R 100400Z JUN 14
FM HMAS CAIRNS
SIC WUZ/Z4H

SUBJ: PASSING OF WOB JOSEF WAGNER OAM (RTD)

1. THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY IS SADDENED TO HEAR OF THE PASSING OF
WO JOE WAGNER ON 8 JUN 14 AT THE CAIRNS PRIVATE HOSPITAL, AGED 66,
FOLLOWING A SECOND LONG AND HARD FOUGHT BATTLE WITH CANCER.

2. WO WAGNER JOINED THE RAN AS A RECRUIT QUARTERMASTER GUNNER ON 13
MARCH 1965. HE SERVED IN MOST MAJOR COMBATANT SHIPS AS WELL AS MINOR
WAR VESSELS, WHICH INCLUDED THE ATTACK AND FREMANTLE CLASS PATROL
BOATS. HE ALSO SERVED AT NIRIMBA, CERBERUS, HARMAN, WATSON, PENGUIN,
KUTTABUL, NHQ AND CAIRNS.

3. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF HIS SERVICE WAS HIS MEDAL OF THE ORDER
OF AUSTRALIA (OAM) IN 1992 FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE AS THE NAVY
MANAGER OF BOTH ENDEAVOUR AND LADY GOWRIE HOUSE. HE WAS ALSO
RECOGNISED WITH THE AWARD OF AN AASM WITH CLASP (VIETNAM), ASM (FAR
EAST STRATEGIC RESERVE), VIETNAM MEDAL AND VIETNAM CAMPAIGN MEDAL. IN
2009, HE WAS AWARDED A CO COMMENDATION AT HMAS CAIRNS FOR HIS
OUTSTANDING MANAGEMENT AND COMMITTMENT AS OIC KURANDA DIVISION.

4. HE TRANSFERRED TO THE RESERVES IN 2002 AND WORKED AT HMAS CAIRNS
AS THE PORT SERVICES MANAGER / OIC KURANDA DIVISION UNTIL HIS FINAL
RETIREMENT IN 2012.

5. THE FUNERAL SERVICE FOR WO WAGNER WILL TAKE PLACE AT ST THERESE'S
CATHOLIC CHURCH, 135-167 ROBERT ROAD, BENTLEY PARK, CAIRNS, QLD, 4869
AT 1200 WED 18 JUN 14. FLORAL CONTRIBUTES CAN BE SENT TO ST THERESE'S
CHURCH.

6. SERVICE DRESS WILL BE S2 OR ARMY/RAAF EQUIVALENT.

7. ON BEHALF OF ALL CURRENT SERVING MEMBERS AND THE BROADER NAVY
FAMILY SINCERE CONDOLENCES HAVE BEEN EXTENDED TO WO WAGNER'S FAMILY.
BT


Joe served at NIRIMBA a couple of times (he joined from Blacktown) and his brother Frank was in the 21st Intake from memory.

Rest on your oars Shipmate, your duty is done.

Mark

_________________
Mark Mobley
R43355
CPONPC
22nd MOBI Intake
January, 1967 Still serving reservist
Nirimbax4, Leeuwin, Penguin, Vendetta, Brisbane, Cerberus, Stalwart, FOCAF Staff, Sydney, Melbourne, Yarra, Anzac, Swan,Vampire, Kimbla, Kuttabul.

I have a belief that Joe was the buffer on Barbette for a time when I was there.
Nevertheless, RIP Joe, a great career.

_________________
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.

I never had the pleasure of meeting Josef, but acknowledge him for his outstanding service.

Vale Josef

_________________
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).

Vale Josef Wagner, a wonderful career and service for your country but at 66 taken far too early, too many matelots crossing the bar at a relatively young age. Service related ???.

_________________
Bob Moult
R42629
Ex-CPOMTH
13th MOBI Intake
1962 to 1982
Nirimba, Sydney, Melbourne, Tarangau, Penguin, Albatross Kuttabul, Harman, Hobart, Platypus, Duchess, Brisbane, Moreton

Hey Smiley,
Joe was your Buffer on Barbette in 1980, I remember him from doing your ORE that year. I did come across him a couple of time in later years and as always he was always a great guy, sad that he is no longer here.

_________________
Mick Thompson
R43153
Ex-LT
19th Mobi intake
July 65 to Mar 92
23 years (20 out for 3 then signed on for another 3) paid off '92
Nirimba, Sydney, Anzac, PBF Cairns x 2, Watehen, Stalwart x 2, NSC Kuttabul, Vampire, Penguin and finally Nirimba.