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Vale ERA Victor John HARLOW R43396. https://ran-skilledhands.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=2767 |
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Author: | bfdavis [ Thu Mar 25, 2021 8:18 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Vale ERA Victor John HARLOW R43396. |
Rest on your oars Vic, A great Hockey Player and friend at Nirimba. |
Author: | Hippy Chippy [ Thu Mar 25, 2021 12:50 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Vale ERA Victor John HARLOW R43396. |
Another MOBI taken way too soon... Rest on your oars, Vic, your journey's done... R.I.P. |
Author: | Pony [ Mon Mar 29, 2021 2:53 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Vale ERA Victor John HARLOW R43396. |
I can't recall Vic, but another brother taken too early. Vale Vic, fair winds and following seas. |
Author: | Graeme Rhodes [ Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:13 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Vale ERA Victor John HARLOW R43396. |
Always is and always will be sad to hear of these passings |
Author: | BC [ Mon Mar 29, 2021 8:54 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Vale ERA Victor John HARLOW R43396. |
Gi'day mate, I was just about to contact you to let you know I'll be heading over, just for the Funeral and straight back. I was only thinking about our time on the MELBOURNE and yep have some anecdotes and not withstanding our NIRIMBA days, some of us will remember Vics' hockey prowess and artistic ability, he was very good on the field and I reckon he was good enough for major rep, at times I drove him to his civvy comp games on the weekend to watch and he'd carry on to my union match, I digress; In 1970 Vic was one of the ten ERA's to join MELBOURNE after Passing Out from NIRIMBA. We all progressed through training and so on, Engineering wasn't just Engines and Boilers on the Carriers. Outside machinery played a huge part of MELBOURNES' ability to fulfil its primary function to launch and recover aircraft and their crews safely. One such item on board were the two VR plants, and for a while Vic maintained and operated the going unit in part by 'rabbiting' bits off the second unit and it was a source of pride for him when it was running, in between breakdowns and other problems. For 'mere mortals' the VR plant was only found on the 'Carriers' and is a steam jet ejector driven Vacuum Refrigeration air conditioning unit, all part of making the crews life a little more comfortable, sometimes!! In 1971 during RIMPAC in Hawaii Vic and I decided to fly to Maui for the weekend. As ERA 3's we weren't exactly flush in those days so sleeping on the beach after a night out in Lahaina was all we could afford. After 2 or 3 hours of being eaten alive by mozzies I'd had enough, and I dragged Vic off the beach with the promise of finding lodgings for the night. He was a bit anxious and had a nervous smile as we walked into the Police Station and approached the desk Sargent, a big islander chap who looked up as I asked how 'he was going', and if he could possibly provide us with a cell for the night. He enquired as to whether or not we were Australians, I thought whacko we're in!! and after confirming said nationality he instructed us to 'leave with haste', not his words!! By the time I had turned to go Vic was already out the door. We were to learn later that one of the escorting Frigates had visited Lahaina 2 weeks before and the crew had disgraced themselves. 1972 we were now ERA 2's, or Petty Officers and as we let go and departed the Djakarta Port of Tanjung Priok I was standing on the Flight deck at 'Alpha' and waving to 2 blokes I knew, out of a crew of 1200, who were standing on the wharf having missed the ship and waving back. A chopper was sent in, or a ships boat, I don't remember which, to pick up newly promoted ERA 2 V J Harlow and a Stoker mate. They lost leave and money and were not popular with the Master at Arms. 1973 Vic was our 'Best Man' when Nancy and I married and 'Blue' was Groomsman. 1974 I was off to DDG's, some stayed on the MELBOURNE, some went to Subs and some decided to leave Pussers. I think that was when Vic was one of those who chose another path outside and to 'Pay Off'. We've known each other since 15 years of age, a long time but only 'yesterday'. Regards, Ray Mobbs |
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