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In Memory of:
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"Lucky" Watson.
David Marr advises the death of his long-time good friend and mentor, Lucky Watson. Lucky died on Christmas day and his funeral was held at the Maleny RSL hall on the 5th. January.
Lucky joined the RAAF in 1949 as an apprentice Radio Technician (3 Appy). On the successful completion of his training in 1952 he was posted to 86 Wing at Richmond where he served for 10 months before being posted to No.1 Sqn. in Tengah, Singapore, where during the Malayan Emergency, he worked on the Australian built, (yes, we could build things back then) Avro Lincoln bombers for 3 years. Lucky's next posting, in 1956, was to 36 Sqn. at Richmond where he made Sergeant in 1959 and Flight Sergeant in 1965 and in 1969 he was promoted to Warrant Officer. In 1969 he was awarded the British Empire Medal and my good wife Sabina and I were honored to be invited to attend as guests at the presentation by the then Governor, Sir Roden Cutler, at Government House, Sydney.
In 1970 Lucky was posted to RAAF Headquarters Melbourne where he served as, Acting Flight Lieutenant, Section Commander. He was offered Officer Training but declined as he preferred to remain a Warrant Officer, with all that goes with it. In 1973 he was posted to 2 Sqn. Amberley where he spent 14 months before taking his discharge, after 25 years of service.
As a civilian, Lucky worked as a RadTech in Mackay, before acquiring a taxi in 1975. He was subsequently appointed Director-Treasurer, then Chairman of Directors, of Mackay City Cabs. Lucky's next move was to Tewantin, where he acquired 2 taxis and operated as the Noosa Taxi Service. He was the Founding Chairman of Directors of the regional Suncoast Cabs Association and was subsequently elected for a second term. After selling the taxis in 1985, Lucky worked for Telstra in Nambour until he retired in 1990 at the ripe old age of 57. He and 3rd wife, Pamela, travelled extensively in the following years and finally settled in Maleny.
I first met Lucky in 1964, when I joined 36 Sqn. as a RadTech-Air. We immediately hit it off and he became my mentor and long-term friend from that time onward.
Lucky married 3 times: Firstly in Singapore, to Jessie. Secondly, while at Richmond, to Janet, who was a nursing sister at Kingswood hospital (with whom he subsequently had 2 children, Danielle and Cameron) and the third time, to Pamela. It was my honour, to be asked to serve as his Best-man at for the second and third wedding.
Lucky Watson was a true "gentleman" as in "gentle man" and I'll miss him greatly.
Farewell Lucky.................Old Mate.
Knobby Clark.
Ernie Gimm advises the passing of “Knobby” Clark. Knobby was a Teleg on 52 Telegs Course. He died on Sunday 10th January 2016. His death was kidney related and it was of his own choice that the machine he was on be turned off. He had a battle for a couple of years with being on dialysis and had numerous stents in his heart arteries and suffered mobility problems. He went into hospital the Saturday before Christmas. His funeral was held on Tuesday 19 January at the Morley Baptist Church, Bassendean.
James (Jim) Maitland Copeland.
Jim Copeland, born in England on the 29th May 1929, passed away peacefully on the 13th December 2015 at the St John of God Hospital in Geelong. He was 86 years old. Jim was a Sergeant “box packer” and served with 1OSU in Vietnam from May 1969 to May 1970. He was buried at the Drysdale Cemetery, Drysdale on the 18th December, 2015.
Norm Stanley
The Djinnang Association advises the sad news of yet another passing of one of their members. Norm Stanley passed away on the 18th December after a short illness with lung cancer. Norm, who was on 60 Telegs, was a very popular member and will be sadly missed.
Norm’s funeral was held at the St Andrews Catholic Church in Clarkson (a northern suburb of Perth WA), on the 24th December. A very sad Christmas for his family.
Len Blake.
Amanda Blake, Len’s daughter writes, “I wanted to let you know of the death of my Dad, Len Blake, who died late afternoon on the 21 December in Coolangatta, QLD. It was sudden and unexpected and despite being in his 20th year living with Parkinson's Disease, he was still the cheeky and loving man we've always known. Dad wanted to be cremated and his ashes scattered at sea. We will be arranging that.”
Len was on 37 Telsop.
David Miller.
Dick Tracey advises that David Miller passed away on Tuesday 01 December 2015 as a result of suffering from pancreatic cancer. David's served with 2 SQN in Phan Rang from December 1970 to June 1971 as a radio technician. His funeral was held at the Great Southern Memorial Gardens on Mt. Cotton Road, Carbrook (Qld) on Wednesday 9th December.
John (Jack) Aston Morse Bleakley
David Grierson, the President of the Balwyn RSL (Vic) informed us of the passing of Jack Bleakley, who died on the 31st of January a few days after a severe stroke, aged 94.
Although his service record merely records him as "telegraphist", Jack
was
Among their many achievements was the interception and recording of Admiral Yamamoto's flight itinerary that led to the interception and shooting down of Yamamoto's plane by USAAC P38 Lightnings. It was said that the death of Yamamoto shortened the war by up to two years. Jack's book, The Eavesdroppers, published in 1991, is compulsory reading for those interested in the secret war. He was in the process of reviewing a second edition at the time of his death.
Jack, although a forceful and interesting speaker, was a quiet, reserved gentleman who continued to support his service comrades until the end of his life. He will be missed by his few remaining comrades and all those who knew him. His funeral was on Friday 5 February 2016 at 1030, at St Barnabas' Anglican Church, Balwyn VIC.
Andrew Perry
The National RSL advises the death of FSGT Andrew Perry, who took his
life on the 20th December after a long battle with PTSD. FSGT
Perry joined
These events are very very sad and unfortunately, are a far too regular occurrence. So sad!! and completely unnecessary. Our political leaders can pour squillions of dollars into “feel-good” projects. There’s any amount of money available if you’re in the military and want a sex change, there’s money to pander to militant minorities, money to fund bureaucrats whose sole purpose in life is to fight applicants of the Gold Card, but they can’t find the funds to help our ADF members suffering after being sent into harm’s way…it’s all got to do with media interest…..Bastards!!! tb
Ian Greenacre.
Ian’s son, Peter, advises the sad news that Ian passed away on the morning of the 14th February, 2016. His passing was peaceful and he had his family with him. Ian’s funeral was held on the 19th Feb 16, at the Pinaroo Memorial Park in Padbury, WA. He was admitted to hospital early in Feb with heart problems which continued to deteriorate over time until he passed away on the Sunday morning. He had his family with him at the time.
Ian was a Teleg and a loveable bloke. God always takes the good ones first!!
Bill “Jaffer” Jones.
RG Thompson advises that Bill Jones had passed away on 18th September 2015. He had had pneumonia but died peacefully in hospital. Sorry, no further details.
Keith Schmerl.
Don Mazlin writes, “I recently came across a death notice for Keith Schmerl. Keith and I served together as Flt Lts at Amberley in the early 60s and he carried out an Armament Inspection of 79 Sqn at Ubon during one of my tours there. I think he also did a stint at SUPCOM late in his career. He was a most likeable fellow always with a smile on his face and I could never understand why he didn't kick on further. Maybe he didn't do promotion exams. There may be one or two of the old Gun Plumbers who remember him. He died 17 Feb aged 91 after a long illness. His funeral was held at the Tree of Life Chapel, in High St., Malvern, on Friday the 26th Feb.”
Darryl “Redders” Redding.
Dave Wilcox advises the sad passing on Thursday night, 10th March, of former SQNLDR Darryl “Redders” Redding. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at home after a long battle with cancer. Darryl’s funeral was held on Friday, 18th March at “Go Fly Aviation” in Caloundra QLD followed by refreshments at the Caloundra Air Museum.
Darryl joined the RAAF as a Nav early 70’s and went on to fly P3’s and F111’s (F111 Conversion from Aug75). He completed pilot training about ’81 or so, and flew Caribous at 35SQN and TSF Butterworth.
Bob Cook.
Chris Beazley advises the passing of SQNLDR Bob Cook on the 18th March at 02.05am. Bob was a Caribou Pilot with 38 Squadron and saw service with the Peacekeeping UNMOGIP Air Unit in the late 70's in Pakistan. In the Airforce Reserve, Bob was the Senior Hot Air Balloon Pilot and Check Captain. Sorry – no further details.
Leonard James Jacob.
Joy Jacob advises us that her “husband, Len passed away on Sunday the 20th March 2016. Len was born on the 21st November 1937 and was aged 78 at his passing. He battled Leukaemia for 4 years and 10 months. Len had previously asked me to ensure that I contact you with these details. Len was on 47 Teleg.
Can I ask that you now delete his email address for future mailing.
Thank you and kind regards”.
Walter “Dave” Easter
Peter Cross writes, “It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Walter "Dave" Easter in hospital on the 19th of February. Dave's funeral was held at Seasons Funerals Chapel, Redcliffe WA on the 29th February, 2016”.
Sorry, no further details.
Frank Moylan.
We received notice from John Sambrooks that Frank Moylan died on the 7th April, 2016, aged 78. Frank was a nasho with the Army from August 1956 to November 1956 where he was trained as a signalman, he then joined the CMF until September 1957 after which he joined the RAAF and was trained as a sumpie and served with RTFV in Vietnam from Sept 1964 to April 1965. He retired from the RAAF in 1969 with the rank of Cpl.
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an acting Sergeant with 1 Wireless and 5 Wireless Units (RAAF) during
WW2 and in fact, was one of the few Australian and American Katakana
operatives whose duty it was to intercept, record and decode Japanese
radio transmissions (see
the RAAF in 1987 as an ADG, touring Iraq and Afghanistan throughout his
service. A true gentleman, we are forever grateful for his dedication
and service to our country. A memorial service was held for Andrew at 2
Security Forces Squadron Headquarters, Airfield Defence Association
Memorial, RAAF Base Amberley on the 22nd December.
