A Farewell to those with whom we served...

BC · **Posted:** Wed Apr 07, 2021 9:00 am

VALE - WOMTP3* Jeffrey William HINSON R64104

Sad news at the loss of another member of the “Black Gang”. I never had the pleasure, but some of you may have served with Jeff.

His Vietnam service included 1 x Vung Tau trip in Sydney (65), 2 x Escort trips in Stuart (67 & 68) and 1 x Gunline Tour in Brisbane (71).

Condolences to Jeff’s family & friends.

RIP Jeff, your watch is done. :salute1:

From: Bob Mummery <bandi@iinet.net.au>
Sent: Tuesday, 6 April 2021 2:04 PM
To: Bob Mummery <bandi@iinet.net.au>
Subject: VALE - WARRANT OFFICER MTP3* Jeffrey Hinson R64104

The passing of Jeff is almost the passing of an era, the 3* Stoker. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

May he Rest in Peace.

Bob Mummery

From: Kerry Kerr

G’day All,

It is with much sadness that I have to tell you of the passing of Jeffrey William Hinson R64104.

Jeffrey paid off a Warrant Officer STOKER

I was a mate of Jeff’s since serving with him on HMAS BRISBANE on the last Gunline trip in 1971. Jeff was a hard runner & I have enjoyed his company many times at his house & mine.

My thoughts & prayers go to his wife Jackie who is going to miss him terribly.

Details will be promulgated when known.

Please forward this on to your engineering contacts

Regards
Kerry Kerr

Pony · **Posted:** Wed Apr 07, 2021 10:00 am

Never had the pleasure either, but another sad loss.
Vale Jeff, fair winds and following seas. Condolences to his family.

tafmo · **Posted:** Wed Apr 07, 2021 11:19 pm

Farewell Jeff and Dino...may you Rest In Peace... :tear:

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Thu Apr 15, 2021 9:02 pm

BC wrote:

VALE - WOMTP3* Jeffrey William HINSON R64104

Sad news at the loss of another member of the “Black Gang”. I never had the pleasure, but some of you may have served with Jeff.

His Vietnam service included 1 x Vung Tau trip in Sydney (65), 2 x Escort trips in Stuart (67 & 68) and 1 x Gunline Tour in Brisbane (71).

Condolences to Jeff’s family & friends.

RIP Jeff, your watch is done. :salute1:

From: Bob Mummery <bandi@iinet.net.au>
Sent: Tuesday, 6 April 2021 2:04 PM
To: Bob Mummery <bandi@iinet.net.au>
Subject: VALE - WARRANT OFFICER MTP3* Jeffrey Hinson R64104

The passing of Jeff is almost the passing of an era, the 3* Stoker. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

May he Rest in Peace.

Bob Mummery

From: Kerry Kerr

G’day All,

It is with much sadness that I have to tell you of the passing of Jeffrey William Hinson R64104.

Jeffrey paid off a Warrant Officer STOKER

I was a mate of Jeff’s since serving with him on HMAS BRISBANE on the last Gunline trip in 1971. Jeff was a hard runner & I have enjoyed his company many times at his house & mine.

My thoughts & prayers go to his wife Jackie who is going to miss him terribly.

Details will be promulgated when known.

Please forward this on to your engineering contacts

Regards
Kerry Kerr

From: Kerry Kerr
Sent: Monday, 12 April 2021 2:57 PM
To: Google Group for Navy Stokers
Subject: Jeffrey Hinson R64104 Funeral Details

PLEASE PASS ONTO YOUR CONTACTS

G’day All,
The following was just sent to me by Billy Vernon:

There will be a graveside funeral service for Jeff on Friday 23 April at 1300, at the Polson Cemetery, Corser Street, Point Vernon (Hervey Bay).

Following the funeral, there will be a wake at the Hervey Bay RSL, 11 Torquay Road Pialba, on the 1st floor verandah located at the end of the dining area, from 1420-1630 Hrs

There will be a viewing, for anyone who wishes to say their goodbyes, at J. Kirk & Sons rooms, 224 Urraween Road, Urraween, at 1600 hrs Thursday 22 April.

Regards
Kerry Kerr

BC · **Posted:** Wed Jun 16, 2021 7:28 am

Passing of Desmond Victor HARPER A.M. Ex WOCoxn

It is with regret I report the passing of Des Harper on Saturday 12th June, at Minchinbury Hospital aged 91. Des had been battling prostate cancer for a number of years.

A number of us will remember Des as the Master at Arms at Nirimba in 1967-69. In his young days, Des was a good boxer and also coached many MOBI's. After his permanent naval service, he became very active in veteran's associations and was always attending ceremonies, in full regalia.

Is his later years and until only recently, Des was a champion ball room dancer.

Des’s War Service included:

Korea – HMAS Culgoa in 1953
Vietnam – HMAS Vampire in 1969

Preliminary funeral arrangements are for a service to be held at Pine Grove North Chapel at 1000 on Tuesday 22nd June 2021.

RIP Des, fair winds and following seas. :salute1:

Graeme Rhodes · **Posted:** Wed Jun 16, 2021 11:35 am

One of the toughest yet fairest person I have known.
RIP Des.

BC · **Posted:** Wed Jun 16, 2021 1:15 pm

Many in this network will remember Des Harper. I recall him aa a tough but fair man in his days as an RPO (Regulating Petty Officer I think they were called) at NIRIMBA around 62/63. I later met him socially when he was a Master-at-Arms. I was aware that he was nimble footed in the boxing ring, but nimble footed on the ballroom dance floor- well there is a surprise!!

RIP Des

Bob Mummery

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Wed Jun 16, 2021 6:27 pm

From: Ian Pfennigwerth
Sent: Wednesday, 16 June 2021 12:36 PM
To: 'Bob Mummery'
Subject: RE: Passing of Desmond Victor HARPER A.M. Ex WOCoxn

Hi Bob,

Des was the Admiral’s Cox’n when I was Flag Lieutenant to FOCAF in 1970-72. ‘Tough’ was an apt description, but I must say that he tried his very hardest to deliver what was required, and you have to be nimble-footed where admirals are concerned.

Des was awarded an AM on Australia Day 1976 for 27 years of devoted service to the Navy. Starting as a gunnery rate in 1948, he served in Australia II, Sydney III , Culgoa in Korea, the Gunnery School in Cerberus, Melbourne II and Yarra III (commissioning crew) and he also commissioned Perth II. After transferring to the Coxswain Branch in 1967, he served in Kimbla, Nirimba, Vampire II, FHQ and Brisbane and was promoted WO in 1974. After another tour in Nirimba he returned to sea as Cox’n in Melbourne before retiring in 1979.

A senior sailor of the old school, and I’m sorry to learn of his passing.

Ian Pfennigwerth

BC · **Posted:** Fri Jul 30, 2021 7:33 pm

Vale - exWOCOX Colin Francis (Irish) O'Flynn

Hi Shipmates,

It is my sad duty to inform you that our Welfare Officer and esteemed member passed away during the night in Nepean Private Hospital.

His daughter in West Australia will inform us what funeral arrangements will be in light of the lockdown in NSW...

Regards

Frank Syaranamual - Hon. Secretary

Nepean Blue Mountains Subsection - Naval Association of Australia

I have known Irish for many years, as he was friends with my parents when they were alive. In the decades since he retired from Pussers, he dedecated his time helping veterans. As a Welfare Officer, he would go out of his way to attend to the needs of veterans in hospitals, nursing homes or at their own homes.

I'd say there would be many MOBI's who would have had dealings with Irish, as he was of the same mould as Tim Collins and Des Harper.

Colin's Vietnam Service consisted of 3 x Trips in HMAS Duchess in 1969 and 1971.

Also of note, he was a survivor of the Voyager/Melbourne collision.

RIP Colin, fair winds and following seas.

BC

BC · **Posted:** Sun Aug 01, 2021 7:37 pm

Hi Shipmates,

Private Funeral Service, 10 family members only due to lockdown restrictions, at St. Josephs Catholic Parish, 12 Richmond Road Kingswood NSW, at 1000 on Wednesday 11th August 2021. I will inform you if there are any changes whereby the Service may be viewed from home by live-streaming.
Col's family have asked me to conduct the Naval Eulogy and Service....

A short eulogy of Colin's service in the R.A.N., Naval Association Of Australia, and his Church.

R.A.N.:

Served with distinction in the R.A.N. 18/10/1954 - 2/4/1978, paying off as W.O. Coxn. On 10 February 1964, Colin survived the sinking of HMAS Voyager, and in 1974 received a Flag Officers Commendation, and Sailor of the Year in 1974 for exceptional dedication as Chief Coxswain of HMAS Torrens commanded by Captain David J. Martin, during it's escort of the Royal Yacht Britannia and Royal Family from Norfolk Island to Rabaul PNG, February 1974 ... On 10/2/1964, Colin survived the sinking of HMAS Voyager.

Nepean Blue Mountains Subsection - Naval Association of Australia:

During his membership from 1977 – 2021, Colin held the following positions in the Association.

President: 1989 – 1990: 2003 – 2008
Chairman of the Executive Committee: 1989 – 1990: 2003 – 2008.
Vice President: 1991 – 1993: 1996 – 2003: 2008 – to the present
Committee member: 1979 – 1988: 1989 – 1993: 1996 - to the present
Welfare Officer: 1994 – to the present
Publicity Officer: 1980 – 1981
Social Committee: 1979 - 2006
Member Building Committee: 1983 – to present
President Building Committee: 1999 – 2008
Recruiting Officer: 1980 - 1986
State Delegate: 2001 – 2004, 2021
Alternate Delegate: 1979 – 1987: 1996 – 2000: 2005 – 2008:
Colin received the following Association and Sub-Section Awards:
Certificates of Appreciation: 1980 & 1986
Diploma of Merit: 21st September 1988
Life Membership of the Naval Association of Australia on 13th February 1999
Meritorious Service Medal on 8th April 2014

Through the Subsection, Colin was instrumental in forming the Naval Reserve Cadet Unit Training Ship TS Nepean in 1977 as it's first Commanding Officer, before the Unit was formally commissioned by the R.A.N. as an Australian Naval Cadet Unit in 1981, and played a role in the construction of our building for the Cadets, which is being developed into a Naval and Maritime Museum..

Church and St Vincent De Paul from 1986 – 2018:

During this time Colin has also been a very active member of his Church, and served as a volunteer with St Vincent De Paul, receiving an award three years ago for over 30 years of service, supporting the poor, homeless, and unemployed.

I will inform you if there are any changes whereby the Service may be viewed from home by live-streaming.

I have attached two photos of Colin's last official functions...

1. After the Naval Association Annual Centenary Church Service at HMAS Watson on 30th May 2021 with NSW Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC and her husband Dennis Wilson in the Wardroom, where she had a ten minute chat with Irish.

2. After Colin conducted the Naval Eulogy and Service for late shipmate Des Harper on 16th June 2021, with a couple of old friends, W.O. Coxn Mark Mobley still serving after 51 years, and current member Col Kelson, both former XOs of TS Nepean ...

Regards

Frank Syaranamual - Hon Secretary
Nepean Blue Mountains Subsection Naval Association of Australia

A Farewell to those with whom we served...

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