A Farewell to those with whom we served...

Graeme Rhodes · **Posted:** Wed May 05, 2010 4:26 pm

Bugga

Worked with Ron at Russel Offices late 70's early 80's. Great sense of humour and fun to be around and work with.
RIP Ron.

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Wed Jun 02, 2010 9:11 pm

VALE - RADM NIGEL COATES AM RAN

FM: CHIEF OF NAVY
SUBJ: RADM N.S. COATES AM, RAN

1. IT IS WITH GREAT SADNESS THAT I REPORT THE PASSING OF RADM NIGEL COATES AM, RAN, ON 2 JUN 10 AFTER A SHORT BUT AGGRESSIVE ILLNESS.

2. RADM COATES JOINED THE NAVY AS A CADET MIDSHIPMAN IN 1975, GRADUATING FROM HIS INITIAL TRAINING WITH THE QUEEN'S GOLD MEDAL AS THE DUX OF HIS GRADUATING YEAR. HE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY AWARDED THE JUBILEE SWORD FOR DUX OF SEAMAN OFFICER TRAINING BEFORE BEING TRAINED AS AN AIR INTERCEPT CONTROLLER AND A PRINCIPAL WARFARE OFFICER (DIRECTION).

3. RADM COATES THIRTY FIVE YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE INCLUDED COMMAND OF HMA SHIPS CANBERRA (1996-97) AND ANZAC (2001-02), WITH BOTH SHIPS RECEIVING THE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER CUP FOR BEING THE MOST EFFICIENT SHIP IN THE RAN DURING HIS TENURE. OTHER KEY CAREER APPOINTMENTS INCLUDED COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE ADFA CORPS OF OFFICER CADETS, COMMANDER SEA TRAINING, CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE FORCE, CHIEF OF STAFF HEADQUARTERS AUSTRALIAN THEATRE, DIRECTOR GENERAL NAVY PERSONNEL AND TRAINING AND, ON PROMOTION TO REAR ADMIRAL IN JULY 2007, COMMANDER AUSTRALIAN FLEET.

4. RADM COATES RECEIVED A CDF COMMENDATION FOR HIS WORK AT ADFA AND WAS APPOINTED A MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA FOR HIS SERVICE IN COMMAND OF HMAS ANZAC, PARTICULARLY FOR HIS LEADERSHIP DURING ANZACS OPERATIONAL DEPLOYMENT TO THE ARABIAN GULF IN 2001. WITH HIS PASSING , NAVY HAS PREMATURELY LOST AN OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL AND CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONAL, WHO COMMITTED HIS ENTIRE WORKING LIFE TO SERVING HIS COUNTRY WITH GREAT SKILL, DIGNITY AND HONOUR. THE NAVY, AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE AND THE BROADER AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITY HAVE LOST ONE OF THEIR FINEST MILITARY LEADERS AND A GREAT MATE.

5. ON BEHALF OF MY ADMIRALS AND THE BROADER NAVY FAMILY I EXTEND MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO RADM COATES WIDOW, VICKIE, CHILDREN TIM, BEN AND STEPHANIE, PARENTS MAC AND GWENDA AND SIBLINGS HUGH AND SANDY. I ALSO REQUEST THAT YOU SUPPORT ME IN PRESERVING THE FAMILYS PRIVACY IN THIS DIFFICULT TIME.

6. DETAILS OF MEMORIAL ACTIVITIES FOR RADM COATES WILL BE ADVISED BY SEPARATE MESSAGE IN DUE COURSE.

Snake in the Nest · **Posted:** Wed Jun 02, 2010 9:43 pm

Farewell RADM Coates. You were a very nice man and a brilliant Fleet Commander.

You will be missed Sir.

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Wed Jun 09, 2010 4:11 pm

RAN farewells top Admiral with full ceremonial honours in Sydney

The Royal Australian Navy paused today to farewell Rear Admiral Nigel Coates AM, RAN, who died last week.

After a closed service at the historic Garden Island Chapel, the coffin was loaded onto a gun carriage, which carried Rear Admiral Coates in a solemn procession to the gates of Fleet Base East, Garden Island.

A funeral firing party of 24 sailors in full ceremonial uniform fired three volleys in tribute before the gun carriage began its slow journey around Fleet Base East. The coffin was draped in the Australian White Ensign.

Navy officers and sailors lined the route as the gun carriage made its way from the Chapel to Fleet Landing where the coffin was transferred into the hearse.

A platoon of 150 Navy members of all ranks marched in escort. They were led by the Administrator of the Commonwealth of Australia (and NSW Governor) Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO.

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Russ Crane AO, CSM, RAN, accompanied Rear Admiral Coateâ€™s widow, three children and immediate family. Serving admirals and commodores followed close behind.

The hearse proceeded past Navy ships currently alongside Fleet Base East as the shipsâ€™ companies formed up and came to attention in salute.

Cannons began firing as the coffin emerged from the Chapel. HMAS Tobruk fired a ceremonial 12-pound cannon once a minute. When the procession reached the gates of Fleet Base East, the firing increased with 13 guns sounding at five-second intervals.

The earlier service had been watched by hundreds of Navy members on large screens set up for the occasion. Many had recently served with Rear Admiral Coates when he was Commander of the Australian Fleet, based in Sydney.

Vice Admiral Russ Crane led tributes to Rear Admiral Coates, saying that not since the late Sir David Martin had Australia seen a more popular and respected Admiral.

Rear Admiral Coateâ€™s biography and list of achievements can be found at www.navy.gov.au

Media Note: A media feed of the ceremony will be sent to Sydney networks mid-afternoon on Wednesday. Imagery will be available from the Defence website.

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Tue Aug 03, 2010 9:44 pm

I was just advised by ex POME John "Shorty" MORRIS, President of Chelsea RSL, that ex LCDR Peter BLENKINSOPP, RAN, RTD passed away in Broome on 30th July.

Peter was a Merchant Navy Captain and former Harbour Master of Port Headland and all Western Australia Ports above Fremantle.

He was an acclaimed maritime artist and owner/operator of Tarangau Art Gallery and Caravan Park in Broome.

He was the President of Broome RSL at one time but I am not sure if he was the current President.

He was a member of the HMAS SYDNEY & V.L.S.V.A. (Vic) and had donated a number of paintings to their HMAS SYDNEY Room at Chelsea RSL.

Best wishes,

Marty GROGAN

I seem to remember serving with a Blenkinsopp in Tarangau, CPOSN, or CPOW from memory... :-k

VALE - Rest on your oars Peter, your voyage is done... [-o<

Seejay · **Posted:** Tue Aug 03, 2010 11:21 pm

I have a print of Peter's painting of SYDNEY in Vung Tau on the wall in my back room. I first saw it in Albatross' Air Museum and ordered it from him after I tracked him to Broome. He was a decent bloke.

Vale Peter, may you have fair skies and following seas on your journey.

BC · **Posted:** Wed Aug 04, 2010 7:33 am

I too have one hanging proudly as well.

Peter will be sadly missed.

Vale Peter

BC · **Posted:** Mon Aug 23, 2010 10:37 am

This arrived this morning from Brian Yeo from the HMAS Sydney Assoc.

21 August 2010

Dear Association Member

It is with much regret and sadness that I have to inform you that one of our
stalwart Association members Sid ASHBY has died. Sid had not been well for some
time but suffered a fall which broke both his hips and he passed away in hospital
last week.

The funeral is on Friday, 27 August 2010 at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium
(Delhi Road, North Ryde, not the one attached to the Cemetery) commencing at
1100.

We would like to see as many Association Members as possible attend. Medals
to be worn.

Lest we forget

Brian Yeo
Association Secretary

Sid was a WM and served on three ships during the Vietnam conflict on Anzac, Jeparit & Sydney, and did a total of 10 trips between 86 - 72.

I served with Sid on Sydney and Creswell. Sid was one of those salty "old" ex-Pom characters with his cap tilted back and to one side with a pipe glued to the corner of his mouth.

Vale Sid

Stroppy Chippie · **Posted:** Mon Aug 23, 2010 11:11 pm

Sad to hear of Sids passing - I knew him during his time as the coxswain for Support Craft Ryde (up to his retirement). Always remember the shorts and sandals (yes, and the pipe) with the only concession in winter being a jacket.
Vale Sid.

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Sun Sep 05, 2010 4:51 pm

Have just received word that former CNS, Vice Admiral Sir Richard Innes Peek passed away on 28th August at the age of 96.

DOB: 30th July 1914 - DOD: 28th August 2010. RIP.

He used to hate these initials, (R.I.P.) and insisted that people call him Peter. .

Regards

David Dwyer
Hon Sec Vic
H.M.A.S. SYDNEY & VLSVA

A Farewell to those with whom we served...

Who is online