A Farewell to those with whom we served...

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Fri Jul 22, 2016 8:38 pm

From 200252Z JUL 2016
Action AIG 3600 AIG 3602 RAN ALL SHORE Routine
Z4P
ACP 128 MI: RAYLSA 2798 2020252
ACP 128 Originator: CN AUSTRALIA

VALE COMMODORE JD BRYSON, CSM, RANR

1. WITH SADNESS, I INFORM YOU OF THE DEATH OF COMMODORE JOHN BRYSON,
AGED 53. ON BEHALF OF THE NAVY, I EXTEND SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO CDRE
BRYSON'S WIDOW, CYNTHIA, SON TOM AND THEIR WIDER FAMILY

2. CDRE BRYSON JOINED THE RAN IN 1987. GRADUATING WITH A BACHELOR OF
ENGINEERING, HE UNDERTOOK HIS FIRST SEA POSTING AS ASSISTANT MARINE
ENGINEERING OFFICER IN HMAS BRISBANE IN 1989. FOLLOWING JUNIOR STAFF
POSTINGS ASHORE, CDRE BRYSON WAS THE PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE EX-USS
GOLDSBOROUGH PROJECT IN 1993-94, AND WAS AWARDED A CONSPICUOUS
SERVICE MEDAL FOR HIS EFFORTS. HE RETURNED TO SEA IN 1995, AS THE
DEPUTY MARINE ENGINEERING OFFICER IN HMAS NEWCASTLE

3. CDRE BRYSON WAS PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT COMMANDER IN 1996, AND WAS
APPOINTED AS THE MARINE ENGINEERING OFFICER IN HMAS MELBOURNE FROM
1996 TO 1998. UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP, HIS DEPARTMENT WAS AWARDED THE
AUSTRALIA SHIELD FOR MARINE ENGINEERING PROFICIENCY. IN HIS NEXT
POSTING, HE SERVED AS THE CAREER MANAGER FOR JUNIOR ENGINEER OFFICERS
BEFORE RETURNING TO SEA, ON PROMOTION TO COMMANDER, AS THE ENGINEER
OFFICER IN HMAS MANOORA - A POSTING WHICH HE LATER DESCRIBED AS A
FULL-POWER TRIAL

4. IN 2003, CDRE BRYSON WAS APPOINTED AS THE ASSISTANT NAVAL ADVISER
AT THE AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION IN LONDON. RETURNING TO AUSTRALIA
IN 2005, ON PROMOTION TO CAPTAIN, CDRE BRYSON POSTED AS THE DEPUTY
PROGRAM MANAGER FOR THE AMPHIBIOUS DEPLOYMENT AND SUSTAINMENT PROGRAM
WHERE HE OVERSAW THE LHD PROJECT FROM CONCEPT TO CONTRACT

5. IN 2007, CDRE BRYSON ASSUMED DUTIES AS CHIEF STAFF OFFICER
(ENGINEERING) AT FLEET HEADQUARTERS AND THE FOLLOWING YEAR, ON
PROMOTION TO COMMODORE, WAS APPOINTED DIRECTOR GENERAL NAVY SYSTEMS
AND CHIEF NAVAL ENGINEER. CDRE BRYSON TRANSFERRED TO THE RESERVES ON
COMPLETION OF HIS POSTING AS HEAD OF NAVY ENGINEERING IN 2013. CDRE
BRYSON RETAINED HIS LINKS WITH NAVY AND MARINE ENGINEERING AS A
CONTRACTOR AND CONSULTANT

6. CDRE BRYSON'S FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT THE ANZAC MEMORIAL
CHAPEL OF ST PAUL, RMC DUNTROON, ON FRIDAY 22 JULY AT 1400. DRESS FOR
SERVING MEMBERS IS W2 WITH MOURNING BRASSARD.

UNCLASSIFIED

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Sun Aug 07, 2016 6:04 pm

I would like to share a sad e-mail conversation which began on Friday when I received the following from Kerry Kerr, Webmaster
of NAVY Stokers, in relation to his close friend and fellow Administrator of NAVY Stokers, Erwin 'Canada' Hodikin... :evil3:

---------------------------

Fri 5/08/2016 7:00 AM

G’day All,

I was talking to Erwin “Canada" Hodikin yesterday & he informed me that he is undergoing radiation treatment for bone cancer.

The cancer is in one of his scapulars & L5 in his spine.

Also, he has lung cancer in 1 lung, but the type of cancer has not been diagnosed at this time.

As you would guess his spirits are high & he is looking forward to a successful outcome.

I have only known this bloke for 51 years & I am sure he will attack these problems with the gusto that has earmarked his life.

Good luck Canada.

Regards
Kerry

---------------------------

Fri 5/08/2016 9:29 AM

G’day Again,

Unfortunately, I received the news this morning that Canada had a massive stroke yesterday afternoon. He is in a coma with a bleed on his brain & is unlikely to survive.

Please don’t ring Christine, she has her hands full at this time.

I will keep everybody in the loop.

Regards
Kerry

---------------------------

Fri 5/08/2016 10:29 AM

Hi Kerry,

So saddened to hear about ‘Canada’, and whilst I don’t know Erwin personally, I know how close he is to you, not only as a
personal friend, but as an integral/ foundation member of the Admin Team at NAVY Stokers…

On behalf of the Admin Team and Members at RAN Skilled Hands, our thoughts are with you, ‘Canada’, Christine and family
at this emotional time…

Best Regards
Rick Pengilly

---------------------------

Fri 5/08/2016 1:24 PM

Thanks for the kind words Rick.

I also joined Pussers with Canada & gave him his nickname, he was getting into fights because the troops thought he was a Yank so I thought calling him Canada would stop that, it did.

Regards
Kerry

---------------------------

Fri 5/08/2016 7:23 PM

G’day All,

It is my sad duty to notify you of the passing of Erwin “Canada” Hodikin R64566 8/12/1947 - 5/8/2016.

Canada passed away in Coffs Harbour hospital after suffering a massive stroke yesterday.

When the details of his funeral are known I will post them. Please wait till after the funeral notice before contacting the family.

Smooth seas old mate & the wind will always be at your back.

Having known Canada for 51 years & 6 days & being a close mate for all that time I find writing this notification very difficult, but it must be 10 times worse for his wife of nearly 3 months Christine & their wider families.

Please visit :type:

http://www.navystokers.org

Regards
Kerry R64569

---------------------------

Fri 5/08/2016 8:23 PM

Hi Kerry,

On behalf of the Admin Team and Members of RAN Skilled Hands website, I would like to pass on our sincere condolences
to Canada’s wife Christine and their families and also to you at this sad and solemn time with the loss of your close friend.

Best Regards
Rick Pengilly

---------------------------

Sat 6/08/2016 1:05 PM

G’day All,

Canada was a part of the July 1965 RANKIN intake & one of our number, Frank Guy, made a memorial for our intake with our names & official numbers on it. As a member passes on the light behind that name goes out. The photo shown below & the text was sent to me by Frank to distribute to those I thought would be interested.

"I have attached a photo and was hoping that you could pass it on to all of our shipmates and anyone else who knew Erwin with the following caption.

"This morning I found that the light had gone out from behind the name of R64566 HODIKEN Erwin, and a red poppy was there instead. Smooth seas old sailor, we will meet again".

He was a good bloke and much loved by us all. He will be missed as will his regular e-mails.”

Regards
Kerry

---------------------------

Sun 7/08/2016 11:16 AM

FOR WIDE DISTRIBUTION:

G’day All,

Erwin’s funeral will be held on Friday 12th August 2016 at 1:30 PM at the Salvation Army Hall (the only place big enough to hold it).

The address is: 40 Mastracolas Road Coffs Harbour.

The wake will be held at the Coffs Harbour Ex Services Club, 1 Vernon Street Coffs Harbour.

In lieu of flowers could you please make a donation to the “Sallies”.

This will be an RSL service funeral, medals to be worn.

Regards
Kerry

---------------------------

What a difference a day makes... :omg1:

Farwell 'Canada', rest on your oars, your voyage is done...! [-o<

sbjohns · **Posted:** Thu Aug 11, 2016 12:46 pm

Whilst not in Pussers, my mate, Ron Height passed away on Tuesday after a 15 year fight with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, aged just 60.

Ron was a Jan 72 Balcombe Army apprentice (27th Intake) and served 20 years in RAEME as a Motor Mechanic, marching out as a WO2. Fortunately he was able to gain some DVA recognition of benzene being a contributor to NHL. (NB the same deal the Submariners are now pushing).
Ron is survived by his wife, 3 adult children, and 2 grandchildren.

Ron was a man who loved his family deeply, and was a generous guy.

I don't really know what the Army equivalent farewell is, but thanks for your friendship over the years.

Vale Ron.

Seejay · **Posted:** Thu Aug 11, 2016 1:44 pm

Sorry for your loss, Steve. Finally safe behind the wire.

Peter Weyling · **Posted:** Thu Aug 11, 2016 2:43 pm

Stand down Digger: Your job is done!!!

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Thu Aug 11, 2016 2:49 pm

Nicely said, Steve, you've done your mate proud... :yes:

Ray Lawrence · **Posted:** Thu Aug 11, 2016 2:57 pm

I saw on another site that LSSTD John "Ossie" Osborne passed away on Monday the 8/8/2016, he had Nirimba listed as a posting in his Bio, don't know when though.

As far as I know he was suffering from the effects of asbestosis and using an oxygen bottle to assist with his breathing.

Rest on your oars Ossie, calm seas and fair winds ahead, your duty is done.

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Fri Sep 02, 2016 1:02 pm

VALE - CMDR WARREN MILFULL RAN (RTD)

It is with much sadness that I pass on the news from Brian of Warren (Skilfull) Milfull’s passing.

He was a well respected officer with a good sense of humour and a great work ethic.

He will be missed by many

Yours aye

Bob Mummery

From: Brian Barlow
Sent: Friday, 2 September 2016 6:57 AM
To: Bob Mummery
Subject: Warren Milfull

Hello Bob,

Just got a call from Warren’s Wife to let me know Warren passed away last night. He was diagnosed with Cancer earlier this year.

Warren was the Training Commander when Nirimba closed.

Perhaps you can let your contacts know, there will be a Memorial Service in Canberra at 1430 this Monday.

Kamberra Wine Company Function Centre
Function Room Facility
Address: Kamberra Function Centre, 595 Northbourne Ave, Lyneham ACT 2602

Many Thanks,

Brian Barlow

sbjohns · **Posted:** Thu Oct 27, 2016 3:26 pm

From Denis Combe, through the WA Greenies network:

Dear Fellow Greenies,

Les (Bull) Lever passed away yesterday. Les had been unwell for quite some time, and was admitted to Bunbury Hospital last Friday. I believe a kidney infection was the immediate cause of his death, but at least he is no longer suffering. I don't have any details of funeral arrangements at this time, but if anyone wishes to attend his funeral, please let me know & I'll keep you informed. His funeral will most likely be in Bunbury.

Denis Coombe

Following on, today,

Dear W.A. Greenies,

I have the details of the funeral for Les Lever. Les will be cremated at Bunbury Crematorium, Hales Street, Bunbury at 10:00AM Tuesday November 2nd.

Denis Coombe

Vale Bull.

sbjohns · **Posted:** Fri Oct 28, 2016 2:16 pm

Hi an update to Denis Combe's previous message re Bull Lever's funeral:

LES LEVER'S FUNERAL IS AT 10:00AM WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 2ND.

Denis apologises for his previous erroneous email.

A Farewell to those with whom we served...

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