Death & Funerals

Sadly, I advise that Les Dennis has passed away on Sunday 6^th August after suffering from a heart attack.

Les was the quintessential Army Water Transport Sapper, right through to his reaching the heights of the RSM of the 1 Terminal Group RACT a long and distinguished service in the RAE and RACT.  He will be badly missed by all with whom he served.

To his family and friends, condolences are offered, he will be in our hearts forever.

I thank Ross McMurray (whose message is below) for passing in this sad news…… including details of Les’s forthcoming funeral.

His funeral service will be at 2.30 pm on Wednesday 17 August 2023 at West Chapel, Pine Grove Cemetery, Kington Street, Minchinbury NSW 2770 (near Sydney).

My kindest regards at this sad time.

Hans-Joachim (John or Speedie) SAHARIV

Fellow Sapper and Shipmate

Charlie Slater enlisted with 4/19 Prince of Wales Light Horse Regiment, service # 3111230 as a Ranger for approx. 12mths. He then joined K Force service# 3400270 and in 1951 deployed to Japan as part of the Aust Occupational Forces following WW2. While in Japan he was transferred from K Force to Royal Australian Regiment 1 Battalion (1RAR) as it was seen that 1RAR who were departing Australia for Korea had too many young inexperienced men. 1RAR entered Korean conflict.

His posting in 1RAR was within Support Company as an Assault Pioneer performing engineering and construction tasks, build defences and setup of camp sites.

Later during his time in Korea conflict, he was posted into 1RAR A-Company, 2 platoon and deployed on Hill 227 and Hill 355 in Korea. He served with The Royal Australian Regiment 1/4/52 – 23/3/53.

Charlie discharged on return to Australia. He spent many years actively within Pascoe Vale RSL, Legacy and Korean Veterans Association.

A life well lived; he will be missed.

Lest We Forget

27/12/1928 – 01/08/2023

It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Phillip on Tuesday, August 1st. Phillip’s life of public service touched the lives of many and his memory will be forever cherished by those who knew and loved him.

Phillip was the devoted husband of Margaret (deceased) and beloved father of Michael (deceased), Jane and Stephen and father-in-law to Sue, Chris and Anneleen. He adored his grandchildren, Georgie (and Michael), Sam (and Anna), Ali (and Jono), Daniel and Oliver, and great grandchildren Gussy, Sandy, Teddy, Archie, Marigold, Sam and Matilda and he cherished the time he spent with them.

Phillip’s dedication over his 40 years in the Defence Force and later as Governor of Tasmania, Administrator of the Commonwealth, Chairman of the Australian War Memorial Foundation and genuine interest in the lives of others created lasting memories that will be treasured by his friends in Australia and throughout the world.

A Military service to honour the life of Phillip will be held at the Royal Military College, Duntroon at the Anzac Memorial Chapel of St Paul on Tuesday, August 15, at 10:00 am. Family, friends and all those touched by Phillip are invited to join in the commemoration of his life.

Message of condolences can be forward to his son Steven Bennett as follows:

[email protected] or Hardcopy to:

Steve Bennett

278 North Bank Road

Bellingen NSW 2454

The service will also be live streamed at: https://vimeo.com/event/3609309

I have received sad news from RARA NSW regarding the passing of one of our original 65th Battalion members.

WO1 Burns served from 1945 until 1982 in a career spanning 5 decades.

Deepest condolences to all his family and friends and many thanks for a lifetime of service,

Rest In Peace Sir

LEST WE FORGET

It is with great sadness we advise of the passing of Bob (Slim) Ullock on Wednesday 26th of July 2023 following an illness.

Bob was 23rd Intake Radio Mechanic graduating in 1970 and became a RAEME Calibrations Technician.

A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, 8th August 2023, at 10:00 am at Bowra & O’Dea’s Chapel, 131 Great Eastern Hwy, Bellevue, WA.

Burial at 11:30 am, Guildford Cemetery, Kalamunda Road, South Guildford.

There will be a small reception held afterwards at 1:00 pm for a light lunch & refreshments at ‘The Swan River Hotel’, 1 Epsom Avenue, Ascot, WA.

Arte et Marte

Rest in Peace

Barry Shipway (Welfare Rep)

Dear Members,

I have just received the following very sad news from RARA National Secretary.

Deepest condolences to family, friends and Veterans of Coral

REST IN PEACE SIR

Please be advised of very sad news from the Generals son Steve has just advised officially that his father, GENERAL SIR PHILLIP BENNET AC, KBE, DSO, passed away peacefully on Tuesday 1st August at Kyneton, Victoria

He will be farewelled on Thu 15 Aug 23 at 10am at the, Royal Military College, Duntroon ACT, at the ANZAC Memorial Chapel of St Paul and after at Duntroon House

More to follow when it comes to hand.

Many Thanks

Keep Well & Travel Safe

“Keeping the Spirit Alive”

Supporting The Virtual War Memorial https://vwma.org.au/

Regards

Greg

G J DECKER

Secretary RARA National

Could you please advise your members that the Funeral service for John (Pud) Darlington on 8/8/23 at 1400 hours  – because of the interest – will now be live streamed and the link can be obtained via web page (clink on the Link) of Funeral Director J Kirk and Sons Maryborough Q.

Regards Greg Darlington

We are sorry to inform all our members, of the passing a fellow Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans Association member Ross Burns from 5RAR.

Ross’s funeral will be on Monday 7 August 2023.

Penrith RSL Sub-Branch is organising a 20 seater bus to transport people to his funeral.

The bus will leave Penrith RSL at 9:30am.

Please contact Penrith RSL Sub-Branch for more details on (02) 4728 5225 or John Fenton on 0412 679 802.

Kind regards

Wendy

Wendy Humphrys

Office Administration

I have been advised by Greg Darlington the brother of John Darlington who served with 4RAR from Day one and was still a member of the Battalion when they disbanded (one of only about a dozen original soldiers who were still present when they became 2/4 RAR.)  He was also an original and founding member of the infamous 4RAR SPU Club.  Sadly, John passed away on Thursday the 27^th  July 2023.

Johns’ funeral will be held at the Maryborough Q Cemetery on Tuesday the 8^{th of} August 2023 at 1400 hours.

Funeral Directors J Kirk and Sons Maryborough – there will be no streaming.

Condolences may be sent to the family via:

Greg Darlington at Greg and Joan Darlington <[email protected]>

LEST WE FORGET

Sincerely,

Wendy M McLean

Secretary

4RAR Association Qld Inc.

My apologies for the late notice. We have been advised of the death on 18 July 2023 of Brett David Atkinson. He was 50 years old. Brett enlisted in the Australian Regular Army in October 2009 and was allocated to the RAA.

After initial employment training he was posted to 1st Field Regiment where he deployed on Queensland Flood Assist in 2011 and Operation Astute in 2012. Ater a posting to 53rd Battery at the School of Artillery, he successfully completed his trade transfer to Operator Uncrewed Aircraft Systems and was subsequently posted to 20th Regiment in 2017.

After a posting to the 1st Recruit Training Battalion in 2022, Brett returned to 20th Regiment in 2023.

RIP Brett David Atkinson

Ubique

Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer