I have deleted the posts on Geoff Jameson's notice of passing as Wedge deserves his own, and they're copied into this post.


Suzanne Wray
Guest





Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2012 10:35 pm Post subject: Ian John Wray "Wedge"
John passed away this morning after a short battle with cancer, was reading about Jamo who John was friends with and thought the fellows would want to know about him passing. John after the navy worked in Perth operating the shiplift there for a few years then we went to Malaysia where he constructed and operated the worlds largest shiplift for a number of years. From there it was back to Perth to work for Austal Ships docking their ships and maintenance. Then to the USA to construct their new facility for three and a half years. From their to Vietnam launching more ships and building facilities. He had just returned to retire unfortunately when he became ill. He never lost his sense of humour right to the end and I hope his friends will remember him with fondness. ..... his wife Suzanne
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HenryS
Div. Vice Captain


Joined: 17 Nov 2003
Posts: 24
Location: Tura Beach NSW
Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:31 am Post subject:
I am shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of John Wray, Wedge always had a smile on his face and enjoyed life. Knew both Wedge and Jammo at Nirimba and on the Sydney and around the fleet and sank quite a few beers with both in Jonnies and at the Towners. both great guys both will be missed.
_________________
Henry Schubert
R42972
Ex WOMTH
17th Intake
July 64 - July 85
Nirimba, Sydney, Lonsdale, Melbourne, Kuttabul, Jervis Bay, Tonga, Cerberus, Hobart & Harman
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Robert W Moult
Div. Officer


Joined: 03 Feb 2004
Posts: 111
Location: Brisbane
Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:39 am Post subject:
Sad news about "Wedgehead" Wray, I thought he may have been ill when he didn't attend "Jamo's" funeral, they were good mates and "Wedge" was also a real good mate of another "chippy" Gary Schluter.My condolences to "Wedge's" wife and family.
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Bob Moult
R42629
Ex-CPOMTH
13th MOBI Intake
1962 to 1982
Nirimba, Sydney, Melbourne, Tarangau, Penguin, Albatross Kuttabul, Harman, Hobart, Platypus, Duchess, Brisbane, Moreton

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Seejay
Assistant Webmaster


Joined: 04 Nov 2003
Posts: 2465
Location: Cairns, FNQ
Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:02 am Post subject:
What sad news. My sincerest condolences to you Suzanne.

I joined with Wedgehead (that's how I'll always remember him) in '65 and had lots of laughs with him over the years, the last when I ran across him in Singapore in 96.

Mick Thompson and I have been trying to track him down for years. If only.

Vale Wedge, may you have following seas and light winds on your journey.
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Chris O'Keefe
R43136
Ex WO Chippy
19th MOBI Intake
July 65 to July 85
HMAS Nirimba X 4 -Penguin-Sydney-Queenborough - Creswell - Moreton - Stalwart - Platypus - Coonawarra Reconstruction Team 76 - Platypus - Hobart - Cerberus - FHQ - Coonawarra.

You can't stay young forever, but you can be immature for the rest of your life.....
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Graeme Rhodes
Div. Officer


Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 298
Location: Waikiki WA
Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:42 am Post subject:
Sad news indeed.
I was one of the very many that had the honour of calling Wedge a mate.
Smooth seas and fair winds old mate, you will be missed
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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.

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Viv
Div. Officer


Joined: 10 Nov 2003
Posts: 225
Location: Herne Hill Western Australia
Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:53 am Post subject:
It brought great sadness to Wendy and I when we heard the sad news .
Our sincerest condolences Suzanne.

We had great times at Stirling
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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

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Honest Tad
Div. Captain


Joined: 03 May 2004
Posts: 37
Location: Perth
Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 10:35 am Post subject:
Shocked to hear of the passing of "Wedgehead" Wray. Another of life's characters taken too soon.

Condolances to the family.

RIP
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Trevor A Davies
R43007
Ex CPOETW3
18th Mobi Intake Jan 65
10th Jan 65 to Jan 77
Nirimba, Sydney, Vendetta, Melbourne, Waterhen, Cairns, Stalwart.
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Chris O'Keefe
R43136
Ex WO Chippy
19th MOBI Intake
July 65 to July 85
HMAS Nirimba X 4 -Penguin-Sydney-Queenborough - Creswell - Moreton - Stalwart - Platypus - Coonawarra Reconstruction Team 76 - Platypus - Hobart - Cerberus - FHQ - Coonawarra.

Anyone can be ordinary. Shipwrights choose to be extraordinary!

Another taken to bloody soon!!
Vale Wedgehead.

Sad news indeed, another taken far too young, condolences to the family.

Vale Wedge, may fair winds and following seas be with you always.

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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.

Wedgehead was one of the "characters" that, during his time at Nirimba, everybody would remember.

RIP Ian.

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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 Wedge - taken far too young.

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Nigel Baird-Orr
R42524
Ex WOETP
12th MOBI Intake
12 Jan 62 - 12 Jan 84
Nirimba, Cerberus, Watson, Derwent, Moresby, Stirling, Moresby, Penguin.

I met Wedge whilst I was Chiefs Messman on Brisbane in late 78, and found him to be one of the good guys and fine bloke, although he could give us dibbies a bit of curry around 52 deck near the Chippies shop.

RIP Wedge, and condolences to his family.

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Bruce Francis
R112774
JRTE 40TH Intake
July 72-June73
Ex WM,QMG,Bosun,Paid off Sept 93
Leeuwin,Cerberus x3, Lonsdale, Watson, Coonawarra(DNB), Harman.
Supply, Melbourne, Vampire, Attack, Ardent, Brisbane x2, Fremantle(Commissioning Crew), Sydney-FFG 03(Commissioning Crew), Hobart, Cessnock. Go the Mighty Magpies

Hopefully, if Suzanne logs on again to check on the best wishes and condolences, could she please advise of the funeral details?

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Chris O'Keefe
R43136
Ex WO Chippy
19th MOBI Intake
July 65 to July 85
HMAS Nirimba X 4 -Penguin-Sydney-Queenborough - Creswell - Moreton - Stalwart - Platypus - Coonawarra Reconstruction Team 76 - Platypus - Hobart - Cerberus - FHQ - Coonawarra.

Anyone can be ordinary. Shipwrights choose to be extraordinary!

Wedgehead terrified me as a second termer but in fact he was always a gentle giant with a ready smile.

Vale Wedge, gone way too soon.

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Greg McTernan
R43413
Ex-Birdy WOATA, LCDR SDEN(AE),
22nd MOBI Intake
Jan 67 - May 96
Nirimba, Albatross, Albatross, Albatross, Albatross, Melbourne, Stalwart, Defence Central Canb, RAN Helo PD US/Aust, RNEC Manadon, HMS Daedlius

Go Smooth................................

Rest easy Wedge.

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Steve Shepherd
R43062
Ex-CPOMTH3
18th MOBI Intake
Jan 65 to Jan 78
Nirimba,Sydney,Vampire,Tarangau,Albatross, Stalwart,Creswell.

Very sad news,

I remember Wedgehead to always have a Big Smile, a Big Laugh and a Big Heart.

My condolences to his family.

Russell Grant

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Russell Grant.
R65221
Ex-CPOMTH.
Jul 1966 to Jan 1967. DENS Course.
1966 to 1986.
Cerberus x 4, Nirimba x 2, Sydney, Leeuwin, Melbourne x 2, Kuttabul x 2, Stalwart x 2, Tarangau x 2, Anzac, Coonawarra, Derwent, Watson, Warratah, Adelaide.