It is with deep regret that I inform our fellow MOBIs of the passing of Chippy Graham Wilkin, a quiet, but thoroughly likeable, unassuming bloke who I served with at HMAS Nirimba and HMAS Melbourne...
Graham was a member of RAN Skilled Hands, (mobi729,) who only posted 5 times, but logged in regularly, just to keep an eye on us all, the last time being Thursday, 2nd Jan., 2020 5:48 pm...
(...which was no mean feat actually, as according to the e-mail from Les Roberts below, Graham shuffled off this mortal coil two whole weeks earlier, on Thursday 19th Dec., 2019...!)
Graham's signature block reads as follows...
Graham Wilkin
R42729
Ex-CPOMTH
14th MOBI Intake
Jan.63-Jan83 RANR Jan83-Oct 04.
Nirimba, Kuttabul, Penguin, Harman -DNSD, DDG update, DNEP. Sydney, Melbourne, Stuart, Stalwart, Perth.
Graham will be missed by many, another MOBI, another Chippy, taken all too soon... Rest on your oars, Graham, your journey is done... RIP...
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I learned of Graham's sad passing via the two e-mails below...
From: Bob Mummery <bandi@iinet.net.au>
Sent: Saturday, 11 January 2020 1:11 PM
To: Bob Mummery <bandi@iinet.net.au>
Subject: Vale: Graham Ray WILKIN R 42729 CPO RAN Rtd - MOBI Jan 63 Entry
It is most unfortunate that we have to start another New Year with the loss of another MOBI. Out thoughts are with his family and friends.
Yours aye
Bob Mummery
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From: Les Roberts
Sent: Saturday, 11 January 2020 8:57 AM
To: NVN Webmaster <webmaster@navyvic.net>
Cc: Bob MUMMERY
Subject: Re: Vale: Graham Ray WILKIN R 42729 CPO RAN Rtd
Hello Lozza,
Another one - The Canberra Times of 11 Jan 2020 contained a death notice for a Graham WILKIN (CPO RAN Rtd). 29 Jan 1947 to 19 Dec 2019. Joined as a Mobi (R42729) on 11 Jan 1963 and was a A/NS2 in 1969. Do not know when he paid off or whether he was a NS1 or CPONS at the time.
Regards,
Les Roberts
