A very sad day for RANSH and all of Lumpy's mates on the website. He was a raucous breath of fresh air when he surfaced from his jaunts on Fraser Island harrassing the dingos and filling the fresh water lakes with XXXX tainted with a little bit of urine.

We'll miss his friendship and his humour. Maybe the administrators can piece together a remembrance forum of some of his more irreverent postings for us to visit from time to time.

My condolences to Desley and all the family.

Fair winds and smooth seas Lumpy. Check out all the bars when you get there buddy, and organise an awesome pissy run for when the rest of us join you. Reserve the ugly bargirl for Seejay.

_________________
Robin (Bob) King
R105234
Ex-WOETS4
25th MOBI Intake
July 68 - June 88
Nirimba, Waratah (Dam Neck), Brisbane, Waratah (Mare Is & LBNSY), Harman (CDSC), Waratah (Mare Is), Brisbane, Harman (Navy Office & CDSC), Waratah (Dam Neck & Mare Is), Harman (CDSC)

Wisdom comes with age, sometimes age comes alone.

Lumpy,

The memories that we cherish from those early days when we first met at the commissioning of the Steel Cat in USA, will always remain with us all. You're laughter at life and all that it dishes up to us will be an inspiration to us as well. Even in Vietnam in '69, you still had that mischievous attitude that most of us can only dream of. And then life dealt you a nasty blow, when after Christie was born, Maureen was taken away. But still you fought through it all, and then found Desley to carry you on to a happy life once again.
Mate, you're like a brother to us ,and I'm certain that even at this time of great sadness, we will still remember the happy times you infected us with over the years, until we meet once again, and can chew a little fat on those good times we once shared.
We will miss you cobber,

All who were priviliged to serve with you,

John Spalding

HMAS Brisbane Crew, 1967-1969.

_________________
Peter Maher
R59705
Ex-POETP3*
Joined Feb 63 Cerberus
Feb 1963 to Feb 1978
Cerberus Sydney, Watson, Commissioned Brisbane, Melbourne and Kimbla

On behalf of Peter and his family, thank you all for your wishes, thoughts and condolences. I will pass them all on to his family at his funeral, which looks like being held this coming Friday afternoon. I will post the details as soon as they come to hand.

May I also thank you all for your generous wishes passed to me via this forum, private messages, emails and phone calls. Your kindnesses have overwhelmed me and I will hold them in my heart for all time.

I had no intention of attending Pete's funeral, but the more I thought about it the more I knew I had to. After all, that's what mates do, don't they? Add to that the fact that my eldest son went out and bought the tickets without my knowledge. And my youngest son handed me a White Ensign that had been flown from HMAS WHYALLA during her patrols up north and said 'That's to cover Peter's casket!' Suffice it to say they're both in the Navy and understand.

So Jan and I will be there.

And Tafmo? No chance of Pete leaving the ugly bargirl for me. The bugger will keep 'em all for himself!

_________________

Chris O'Keefe
R43136
Ex WO Chippy
19th MOBI Intake
July 65 to July 85
HMAS Nirimba X 4 -Penguin-Sydney-Queenborough - Creswell - Moreton - Stalwart - Platypus - Coonawarra Reconstruction Team 76 - Platypus - Hobart - Cerberus - FHQ - Coonawarra.

Anyone can be ordinary. Shipwrights choose to be extraordinary!

I've just spoken to Desley Cottam, and the details for Peter's funeral have now been finalised.

His service will be held this coming Friday, 22nd August at the

Lakeview Chapel,
Albany Creek crematorium,
400 Albany Creek Road
Bridgeman Downs
Qld.

Viewing will be from 11:45 - 12:15, and the service will be from 12:15 - 1:45 PM.

There will be a gathering afterwards at the:

Northlakes Retirement Resort Community Centre
Endeavour Boulevard,
Mango Hill
Qld.

_________________

Chris O'Keefe
R43136
Ex WO Chippy
19th MOBI Intake
July 65 to July 85
HMAS Nirimba X 4 -Penguin-Sydney-Queenborough - Creswell - Moreton - Stalwart - Platypus - Coonawarra Reconstruction Team 76 - Platypus - Hobart - Cerberus - FHQ - Coonawarra.

Anyone can be ordinary. Shipwrights choose to be extraordinary!

Just as an added touch, the Australian White Ensign that will be draped over Peter's navy blue casket was flown by HMAS WHYALLA during several of her patrols off northern Australia while fending off the illegals. It's been donated by my youngest son Mark, who was aboard at the time.

I reckon Pete would appreciate the 'been there' ensign, rather than one fresh from stores.

_________________

Chris O'Keefe
R43136
Ex WO Chippy
19th MOBI Intake
July 65 to July 85
HMAS Nirimba X 4 -Penguin-Sydney-Queenborough - Creswell - Moreton - Stalwart - Platypus - Coonawarra Reconstruction Team 76 - Platypus - Hobart - Cerberus - FHQ - Coonawarra.

Anyone can be ordinary. Shipwrights choose to be extraordinary!

CJ, please extend my condolences to Pete's family. He will be missed.
And while I'm at it, pleaase accept my condolences to you also.

_________________
Fred Russell

Enlisted USMC 3 March 1972 on delayed entry. Active duty 17 June 1972. Due to a Reduction In Force as the Vietnam War wound down, discharged for a minor medical problem , 23 July 1972.

Farewell Pete. A good bloke gone too soon.

_________________
Allen Lyne
R57503
Ex-POUC,
Nov. 60 to Nov. 72
Quiberon, Warrego, Vendetta, Derwent, Yarra, Swan, Cerberus, Watson, Lonsdale.
Author of 'Lost--Ships of the RAN'

Eschew obfuscation

Fred and Wayne Honors Pete Cottam

At 2200 21 Aug 2008 EST which will be 1200 22 Aug 2008 in OZ, I put on my Chief's Hat and Fred put on his American Legion Hat and we give Pete a salute to the White Ensign that we posted on our screen.

We both had a beer in Pete’s honor afterwards.

Pete Cottam, May You Have Fair Winds and Following Seas.

_________________
Wayne Johnson
(B149415)
OSC(SW) RET (RADARMAN)
Joined the Navy Jan 6, 1970, retired Jan 31, 1994
USS Trenton LPD-14, Hermitage LSD-34, Shreveport LPD-12, Saipan LHA-2, COMPHRIBRON-4 staff embarked in the Guam LPH 2, Saipan LHA-2, Nashville LPD-13, and Wasp LHD-1

Wayne
To put a touch of humour into such a sad subject - Wayne is that time Eastern States time - Central time or Real time (Western Australian).

Nigel

_________________
Nigel Baird-Orr
R42524
Ex WOETP
12th MOBI Intake
12 Jan 62 - 12 Jan 84
Nirimba, Cerberus, Watson, Derwent, Moresby, Stirling, Moresby, Penguin.

Eastern Standard Time

_________________
Wayne Johnson
(B149415)
OSC(SW) RET (RADARMAN)
Joined the Navy Jan 6, 1970, retired Jan 31, 1994
USS Trenton LPD-14, Hermitage LSD-34, Shreveport LPD-12, Saipan LHA-2, COMPHRIBRON-4 staff embarked in the Guam LPH 2, Saipan LHA-2, Nashville LPD-13, and Wasp LHD-1