www.ran-skilledhands.net

Vale Chief ERA Norm Bence, who gently and peacefully slipped his moorings, crossing the bar at 0730 hours, on Friday 11th May 2007. Gone but never forgotten, his spirit lives on.

Mercifully, his passing was short and peaceful.

He was an inspiration to me, in my early twenties, and his memory - his leadership, intellect and skills - the things he imparted into me - were ever-present and with me in a wide variety of engineering appointments, ashore and afloat, for more than three decades.

He was a "sea daddy" to me, along with our CMDR E Jackie Markham and Senior E George Payne. - a hard task-masters, but moderated with compassion and wisdom. They believed in me, even when I didn't, and saw the potential in me that I was unable to envision in those early years.

Thank you Chief, for the way you helped shape my life and future for the better. You live on in me, and all those who served with you, and most especially Pauline and the children, as well as those around you in later life.

Flash Flesfader

Norm was one of 4 Direct Entry Tiffys that joined Stalwart in her early days. Other three were Phil Olsen, Graham Holmes and Bob Caplise.

All were great guys who were not backward in educating those they served with.

Last I heard of Norm he was at Mobil Reynella refinery in Adelaide before it shut down. Phil Olsen was in the west on oil rigs, and don't know about Bob and Graham.

Smooth seas and fair winds Norm and condolences to your loved ones.

Mike (Pony) Moore

I Commissioned Stalwart and I remember Norm, Phil and Bob well. We were all in the same mess at the time if my memory serves me correctly, so naturally went on numerous runs ashore together.

It is very sad to hear about our old shipmates passing away and I daresay it will happen more frequently as we get older.

My thoughts are with Norm and his family, rest in peace old buddy.

I remember Norm from his days as the Chief Tiff on the Stalwart and one day in particular when he downed a cup of (water he thought anyway) sitting on a water cooler. It turned out to be a solution of H2SO4 that someone for some unknown reason has left sitting there. The diluting agent fed him by the sick bay worked okay and there were no lasting ill effects, apart from a funny-tummy for a couple of days, but I can report that Norm had the whitest, cleanest teeth in the RAN for some considerable time.

Rest easy Norm.