Any excuse for a beer Wayne.....

...but Lumpy would have appreciated that, and was probably with you in spirit sharing one himself.

_________________
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.

Well, it's the day after Pete's funeral, and I'd have to say he went out in style.

Mates from all corners of Australia were amongst those gathered, and there were in the region of three hundred mourners at the service. And I don't believe there was a dry eye in the chapel.

At midday, as prearranged, I saluted Peter at the same time that Wayne and Fred did the same over in the U.S. Thanks for the gesture guys, it meant a great deal to his family that you blokes were thinking about him as well. They pass on their thanks for your courtesy.

As an aside to this gesture, Peter had requested a number of songs be played whilst the viewing was being held. One of these was Jimmy Buffett's "A Pirate Looks At Forty" which I supplied. Peter had requested it from me as he first heard it at my place when we were on a never-ending quest to find the best Port in the world. We had tested a couple of bottles when I said 'You gotta hear this song" and we played it. A number of times....

That song was playing when I saluted. I don't believe it was a coincidence.

All five of Peter and Desley's children wrote their own eulogies for Peter. Lorrae, Megan, Dean and Kristy read theirs before the gathering, and as Ritsin is currently enroute to Iraq, Jeff Booker read his for him. They were all very brave, but the loss of their Dad showed in the tears and faltering voices. Again, not a dry eye as they recounted their most personal, touching memories.

Numerous tributes followed with many humorous stories, and before we knew it, the two hours of our final time with Peter had passed and we all said our final farewells.

Peter also liked the Irish way of life and a lot of their culture, having driven Desley almost to distraction by playing The Irish Rovers music many, many times. So, given my family ties with that country,

Peter, may the warm sun shine on your face and the road you travel always rise up to your feet.

Farewell old mate.

_________________

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!

I only met Peter and Desley Cottam in person once and that was at Breakie creek Hotel a few years ago. That afternoon was filled with laughter and war stories. My partner and myself had a wonderful time.

When I heard of Peters passing I was very sad, I then recalled that afternoon when we met. I then realised that Peter had left a part of himself with me. So when I read from another site and Chris O'Keefe's account of Peter's funeral. I knew there would be a big turn out of family and friends as Peter had that charisma that when you met him you wanted to be his friend.

Farewell Peter (Lumpy). A good bloke gone too soon and will be missed by many.

_________________
Ron Preddy (spud),
S114945
Ex POMTP3
July 73, 3rd Muppet, 35th Nirimba
1973 to 1985,
Nirimba, Melbourne, Albatross (MT compound), Kuttabul (FMP), Derwent, Leeuwin (Broken leg/boats W/Shop), Derwent, Torrens and Darwin Naval Base (main machine shop).

That's my Ford FPV Cobra GT

Five years ago.....



Not forgotten

_________________

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!

Nice one.

5 years? It doesn't seem that long ago.

_________________
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.

Ditto, time sure flies by these days.

_________________
Brian Carney
R43371
Ex-WOMTP5
22nd Mobi Intake
Jan 67 - Jan 89
RANATE, Sydney, Swan, Creswell, Stalwart (FMU), Cerberus, Derwent, Nirimba, Parramatta, Nirimba, FHQ (FMMO).

Rest in peace Pete.

_________________

John Kelly (WEBMASTER)
R42620
Ex-WOMTH
13th MOBI Intake
July'62 to July'83
Nirimba x3 - Rushcutter - Sydney x2 (Carrier) - Melbourne (Carrier) - Penguin - Kuttabul - Creswell x3 - Stalwart x2 - Brisbane.

I can only echo the other members here with regard Pete's Life. I like the Pirate song.
My addition to this is the haunting tune by Fleetwood Mac
It is probably one of the best Instrumentals and we sailors have all seen the birds out there in the oggin

I somehow think that all sailors have their spirits caught up in the "Albatross" after we cross the bar.

Have a listen.
Then tell me I'm wrong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAefTj7GXwQ

Fair seas Lumpy

cheers

_________________
Peter Sneddon
R95971
Ex CPOMTH4
18th JR Intake
23rd MOBI Intake
Jan 67 to July 91
Leeuwin, Nirimba, Sydney, Perth, FMP-W, Stuart, Penguin/Ships Divers course, Stuart, Lonsdale, Melbourne, Kuttabul, Cerberus, Stuart, Swan, Nirimba/ Q course, Cerberus, CPSO-M

Peter, if you check my post from August 23, 2008 (two above my last) you'll see the significance of A Pirate Looks at Forty. Loved the Albatross theme - I'd quite forgotten it. Thanks.

_________________

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!

There is no doubt in my mind that Pete is now running that great gun fire support ship in the ski, call sign Lumpy.

Lumpy this is 26C, fire mission K

I had a beer in your honor buddy

_________________
Wayne Johnson
(B149415)
OSC(SW) RET (RADARMAN)
Joined the Navy Jan 6, 1970, retired Jan 31, 1994
USS Trenton LPD-14, Hermitage LSD-34, Shreveport LPD-12, Saipan LHA-2, COMPHRIBRON-4 staff embarked in the Guam LPH 2, Saipan LHA-2, Nashville LPD-13, and Wasp LHD-1