Ray,
From today’s GCB.
Barry and his wife ran the Sallyman at LWC in the early 90s I recall.
I thought I had a photo in my files, but I can’t locate it.
The medals indicate East Timor.
Ross Eastgate
We have been advised of the death recently (March 2025) of Lawrence Fredrick Willey. He was 80. Laurie served in Vietnam with105th Field Battery /1st Field Regiment from September 1965 until September 1966. Laurie returned to Vietnam with 4th Field Regiment in April 1967, returning to Australia in March 1968.
Laurie was a life member of the 105 Battery Association and over the years, an active committee member. Laurie had been living with his family at Duncraig , WA.
A funeral for Laurie is planned for Thursday 3 April commencing at 11.00am at the Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park, Whitfords Avenue, Padbury, WA.
RIP Laurie Fredrick Willey
A funeral for the late Ian Jewel will be held on Monday 24 March 2025 at the Great Southern Memorial Park, 1774/1794 Mount Cotton Road, Carbrook, QLD commencing at 9.30am. Ian’s military service included time in the RAA, SASR and Commando units.
RIP Ian Jewel
Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company
More on Ian Jewel
13446 Ian Joseph Jewel
DOB 12 September 1936
Enl 15 Sept 1953
Malaya Bdr 105 Battery 12/9/55-2/9/57
Borneo Sgt 2 Sqd SAS 28/1/66-27/7/66
2CDO Coy UK
SVN WO2 AATV 24/6/68-9/7/69, 30/8/71-19/3/72
Awarded the SVN Gallantry Cross with gold Star
Awarded SVN Armed Forces Honour Medal 2nd Class
Awarded Cambodian National Defence Medal with Bronze Star
Discharged 4/10/77
We have received advice of the death on 15 March 2025 of Ian Jewell. He was 89. Ian served with 105th Field Battery in Malaya during 1955 to 1957 and was a Life Member of the 105th Battery Association. Ian had been in hospital following a severe stroke but did not recover. No funeral details at this stage.
RIP Ian Jewel
Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company
The family of our good friend, Brian Frederick Swift (Swifty) have advised of his death on Friday 14 March 2025. He was 74. Brian served in Vietnam with Headquarters Battery 4th Field Regiment, from March 1970 until March 1971. He later transferred to Army Public Relations and worked with the ‘Army’ Newspaper.
After Army, he was a businessman, served in a Public Relations role with the Australian Federal Police and later the Queensland Police.
Brian passed away peacefully surrounded by family in Buderim Private Hospital. He is survived by wife Sandi, children Chris, Mark, Paul, Peter, Karen and Robert and Grandchildren Abbie, Wil, Jayden, Jack, Samantha, Fraser, Theo, Kirra, Max, Liv, and Leo.
A celebration of life service, including an RSL Poppy Service, will be held on Thursday 20 March from 11am at the Kawana Surf Club, 99 Pacific Bvld, Buddina. Following the service, the family invite you to a wake at the same venue where stories and memories can be recalled. The family have asked that you wear something that reflects your connection with Brian, but there is no obligation.
RIP Brian Frederick Swift
Peter Bruce.
We have received advice of the death on 15 March 2025 of Allan Bradley Henderson. He was 76. Hendo was a National Serviceman who served with 107th Field Battery in Vietnam from May 1970 until May 1971 as a gun number on Alpha gun. He was an active member of the 107 Battery Association and he and wife Lyn attended most or the Association’s reunions.
RIP Allan (Hendo) Bradley Henderson
Peter Bruce.
Sadly, John passed away at 12:30 pm yesterday (17/3) after a long period of suffering. He passed peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.
I spoke with his wife, Judy, who said he is now at peace, free from pain. She also shared that John wished for a very private family funeral.
John served in Charlie Company, 1RAR, as a Lance Corporal and was highly respected for his professionalism and dedication. He later returned to Vietnam with 1RAR as a Sergeant.
A proud resident of WA, John will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of serving alongside him.
Lest We Forget
Ray Payne
We have been advised of the death on 14 March 2025 of Robert (Bob) Collins. Bob graduated from RMC Duntroon in December 1969 and served in various RAA appointments including Battery Commander of 102nd Field Battery and later, Commanding Officer of 10th Medium Regiment in Geelong. He spent time as a United Nations Observer in the Middle East during the late 1970s. He will be remembered for his outrageous love of life, his loyalty to his mates and his faith.
Bob was admitted to hospital on Tuesday and multiple cancers were found and he went down rapidly.
RIP Robert Collins
Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company
A funeral for the late John Lachlan Macpherson (Greymac) will be held on Thursday 20 March 2025 at 1300 hrs at St Jude’s Church, 38 Bendooley Street, Bowral.
RIP John Lachlan Macpherson.
Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
RAAHC
It is with great sadness that I advise the passing of NOA member Rear Admiral Tony Hunt AO RAN Ret’d. Our sincere condolences go to his wife Cecile and to his extended family.
From the Navy Sea Power website:
Anthony “Tony” Hunt was born in Melbourne on 14 July 1938 but spent his school years in South Australia. He joined the Royal Australian Naval College in 1954 as a member of the intermediate entry. As a junior officer under training, he served in RAN and RN ships. After graduating from Melbourne University in 1961 with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, he undertook further professional training in the United Kingdom and qualified as a Weapons Electrical Engineer.
He served in a number of naval aviation postings including Squadron and Air Group Technical Officer (both at the RAN Air Station at Nowra and in HMAS Melbourne), Staff Officer (Avionics) to the Australian Naval Attache (Washington) and Air Engineering Officer at HMS Daedalus in the United Kingdom.
Following service as the Weapons Electrical Engineering Officer (WEEO) of HMAS Duchess, he was promoted Commander in 1972. He was subsequently promoted Captain in 1978 while serving as the WEEO of HMAS Melbourne and was then posted as Superintendent of Aircraft Maintenance and Repair (1979) and then as the Navy Helicopter Project Director (1980-85) responsible for introducing the new Seahawk helicopter into RAN service.
He was promoted Commodore, in August 1984, and then served as Director General Equipment Projects (1985), Deputy Chief of Naval Materiel (1985-87) and Director General of Naval Programs and Resource Management (1987-89). In 1985, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for service to the Royal Australian Navy, particularly as the Helicopter Project Director.
He was promoted Rear Admiral in August 1989 and served as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff – Materiel until January 1993 during which time he was appointed as an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO), in June 1991, for service to the Royal Australian Navy, particularly as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff-Materiel. Tony Hunt’s final appointment in the RAN was as the Flag Officer Naval Support Command commencing on 1 February 1993. Rear Admiral Hunt retired from the RAN in mid-1995.
Regards Simon
Simon Cullen
Rear Admiral RAN (Ret’d)
President, Naval Officers Association of Australia
Mobile: +61 401 641 312
Email: [email protected]