch at our 13th MOBI Intake 50th Reunion in Tanunda... Very sad indeed...

Fred was in fact ASC employee number 1 back in the old days when we prepared to build the COLLINS Class.

Seems another RAN rugby stalwart Ken "Fatty" McMiles OAM crossed the bar last month (24th Feb) at the age of 75. Ken coached many service ship/establishment teams along with navy inter service rep teams and I think he also coached a combined services rep team. Lots of good memories of Ken and he will be a sad loss to his family and the Camden rugby club where he also coached. Vale Ken may you have fair seas and following winds.

For those that know him and the others who know him by reputation I saw today the LCDR "Ike" Levy passed away last Friday. He was the XO at Lonsdale in the mid 1970's.
He may have been aGunnery Office but was in the same mould as WOCOXN Tim Collins. Really tuff but fair at the same time
Ike was a veteran of WW2, Korea, Malaya and Vietnam.
I had seen him at many Anzac parades over the years. He had change little over the years. I asked about him this year and no one knew. Then the news came out today.
Ike was aged 94 so he had an innings and a half

RIP Sir. You have done your nation proud.

I think he was at Lonsdale when I was, and as you said, PK, a very fair man... RIP, Ike...

Ike was there when I arrived which was in Early 1973. So he would have been there before that. Paddy Collins was the Fst Lt and Ike the XO. There is a photo of him posted on FB. I dont know how to repost it here. He was a bit eccentric. He was seen talking to the trees on the day/morning of Admirals Rounds telling them not to let any leaves fall. On reflection I think it was all a bit of an act to let us sailors think he had lost his marbles.

FB post: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pretty sure Ike was at Lonsdale in mid 74, and was present at the reading of my warrant for being a naughty little ABWM2. I remember he had the shits because I had not had my hair cut before having my warrant read. He was certainly a tough man back then. RIP Sir.

I was posted to Lonsdale for Duchess while she was doing her upgrade to training ship.

Yep he was there at that time.