Last Friday my friend (and the friend of many many sailors) died tragically in a motorcycle accident. Vince had been a Chief Coxswain and a few years ago took a commission and became a Clearance Diving Officer. He was a lovely bloke with a cheeky grin and a kind word for all. He was a mate to everyone and everyone considered him their special mate. He will be missed by all. 41 is way to young to leave this mortal coil.

The link is to a newspaper article about him. It sums him up as well as anybody could.

http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/ ... 90142.aspx

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Linda Hilton
W140903
CPONPC (Chief Coxswain)
Moran Division GE32 HMAS Cerberus
Apr 87 still serving
Cerberus, Navy Office, Harman, Penguin, Kuttabul, Watson, Jervis Bay (GT203), MHQ, Gascoyne, IGADF, Albatross

As a follow-up to Linda's post above, the following arrived in my in-box from Bill Krause... :evil3:

FUNERAL NOTICE - LEUT VINCE CARROLL.

Service for Vince is at Garden Island Chapel this Friday 24 Apr @ 1000.

Hearse and bike escort will make their way from the main gate at 0930 to the chapel. Signal will follow this afternoon.

Should you wish to call me (Mick Harris) please contact 0416134788. Also LCDR Peter Teichmann 0408226429.

Wake to follow Wolloomooloo Bay Hotel.

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Rick Pengilly
WEBMASTER
Ex-CPOMTH3
R42630
13th MOBI Intake
July'62 to July'74
HMAS Nirimba - HMAS Melbourne - HMAS Cerberus - HMAS Tarangau - HMAS Lonsdale - HMAS Tarangau - HMAS Nirimba - HMAS Brisbane

Sorry to hear about your friend Linda. 41 is definitely way too young to die. There has been far too many of our peers passing on over the years at rather young ages, due mostly to cancer or some other insidious disease. A lot of that seems reflective of the environment we've worked in, and whilst it's not understandable, it has become almost accepted.

The 'wrong place at the wrong time' bus can collect any of us at any time. So I would exhort all of you to live every day as if it was going to be your last. What a bastard it would be, recognising just before you died, that you had not done a lot with your life and not enjoyed it anywhere near as much as you would have liked to......

Not an issue for Vince, but how many of us could finish up now and be satisfied with what we had done/achieved. We're not getting any younger...go for it...and let the kids fend for themselves...just like we had to....

_________________
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.

Hi Linda,

I lived across the road from Vince in Ripley Pl Hassall Grove in the early 90's. His two boys and two of my girls used to play and we would go out to the Panthers Cable ski park and other places. He was one bloke you would be more than happy to say was your mate. Back then he gave us a scare when he was involved in another bike accident. He loved his bikes.
I was shocked to hear of what happened and I was truly upset for his family.
I was very happy to learn that Vince and Tom joined the navy, I wrote them a letter and mailed it via the Navy. I hope it reaches them. Would it be possible for you to pass on my condolences even though they may not remember myself or my family please.

Cheers

_________________
Brad "Bluey" Carr
S133994
Ex. LSMTH3
Cerberus 1982 Intake
May 1982 to Nov 1988
Cerberus, Nirimba, Brisbane, Creswell, Hobart, Perth, Hobart

I knew Vince - we served together as the commissioning crew in STUART (FFH153) 2002-2003.

He was a great bloke and I will miss him.

Last saw him in Fremantle around 2005 and he was enjoying several beers, as you do.

Cheers Vince!

Leo

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Leo Van Vliet
O134366
Ex-CMDR WEEO
22nd Muppet Intake
Jan 1983 to Sep 2008
Nirimba, Kuttabul(FIMA), Vampire, Brisbane, Waratah (USA), Hobart (3xtimes), Harman (CDSC), Stuart (FFH153), Australian Defence College, Anzac, Stirling.