A Farewell to those with whom we served...

Mick Thompson · **Posted:** Mon Jul 07, 2014 6:11 am

Come on Rick, isn't about time to cut Tubby some slack and credit him with some appreciation for the truly nice guy that he was, I do.

RIP Allen, your journey is done.

Pony · **Posted:** Mon Jul 07, 2014 10:40 am

Served with Allen but did not know him well, but as Mick has said he always seemed to come scross as approacable and a nice guy.

Vale Allen, RIP your journey is done, may you have fair winds and following seas.

Chippy Ned · **Posted:** Mon Jul 07, 2014 1:12 pm

Tubby must have been fairly old, I remember him as being an older Chief Chippy quite early in my career. I would have thought he was at least 10 years older then I am, so that would make him a minimum of 78.

Rest in peace Tubby.

tafmo · **Posted:** Tue Jul 08, 2014 4:53 pm

Just heard that CPOETS Scott Wilson who used to work for ASC, and who suffered a serious injury whilst on assignment in Spain a couple of years or so ago and has been very ill since the accident, passed away on Monday morning.

My deepest condolences to his family.

Wishing you fair winds and smooth seas Scott; you've certainly had some rough ones the last few years.

piquet · **Posted:** Thu Jul 24, 2014 5:23 pm

For those atificers that did the Ships Divers course and the add on of the Artificer diver qualification it is sad to note the recent crossing of the bar by CPOCD Russ Steer.

Russ died yesterday morning after a long battle with the dreaded Big C. I had him as an instructor on part of my tiffy divers course. A nicer bloke you couldn't meet.
RIP Russ Steer

Graeme Rhodes · **Posted:** Fri Jul 25, 2014 10:28 am

Saw Russ most weeks at the Rockingham Golf Club and knew him pretty well from our navy days anyway.
Indomitable spirit right up to the end.
RIP Russ

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Mon Aug 18, 2014 3:41 pm

UNCLASSIFIED

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Navy is saddened to hear of the passing of RADM Ron Calder on Thu 14 Aug in Bateau Bay NSW. I do not have any details of funeral arrangements at this time.

A Weapons Electrical specialist RADM Calder joined the RAN in 1949 as a SBLT, completing his degree studies (BEng) at Adelaide University.

In his early career he served in HMA Ships Sydney, Tobruk and Voyager (between 1952-62).

As a CMDR he served as Assistant Naval Attaché Washington and as Staff Officer for the Guided Missile Destroyer Project (construction phase) 1963-68; commissioning
WEEO HMAS Brisbane 1968-70; Supt Engr Weapons 1970-72.

Promoted to CAPT he served as Dir Naval Equipment Production (1972-74), Dir Naval Industrial Policy (1974-76) and Dir Naval Weapons Design (1977-79).

In 1980 on promotion to CDRE he served as DG Naval Production until 1983 when on promotion to RADM he became Chief of Naval Engineering.

RADM Calder transferred to the RANR at the end of that posting in 1987.

He was awarded the AM in 1979 for his time as DNWD and the AO in 1986 for his time as CNE.

Regards,

Chris Churcher

C.J. CHURCHER, CSM
Captain, RAN
Director Navy Senior Officer Management
Office of the Chief of Navy

---------------------------------------------

I have been advised that RADM Calder's funeral will be held in the Garden Island Chapel on Mon 25 Aug at 1100.

Regards,

Chris Churcher

C.J. CHURCHER, CSM
Captain, RAN
Director Navy Senior Officer Management
Office of the Chief of Navy

Peter Ferris · **Posted:** Thu Aug 21, 2014 10:21 am

Regretfully I heard that CDRE Clem Littleton has passed away in WA.

I do not know the full details as yet but he was my CO in HMAS Gull in 1968 as a LCDR (Clearance Diver) and a finer gentleman you would ever meet, a man who fully supported his crew and his ship.

When I was at FHQ and he was in Sydney he would always call in for a brew and a chat that often went on for hours.

A highly respected Navaj Officer who was admired by many. RIP and many thanks for your support Sir

Pete Ferris.

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Thu Aug 21, 2014 2:19 pm

BC has asked me to add this letter to compliment the post above... :evil3:

Hi Rick,

Now that Pete Ferris has posted a comment regarding the late Commodore, could you please post the following attachment that I received this morning, from my Naval Association.

A very good overview of the man.

Cheers

BC

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Hi Members,

I attach a Tribute from the RAN Clearance Diving Association President, received via Warren Brash.

Regards

Arthur Fisher

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Dear Members,

A few days ago, we forwarded the sad news of the death of Clem Littleton in Perth, WA. Although Clem was not a member of the Naval Officers Club, he was known and admired by many of us, especially for his contribution to and leadership of the RAN Clearance Divers Organisation. The attached tribute from the President of the RAN CD’s Association probably fills in some gaps for many of us, of the life and career of this outstanding and pioneering RAN officer.

For the NOC Committee,

John Hazell

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RAN Clearance Divers Association
From the Office of the National President
Patrons: VADM Russ Crane AO, CSM, RAN (Retd)
CMDR Edward (Jake) Linton BEM, RAN (Retd)

Commodore Clement (Clem) Littleton AO RAN (Retd) leaves a powerful legacy that will always form an integral chapter in the history of the RAN Clearance Diving Branch. Born in Geelong in 1939 he joined the Navy as a 13 year old Cadet Midshipman at HMAS Creswell. He was commissioned in 1960 and served for 42 years in what can only be described as a distinguished and honourable career.
He will be sadly missed and many of his fellow servicemen and women are better for knowing and serving with him. He possessed a quite unique presence and powerful presentation that could not be ignored.

He completed the first CDO course in Australia in 1961 and went on to serve in many RAN platforms including HMA Ships Fremantle, Swan, Melbourne, Diamantina, Gull as Commanding Officer, Ibis, Duchess as Executive Officer and Jervis Bay as Commanding Officer. A very distinguished career at sea by any standard or comparison. He was also Officer Commanding the RAN Diving School for a year before attending a Naval Command Course at the US Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

He was promoted to Captain in 1983 and went on to perform several senior administrative tasks in different areas. He served as Naval Officer Commanding North Australia (NOCNA) and Director General of Natural Disasters Organization before he retired in 1993 as the third MCDO to attain the rank of Commodore.

Clem was awarded the second highest award in the order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday awards when he received the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the Military Division, for his extremely professional service as director general of the Natural Disasters Organisation.

Clem was the Officer Commanding the 4th contingent of RANCDT-3 Vietnam and was the recipient of a US Navy Unit Commendations for service with the USN Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit Pacific and he is the only officer in the history of the RAN to receive a US Presidential Unit Citation, received along with his other 5 team members for service during Operation SEALORDS in South Vietnam in 1968.

I, personally, am proud to have known Commodore Littleton and Suzanne for over 40 years and I owe him so very much for his wisdom, council, guidance and advice when he was OCD at the RAN Diving School and I was his Chief Instructor.

He guided the RAN CD branch to another level of attainment that will remain a stepping stone to ADF recognition never before witnessed. It was his firm hand that guided RAN CD’s into and successfully through the Australian Army Special Forces Cadre Training and integration into the SAS as part of Australia’s counter measures against terrorism.

Following his undoubted distinguished naval career in the RAN Clem continued his stellar service to veterans and the nation. He was Patron of the Far East Strategic reserve (FESR) Navy Association and Warden of the Western Australian State War Memorial.

He was recognised by his fellow CD’s and accepted into the Fellows of the RAN Clearance Divers Association Roll of Honour in 2009.

Any person reading this would immediately recognise that Clem was an extraordinary person who did an extraordinary number of things in a lifetime packed with achievement at the very highest level and his fellow Australians are better for his efforts.

We stand proud that we knew him, that he was one of us and he was instrumental in elevating the visibility, standing and presence of the RANCD Branch to new levels on so many fronts. A truly remarkable man, leaving a truly remarkable legacy.

Vale Commodore Clem Littleton AO RAN (Retd), we salute you Sir and we know by now you will have squared the Pearly Gates away.

We extend our sincere condolences to his lovely wife Suzanne, the collective strength of our arm is with her and we offer her the comforting knowledge that she is also one of us and we cherish her presence as we would her husband.

Yours Aye
United and Undaunted

Larry

Larry Digney
National President
RANCDA

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Footnote: I'd like to think that someone would care enough to write an obituary like that for each of us... H.C. :yes:

Seejay · **Posted:** Sun Aug 24, 2014 9:23 pm

A funeral notice has appeared in the Cairns Post advising that Peter Christian Jensen R93381 Petty Officer has passed away aged 68.

I didn't know Chris - as he preferred to be called - and from his number I believe he would have been a Junior Recruit. I felt his inclusion here was warranted.

You see, Chris was diagnosed with Mesothelioma about 9 days ago, and he was given 7 days. He lasted 6.

Vale Chris Jensen, may you have calm seas and friendly ports o' call on your journey.

For those that did know Chris, my sympathies on losing a mate.

A Farewell to those with whom we served...

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