Death & Funerals

It is my sad duty to advise you of the death today (12/9) of Laurie Lewis, Retired Brigadier and Officer Commanding C Company, 9 RAR during the Battalions tour of duty in Vietnam.

In addition to his military service Laurie was the former Chair of the Repatriation and General Hospital Board and Veteran’s Advisory Council.

His  funeral service will be held at Berry Funerals

198-204 Magill Road, Norwood SA 5067

1300 hrs. Tuesday 27th September 2022.

The service will be live streamed for those unable to attend on the link below

https://www.berryfunerals.com.au/notices-services/laurence-laurie-john-lewis-1934-to-2022

At the completion of the service there will be a “wake” to celebrate Laurie’s life at the:

Maylands Hotel

67 Phillis Street, Maylands SA 5069

Rest in Peace Laurie. Your Duty is Done

“Lest We Forget”

Michael von Berg MC OAM

President RARA-SA

29 June 1947 – 18 Sept 2022

It is with sadness that I have been advised by Brian Fitzpatrick of Tasmania that “ROBERT HENRY PEEBLES” passed away on Saturday the 18^th of September 2022. His Funeral is at 1.30pm on Friday 23^rd September 2022 at Preston Community Centre 325 South Preston Rd Preston Tas.

Live stream at vincentfunerals.com.au

Wendy M McLean

Secretary/Treasurer

We have received advice of the death recently of Jeffrey Ronald Bassford. He was 73. Jeffrey was a National Serviceman who served in Vietnam with the Detachment, 131 Divisional Locating Battery from April 1970 until April 1971. No other details are known at this stage.

RIP Jeffrey Ronald Bassford.

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer

Very saddened to report the sudden passing after complications following a heart attack of our RAEME brother, David (Stretch) Cullinan on 3 September 2022

Dave was held in high esteem for his devotion to duty, skills, wit and dry humour. He will be sadly missed by all that knew him.

Condolences and thoughts to Sue, Ryan, Fiona and all the family.

Funeral details will be posted later.

RIP Dave. Stand down mate, your job is done.

Dave was a 23rd Intake Apprentice Vehicle Mechanic

Arte et Marte

Rest in Peace 

Barry Shipway (Welfare Rep)

I have received notification of the passing of 2781319 Llewellyn (Lew) CONSERDYNE

Sadly, we have lost another valuable servant of the Corps and Country
581 Sig Tp South Vietnam 26 Apr 1966 – 12 May 1967

Llewellyn Conserdyne, one of the original members of 581 Sig Tp (145 Sig Sqn) has passed away after a long illness aged 77 years.
Llew was a 1st intake National Serviceman serving half of his service time in SVN. As a Linesman Field, he and 3 others were tasked with laying line firstly for 1ALSG Vung Tau circuits then at 1ATF Sig Sqn (103) through “the weeds” unprotected at Nui Dat. His group happened to be present there when the base was mortared prior to the Long Tan battle.
He leaves his wife Margaret, 2 sons and a daughter and several grandchildren.
His funeral will be conducted at the George Hartnett Chapel 21 Anzac Ave Redcliffe at 10 am on Wednesday 7^th Sept.

Followed by a wake at the Redcliffe RSL.

May He Rest in Peace.

Adam West

It is with deep sadness I advise that Terry (Bluey) Howard passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening 31 August 2022 while in palliative care at the Atherton Hospital surrounded by wife, Rae, and his daughters, Kathy and Kelly.  He was just 66 years of age.  He had been undergoing a long battle with a brain tumour which was initially diagnosed with a low grade temporal lobe glioma on 23 March 2018. This cancer deteriorated into an aggressive grade four tumour earlier this year.

Bluey was a great mate to so many people and he has been taken from us far too soon. This world is a much poorer place for Bluey’s loss. He has left behind his wife Rae and two daughters, Kathy and Kelly as well as extended family.

46823 WO2 Terry Howard served as a RAEME Aircraft Maintenance Engineer for 21 years. He enlisted in the ARA on 23 Feb 73 and discharged on 27 Feb 94.

There will be a private service for family to farewell him. This will be followed by a commemorative gathering at Rae and Blue’s large property at Millaa Millaa (Atherton Tablelands) in late October to align with his birthday. All friends will be welcome to attend this gathering and details will follow.

Bluey was Corps enlisted into RAEME when he joined the Army in February 1973 as a trainee aircraft Airframe Fitter. He then completed further training in engines and avionics systems to become a very skilled All Trades Fitter.

He served in PNG with the Air Transport Squadron in 1986-1987 as a SGT instructing the locally enlisted personnel on aircraft maintenance on DC3, Nomad and Arava aircraft.

He was posted to 162 Reconnaissance Squadron in January 1992 as the ASM.

He retired as a Warrant Officer Class Two in February 1994 to pursue a career in his passion of vehicle maintenance and repair.  He purchased an Ultra Tune business in Townsville on his retirement and built it into a very successful business. Bluey then went on to purchase a second Ultra Tune business in Townsville a number of years later.

Bluey was a dedicated soldier and a great bloke.

May He Rest In Peace – Lest We Forget.

Regards, Terry

Terry Johnson

We have received advice of the death on 2 September 2022 of Robert (Bob) Nelson. Bob had retired some 20 years ago and during his service with the RAA was employed as a Gun Sergeant with 8/12, 1 and 4 Regiments. No other information is available.

RIP Robert Nelson

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer

We have received advice of the death on Friday 2 September 2022 of WO1 Kevin Brian Jones. Kevin joined the RAA after 22 years’ service in the Royal Artillery with deployments to Northern Ireland, Cyprus and Iraq. His service with the RAA included deployments in Afghanistan on OP Slipper. Kevin served at the School of Artillery, 7^th Signals Regiment and 20^th Regiment where he was the Master Gunner. Kevin had battled with Motor Neuron disease for some five months. He leaves behind his wife Lynette and sons Kieran and Luke.

RIP Kevin Brian Jones

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer

It is with great sadness that I advise of the passing of Michael Osborne Aloysius OHara.

Michael passed away today (2 Sep) in Sydney after suffering poorly for some time. Michael has requested a private cremation.

Mick was a 23^rd Intake Electrical Mechanic and following Graduation in 1970 was posted to the Royal Australian Engineers. Around 1973 Mick transferred to RAEME as an Electrical Fitter and served his 20 + years discharging as a WO1 Artificer Electrical.

Rest In Peace my friend

Kind Regards

Gary Sargent

We have received advice of the death recently of Thomas Henry Pietzner.  He was 74. Tom was a National Serviceman who served in Vietnam with 1^st Field Regiment from June 1969 until February 1970. He was a Forward Observer Signaller with an FO party from 105^th Field Battery and worked with Charlie Company of 5 RAR. No other information is available at this stage.

RIP Thomas Pietzner

Peter Bruce, OAM

Obituary Resource Officer