Death & Funerals

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]

Attached please find the funeral notice for Peter Batty from Busselton WA who passed away recently. You are all invited to attend the Busselton RSL, Wednesday 5/6/24 at 1.30pm after the service for drinks.

MEDALS TO BE WORN

Lest We Forget

Sincerely

Wendy M McLean

Secretary

4RAR Association Qld. Inc.

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)