A chain of e-mails hit my in-box last night, delivering the very sad news of the departure of a true Gentleman amongst the Chippy bretheran, Barry Hann...
Barry was my Chief Chippy on HMAS Brisbane, a nice bloke to work for who had more than his fair share of challenges during his lifetime, losing a daughter to Lukemia whilst posted there...
Rest on your oars Barry, your journey's done...
Sad news also, about another well known Chippy I served on HMAS Melbourne with, DENS, Curly Knapp, (mentioned in the e-mails below,) who's funeral was held on 13 July...
I'll just post the e-mail chain, (e-mail addresses intentionally removed,) so you can appreciate the high esteem in which Barry was held... 
From: Marg Hourigan
Sent: Sunday, 15 July 2012 6:55 PM
To: Nils Blyth; Bob & Marg Moult; Andrew Froude; Dave Seward; Rick Pengilly; Dagmar & Barry Robinson
Subject: Fwd: Barry Hann
Gents
Could you please pass on the news of Barrys' passing, as I have lost the email contacts of many of our Chippy brethren.
My own recollection of Barry, is as a very good natured easy going bloke. he was a Chief Chippy at FMP when I did my time there in 1966.
Regards to all
Ron H
Begin forwarded message:
From: Tony Rumble
Subject: Fwd: Barry Hann
Date: 14 July 2012 3:43:56 PM AEST
To: Ron & Marg Hourigan, Allan Forsyth, Bob Dutton
Begin forwarded message: More sad news for info and in case you know how to contact those being sought.
From: Terry & Suzie (James)
Date: 14 July 2012 1:47:39 PM AEST
To: Tom Hanlon, Tony Rumble, David Stone, Derek Robson, John and Laraine Lamey, Jim Parsons, Mick Harrhy
Subject: FW: Fw: Barry Hann
Hullo Gentlemen
Some of you might remember Barry Hann as a fairly decent Chief Chippy in our early days at FMP (Fleet Maintenance Party, you remember). And of course you would remember Curly Knapp.
We, of course, have lost Phillip Brennan from our intake of Chippies. I have left the addresses and full text of the messages below just in case you may be interested in seeing some old names from the past???
Hope this finds you all well (and alive).
Regards
Terry James
PS: this message is passed to eight addresses. I don’t have an email address for Tony Huby but who else did I miss. I am sure 13 of us graduated in 1966 (so Tony and I make 9 & 10, which is about where we ended up in the pecking order from memory............sob!!)
From: Clipperh
Sent: Saturday, 14 July 2012 10:50 AM
To: Undisclosed Recipients
Subject: Re: Fw: Barry Hann
Sad News indeed. Tom was at Curly Knapp's funeral yesterday. Peter Corran has his number. Vale Barry. Tom Davies
Sent from Samsung Mobile
-------- Original message --------
Subject: Fw: Barry Hann
From: John Simmons
To: Paul Anderson. Neil Coysh, Derek Robson, Russ Allom, Terry James, Vince Fazio, Terry Knowles, Roger and Carol (Oyston), John Carlin, Ron Carlson, Max Kean, Elva Marshall, Des & Jan Wirges, Brian Swan, Ray Speight, Bruce Sloper, John Buttle, Greg Hellessey, Niel Bryson, Tom Davies, Chris Oyston, Dave Harnett, Stan Sheldon, Eric Shaw, Bill Forder, Ron Ashmore, Garry Ernest Prince, Anthony Young, MR, Alan Hennessy,
CC:
----- Original Message -----
From: Ken & Pat Cook
To: Peter Corran ; Bob Reddacliffe ; Terry James ; John Simmons ; Vivien Lomas ; Brian Swan
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2012 5:54 PM
Subject: Fw: Barry Hann
To you all out there,
Just opened my mail to see this sad news and thought that you all should know and maybe pass it on to anyone else that may have known Barry Hann. I have already sent it on to Tom shaw for him to contact Garry Pettit
Regards to you all
Ken Cook
----- Original Message -----
From: Gary Pettit
To: Ken & Pat Cook
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2012 3:06 PM
Subject: Barry Hann
Sad to tell you of the passing of another Chippy
Barry Hann passed away in Adelaide on Wednesday 11th July after a battle with MS and Parkinson's.
His wife Lee is trying to contact Tom Shaw but his home phone is not answering. Does any of your contacts know a mobile for Tom.
If known please email me or ring me on 0755232292
Thanks
Gary Pettit