Death & Funerals

Sad news I’m afraid. Carole Gibson has just contacted me to say Ian (Gibbo) collapsed and passed away this afternoon (14 December).

Devastating news.

Gibbo came with me to 6 RAR from 7 RAR and we served in Cossies section in 8 Platoon.

Shit. I feel gutted.

Obviously, no details at this stage.

Could you please let the (C Coy) family know.

Thanks, and regards, Gerry

I will let you know of funeral details when they come to hand.

Very sad news and totally unexpected.

Please pass this on to those without an email address.

Regards to all, Geoff

Condolences to the family and friends.

Funeral information will be provided by email and on Facebook, when known.

Please join with us in offering our deepest sympathy to those who will mourn the passing of a loved one.  Another 6 RAR family member, was taken too soon.

LEST WE FORGET

Allan Whelan, Secretary

We have received advice of the death on 14 December 2022 of Donald William (Don/Boorie) McDonald. He was 83. Don served in Malaya with 101^st Field Battery in 1959/60 and in Vietnam with 105^th Field Battery from September 1965 until June 1966. He completed his tour duty with 1^st Field Regiment, returning home in September 1966. Don rose through the ranks of the RAA with his final posting as Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of 8^th/12^th Medium Regiment in 1976/77.

No funeral details are available at this stage.

RIP Donald William McDonald.

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer

We have received advice of the death on 7 December 2022, of Major Sydney R Gerahty (Retd). He was a member of the Regiment attached to the Australian Intelligence Corps. He was 90 years of age and had graduated in the Class of June 1953 from Officer Cadet School, Portsea

RIP Sydney R Gerahty.

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer

5 Nov 1944 – 2 Oct 22

I have just found out that my good friend Jim (James) Fitzsimon Major RL passed away on 2nd October this year. He served with 7RAR and AATTV. He was awarded a MID.

RIP my old mate

Lee O’Neill

23 Sep 1945 – 3 Dec 2022

Gus was a friend we served in the same company in 1RAR 65-66. In 1985 when he was the XO of 5/7 RAR we worked together on the committee that arranged the first 1RAR Reunion and Memorial dedication at Holsworthy, sadly now only two members of that committee remain.

I received the sad news of his death from his son Matt, “Dad passed away on the night of the 3^rd of December and has left an enormous hole in their hearts.”

Gus served in 1RAR 1965-66 and 7RAR 1970-71. In the 1991 Australia Day Honours he received the Order of Australia (Military Division) for service to the Australian Army as Director of the Royal Australian Army Pay Corps

His service will be held at 13:30 on the 15^th of December at the Norwood Crematorium 65 Sandford Street, Mitchell ACT.

Sadly, we have received the following news from Dave Thomas:

Robyn, wife of Ian Mackay, rang early this morning to tell me Ian passed away yesterday (4/12/22)

in hospital. Ian had been in hospital for a couple of months with ongoing health issues.

I have forwarded a flower arrangement to Robyn and family on behalf of all in the “Phantom Company”

At this stage it will be a private funeral but will keep you up to date if arrangements change.

Rest in Peace, Ian 

“Duty Done”

Regards, Dave Thomas

Condolences to Robyn, family and friends.

Please join with us in offering our deepest sympathy to those who will mourn the passing of a loved one.  Another 6 RAR family member, taken too soon.

LEST WE FORGET

Allan Whelan, Secretary

18 September 1942  –  4 December 2022

Aged 80 Years

Ross passed away unexpectantly yesterday in an Ambulance on the way to Bundaberg hospital after

suffering a broken leg.   Ross was what you might call a really good bloke who had an uncanny sense of humour.

Ross served in the 1 Div MP Sect, Nui Dat, Vietnam from 1966 – 1967.

I spoke with Ross every couple of weeks, he loved to reminisce about times past and he always made me laugh with his turn of phrase.   He will be sadly missed.

LEST WE FORGET

A Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of the late Patrick James Crough followed the Police Ode and RSL service will be offered at St Mary’s Catholic Church, High St Rutherglen on Wednesday 7^th December at 12:30pm.

The Cortege will then proceed to the Carlyle Lawn Cemetery.

Live streaming will be available: alburysound.com/crough

All veterans, RSL members and Police personnel are respectively invited to attend.

Lieutenant Colonel Christopher R. Elphinston, RA Inf, RAAOC (Retd).  OCS Class Dec 60.

Chris died on 2 December 2022 in Brisbane after a short illness.  Aged 83 years.

Chris served on the directing staff at OCS in 1967.

Served in South Vietnam at 2 Advanced Ordnance Depot from 8 October 1968 to 8 October 1969.

Attended Army Staff College, Queenscliff in 1977

A good officer and a gentleman who will be missed by too many.

R.I.P.

The funeral for Richard (Rick) Love, my husband, will be held on Thursday 15 Dec at 11.30 am, at Pinnaroo Cemetery, Whitfords Ave, Padbury WA in the West Chapel.

kind regards

Helen Love