Death & Funerals

We are saddened to announce the passing of Bill Devine, 2Pl A Coy, who left us last week in Western Australia. Our deepest condolences go out to his daughter Karen, his extended family, and friends. May he rest in peace.

Funeral details are tentatively set for Friday, July 12, at Fremantle Cemetery. We will provide confirmation once arrangements are finalized.

LEST WE FORGET

5 September 1944 – 30 June 2024

Aged 79 years

It is with deep regret that I inform you that Kel passed away after A long battle with cancer and other illnesses.

Kel joined the Army In the mid 1960’s and was allocated to RA Sigs.  He served in Vietnam with 557 Sig Tp in 1967 and on his RTA, he transferred to RACMP.

Kel served in Melbourne and Puckapunyal during his RACMP service and took his discharge in the mid 1970’s to pursue a career in the security industry.

Kel was a happy go lucky style of character who had a keen sense of humour and a good natured/fairness attitude to all.   He will be sorely missed.

LEST WE FORGET

Rest in peace digger, you have done your job and are no longer in pain. Thank you for your service, you are now in God’s hands. He will look after you.

We have received advice of the death on 26 June 2024 of SSgt Denis Tompkins.
Denis was well known in his role as Transport Sgt in 13 Fd Regt, which he performed in an exemplary manner. He diligently trained and coordinated his

team of drivers, who could be relied on to do their job well. In recent years he and his wife Jan lived in the Barossa, but notwithstanding the distance, they were regular attendees at Gunner Dinners in Adelaide. His
funeral service will be held on Friday 5 July at 1.00pm at Our Lady of the Catholic Church, 26 Gawler St, Nuriootpa. If you are able to attend, it will be appropriate to wear the Gunner tie and full-size medals.

RIP Denis Tompkins

Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
RAAHC
[email protected]

We have received advice of the death on 27 June 2024 of Brian William ‘Cluffers’ Cloughley. He was 84. Brian died peacefully in France, his home for many years, on 27 June ’24. In accordance with his wishes, he will be cremated without ceremony in Auxerre this Wednesday.

Brian joined the British Army (RA) in 1959 and transferred to the Australian Army (RAA) in 1970. In the RA he saw active service in Borneo (including serving as an FO with an Australian battalion) and Cyprus and was attached to the Jordan Desert Police Force.  Whilst in the RAA he served in Vietnam (Civil Affairs). He was deputy head of the UN mission in Kashmir (1980-83) and, later, Australian Defence Attaché in Islamabad (1988-1994). In 1985 he was appointed to the Order of Australia.  Following retirement from the Army Brian was involved in analysis of sub-continent affairs and wrote extensively on the region, as well writing several books.

RIP Brian “Cluffers” Cloughley.

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer

RAAHC

[email protected]

Please be advised funeral details will be published on Parkview Funerals website shortly. This will include details of live streaming.

www.parkviewfunerals.com.au

The service will be at 12:30pm next Wednesday 10 July 2024 at Parkview, 21 Kalinga St Ballina NSW 2478.

Give me a shout if you need further details and thank you for sharing with your network.

Regards,

Jono

0400 101 113

I have been advised that Billy Babbs has passed away. I have not been given any further information other than he served in 1 Platoon, A Company 8 RAR.

More information would be helpful

Ray

We have received advice of the death on 23 June 2024 of David Euan Spark. He was 88. David, aka Hughie, served in Malaya with ‘A’ Field Battery from 1957 to 1959, and again in Malaysia with 103rd Field Battery from 1961 to 1963.Hughie served two tours in Vietnam, firstly with 103rd Field Battery in 1967/68 and again with 1st Field Regiment in 1969/70. Hughie retired from the Army to the family grape farm near Mildura. At his request, there was no funeral.

Rip David Euan (Hughie) Spark

Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
RAAHC
[email protected]

It is with great sadness we advise of the passing of a true legend of our Corps BRIG Bert Barker, today in Melbourne, aged 102.

Until recently was a resident in aged care at Banora Point on the Gold Coast, moving back to Melbourne to be closer to family, he was focused on making sure his wife Nona was settled in the Victorian retirement village with their daughter. They would have celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary on the 15th July and Nona herself, a WWII veteran, turns 100 on the 31st of October this year.

BRIG Bert belongs to a rare cohort of servicemen because he was an original member of our proud Corps at our foundation in 1942. He served in WWII on operations in PNG and through his many postings, his various commands, training and staff appointments over 33 years’ service, it is clear he made a huge contribution to the Corps, the Army and the ADF. He served as Colonel Commandant 1 Military District from 1980 to 1984 before retiring.

Bert was RAQ Member No.591. He received a Chairman’s Award in 2019 and in 2022 was awarded ‘Honorary Life Membership’ of the RAEME Association Queensland for his significant contribution to our Corps over a lifetime.

Arte et Marte

Rest in Peace

Barry Shipway (Welfare Rep)

We have received advice of the death on 31 May 2024, after a brief illness, of Geoffrey Claude Darracott. Geoffrey served with the 3rd Australian Light Anti-Aircraft and Searchlight Regiment from November 1951 until August 1956. He was a proud Life Subscriber of the RAA Association (Qld) Inc and marched behind their banner of a number of occasions over the years. A memorial service will be held for Geoff on Thursday 27 June 2024 at Gregson Place, Caloundra commencing at 11.00am.

RIP Geoffrey Claude Darracott

Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
RAAHC
[email protected]