Death & Funerals

The Funeral of 214031 WO2 Robin William Jones OAM MM will be held at:

• Ross Funerals and Crematorium, 18 Nikenbah Dundowran Road Hervey Bay

• 1000hrs 30/10/2021
• Veterans, please wear Medals there will also be a Poppy service.

Live Stream: The service will be Videoed live, go to Ross Funerals website:  We Remember – Mr Robin “Spike” Jones (rossfunerals.com.au)

Condolences/comments can be left at the above weblink

Wake:  There is no venue for the wake as yet, as the RSL was booked.   Notification of where it will be held will be passed on at the service.

Sadly, I have been advised this morning that Spike Jones OAM, MM, lost his long battle and passed away at 1930 hrs 23/10/2021.

Spike served in Malaya/Borneo with 3RAR and two tours in Vietnam 66/67 & 69/70 and Singapore 71/73 with 6 RAR.   Details of the funeral will be published later.

Please do not ring the family, information through Col Carruthers 0427737754 or email colincrrthrs230@gmail.com or through the 6RAR Association.

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

I received the following sad news oF the passing of another of our Korean War Veterans.

Mervyn John Ehrich (known as John Ehrich), who served in 1 RAR in Korea, then in the Northern Command Band died yesterday, 20/11. He enlisted on 29th February 1953 and left the Army on 19th February 1959. He was also a member of the group, which established the RAR National Memorial Walk. His sister Fiona attended the dedication ceremony at Gallipoli Barracks with him.

Mervyn’s funeral service will be held on 28th October at 11:00 am in the East Chapel of Mt Thompson Crematorium, Holland Park. Those who may have known Mervyn are welcome to attend.

May he Rest In Peace

I have been advised that Frederick ‘Fred’ Steele lost his long battle on Friday 15 October 2021 after nearly 7 months in hospital.

Fred’s funeral will be held at noon this Friday 22 October in Tasmania, but due to the current Tasmanian COVID restrictions, only family will attend.    The Funeral Service is Millingtons Funerals, 25 McIntyre Street Mornington TAS, (03) 6211 4888, if you want more information. 

As usual, condolence messages for Lyn and the family can be sent care-of me at wheels6rarassn@gmail.com and I will send them to Lyn at a respectful time.

Please join with us in offering our deepest sympathy to those who will mourn the passing of a loved one. 

I have been advised that Jack Hopgood POW (RAAF) passed away on Thursday, 14^th October. Jack was 101 years old and was possibly the last or at least one of the last survivors of Changi, where he suffered 3 years of hell. There is plenty about his history on the web, but as for his official service number and Military Records I haven’t had a chance to research.

Aboriginal Veterans Group in Adelaide has identified that Pte Laurence Lampard, who served with 6 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) in Vietnam May 1969 – May 1970 is interred in an unmarked grave in the West Terrace Cemetery in Adelaide.

They have arranged for the grave to be correctly recognised and a plaque recognising his war service to be fixed at the grave.

A dedication service will take place at a graveside ceremony to be held at 1000hrs 18 Nov 21.

Coat and tie with medals would be appropriate.

I have been advised that David Wise passed away in Canberra Hospital and was buried in a private service.

Harold served our country with the Australian Air Force in the Pacific from 13/3/1944 until 7/9/45.

Harold was to original Pensions Officer for the Moruya RSL Sub Branch, where he trained people to follow in his footsteps.

Harold was President of Moruya RSL for a number of years, President of the TPI Association till it folded, a member of the Eurobodalla Vietnam Veterans Peacekeepers and Peacemakers ASS,

He will be missed by all who knew him,

Rest in Peace Harold, you have served your time,

My Father Anthony ‘Tony’ Ernest King passed away on Monday the 11th of October 2021. He was a lifelong member of the 8RAR ‘Grey Eight’ Association, and would wear his Grey Eight Polo top with pride!

Army Number:3791851

Rank on Discharge: Private

Service: Australian Regular Army Supplement (NS)

Principal Units:

2 Recruit Training Battalion

1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment

8th Battalion,  The Royal Australian Regiment

Service overseas: Singapore 15th March to 18 June 1969 (Malaya – Terrandak Garrison). Dad was involved in a traumatic car accident near Wangarratta in 1969 which cut his National Service short. From all accounts, Dad wished to be a career serviceman.

Please reach out, we would love for any 8RAR members who knew Dad to be able to view the live stream this Friday:

Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Pty Ltd

I would like to just let you know that sadly we lost Dad on 6th September 2021.

He battled as hard as he could over the past 6 months to overcome some lung, kidney & liver issues but unfortunately lost his fight.

Mandy Leworthy