raaf gunnies mail 5 may 2017 mail 5th may.pdf · due to the closing down of the moon & sixpence...
TRANSCRIPT
RAAF Gunnies Mail 5th May 2017
Keeping Gunnies in Touch
With Gunnies
Since 23 Jun 2001.
In this Edition…
Bloo Boxall – Funeral Details
Message from Shannon Shores
Grant McCormack is back
Barry Krosch meets Jenny Daetz
3 Sqn/ Butterworth reunion
Reg Adkins – RAAF Tokyo Guards
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Gunnie Ian “Bloo” Boxall - Funeral details.
From Rosco McCaig
Ron,
I contacted Bowra and O’Dea funeral directors today to enquire about Bloo’s
funeral as there has not been any notices as yet.
I was told after being questioned as to who I was and why I wanted to know that
there will be a service held at Bowra and O’Dea 131 Great Eastern Hwy
Midland at 10:00am 12 May 2017.
I am not sure if Bloo’s niece is aware that there may well be people wishing to
attend as he had little family left.
Regards,
Rosco McCaig
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George Shores
From Shannon Shores
Hi Ron,
I hope this finds you as well as can be expected in your circumstance, I think last time I spoke
your wife was unwell and I hope she is stable or improving.
On Saturday 29 April 2017 I was able to put my father to rest with my mother in a private
family ceremony in Gympie.
This was followed by a 'celebration of George's life' at the RSL.
Both parts of the day were a respectful and appropriate send off for my father. I got to hear a
few of the funny stories of his time in the RAAF and I was able to partake in a beer or two
with some gentlemen that I have not seen since I was in my early teens, in honour of my
father. While it was a somber occasion it was also exactly what he wanted, a celebration of
his life.
I would like to take a moment out and thank the Gunnies across Australia for their kind
words and support. Of particular note I would like to mention Graham Purbrick who was
tasked with the MC of the event and Bob Elliot who read the eulogy.
Kind regards
Shannon Shores
From Bob Cornwell
Ron,
Attended George Shores Memorial at the Gympie RSL yesterday 29th April, with twenty
Gunnies in attendance. I think I've got them all listed, my apologies to anyone I've missed:
Garry Snow, Greg Mcgaughey, Squeek Elliott, Warren Mazlin, Kem Everett, Baz Faulkner,
Titch Nightingale, Greg Jack, Bob Cornwell, John Clarkson, Bill Bulley, Chukka Clark, Jerry
Musk, Paul Dilks, Col Hill, Phil Ridley, Graham Purbrick, Bill Hewson, Peter Schaunberg,
Bags Baker, plus a Safety Equipo I didn't get the name of.
Kind Regards,
Bob Cornwell
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Merv Skinner
From Bill Eather
I worked with Merv 1960 to mid 63. He was the Sgt in charge Aden gun servicing..
for ..a sideline somebody decided to update a woman's and daughters home he
looked after most things .especially the volunteer workers.. everybody was happy
.the painting was done with bullet target paint.. in hindsight not great for the heat..
.I left and don't know how it was rectified . .a gentleman.
Bill
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From RAAF deaths Facebook page…. Vale Clifford Moore.
WW2 Gunnie…
S/No 49375 Clifford Kenneth MOORE. Clifford enlisted on 12 December
1941 and trained as a Fitter/Armourer. He was serving as a Leading
Aircraftman at No 1 Aircraft Depot when discharged on 4 January 1946;
From Ted Arneson
Hi Ron,
The attached picture was
taken recently in
Newcastle
L to R - Dave Cornish
(Framie) & gunnies Greg
Gannon, Ted Arneson,
Ian west John Campbell
Memories,
memories. Many were
discussed
Ted
********
From Barry Krosch – Anzac Day
Evening Ron
Been a big day here today with various ANZAC Services.
Guest speaker in town for about three days was a
Captain Jenny Daetz of the RAN.
She was excellent, and a credit to herself and the
Navy.
So her husband is a Mr Daetz, and his father is from
up this way, Stirling Peter Daetz.
Stirling lives in Maryborough now, but was born in
Mundubbera.
I chatted with him for a while at the RSL this
afternoon.
He was an Armourer with 9 Squadron in Vietnam.
I should have had a photograph taken for the web site. He is in town for another day or two,
so I will try to get a pic of the two of use tomorrow. Perhaps with Captain Daetz. He is very
proud of her, and so he should be.
http://www.vietnamroll.gov.au/VeteranDetails.aspx?VeteranId=1258175
Captain Jenny Daetz:- http://southburnett.com.au/news2/2017/03/naval-trailblazer-to-be-
guest-speaker/
Take care
Barry
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From … waiting your input!!
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From Grant McCormack
Hi Everyone! For those that have known me for some time would be aware that I have had an increased curve (kyphosis) in my thoracic spine. Well recently it had collapsed further requiring fusion to protect further pressure on my heart and lungs into the future. End result was fusion of ten of the twelve thoracic vertebra, 14 bolts and 2 steel rods. Home now but still need pain control. Positive side is that everyone recons I am now 2 inches taller!! So now I catch up on the 500 odd emails will I wait for the fusion surgery to mend!
Cheers
Grant
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Defence News – Airforce The May 4 edition of your fortnightly Air Force newspaper is now available.
PAYING TRIBUTE: Don't miss our seven pages of Anzac Day coverage on
commemorations at home and around the world. - Pages 1-3 and 12-15.
IN SYNC: No. 41 Wing provides seamless air and space battle management services during
complex bi-national missions operating out of the Northern Territory. - Page 4.
FLYING COLOURS: Our P-8A Poseidon operates for the first time from two of its forward
operating bases in Darwin and Learmonth. - Page 5.
And in sport: A Canberra-based PTI takes the number one world ranking within the elite
military CrossFit athletes category. - Pages 23-24.
Follow this link www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews
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Bombs, Bullets & Bullshit
Hi Ron, To mark the 50 anniversary
of 3 Sqn deploying to Butterworth in
Feb 69, a plan to have a reunion at
WLM around this date.
The contact for all the details to
register your interest is Blue Farrell,
email [email protected]
Phone 0266 832376, mobile 0418 667504.
The gunnies on this move are no rank…
PERKINS Rex, PENNA Dave, OHARA Errol, SAXTON Clem, EALES
Graham, LARSEN Robert “John”, MORRISON Greg, NEWBURY George,
SMITH Rodney, STREATER Nev, SANDERSON Kevin, ANDREWS Norm,
BRAUNHOLZ Stuart, DIBLEY Bruce, UNICOMB Brian, WHEBELL
Graham, MCCLELLAND Barry.
THESE ARE THE 4 GUNNIES NO LONGER WITH US THAT WHERE
ON THE DEPLOYMENT TO BUTTERWORTH FEB 69.
SGT AL WATTERS - MICK
CPL DC HOLT -TUBBY
LAC BF SMITH -SMITHY
LAC TH DEATHRIDGE -TREV
If all can attend should be interesting to see we still resemble
the young strappers we were, 50 yrs ago.
Regards Wheels
********
Gunnie Pic Review…
Photos featured here are of Gunnies from Days gone past.
Please send in your photos for consideration.
Some pics contributed to Gunnies Mail, others will be borrowed from other sources.
We will add Captions into the pics if you supply the details.
If sending in photos or other news please include your phone contact info.
From Reg Adkins…
G' Day again Ron
Your latest newsletter stated looking for photos from the Good old Days.
I thought you might like this shot, even if a bit grainy, due to immediately
ex wartime photo processing quality and a Box Brownie!
I wonder if there is anybody left older than Rex Moore and me, now,
I am now 90.5 and Rex was a year or so older than me.
I heard from him last Christmas, in Adelaide, when we still exchange cards.
In the photo we are on leave in Tokyo - a far cry from our own peasant
country village of BOFU, in southern Honshu, where 77 Squadron RAAF and
their Mustangs was based.
Tokyo had all the glitz & glamour of a big city but the Yanks ran it all, so we
were glad to get there if we could.
We had to work hard for the privilege, as members of the RAAF Tokyo
Guards complement, where our main duties were the ceremonial Guarding
of the Emperor's Palace and competing against the other services, such as
the USA, Britain, Indian and Australia.
Selection was at the end of an intensive period of 'Square Bashing' with
precision marching and .303 rifle drill, all done to perfect timing to show off
our abilities during the ceremonial Changing of the Guard, on the Palace
Square, when one Service would hand over the duties to the next. So we
worked hard to fight for a place on the Palace Guard.
I've stood guard on the Dog Watch (0001 to 0400) twinning with a US army
soldier from Alabama, yarning away about our various countries
and swigging a bottle of coke when the OIC wasn't looking!
There was no danger in these duties. It was a Ceremonial Guard, after all, as
General MacArthur had warned the Emperor to order his subjects to
behave.
The benefits of all this highly sought after posting were the above fleshpots
of Tokyo, the Beer and Dance Halls, the cheap souvenir shopping and the
luxury of the Union Jack Club, with all the mod cons of home and the tasty
three course meals, far different than the meat, beans & carrots fare of the
Base, and being treated like kings, instead of common old "Erks.
Rex and I are standing atop the Union Jack Club, obviously in winter time
wearing best blues and gloves.
Note the RAAF Guard in Summer Drabs, taking over from the Australian
Army and the airman in the middle of the front rank with his rifle well
askew. As we used to say - there's always one in every Squad!
And what became of those two young stalwart Armourers of the RAAF
British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) ?
Well, Rex stayed in the Permanent Air Force, retiring as a WOE and Reg
qualified as an Airline Pilot and spent all his time in the air, to retire at age
60
Thirty years later we are still kicking on, even if we did spend a bit of time
wandering around Hiroshima, a year and a half after the A bomb, with all its
so called residual radioactivity.
Regards Reg,
08 9364 5037
GM note… Thanks Reg for your input, great as usual.
I wonder who is our oldest Gunnie.??
We have…
Reginal Adkins - Born 7 Oct 1926
Rex Moore – Born23 Jun 1925
Felix Sainsbury soon to be 97 - Born 14 May 1920
******** From Kiwi Smith…
Mid Year Drinks in Melbourne 20 May 17
Young and Jacksons on Flinders Street @ Main Bar, 1300Hrs onward.
www.youngandjacksons.com.au
Right across from the Train station with car parking within a blocks walk.
See you all there to have a chat to YOUR Association “President and Treasurer” (Stompa and Phil Lovell) as they will be attending!
Kev (Kiwi) Smith
Gunnies Association Secretary [email protected]
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From---- Your feedback Welcomed
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From Jock Lawrie - West Aussie Mid-Year Reunion
Hi well it’s that time of the year again when I start rounding up numbers for the
Midyear reunion.
Due to the closing down of the Moon & Sixpence this year’s Reunion will be held at the
Globe Bar & Eatery at 495-497 Wellington Street Perth on the 20 May 2017 starting at noon
till 5 PM usual stuff buy your own drinks and counter lunches available.
So once again make an old man happy as I have quite a lot on my mind at the moment by
replying either in the affirmative or the negative so I can give the bar staff an indication of
numbers call me on 08 9306 1544 / 0424 320 643 or Email [email protected]
If you are coming by train direct access is available from Perth underground just go up the
escalator and turn left I think the way out says lane 41 if arriving at the old Perth station its
just about directly opposite the exit
Hope to see as many of you there come and spend a few hours with old mates and catch up
with new ones.
Cheers Jock
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From Bob Cornwell… National Gunnies Reunion
If you are intending to attend the 2017
National Gunnies Reunion to be held at
Wagga over the weekend of 27th -29th Oct,
please let me know. Contact me by clicking on
my email link… Here
National Gunnies Reunion Update
Latest list of attendees for National Gunnies Reunion as of 2nd
May 2017
Ron,
Had a couple more added at George Shores send off, here is updated list:
Grant Archer, Merg Bennetts, John Betts, Garry Bowman, Peter Bruce, Bill
Bulley, Bill Chambers, Gary Chambers, Justin Cockroft, Tony Cogan, Bob
Cornwell, Wayne Craker, Michael Cutler, Ross Daniel, Keith Davis, Dogs
Donaghy, Squeek Elliott, Kem Everett, Barry Faulkner, John Foxwell, Vic
Glazewski, Geoff Goss, Bill Hewson, Greg Jack, Bunya Jeffery, Steve Jeffries,
Max Johnson, Russ King, Dallas Lysons-Smith, Ian McLaren, Brian
Macklin, Toothy Martin, Warren Mazlin, Garry Miller, Percy Moles, Noel
Peterson, Ken Phelps, Stephen Polzin, John Pond, Rod Porter, Graham
Purbrick, Mark Quince, John Ravell, Phil Ridley, John Robb, Brian Roberts,
Matt Rust, Peter Shaw, Dep Sherriff, Mick Slater, Kiwi Smith, Terry Stamp,
Pete Steinert, Brian Stewart, Perry Thomas, Quentin Tomkies, Bruce Tough
and George Watkinson. And many partners, as well, of course.
Don't forget, contact me [email protected], or 0417 814 374
Kind Regards,
Bob Cornwell
Overland Corner SA
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2017 Gunnie Reunions!!!!!
Coming to an Area near YOU.
Listed so far….
Ipswich Brothers… Fri. 21st Apr. 16th Jun. 18th Aug.
20th Oct. 8th Dec.
Contact Dick Horder Here
Melbourne Vic
Mid Year Drinks In Melbourne 20 May 17
Young and Jacksons on Flinders Street @ Main Bar, 1300Hrs
Contact Kev Smith HERE
Perth WA Gunnies Midyear Reunion at the Globe Bar &
Eatery at 495-497 Wellington Street Perth Sat. 20th May starting at noon.
Contact Jock Lawrie Here
Wagga… National Gunnies Weekend 27th -29th Oct. Contact Bob Cornwell Here
Raymond Terrace… 24th Nov
Contact Greg Gannon Here
S Aust... ArmFest… Sat… 2nd Dec
Contact Russ King Here
WA Gunnies St Barbara’s Reunion 2nd Dec
Contact Jock Lawrie Here
Details required for the below…
Brisbane Mid Year ??
Contact Brian Cusack
Melbourne. Mid Year. ??
Melbourne. St Barbara’s ??
Tasmania Carrick Inn??
Townsville ??
Darwin ??
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And use the email address below.