Radschool Association Magazine - Vol 26   

Page 2

  Privacy Policy     |     Editorial Policy     |     Join the Association      |     List of Members     |     Contact us      |      Index     |     Print this page

 

IN MEMORANDUM

 

 

Steve Hartigan advises us that Rick Wetterall, who was a loadmaster with 9 Sqn on both the Iroquois and Blackhawk helicopters, was one of the drivers of the Tilt Train that crashed recently in North Queensland.

 

On the 27th November, the north-bound Tilt Train, travelling from Brisbane to Cairns, collided with a semi-trailer at the Bruce Highway level crossing at Conn, 20 kilometres south of Cardwell.

 

Both drivers of the train were killed.

 

Steve said he will pass on any more information when and if it comes to hand.

 

Steve also advises the following sad news:

 

 

  • Mônsenior John Granall MBE passed away on Tuesday morning (30th December, 2008) after a fairly short illness (Leukaemia and Cancer). There are many troops from Vung Tau (1970) and Australian bases who would have had an ssociation with John.

 

His funeral was held on Tuesday 6th January at the Sacred Heart Church Wallerawang, NSW, (out near Lithgow) from whence he was burried at the Pipers Flat Catholic Cemetery. This was followed by official speeches and an eulogy at the Portland RSL Club.

 

  • Trevor Burgess, a helicopter pilot of considerable renown, who was with 9Sqn in Vietnam from May 1971 to Dec 1971 and more importantly, was a bloody good bloke, has succumbed to a protracted battle and passed away on the 23 Dec 08.

 

Trevor was a RAAF direct entry graduate of No 73 Pilots' Course and No 12 Iroquois Conversion Course. I was fortunate to be a fellow course member of his and to accompany him on tours in both 5 & 9 Sqns, including his tour of South Vietnam in 1971. Post RAAF he had a long and distinguished career as a civilian helo pilot.  Trevor's funeral was held in Adelaide, on the 29 Dec 08.

 

 

 

Mick Gwin's daughter Tania had advised us that Mick Gwin had terminal cancer and had been admitted to the Redcliffe (Brisbane) Palliative care hospital. Unfortunately, Mick passed away and we’ve been advised that there will not be a funeral service, instead, Mick will be cremated.  There will be a memorial service in honour of Mick on a date to be advised.

 

 

 

Neil hunter advises us of the passing of Don McConville on Saturday 13th December. Don will be remembered by many as the person who taught the KW26 and other equipment in Hangar 35 at Laverton in the 60s and early 70s.  Don's funeral was a Requiem Mass at St Peter's Church, East Keilor, Vic on Thursday 18 December.

 

 

 

Ernie Gimm advised us earlier that Peter Winyard was not well - he had been diagnosed with cancer of the lungs, liver and kidney – and had been on chemo, but it was suspended following a family conference with the hospital staff. Ernie says that Peter was diagnosed with the cancer during his annual medical check-up.

 

Unfortunately, Peter passed away on Sunday 4th January 2009. Ernie says most would remember Peter as the WOff I/C Radio Workshops at Frognall before he was commissioned. He spent some time at MTU/Laverton where he held the position of BRADO in 1976 and eventually retired as a SqnLdr RadO.  In retirement, Peter and his wife Kitty lived in North Rockhampton. Peter’s funeral was held on Thursday 8th January 2009, he is now out of pain and at rest.

 

 

 

We heard from Dianne Buranyi-Trevarton. She says, Dear Sir or Madam, I am not sure if I have the right association or whether my father, Bruce Murray HALL - DOB 21/2/1934,  was involved long enough with your association for you to have kept him on the member list. However, I do know that he and my mother came to a reunion in Ballarat some years ago, which meant a lot to him.

 

He had served his National Service at RAAF Radschool Laverton in the early 1950’s.  (I think about 1952/1953).

 

Anyway, this is just a courtesy email to advise that my father has passed away last week, on Thursday 8th January, 2009.  He lived in Clapham, SA.  He had been sick for the last two years (dementia), and went into a nursing home a year ago. Both my parents have now passed away in the last 6 months.

 

His National Service was significant to our family, as in 1978 I had married the son of his friend, Robert William Field, from Melbourne, that he had met through his National Service. Although the marriage ended and I have since remarried, it still remains a significant influence on my life.  My eldest son is from that marriage.

 

I just wanted you to know in case anyone from that reunion has been trying to contact him.

 

Yours sincerely,

Dianne

 

 

 

 

 

Back     Go to page:  1  2   3   4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19     Forward