Vale Neil 'Rocky' Rankin. A stoker from the old days in the 60's & 70's, Rocky loved being a stoker, riding motorbikes with the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club, and helping other Veterans as an advocate. Rocky finally succumbed to a long illness today with his family around him.

I spent an entire day with Rocky on Magnetic Island off Townsville for the National Vietnam Vets reunion in 97, and we ricocheted from one pub to another (there were only two!) trying to empty their beer & spirits stocks.

Vale Rocky, a good bloke taken far too soon. May you have clear skies, a following sea, and the sounds of your brothers' motorbikes to bring back great memories on your final posting.

_________________

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!

Rest on your oars, Rocky, your journey's done... Another soul taken too young... R.I.P.

_________________

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

Sad to hear indeed, a good bloke who could spin some yarns while enjoying a drink and enjoyed what he did. Served wirh Rocky when he was the kellick stoker in the diesel section of 259 blg. with Arthur Webb. Some very good memories.
Vale Rocky, RIP, may you have fair winds and following seas.

_________________
Mike (Pony) Moore
O42860
Ex-LT GLEN(ME)
16th MOBI intake
Jan 64 - Jul 88.
Anzac, Nirimba, Stalwart, Moresby, Creswell, Waterhen, Penguin, Vampire, GMGID (PJP), Coonawarra, Attack, Ardent, Cook, Kuttabull, Cerberus.

May your walls know joy; May every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibility.

Vale Rocky

A mate for forever, travel well my old friend

See you again on the Boiler front one day

Fair winds Mate

Charlie

_________________
Charlie (Chuckles) Britt JP TPI
Welfare Pensions Officer
R95712
Ex-LME(D) LSMTP2
17th Intake JR's, 23rd MOBI Intake .
Oct 66 - Nov 74
Leeuwin, Nirimba, Cerberus, Stalwart, Cerberus, Waterhen, Penguin, Carpentaria, Dolphin, Penguin, Sydney, Albatross, Leeuwin, Acute, Leeuwin, Cerberus, Stalwart, Waterhen, Attack, Leeuwin, DEE.

Not absolutely sure I knew Rocky, nonetheless, RIP old timer your pain is over.

_________________
Graeme 'Smiley' Rhodes
R94714
Ex-CPOMTP(D)5
Jan'65 Leeuwin Intake (10th) - Jan'66 Nirimba Intake (20th)
Jan'65 to Mar '88
Leeuwin, Nirimba, Stalwart, Samarai, Lae, Penguin, Curlew, Buccaneer, Navy Office, Barbette, Cairns, RANTTU (based in Port Moresby), Stirling, Bunbury.

Rocky's funeral service details:

Because of COVID-19, the attendance at his funeral service will be limited to 20 people. The Funeral will be held in Saint Augustine's Anglican Church, 56 Racecourse Road, Hamilton, or Friday 29th May 2020, commencing at 10:30 am. Viewing from 10:15 am.

The service will be streaming live on Zoom from 10:30 am. If anyone would like to access the live stream, please contact us at trevorrankin73@hotmail.com . Access to Zoom is limited to 100.

_________________

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!