In Remembrance of Gerard Gabbett
Good on you, mate - may you rest easy
Gerry died on the 27th February 2011, far too young...
Around 200 persons attended Gerry’s funeral and among these were some ex-firies:
Ernie Dare, Lee Croft, Ray Davison, Reg Reilly, Paul Healy and Gerry’s best mate, Bernie Winkel.
Ernie Dare extended sincere condolences to Diana on behalf of those ex-firies known to Gerry, but who were unable to attend his funeral.
Gerry enlisted in 1968 - Fire Course 19 - he served at Amberley during his RAAF career with a posting to Butterworth, Malaysia in 1971/73.
He returned to his trade as a butcher after leaving the RAAF.
Dave Ryan
Dave passed away at his home in Seabrook (Laverton) Victoria on Monday 29th August 2011. Dave was 73 years old.
We extend our sympathy to all his family and friends.
Among the many mourners at Dave’s ‘Celebration of Life’ were ex-R.A.A.F Firefighters: Ray Moody, Ron Dopper, Jim Rappolt, Ces Boyter, John Kennedy, Mal Marsland-Kelsey and Steve Cooper. The family expressed their thanks for help received from Peter McGraw.
After his R.A.A.F career ended, Dave worked for Toyota as a Fire Officer and then moved to Wormald for a short time before returning to Toyota, servicing sprinkler installations.
Rest in Peace, Dave...
Clive Charles Jones
Clive passed away on the 4th September, 2011 aged 70 years
We extend our sympathy to all his family and friends.
Thomas Francis Docherty (RIP 2nd September 2005).
Tom began as a fireman graduating from Course number 2 on 03 May ,1957, after previous service in the army. He was one of the originals and the best, remembered as a tough man and a fair boss, always a staunch defender of 'his troops' to outsiders. Tom's reputation as a pugilist is legendary, born during his army service and can be testified by many who dared speak ill of his firemen.Tom rose to the rank of Warrant Officer and served many years in the top job ,especially at Townsville, and as Warrant Officer in charge of the Fire School. Tom was fiercely proud of his family, wife Lorna and his son,Wesley, and to them we send our condolences and best wishes. Rest in peace Tom we will never forget you.
2nd July 2014 - Townsville, Queensland - eulogy by Tom Thompson
Sadden to see our mate and colleague Doug Mills has passed away. I feel fortunate and privileged to have served with Doug.
His great sense of humour kept us all entertained. He will be sorely missed but not forgotten by all his RAAF mates.
Our sympathy and condolences to Chris and family.
His flame has gone out but the warmth of his friendship remains
Bob Perry passed away on the morning of Sunday 16th August 2015.
Bob was above all a family man, and our sincere condolences and sympathy go to Jenny and their girls, Kylie, Yvette and Anthea for their loss.
Bob had fought gallantly against a debilitating and terrible disease for many years. He was an honest man who supported his many friends with his sense of humour, his willingness to participate, to give himself whole heartedly to a cause and to defend not only himself, but any mate that Bob thought worthy of his respect.
Bob loved football, as a player and supporter. His SA teams, Norwood and the Adelaide Crows saw Bob at home games cooking a BBQ and dishing out a few brown milkshakes before the siren sounded start of play.
In recent years, Bob was a team player and supporter of the Adelaide Phoenix Dragon Boat Club, competing locally in South Australia and at interstate competitions.
Hailing from Barmera in the Riverland, SA., his love for the country was paramount. Bob enjoyed the outback life and was often away, happily behind the wheel heading for the Alice and on to Darwin, NT.
Joining the RAAF as a steward, Bob re-mustered to fireman and later to cook. A varied career that, on discharge, saw Bob continue as a reservist in 24SQN.
Jenny and Bob returned to the Riverland and purchased two fruit blocks, invested in real-estate and continued to live life to the full.
He joined the Department of Correctional Services SA and while with 24SQN became a 4WD instructor.
Bob Perry, you will be remembered. Rest peacefully, mate… Chas.
Robert Jack Perry ‘Bob’ 16.3.1949 - 16.8.2015 was laid to rest in the Barmera Cemetery on Friday, 21st August 2015. He was farewelled by a large number of family and friends, many travelling from interstate to pay tribute to a good bloke.
Ex-RAAF Firefighters, Gary Helman, Chas Adlard and Reg Brady were present to show their respect for Bob and his family.
Rest in peace, Mick Warden. Good on you, mate...
My condolences to Josie and the Warden family.
Chas.
Ian Krause graduated on No.19 Fireman course in 1968, and passed away in 1994. I first met Ian at an exercise in Tindal in 1970, and again in Townsville in 1971, and Amberley 1985 . Ian was a likable, feisty young bloke, whose high intelligence and work ethic made him an exceptional, and admired workmate. He rose to the rank of FSGT before electing discharge having qualified for pensionable retirement. He loved his family and kids, and was a connoisseur of red wines. Ian was a good boss and ahead of his peers with his analytical approach to effective firefighting in an era when much of what we did lacked same. It was a sad day when he died of cancer at his retirement home in the seaside town of Bowen, aged 45 years. Ian will be remembered. RIP.
Remembered by Greg Voss.
Warrant Officer Kevin Cummins was devoted to the RAAF , having come from the RAAF Reserve into the PAF Fire mustering in the 1970's. After rising to the rank of WOFF, he retired in 1988, and continued serving as a FLGOFF in the Air Force Cadets mentoring young blokes until finally giving it away in the 1990's . I served with Kev at Amberley in 1983, and Butterworth in 1985 . He presided over the move of the Fire school from Point Cook in 1987, and did a great job with establishing the Fire training Section at RAAFSFS Amberley. He was a strong disciplinarian, but a fair boss. Kev and Priscilla invested themselves selflessly in their family as evidenced by the success of sons Brady and Chris, in the RAAF and QLD politics respectively. RIP Kev Cummins.
Remembered by Greg Voss
Vale John Lambert (CPL retired) passed away at home in South Windsor NSW 14 Feb 2016 aged 76 years.
John joined the RAAF in the mid 1950's initially as an Equipment Assistant and remustered to Fireman (Basic Fire Course 11 - 1963) some years later. I served with John at RIC till he retired from the RAAF in 1976. John then joined the NSW Ambulance Service. John then went onto become a Senior First Aid Instructor with the Red Cross, until he retired.
John was an all round nice guy and never had a bad word for anyone. "Rest In Peace John Lambert, your duty is served".
Pete McGraw
(Information supplied by John's son Kieran Lambert, who is an Inspector with NSW Fire & Rescue)
Unfortunately, I can’t be here today to say goodbye to my old mate Griffo as I’m in Hollywood Hospital having my left hip replaced.
I wanted to be here to say a few words about Griffo on behalf of the RAAF Fire Fighters. I’ve asked Debbie Jacks President of the Bullsbrook RSL Club to read this out on my behalf.
Griffo was a student on Number One Basic Fire Course way back in 1957 and was then an instructor on the next five fire courses. Griffo served at various Bases around Australia as well as overseas, he was awarded a British Empire Medal for his involvement in saving a fuel tanker that caught fire at Richmond.
I first met Griffo or Scungy as his nickname was in his RAAF days in 1975 when I was posted to RAAF Base Pearce from my Basic Fire Course. He was my first boss as a fire fighter, he taught me a lot about the job. As a fire fighter Griffo always said “You don’t get paid for what you do, but for what you know”, and that was for fire prevention. At Pearce we had an old Antique Dennis Fire Engine. When there was a function on base like an Air Show, Christmas Party etc or even a function in Bullsbrook, the Dennis Fire Engine would show up at the Fire Section with Griffo driving it, with a bag full of rags, gallons of polish and Brasso and we would proceed to polish that Dennis until it was gleaming. The Dennis was Griffo’s baby.
When he was Senior Fire Fighter at Pearce, he spent a lot of time at the Sgt’s Mess, where he had two erections, the first being the brick BBQ and the second being a big Bird Cage. I thought this was the norm for Senior Fire Fighters, so when I became a Senior Fire Fighter myself, I was on the committee of the Sgt’s Mess, he taught me well. Griffo also became the first Life Member of the RAAF Pearce Sgt’s Mess.
Griffo was also Life Member of the Bullsbrook RSL Club Sub-Branch and Life Member of the Bullsbrook Bowling Club.
I was posted out of Pearce in 1978 to RAAF Base Laverton, the next time I saw him he was doing a farewell tour around the bases before his discharge. I then saw him again at the Sgt’s Mess at Pearce when I was posted back in 1992, he still remembered me after 14 years.
When I was Senior Fire Fighter at RAAF Base Richmond in 1997, Griffo and his wife Faye were travelling from Bullsbrook to Townsville to visit his son Ian and his family. He rang me and asked if they could spend a few days with us. They arrived at our place, and my wife Marg said she’ll put the kettle on and make a brew for them. Griffo said “Thanks, but no thanks”, as he carried an esky in through the front door, “I have a drink in here.” He arrived at the right time as my car had been broken into and was in the garage being repaired. Marg ended up being the skipper for a few days as we travelled around Richmond and Windsor.
At the 50th Anniversary of the RAAF Fire Service held in Ipswich on October 2006, Griffo had the honour of unveiling a plaque at RAAF Base Amberly dedicated to all fire fighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.
As being the last member of Number One Basic Fire Course, you were held in the highest regard by your fellow Fire Fighters who have sent their condolences. Guys like Pat and Ted Mildren from Townsville, Pete McGraw from Richmond, Keran Carsburg and Greg Voss from Brisbane. There are a couple of ex Fire Fighters, Bill Woolrich and Mick Raven here today to pay their respects.
It was a privilege to have worked under you as my boss and to have known you for 41 years.
Rest in peace old mate, you served your country well.
Greg (Huggy) Hughes.
Greg ‘Huggy’ Hughes wrote this farewell to a colleague and a great mate who passed away on the 26th March, 2016. Thanks, Greg...
Doc Casey, remembered as a great bloke...
JIM BANCROFT
17 Oct 1950 - 1 Dec 2018
Jim was born in Liverpool, UK, and emigrated with his parents and sister when he was two. Leaving school at 15, he worked as a jackaroo on a station near Yunta SA for two years. When his parents moved to Ipswich QLD, Jim went with them, and in 1969, he joined the RAAF. Jim was on Basic Fire Course No 22, and was then posted to RAAF Williamtown. It was there that he was married to Vicki on 1 Apr 1972.
Jim was then posted to RAAF Laverton and was discharged in 1975. He then found employment as a Coach Captain in Melbourne with various coach companies, was popular with his customers, and enjoyed travelling. Jim and Vicki had two children, Sharyn and Travis, who, with their partners, have had three children in each family.
After 20 years operating coaches, Jim and his family moved to Alice Springs, where Jim worked in the security industry for two years. They then moved to Darwin, where for the next 20 years, Jim and Vicki operated their various business ventures for the tourism industry. Their last business, Darwin Reef N Wrecks Fishing Charters, sadly finished up in 2011, when Jim was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, and given only 9 - 15 months to live. With his determination and perseverance, Jim was able to have quality time with his family until he finally succumbed.
Vicki fondly recalled one of Jim's sayings, "You can make a mistake every day, as long as it's not the same one."
Garry O’Bree provided this eulogy for his great mate, Jim...
Dutchy ‘Alf’ Holland, passed away on the 21st January 2010.
Remembered by all as a great bloke, with a hint of mischief...
‘Onyer, Dutchy’
Brian Bateson passed away in 2021
For those of us who knew Brian as both a friend and work mate will share the memory of having known a great bloke.
I often saw Brian at the Craigmore shops in SA and as his memory faded, I had to nudge him a bit to recall my image. Trouble was, he remembered me from Butterworth in the early 70’s when my figure was a lot more trim.
The result of this meant he’d give me a dressing down (Brian style - very gentle) for having gained so much weight :). Again and again, and again...
Ernie Dare and I got to know Brian in Butterworth while on crew. His sense of humour and
friendly banter made Brian an easy bloke to like.
I have written the following ode for Brian...
His shadow, like most of all,
fell short of tall.
An ordinary honest bloke,
polite of voice when he spoke.
And remembered as a gentleman
who was, in fact, a gentle man.
A caring giving person who
having little, gave more.
Family mattered and friendship too.
At rest now - farewell, adieu.
By Chas Adlard © 2021
Before I conduct the Poppy Service for Pat I want to pass on my thoughts of Pat as a brother, a good mate and a fellow ex-serviceman. Most people would not realise that Pat would play a major part in my life and indeed he influenced my life to a large extent.
I was 9 years old when Pat joined the Air Force from the small town of Dimbulah, north-west of Cairns. In those days it was a pretty big deal for someone to join the military from a town of around 300 people but most of all to me, it was one of my big brothers who did that.
In 1962 when I finished my primary schooling it was decided that I would move from Dimbulah to Townsville to live with Pat and Patricia and start my secondary schooling at the Christian Brothers College which at that stage was on Stanton Terrace. During this time, I became a lot closer to Pat and Patricia and after he was born, their eldest son, Michael.
One of the stories that I have to share about Pat is something that happened on the 30 May 1963, the day Michael was born. For me it was a normal school day but the other thing that happened on that day was that a woman by the name of Judy Paterson also gave birth to their first born. Patricia and Judy were close friends and had nursed together while Pat and Roy Patterson, Judy’s husband, were also good mates as Roy was also in the Air Force. Pat picked me up after school and we went to the Centenary Hotel where Pat, Roy and a few others including brother-in-law Peter Sparks had just a few drinks to celebrate the arrival of both babies. Much later when it was time to leave, Pat was certainly in no condition to drive us home, so that task was delegated to me, as a 14 year old. We made it home without incident and I often took great delight of reminding Pat of this fact over the ensuing years. His response was that he must have done a good job of teaching me how to drive.
That period of my life in Townsville with Pat and Patricia set my mind on joining the RAAF and as a Fireman which I did some 4 years later.
During our Air Force careers Pat and I only got to serve on one base together and that was at Butterworth in Malaysia in the early 1970’s and it was during that time Pat got me, like he did with many others over the years, into playing golf.
Pat left the Air Force in 1978 and moved to Townville where he established himself in a new life. We also moved to Townsville in 1987 and once again Pat and I spent many hours together playing golf at the Townsville Golf Club. Pat did become quiet an accomplished golfer and he also served on the committee of the club and at one stage, as the Club Captain. Pat was also an active member of the Townsville Coast Guard for a few years. In 1990, Pat became one of the foundation members of the Townsville Branch of the RAAF Association where during the 31 years up to early this year he held the positions of Secretary, Branch President for five years and the Branch Welfare Officer for many years. Pat was always there to help others
In 2005, Pat and I had many long discussions about organizing a reunion to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the RAAF Fire Service in 2006 and through a lot of hard work by Pat, a very successful RAAF Firefighter reunion went ahead at Ipswich. From there, Pat also organized subsequent reunions in Melbourne, Canberra, Townsville and Nelsons Bay in NSW. The success of these reunions was no mean feat as they were organized from here in Townsville.
Out of the 2006 reunion it became very apparent that a lot of former RAAF Firefighters were being diagnosed with and dying from some very severe medical conditions. Pat began looking into this fact and realizing that those of us who had trained at RAAF Base Point Cook in Victoria as firemen or firefighters as we were later to become known were burning a lot of different flammable liquids and chemicals of which a large amount proved to be toxic and very dangerous to the health of those who had trained there. Pat then, with the help of Patricia, myself and several others, began the onerous task of gathering as much information as we could on chemical contamination and presenting this to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Pat, through his tenacity, fought this battle with politicians, high ranking members of DVA and Defence over several years and was never going to give up. Finally through the intervention of the National President and the then Deputy National President of the Air Force Association, the Minister for Veterans Affairs at the time told DVA to find a solution to the problem so that it could be addressed in the 2021 Federal Budget. This did happen and it has bought a lot of relief to the many former ADF Firefighters who are still suffering.
The point I am making today is that Pat took on the fight to help his fellow comrades and friends of the ADF Fire Services and he was never about to give up. I know the relief he felt when the 2021 budget was released and we were given the news that Department of Veterans Affairs have accepted thirty-one conditions that are ending and/or affecting the lives of so many. Pat, thank you from those of us remaining, we do owe you a tremendous debt of gratitude.
Ted Mildren
Below: Ted Mildren, kindly provided this well written eulogy
L-R: Phil Johnson, Glen ‘Ako’ Atkinson, Gordon Potter, Keran Carsburg, Lindsay Shaw, Kevin Tottle,
Front: Steven Swan
Below: some of his mates that said goodbye...
Friday 21st October 2022 at Elizabeth East SA we celebrated the life of Alan ‘Scotty’ Blake.
A large gathering of family and friends attended his final farewell, including many of his work mates and ex-RAAF firefighters. Among them were: Paul Flaherty, Peter Hancock, Tony ‘Dutchy’ Van Dijk, Reg Brady, Terry Merrett, Paul Spezzano, Chas Adlard, Les King, Philip Shephard, Geoffrey Mitchell, Andrew Marshall, Peter Morgan, Mark Stephens, John Kuys, Colin Buckby, Peter Rehn, Rex Smith, Lionel Barry, Brenton Smart, David Pollitt, David Palmer, Peter Wilson, Matthew Dunn, Glenn Channell and John Davis.
Left: Nom De Guerre (free verse)
Copyright A.J. Blake
Our mate, Roy Blakeman - known to many as Phil or ‘Boots’ - passed away on the 24th October 2022.
‘When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward. For there you have been, and there you will always long to return’ - Leonardo da Vinci.
Roy Blakeman 2nd March 1954 - 24th October 2022
Loving husband of Lyn
Adored father and father-in-law of Keely and Daniel
Beloved Poppie of Harrison, Reilly and Brooklyn
Loved Forever and Always
Ex-RAAF Firefighters: Tom Thompson, Reg Brady and Chas Adlard attended Roy’s last farewell...
