Radschool Association Magazine

Radschool Association Magazine - Vol 27

Page 2

IN MEMORANDUM

Kev Rosser wrote to say:- “An old friend of mine, Mick Lawson, an ex TELSTECH, rang me a short while ago to tell me that Ross Lenske had died. Ross was a RADTECHA and passed through Radschool in 1965/6 or early 1967. I never met him while we were in the RAAF but I rubbed shoulders with him when I joined Queensland Railways in 1990. He was based at Hughenden as the resident Tech for, I believe 18 years, before I replaced him when he relocated to Emerald (North Western QLD). He returned to Hughenden several years ago and actually died on the job. He was a passenger in a small helicopter, returning from a remote radio site in western QLD when the pilot realised that he wasn't responding.

Ross had heart surgery at least 12 years ago. I hadn't had contact with Ross for a couple of years. There will blokes who will remember him”.

From Ernie Gimm, “It is my sad duty to advise of the passing of well known 'Communicator' Graham Beckman. Graham died on the 20^th January and his funeral was held on the 28th January at the Chapel of Centenary Memorial Gardens, Sumner, Qld. Graham was a well know member of the Comms fraternity and many will remember him as an instructor at Radschool, Laverton in the 60's. Others will remember him as the likable rascal that he was. He was an ardent punter and owned his own greyhound. I seem to recall that his wife was a Sgt Switchie in 1968. He will be missed by all who knew him and our thoughts go out to his family and friends on this sad occasion”.

Ernie Gimm also advises us that Bob Laxtor passed away on the 4^th Feb from complications following a stroke. His funeral was held on Tuesday 10th Feb at the Crematorium in Nambour (Qld) and he was later buried in the RSL section.

Steve Hartigan advises us that Cliff Dohle (right) has passed away and was buried on Monday the 9th February 2009 at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Seville, Vic. Cliff was a pilot with 9 Sqn in Vung Tau from June 1966 to October 1966 from whence he was awarded a MID. Cliff’s experiences in Vietnam were mentioned in Parliament – you can read the speech HERE. Our deepest condolences to his family.

Noel Hatfield advises that our friend and colleague, Tom Douglas passed away peacefully at his home in the early hours of Wednesday 4th February 2009 with his family by his side: loving husband of Lucy, father of Glen and Adam, father-in-law of Alison and Jody and extremely proud Pop to Abigail and Lily. For the past two years, Tom had been fighting a battle with cancer. His funeral was held in the Boyd Chapel SPRINGVALE (Vic) on Monday the 9^th February, 2009.

Dave Bell advises that John Tully passed away late in 2008, he thinks it was on 30 Nov? He died of cancer after just over a 12 month battle. His funeral was in Brisbane. Unfortunately, we have no further details

Ernie Gimm advises that:

Tom Clancy has passed away after battling cancer for some years. Tom was an ex RAAF FSgt Radtechg and spent some time at Radschool in the late 1960's as an instructor. He passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday 10th Feb and is survived by his wife Lynne and sons David and Denis and their families. His funeral service was held on Monday 16th Feb 2009 at the Lakes Chapel in Townsville. Some would remember him as the NCO/IC 11 Mile Transmitting Station in Darwin in the late 60's early 70's. Tom's first wife was a Pharmacist who died of a brain haemorrhage during that time. He returned to RAAF Townsville from Darwin where he later took his discharge and remained in Townsville ever since. He and his wife were very much involved in Toastmasters and the Choral Society. He will be sadly missed.

Ron Baxter (Ex WNG/CDR EngRad - right) passed away suddenly on Saturday 21 Feb 09. He went to hospital for investigative surgery on a shadow on his lung and died of heart failure a couple of days after the surgery. His funeral was held on Friday 27th Feb followed by a wake at the Caboolture Golf Club where Ron and his wife Lyn were members. He will be very sadly missed as he was a great mate.

Another of our members, John Edward (Speedy) Reid of Collie, WA has passed away. His funeral was held at the Bunbury Funeral Home on Thursday 15th January 2009. Ernie says he shared a room at Butterworth with Speedy, Cowboy Cowan and Toby Longwill in 1960-62. He was a wild member who loved his motor bike and a cold beer on a hot day or any other day. He will be sadly missed.

Steve Hartigan advises the passing of Peter Hewett on the seventh of March. Peter was from Perth WA and joined the RAAF in March 1964. In 1966 he was posted to 5sqn at Fairbairn and in August 1967 spent 12 months with 9sqn in Vung Tau, Vietnam. Pete was an airframe fitter. He also spent some time in Pearce, Williamtown and Darwin on the then SAR attachments. Peter’s funeral was held at the Crematorium Chapel, Traralgon Vic on Friday 13th March. He leaves a wife Wendy.

Dianne Buranyi-Trevarton got in touch, she says, “Dear Sir or Madam I am not sure if I have the right association or whether my Father 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, Bruce Murray HALL passed away on Thursday the 8^th January, 2009. At the time he was living in Clapham, SA. He was 74 years old and 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 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”.

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