Death & Funerals

Sad news, Billy Skinner ex – 2 RAR. Vietnam passed away peacefully in his sleep at 4.08 am yesterday. He had been fighting a very aggressive cancer, beat it twice before but on Monday he had a heart attack, was rushed to hospital, they resuscitated him but broke a rib or two in the process, hence putting him in extreme pain. They gave him something to relieve the pain. In the end I think he just wanted to go to sleep. Both his daughters, Karen and Ann were by his side when he gave three deep breaths and he went into eternal peaceful sleep. I got there early morning, as I drove all night from the Gold Coast to the Central Coast NSW. Rest in Peace Bill, love you like the brother I never had.

Bob Meehan

Sadly, I advise that Richard passed away on Thursday, 23nd May in Fremantle following a battle with cancer. He was platoon commander of 11PL D COY at the Battle of Coral. At this stage there are no funeral details, I will advise when known.

RIP

Peter Harrower

SGT Vincent ‘Vince’ Cleary died on Monday 20 May he had been suffering for some time.

Vince enlisted in 1962 completed his recruit and corps training and was posted to Echo Company, 1 RAR. He was a founding member of 5 RAR on 1 March 1965. Vince deployed to Vietnam with 1 Platoon, Alpha Company in May 1966 and served for the complete 1966-67 Tour of Duty. He returned to Australia, with the Battalion, aboard HMAS Sydney docking on 12 May 1967

A Funeral Service will be held for Vince on Thursday, 30th May 2024 at 11:00 hours at Albany Creek Memorial Park, 400 Albany Creek Road, Bridgeman Downs, QLD.

Regards,

Gary Townsend

5 RARA Membership Officer/Tiger Tales Editor

[email protected]

A funeral for the late Paul Joseph Feeney will be held at St Lucia Golf Links, Carawa Street, St Lucia commencing at 1.30pm on Thursday 30 May 2024.
President of RAA Association Queensland has requested medals be worn as appropriate.

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

There will be a memorial service for Hori on Thursday 6 June 2024 at the Thirroul RSL (located at Club Thirroul) 2B Station Street, Thirroul, NSW, commencing at 1100.

For any other info contact Mick Howard – email: [email protected], mobile 0417 298 071

Regards

Bob Dabinett, OAM, JP(Qual)

I have been advised that MAJGEN Barry Hockney has passed away, but I have no other details. If anyone can help, please email me at [email protected]

Ray

We have received advice of the death on 18 May 2024, after a long battle with cancer, of Lt Col Paul Joseph Feeney RFD (Retd). He was 84. Paul served with the RAA from 1962 to 1990, including periods with the 11th, 5th and 5th/11th Field Regiments.

Paul participated in a Citizens Military Force (CMF) Officer Visit to 12th Field Regiment in Vietnam during September/October 1968. His final RAA posting was CO of 5th/11th Field Regiment from July 1978 to June 1981. After serving as CO he was a Tactics Instructor at 1st Training Group Wacol, Command and Staff Wing. Paul was a Life Subscriber of RAA Assn (Qld).

Funeral details to follow when available.

RIP Paul Joseph Feeney.

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

I have been advised of the loss of one of our Tribal Elders. Major General B.W. ‘Hori’ Howard AO MC ESM died in Canberra on 16 May 2024.

His son Mick stated, “After a very challenging couple of months Dad passed away earlier today. One of a kind and a tough bastard. Memorial details to follow.”

I’m sure you will share with me sending our deepest sympathy and condolences to his son Mick, his Family and the wider Howard Family.

Rest in Peace Hori your Duty has been done.

I will advise funeral details when they come to hand.

We have received advice of the death on 12 April 2024 of Ross Prowse. He was 78. Ross was a National Serviceman who served in Vietnam with 102nd Field Battery from March 1969 until August 1968. A funeral for Ross was held on Anzac Day.

RIP Ross Prowse.

Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer