It is with deep regret that I inform our fellow MOBIs of the passing of Chippy Graham Wilkin, a quiet, but thoroughly likeable, unassuming bloke who I served with at HMAS Nirimba and HMAS Melbourne...

Graham was a member of RAN Skilled Hands, (mobi729,) who only posted 5 times, but logged in regularly, just to keep an eye on us all, the last time being Thursday, 2nd Jan., 2020 5:48 pm...
(...which was no mean feat actually, as according to the e-mail from Les Roberts below, Graham shuffled off this mortal coil two whole weeks earlier, on Thursday 19th Dec., 2019...!)

Graham's signature block reads as follows...

Graham Wilkin
R42729
Ex-CPOMTH
14th MOBI Intake
Jan.63-Jan83 RANR Jan83-Oct 04.
Nirimba, Kuttabul, Penguin, Harman -DNSD, DDG update, DNEP. Sydney, Melbourne, Stuart, Stalwart, Perth.

Graham will be missed by many, another MOBI, another Chippy, taken all too soon... Rest on your oars, Graham, your journey is done... RIP...

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I learned of Graham's sad passing via the two e-mails below...

From: Bob Mummery <bandi@iinet.net.au>
Sent: Saturday, 11 January 2020 1:11 PM
To: Bob Mummery <bandi@iinet.net.au>
Subject: Vale: Graham Ray WILKIN R 42729 CPO RAN Rtd - MOBI Jan 63 Entry

It is most unfortunate that we have to start another New Year with the loss of another MOBI. Out thoughts are with his family and friends.

Yours aye

Bob Mummery

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From: Les Roberts
Sent: Saturday, 11 January 2020 8:57 AM
To: NVN Webmaster <webmaster@navyvic.net>
Cc: Bob MUMMERY
Subject: Re: Vale: Graham Ray WILKIN R 42729 CPO RAN Rtd

Hello Lozza,

Another one - The Canberra Times of 11 Jan 2020 contained a death notice for a Graham WILKIN (CPO RAN Rtd). 29 Jan 1947 to 19 Dec 2019. Joined as a Mobi (R42729) on 11 Jan 1963 and was a A/NS2 in 1969. Do not know when he paid off or whether he was a NS1 or CPONS at the time.

Regards,

Les Roberts

_________________

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

I served with Graham and a lot of Chippys on The Wart around 1975 we were in No2 Chiefs mess good times were had
I was given a Red Healer dog of his which we loved dearly so I ended up with a pair of healers, when we headed back from Sydney to Perth it was quite an experience two dogs my wife's horse in tow

RIP Graham it was pleasure to have served with you

Viv
The Mobi's friend

_________________
Viv MacLeod
R65148
Morran(March 66)
ME(D)-DENS-WOMTH4
1966 to 1986
Cerberus,Duchess,Waterhen,Hawk,Nirimba, Melbourne,Torrens,Perth, Leeuwin,Stalwart,Stirling,Kutabul

Sad to hear of Graham's passing. I knew him very well in Canberra. he was Frank Eastwells neighbour, we had many great evenings together. He was a NRMA director for quite a few years also. Vale old friend.

_________________
Greg Eade
R43098
Ex-CPOMTH4
19th MOBI Intake
July 65-July 85
Nirimba, Sydney, Perth, Stalwart, Harman(Navy Office), Melbourne, Harman, Torrens, Nirimba, Harman.

Life is so much funnier when you have a dirty mind...

Didn't know Graham but it is always sad to hear of the passing of former mobis/colleagues.
RIP Graham

_________________
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.

Ditto Smiley, I never had the pleasure of every meeting Graham, but sad to hear of his passing.

RIP Graham

_________________
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).

Farewell buddy, we had lots of good times.

_________________

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.

RIP. Graham, taken too early.

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

Sad news indeed. I went to school with Graham & he went to Mobi school & later on I joined as a general entry. RIP Graham.

_________________
Ted Cooke
R67098
Ex-CPOMTP4
Rankin Division Cerberus Feb 68
Feb 1968 to Aug 1986
Gull, Waterhen,Ibis x2, Advance, Cerberus,Stirling, Jervis Bay, Leeuwin, Geraldton, Moresby