RAAF Gunnies Mail 5th May 2017

Keeping Gunnies in Touch

With Gunnies

Since 23 Jun 2001.

In this Edition…

Bloo Boxall – Funeral Details

Message from Shannon Shores

Grant McCormack is back

Barry Krosch meets Jenny Daetz

3 Sqn/ Butterworth reunion

Reg Adkins – RAAF Tokyo Guards

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Gunnie Ian “Bloo” Boxall - Funeral details.

From Rosco McCaig

Ron,

I contacted Bowra and O’Dea funeral directors today to enquire about Bloo’s

funeral as there has not been any notices as yet.

I was told after being questioned as to who I was and why I wanted to know that

there will be a service held at Bowra and O’Dea 131 Great Eastern Hwy

Midland at 10:00am 12 May 2017.

I am not sure if Bloo’s niece is aware that there may well be people wishing to

attend as he had little family left.

Regards,

Rosco McCaig

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George Shores

From Shannon Shores

Hi Ron,

I hope this finds you as well as can be expected in your circumstance, I think last time I spoke

your wife was unwell and I hope she is stable or improving.

On Saturday 29 April 2017 I was able to put my father to rest with my mother in a private

family ceremony in Gympie.

This was followed by a 'celebration of George's life' at the RSL.

Both parts of the day were a respectful and appropriate send off for my father. I got to hear a

few of the funny stories of his time in the RAAF and I was able to partake in a beer or two

with some gentlemen that I have not seen since I was in my early teens, in honour of my

father. While it was a somber occasion it was also exactly what he wanted, a celebration of

his life.

I would like to take a moment out and thank the Gunnies across Australia for their kind

words and support. Of particular note I would like to mention Graham Purbrick who was

tasked with the MC of the event and Bob Elliot who read the eulogy.

Kind regards

Shannon Shores

From Bob Cornwell

Ron,

Attended George Shores Memorial at the Gympie RSL yesterday 29th April, with twenty

Gunnies in attendance. I think I've got them all listed, my apologies to anyone I've missed:

Garry Snow, Greg Mcgaughey, Squeek Elliott, Warren Mazlin, Kem Everett, Baz Faulkner,

Titch Nightingale, Greg Jack, Bob Cornwell, John Clarkson, Bill Bulley, Chukka Clark, Jerry

Musk, Paul Dilks, Col Hill, Phil Ridley, Graham Purbrick, Bill Hewson, Peter Schaunberg,

Bags Baker, plus a Safety Equipo I didn't get the name of.

Kind Regards,

Bob Cornwell

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Merv Skinner

From Bill Eather

I worked with Merv 1960 to mid 63. He was the Sgt in charge Aden gun servicing..

for ..a sideline somebody decided to update a woman's and daughters home he

looked after most things .especially the volunteer workers.. everybody was happy

.the painting was done with bullet target paint.. in hindsight not great for the heat..

.I left and don't know how it was rectified . .a gentleman.

Bill

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From RAAF deaths Facebook page…. Vale Clifford Moore.

WW2 Gunnie…

S/No 49375 Clifford Kenneth MOORE. Clifford enlisted on 12 December

1941 and trained as a Fitter/Armourer. He was serving as a Leading

Aircraftman at No 1 Aircraft Depot when discharged on 4 January 1946;

From Ted Arneson

Hi Ron,

The attached picture was

taken recently in

Newcastle

L to R - Dave Cornish

(Framie) & gunnies Greg

Gannon, Ted Arneson,

Ian west John Campbell

Memories,

memories. Many were

discussed

Ted

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From Barry Krosch – Anzac Day

Evening Ron

Been a big day here today with various ANZAC Services.

Guest speaker in town for about three days was a

Captain Jenny Daetz of the RAN.

She was excellent, and a credit to herself and the

Navy.

So her husband is a Mr Daetz, and his father is from

up this way, Stirling Peter Daetz.

Stirling lives in Maryborough now, but was born in

Mundubbera.

I chatted with him for a while at the RSL this

afternoon.

He was an Armourer with 9 Squadron in Vietnam.

I should have had a photograph taken for the web site. He is in town for another day or two,

so I will try to get a pic of the two of use tomorrow. Perhaps with Captain Daetz. He is very

proud of her, and so he should be.

http://www.vietnamroll.gov.au/VeteranDetails.aspx?VeteranId=1258175

Captain Jenny Daetz:- http://southburnett.com.au/news2/2017/03/naval-trailblazer-to-be-

guest-speaker/

Take care

Barry

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From … waiting your input!!

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From Grant McCormack

Hi Everyone! For those that have known me for some time would be aware that I have had an increased curve (kyphosis) in my thoracic spine. Well recently it had collapsed further requiring fusion to protect further pressure on my heart and lungs into the future. End result was fusion of ten of the twelve thoracic vertebra, 14 bolts and 2 steel rods. Home now but still need pain control. Positive side is that everyone recons I am now 2 inches taller!! So now I catch up on the 500 odd emails will I wait for the fusion surgery to mend!

Cheers

Grant

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Defence News – Airforce The May 4 edition of your fortnightly Air Force newspaper is now available.

PAYING TRIBUTE: Don't miss our seven pages of Anzac Day coverage on

commemorations at home and around the world. - Pages 1-3 and 12-15.

IN SYNC: No. 41 Wing provides seamless air and space battle management services during

complex bi-national missions operating out of the Northern Territory. - Page 4.

FLYING COLOURS: Our P-8A Poseidon operates for the first time from two of its forward

operating bases in Darwin and Learmonth. - Page 5.

And in sport: A Canberra-based PTI takes the number one world ranking within the elite

military CrossFit athletes category. - Pages 23-24.

Follow this link www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews

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Bombs, Bullets & Bullshit

Hi Ron, To mark the 50 anniversary

of 3 Sqn deploying to Butterworth in

Feb 69, a plan to have a reunion at

WLM around this date.

The contact for all the details to

register your interest is Blue Farrell,

email farrell3sqn@outlook.com

Phone 0266 832376, mobile 0418 667504.

The gunnies on this move are no rank…

PERKINS Rex, PENNA Dave, OHARA Errol, SAXTON Clem, EALES

Graham, LARSEN Robert “John”, MORRISON Greg, NEWBURY George,

SMITH Rodney, STREATER Nev, SANDERSON Kevin, ANDREWS Norm,

BRAUNHOLZ Stuart, DIBLEY Bruce, UNICOMB Brian, WHEBELL

Graham, MCCLELLAND Barry.

THESE ARE THE 4 GUNNIES NO LONGER WITH US THAT WHERE

ON THE DEPLOYMENT TO BUTTERWORTH FEB 69.

SGT AL WATTERS - MICK

CPL DC HOLT -TUBBY

LAC BF SMITH -SMITHY

LAC TH DEATHRIDGE -TREV

If all can attend should be interesting to see we still resemble

the young strappers we were, 50 yrs ago.

Regards Wheels

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Gunnie Pic Review…

Photos featured here are of Gunnies from Days gone past.

Please send in your photos for consideration.

Some pics contributed to Gunnies Mail, others will be borrowed from other sources.

We will add Captions into the pics if you supply the details.

If sending in photos or other news please include your phone contact info.

From Reg Adkins…

G' Day again Ron

Your latest newsletter stated looking for photos from the Good old Days.

I thought you might like this shot, even if a bit grainy, due to immediately

ex wartime photo processing quality and a Box Brownie!

I wonder if there is anybody left older than Rex Moore and me, now,

I am now 90.5 and Rex was a year or so older than me.

I heard from him last Christmas, in Adelaide, when we still exchange cards.

In the photo we are on leave in Tokyo - a far cry from our own peasant

country village of BOFU, in southern Honshu, where 77 Squadron RAAF and

their Mustangs was based.

Tokyo had all the glitz & glamour of a big city but the Yanks ran it all, so we

were glad to get there if we could.

We had to work hard for the privilege, as members of the RAAF Tokyo

Guards complement, where our main duties were the ceremonial Guarding

of the Emperor's Palace and competing against the other services, such as

the USA, Britain, Indian and Australia.

Selection was at the end of an intensive period of 'Square Bashing' with

precision marching and .303 rifle drill, all done to perfect timing to show off

our abilities during the ceremonial Changing of the Guard, on the Palace

Square, when one Service would hand over the duties to the next. So we

worked hard to fight for a place on the Palace Guard.

I've stood guard on the Dog Watch (0001 to 0400) twinning with a US army

soldier from Alabama, yarning away about our various countries

and swigging a bottle of coke when the OIC wasn't looking!

There was no danger in these duties. It was a Ceremonial Guard, after all, as

General MacArthur had warned the Emperor to order his subjects to

behave.

The benefits of all this highly sought after posting were the above fleshpots

of Tokyo, the Beer and Dance Halls, the cheap souvenir shopping and the

luxury of the Union Jack Club, with all the mod cons of home and the tasty

three course meals, far different than the meat, beans & carrots fare of the

Base, and being treated like kings, instead of common old "Erks.

Rex and I are standing atop the Union Jack Club, obviously in winter time

wearing best blues and gloves.

Note the RAAF Guard in Summer Drabs, taking over from the Australian

Army and the airman in the middle of the front rank with his rifle well

askew. As we used to say - there's always one in every Squad!

And what became of those two young stalwart Armourers of the RAAF

British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) ?

Well, Rex stayed in the Permanent Air Force, retiring as a WOE and Reg

qualified as an Airline Pilot and spent all his time in the air, to retire at age

60

Thirty years later we are still kicking on, even if we did spend a bit of time

wandering around Hiroshima, a year and a half after the A bomb, with all its

so called residual radioactivity.

Regards Reg,

08 9364 5037

GM note… Thanks Reg for your input, great as usual.

I wonder who is our oldest Gunnie.??

We have…

Reginal Adkins - Born 7 Oct 1926

Rex Moore – Born23 Jun 1925

Felix Sainsbury soon to be 97 - Born 14 May 1920

******** From Kiwi Smith…

Mid Year Drinks in Melbourne 20 May 17

Young and Jacksons on Flinders Street @ Main Bar, 1300Hrs onward.

www.youngandjacksons.com.au

Right across from the Train station with car parking within a blocks walk.

See you all there to have a chat to YOUR Association “President and Treasurer” (Stompa and Phil Lovell) as they will be attending!

Kev (Kiwi) Smith

Gunnies Association Secretary secretary@gunnies.com.au

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From---- Your feedback Welcomed

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From Jock Lawrie - West Aussie Mid-Year Reunion

Hi well it’s that time of the year again when I start rounding up numbers for the

Midyear reunion.

Due to the closing down of the Moon & Sixpence this year’s Reunion will be held at the

Globe Bar & Eatery at 495-497 Wellington Street Perth on the 20 May 2017 starting at noon

till 5 PM usual stuff buy your own drinks and counter lunches available.

So once again make an old man happy as I have quite a lot on my mind at the moment by

replying either in the affirmative or the negative so I can give the bar staff an indication of

numbers call me on 08 9306 1544 / 0424 320 643 or Email jockmarglawrie@ozemail.com.au

If you are coming by train direct access is available from Perth underground just go up the

escalator and turn left I think the way out says lane 41 if arriving at the old Perth station its

just about directly opposite the exit

Hope to see as many of you there come and spend a few hours with old mates and catch up

with new ones.

Cheers Jock

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From Bob Cornwell… National Gunnies Reunion

If you are intending to attend the 2017

National Gunnies Reunion to be held at

Wagga over the weekend of 27th -29th Oct,

please let me know. Contact me by clicking on

my email link… Here

National Gunnies Reunion Update

Latest list of attendees for National Gunnies Reunion as of 2nd

May 2017

Ron,

Had a couple more added at George Shores send off, here is updated list:

Grant Archer, Merg Bennetts, John Betts, Garry Bowman, Peter Bruce, Bill

Bulley, Bill Chambers, Gary Chambers, Justin Cockroft, Tony Cogan, Bob

Cornwell, Wayne Craker, Michael Cutler, Ross Daniel, Keith Davis, Dogs

Donaghy, Squeek Elliott, Kem Everett, Barry Faulkner, John Foxwell, Vic

Glazewski, Geoff Goss, Bill Hewson, Greg Jack, Bunya Jeffery, Steve Jeffries,

Max Johnson, Russ King, Dallas Lysons-Smith, Ian McLaren, Brian

Macklin, Toothy Martin, Warren Mazlin, Garry Miller, Percy Moles, Noel

Peterson, Ken Phelps, Stephen Polzin, John Pond, Rod Porter, Graham

Purbrick, Mark Quince, John Ravell, Phil Ridley, John Robb, Brian Roberts,

Matt Rust, Peter Shaw, Dep Sherriff, Mick Slater, Kiwi Smith, Terry Stamp,

Pete Steinert, Brian Stewart, Perry Thomas, Quentin Tomkies, Bruce Tough

and George Watkinson. And many partners, as well, of course.

Don't forget, contact me bobcornwell@bigpond.com, or 0417 814 374

Kind Regards,

Bob Cornwell

Overland Corner SA

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2017 Gunnie Reunions!!!!!

Coming to an Area near YOU.

Listed so far….

Ipswich Brothers… Fri. 21st Apr. 16th Jun. 18th Aug.

20th Oct. 8th Dec.

Contact Dick Horder Here

Melbourne Vic

Mid Year Drinks In Melbourne 20 May 17

Young and Jacksons on Flinders Street @ Main Bar, 1300Hrs

Contact Kev Smith HERE

Perth WA Gunnies Midyear Reunion at the Globe Bar &

Eatery at 495-497 Wellington Street Perth Sat. 20th May starting at noon.

Contact Jock Lawrie Here

Wagga… National Gunnies Weekend 27th -29th Oct. Contact Bob Cornwell Here

Raymond Terrace… 24th Nov

Contact Greg Gannon Here

S Aust... ArmFest… Sat… 2nd Dec

Contact Russ King Here

WA Gunnies St Barbara’s Reunion 2nd Dec

Contact Jock Lawrie Here

Details required for the below…

Brisbane Mid Year ??

Contact Brian Cusack

Melbourne. Mid Year. ??

Melbourne. St Barbara’s ??

Tasmania Carrick Inn??

Townsville ??

Darwin ??

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We NEED and welcome your input for future newsletters.

When emailing, please include a contact phone number

And use the email address below.

Cheers,

Ron… Gunnies Mail moderator.

Email… ronarby-gunniesinfo@yahoo.com

Phone or text… 0408 885 887