Hi Shipmates,

An update for the funeral service for ex CPO MTP Brian Frances HOPKINS to be held at Pine Grove North Chapel Minchinbury NSW at 1100 on Thursday 3rd October 2024.

The service will be live-streamed, and can be watched on the internet by clicking on this link or copying and pasting this link into your computer browser and following instructions -

https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index ... lfbGluaw==


Following the Service, attendees are invited to join the Family at St Marys Band Club 12.45 pm. 411 Great Western Highway, St Marys NSW 2760

The service will be live-streamed for those unable to attend.

Regards


Frank Syaranamual - Hon Secretary

Nepean Blue Mountains Subsection Naval Association of Australia

0427 409 252

_________________
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 Cmdr Frank Alexander MORRAH - R94260

It is with sad heart that I advise the passing of Frank Morrah in the small hours of today. Frank was a very special mate with whom I had the pleasure to serve with in three postings.

Frank joined the RAN under the old Ordinary Seaman Various, colloquially known as ORDs Variance or ORDs Verminance, qualifying as am Electrical Mechanic and rising through the ranks to LCDR in the WE Branch before changing horses to become an Ordnance Inspector and promotion to Commander.

Frank was a member of the Naval Officers Club (recently changed to Naval Officers Association), the Larrikins (a bunch of retired NOs plus the odd WO, ARMY and RAAF similarly tarred with the same brush) and the YOMM (Ye Olde Merriment of Mutineers - long story!!!). All enjoyed his company and held him as a "top hand". He also worked as a volunteer in the local bushfire brigade in Oakford near where he lived with wife Libby on about 5 acres, along with the occasional dog and a number of tiger snakes and dugites!! I won't mention his shipbuilding prowess.

Franks final words to me on Monday evening were, "I am about to embark on a bizarre journey!"

Well Frank, your ship has sailed, may you have fair winds and a following sea.

Goodbye old M8

Bob Mummery

Frank's Vietnam Service consisted of:

1 x Vung Tau Trip in HMAS Sydney in 1965

2 x Escort Trips to Vung Tau in HMAS Vampire in 1967

1 x Escort Trip to Vung Tau in HMAS Vendetta in 1970.

_________________
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).

He Joined as a Junior Recruit , going by his official number, not as an Ordinary Seaman

RIP Mate

_________________
Charlie (Chuckles) Britt JP TPI
Welfare Pensions Officer
R95712
Ex-LME(D) LSMTP2
17th Intake JR's, 23rd MOBI Intake .
Oct 66 - Nov 74
Leeuwin, Nirimba, Cerberus, Stalwart, Cerberus, Waterhen, Penguin, Carpentaria, Dolphin, Penguin, Sydney, Albatross, Leeuwin, Acute, Leeuwin, Cerberus, Stalwart, Waterhen, Attack, Leeuwin, DEE.

Correct, he joined Leeuwin on the 8th Jan 64.

_________________
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 - Mechanician Robert John EDWARDS R66910



I have received the sad news that my long time shipmate Robert "Pud" Edwards has succumbed to his long battle with asbestosis.

Pud's wife Heather told me yesterday, that he had picked up pneumonia, whilst in hospital, but was no longer strong enough to survive. He was transferred to palliative care, where he passed away this morning.

I first met Pud as a member of the ADR Mess in HMAS Sydney. The ADR Mess was a recently converted space just below the island, housing a handful of Stokers, and four young MOBIs fresh out of Nirimba. I spent a lot of time watchkeeping with Pud, as well as him assisting me with maintenance etc. Later in his career, Pud posted to Nirimba for further training and becoming a Mechanician.

Then in the mid 80's, I served with him again on HMAS Parramatta when he was a PO. Pud loved a good joke and was a larrikin in his own right. He was a straight shooter and never suffered fools. It was also during that period that he met and married Heather. It was after that, discipline finally started to develop in his life, as family became a priority.

My condolences to Heater and your family. Pud was a proud family man and he will be sadly missed.

Vietnam Service consisted of:

8 x Vung Tau Trips in HMAS Sydney 1968 - 71.

RIP Pud, your watch is done.

_________________
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).

RIP, Pud

Long time memories of our time together on the Vung Tau Ferry and the ADR mess

Fair winds and safe seas mate

_________________
Charlie (Chuckles) Britt JP TPI
Welfare Pensions Officer
R95712
Ex-LME(D) LSMTP2
17th Intake JR's, 23rd MOBI Intake .
Oct 66 - Nov 74
Leeuwin, Nirimba, Cerberus, Stalwart, Cerberus, Waterhen, Penguin, Carpentaria, Dolphin, Penguin, Sydney, Albatross, Leeuwin, Acute, Leeuwin, Cerberus, Stalwart, Waterhen, Attack, Leeuwin, DEE.

The following are details for Pud's funeral service:

Funeral is next Wednesday, 18th Dec at 10.30am. (Qld time)
Heritage Park Crematorium, Goodna.

Followed by Puds Party at Club Parkview, Goodna.

Live stream and after viewing will be available through KM Smith Funerals.

http://www.kmsmith.com.au

Click on Livestreaming and use search box using Robert Edwards

A PIN will be provided for access.

_________________
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).

For those who aren’t able to attend Pud’s Funeral Service in person, but might wish to have any comments or short eulogy, can be forward direct to the Celebrant. There will be a Poppy Ceremony conducted by the local Naval Association and someone, preferrable an ex-pusser, could read out those comments on your behalf.

Any eulogies can go straight to the celebrant. His name is Roswell Hannah.

rhhannah@outlook.com

Just remember, any comments should be emailed by close of business Monday, so they can be sorted, printed out and passed on to reader/s.

_________________
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).

It was a lovely service to bid farewell to Pud. His wife Heather, daughter Gemma and son Daniel, performed their eulogies that brought tears and laughter to the congregation. They really did nail Pud to a tee, and any shipmate could easily identify with all evidence put forward.

His life and work ethics remained the same all through his life.





Bill Krause represented the local Naval Association and performed the Poppy Ceremony.



All very sad knowing that one of those insidious diseases, this one asbestos, has taken another life way to short.

_________________
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).

I don't recall ever serving with "Pud" or meeting him. A very inscidious disease that has taken far to many too soon.
Condolences to his family.

Vale "Pud", RIP your watch is done. May you have fair winds and following seas.

_________________
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.