Death & Funerals

Sadly we have been informed via Facebook Messenger, that John Ernest BEERE passed away on 17 May 22 at Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu, Hawaii.

This is a copy of the Hawaii Obituary Notice:

John Ernest Beere, 77, of Hilo, died on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu. He was born on August 5, 1944 in Adelaide, Australia. He was retired major for the Australian Army and worked for Destination Hilo. Visitation will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday (June 15, 2022) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, Hilo; Funeral Service at 10 a.m.; cremation to follow. Casual attire. Survived by, wife, Reverend Billie Keawekane-Beere of Hilo; son, Eric (Sandra Reina) Beere of Adelaide, Australia; daughter, Josephine (Ryan Harbey) Beere of Adelaide, Australia; step-son, Ronney (Maileen) Keawekane of Hilo; brother, Robert (Maureen) Beere of Tasmania; sister, Beverley (John) Coggins of Adelaide, Australia; 3 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

It looks like Condolence messages can be left at:  Obituary | John Ernest Beere of Hilo, Hawaii | Dodo Mortuary, Inc. & Crematory

There is also a story about John on the Danger Close Movie Facebook page at:  Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan – Posts | Facebook

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

Sadly, we have been informed that Eric (Ric) Kenneth BLAND, passed away unexpectedly on 27 June 2022 in Perth.

Eric’s funeral will be held at 1415 (2.15pm) Friday 8 July 2022 at the Pinnaroo East Crematorium Chapel, Whitfords Ave, Padbury WA.  The Funeral Directors are, Purslowe & Chipper Funerals, Wanagara WA, 08 9409 9119.   No Live Streaming information was provided.

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

We have received advice of the death on 26 June 2022 of Brigadier Pat Gowans. He was 89. Pat visited Australian Forces in Vietnam in September 1965 and deployed with the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) from March 1971 until January 1972. His appointments with AATTV included Assistant to Chief of Staff, HQ I Corps, Senior Australian Adviser, I Corps. Aug – Nov 71, G-3 Training adviser, HQ I Corps, forming 3^rd ARVN Division, Dec 71 Commander AATTV Training Group, Vung Tau. In addition to the unit citations awarded to AATTV, Pat was also awarded the US Commendation Medal for Service, the Republic of Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Order and the South Vietnamese Armed Forces Honour Medal 1^st Class.

Pat’s daughter Kirsty has advised that the funeral will be at the Anzac Chapel, Duntroon on Friday 8^th July at 10am.

Condolence messages can be passed to Simon Hearder by email simchar.7@bigpond.com

RIP Patrick Thomas Francis GOWANS

Peter Bruce

Obituary Resource Officer

Very sad day for our family today…we lost our loving big brother and patriarch, of our Lingwoodock families. Bevan Aubrey Lingwoodock, 26 January 1940-14 June 2022. Just 4 months after losing our beloved older sister and Matriarch Merle Joan Wickham, née Lingwoodock.

Bevan was taken very sick on Wednesday last week and admitted to Townsville Hospital and did not recover. With his loving family by his side, he passed away peacefully this afternoon.

He is survived by his Son, Trevor and Telina……Daughters Joanne Lomas and Narelle Draper and son in law Ron Draper. Grandchildren Krystal, Adrian, Grace and Ben, Jackson and Shelby, and Kelsey and Jacob all who he doted on with his 2 great children, Graces and Bens children.

And his two sisters, Lurl Henderson and Tom bro in law.. and Lola Warren

And his brothers and sisters in law on his loving wife Thora’s (Bond) family…and his numerous nieces and nephews and all their families.

Proud Kabi Kabi Elder with Wakka Wakka connections…

And family connections to all Lingwoodock-Tabby’s, Wickhams, Yow Yehs, Upketts, Minniecons, Johnson’s, Beezley’s, Wenitongs, Robertson’s, Eggmolesse, Simpsons, Bonds, and their connections….too many to mention?

May our darling now Rest In Peace…….

We all will miss you, my brother……

6 RAR and soldier who served proudly for his country in Malaysia and Vietnam.

Lurl Henderson

Dear Ray,

I write to advise you of the death of Justice Barrie Clive Hungerford QC on 26 June 2022.

The Memorial Service will be held at St James Church, King St, Sydney at 14:30 on 5 July.

Barrie was a member of the RMC Class of 1958. He was allocated to RRAA with whom he served for several years.

He resigned from the Army and undertook a law degree and after serving at the Bar became a judge in the Industrial Court.

Regards,

Brigadier Peter J A Evans (Retd)

Dear Ray,

Sadly, we have been informed that Douglas William SULLIVAN passed away at home 2 days ago.

Doug also served with, 3 Training Battalion/7 RAR/HQ Training Command/3 RAR/4 RNSWR/1/19 RNSWR & LWC (these units may not be in order) and retired from as a Warrant Officer Class 2.

Doug’s funeral will be held at 1300 (1pm) Monday 4 July 22 at St. George’s Anglican Church, 10 Tansey St (Cnr of Tansey & Kent Streets), Beenleigh.   The Wake will be held at the Beenleigh RSL Club, 13 Bardyn Halliday Drive, Mt Warren Park, after the funeral.  No Live Streaming information has been provided.

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

We have been advised of the death on 22 June 2022 of 215827 2LT Barry James Dean.

Barry served with 103 Field Battery in Vietnam from May to December 1966. He was 80.

RIP Barry James Dean

Peter Bruce

Obituary Resource Officer

The funeral service for Ken Simons will be held at One Hope Baptist Church, 4-32 PROVINCE BLVD, HIGHTON Vic 3216, on Monday July 4 at 14.00 hours.

This will be an RSL service will be conducted by the Vietnam Veterans Association president and medals and citations should be worn.

For those wishing to attend but not familiar with this area, I suggest you take the freeway that bypasses Geelong and exit to your Left onto Barrabool Road (be on tac as it is easy to miss it) which is the exit after the Hamilton Road one.

Follow this down to Scenic Drive and turn left. as you do you will then have a cemetery and Uniting Church on your right. Continue along Scenic Drive and turn Left into Province Blvd and the Baptist Church will be on your right not long after you make that turn.

Hope to see as many as possible to farewell one of our own.

John Arnold

Sad news from John Arnold

Gentlemen and Ladies, I had a call this morning from Dawn Simons to tell me that Ken passed away yesterday, June 22, 2022.

She has asked me to forward this information as she is not up to it herself at this time. He had been suffering an infection for the past two weeks that the doctors were unable to counter, and his system just could not handle this battle after the battles he has won over the past six years.

As it is too early for any details, I will send arrangements when Dawn gives them to me.

Ken served in 8pl Charlie Company, 1RAR and was a strong supporter of all C Coy and 1RAR reunions he was extremely well respected and will be missed but never forgotten.

Sadly, we have just been informed that Geoffrey Raymond (Butch) Mathew passed away on 20.4.22.

Just letting you know that Butch, 61322 Geoffrey Raymond Mathew, PTE passed away on the 20th April 2022. Butch died at the age of 81 of metastatic Prostate Cancer & kidney failure. His family & friends gave him a wonderful send off at Boyne Tannum memorial parkland, Gladstone Qld. Very sorry we haven’t informed you until now. 

Lest We Forget 

Kind regards, Mrs Jan Mathew

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