The following group e-mail bearing sad news was sent out to our 13th MOBI Intake at 1058 this morning...

From: Murray Baker <murray.baker578@yahoo.com.au>
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2023 10:58 AM
To: 13th MOBI Intake, et al...
Subject: RE: VALE: Passing of Ian William Irving

Dear Ned & everyone,

It is with much sadness that I advise you of the passing of Ian Irving last Wednesday/Thursday night. Ian had been battling multiple cancers for some time, he was in considerable pain & he was recently transferred to a respite centre.

A memorial service to celebrate Ian’s life will be conducted by WT Howard Funerals, (02) 6557 6757 http://www.wthowardfunerals.com.au , at Manning Great Lakes Memorial Gardens & Crematorium, Pampoolah Road (turn left off Old Bar Road), Old Bar, commencing at 1pm Wednesday, 04 October. Family and friends are invited to attend and Service personnel are requested to wear medals please.

Some preliminary draft details of Ian’s Service & family life are shown in the attachment. Can anyone fill in some of the blanks please, Tim Kennedy maybe?


Bye for now,
Murray



Tricky's Footnote: Ian was a very likeable character, a true gentleman and a quiet achiever, (one of seven OAs leaving RANATE for HMAS Cerberus after 6th Term,) who I last caught up with at
our recent 13th MOBI Intake's 60th Anniversary Reunion in Bowral...
I believe Ian kept pretty much to himself, as evidenced by the 'questionnaire' accompanying Murray's email, (below,) no doubt hoping to fill in many of the gaps towards a thoughtful obituary...

My personal condolences to Sandra and son Robert, R.I.P. Brother...

"Ian William Irving, 29 August 1945 – 27 September 2023
I regret having to advise of the passing of our good term mate and Navy buddy, former Lieutenant Commander Ian William Irving, C42617, aged 78 years.
Ian enlisted in RAN in July 1962, initially for 12 years, which was subsequently extended a few more years, by which time he had been promoted to Chief Petty Officer before he was promoted to Sub Lieutenant on the Special Duties Weapons Electrical & Electronics Engineering List on (date ?)
He initially served onboard HMAS NIRIMBA as an Apprentice for his first 4 (3) years of service, undertaking, academic, trade & technical training.
Promoted to Leading Seaman upon graduating in June 1966, he undertook further technical training on naval weapons, & warships equipment for a further 7 months at various RAN establishments, until early 1967.
Initially posted to HMAS …….. where he had responsibilities for maintaining the ships surface weapons?
Subsequently posted to HMA ships … ….. …… ….. ….. ? for weapons maintenance etc.
Othe postings included … … …. … ?
He married Sandra on …. in (Sydney?) ….. ?
Their first & only son Robert was born on ….. 19… in … (Sydney?)
Ian’s shore postings included the following, ……..
On …. 19….. Ian was commissioned with the rank of Sublieutenant Special Duties Engineering.
His subsequent postings for Officer Training & various duties included … ….. ….. ….. …. ?
He was promoted to Lieutenant on ???? & subsequently Lieutenant Commander on 01 July 1994.
He was retired from the Permanent Navy on ….. 20…. ? & transferred to the Naval Reserve Service ?, after serving a total of .. ?? years.
Following his retirement, Ian & Sandra moved up to Forster in the Mid North Coast of NSW in 20??, where they settled into retirement & the good life.
Ian joined regional chapters of the Naval Association and RSL. ??
Ian is survived by his wife Sandra and eldest son Robert.

A memorial service to celebrate Ian’s life will be conducted by WT Howard Funerals, (02) 6557 6757 http://www.wthowardfunerals.com.au , at Manning Great Lakes Memorial Gardens & Crematorium, Pampoolah Road (turn left off Old Bar Road), Old Bar, commencing at 1pm Wednesday, 04 October. Family and friends are invited to attend and Service personnel are requested to wear medals please. Afterwards, there is to be a wake commencing at (time ?) in the (… name & address ?) . "

_________________

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 never had the pleasure of meeting Ian in the fleet or when he lived near me at Forster.

My condolences to his family and friends.

Vale Ian

_________________
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).

Sad news, I never served with Ian other than Nirimba.
Condolences to his family.
Vale Ian, RIP

_________________
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.

Another old mate gone, no more will we be able to catch up at our reunions.

Rest in peace buddy, no more pain.

_________________

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.

Did not know Ian but I offer my sincere condolences to his family.
Believe me, I know that it is never easy at times like this.
RIP Ian.

_________________
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.

Spent a lot of time with Ian & Sandy over the last few years. We used to meet regularly with them and two other couples for lunch around the Forster area. Very sad. RIP

_________________
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...