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To publish your own message on this website, see Publishing Messages. There is also an index of names for current messages.
Date: 29 October 2004
Name: Errol Tomkins
Email Address:
Greetings all,
I am seeking ex-sailors from Morris Div. (11th Intake) HMAS Leeuwin in April 1965, with the intention of holding a 40th reunion at a place and date to be fixed. I know a lot of us went directly to the Sydney and the Melbourne and the rest must have passed through either one at different times in their careers. If any of you are out there, please contact me.
Regards to all you aged Sinbads out there (great site) - Errol Tomkins Ex-L/CK R94860
Date: 29 October 2004
Name: Geoff Henderson
Email Address:
I am trying to contact CPOATA Jim Eagles - he was my Instructor at HMAS Nirimba 1974 to mid-75. I am Geoff Henderson, now living in Darwin.
Date: 25 October 2004
Name: Patrick Mountain
Email Address:
I did my Observer training at Culdrose in 1957 and very good friends were John Tapping, Ian Lawson and Frank Gardener. Are they still around? Last saw John Tapping in HMAS Melbourne in Singapore in 1964.
Also would love to meet up again with Viv Littlewood, ex-direction officer whose wedding I attended in Singapore in 1964. Anyone out there?
I will be visiting Australia in December and January and hope to make contact if any are still around NSW, particularly the Nowra area, also South Australia and Victoria. Can anyone help please? - Patrick Mountain Lt RN Ret (ex-Venoms and Vixens).
Date: 6 October 2004
Name: Jamie Bauld
Email Address:
I am trying to contact ex-Royal Navy pilot who, having been on deployment with your lot, decided to return to Australia on his retirement in about 1980. His name - Chris Johnson. He was a lieutenant commander on his retirement and could well be a member of your Association. Hope you can be of assistance.
Date: 24 August 2004
Name: Bruce D. Hoy
Email Address:
On 24 February 1973, I photographed HMAS Sydney P214 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Although this may very well be outside the province of the FAAAA, I would like to know the reason behind this brief stop-over; where the ship had been and where it was going.
I am currently captioning my slides as these will be transferred to a collection at the University of Queensland, and it would be nice to provide a little more detail to go with the captions for these six slides.
Should you or your members be unable to assist, I would be grateful if you could point me in the right direction. Sincerely, Bruce D Hoy.
Date: 21 August 2004
Name: Robert (Jerry) Crimmins
Email Address:
Joined July 1967 as a junior recuit. I was commonly known as Jerry in the service. Now retired from working life. Living at Wollongong New South Wales.
Date: 29 July 2004
Name: Les Figg (and Alan Thomson)
Email Address:
I received the attached mesage from Alan Thomson - now living in Canada - with permission to post it on your site. I am hoping that you might do so, as it is an interesting read. Thanks and regards, Les Figg, ex-LEMWR, R62259, Santa Clara, CA USA (ex-Adelaide)
See: Alan Thomson message
Date: 29 June 2004
Name: Alex Hudson
Email Address:
Re your message about Alex Hudson, ex-Moresby (see April 5 message from Allan "Junior" Watt) - living in Newcastle, email and send your phone and address.
Date: 17 June 2004
Name: Denis Mulvihill
Email Address:
Just read on the GUNPLOT website that POQMG 'Spud' Pattulo (ex-FAA armourer), passed away earlier this month, due to complications after having day surgery. Regards, Denis.
Date: 17 June 2004
Name: Tom Lewis
Email Address:
I'm researching Sydney's history and specifications, for a sign to be placed
at the Lady Denman Maritime Museum, in Huskisson NSW, alongside one of the CV's propellers. I'd appreciate any information on her engines for inclusion in the signage. - Lieutenant Tom Lewis, OAM, RAN
PhD, MA, BA
Instructor: Politics, History & Strategic Studies
Curator - HMAS Creswell and RANC Historical Collection
RAN College, Jervis Bay, 2540
Tel: (02) 4429 7910; Mobile 0400 304 317; Fax: (02) 4429 7113
Date: 5 May 2004
Name: Burrie (Alan) Arnell
Email Address:
I joined March 1959, served to 1971, starting NAM(E) and finishing CPO MECH 1. I served HMAS Melbourne 1962 headquarters and 816 Squadron.
Having survived cancer of the bile duct and liver and given very little chance of survival in 1992, a big part of my activities now is working with cancer
support associated with help, guidance and inspiration.
To contact, use the above email or telephone (07) 3263 8390, or 0408 157 999.
Date: 5 April 2004
Name: Allan "Junior" Watt
Email Address:
I am trying to find a mate who served on HMAS Moresby with me around 1967. His name is Alex Hudson. He was an aircraft crewman on the Moresby's chopper.
My name is Allan Watt; "Junior" was my nickname. Any assistance would be appreciated.
Date: 26 February 2004
Name: 'Slug' Whitting
Email Address:
Ahoy there. I'm looking for the following on behalf of an old shipmate.
Video: Farewell to a Lady about the Melbourne. Short video, 14 minutes or so. Was originally produced by the HMAS Melbourne Association but can't find contact details for this Association. Maybe doesn't exist now.
Book: "HMAS Melbourne, 25 years". Photos and logs of trips and other interesting bits and pieces.
Appreciate it if you have any clues. Thanks. 'Slug' Whitting, ex-CPOAVN.
Date: 15 February 2004
Name: Jill Bailey
Email Address:
I am researching the airfield I fly from, which is Jaspers Brush, 5 miles north of HMAS Albatross. I have been told the Navy used the area before the strips were put in, in 1966. I would like to hear from any pilots who may have flown helos in the training area which is now known as Helo North. Specifically, any sorties or training exercises in 1960, '61, '62, '63, '64, '65. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks - Jill Bailey, Secretary, South Coast Minimum Flying Club, (02) 4421 5328.
Date: 1 January 2004
Name: Denis Mulvihill
Email Address:
To each and every one of you fellow aviators (past and present), hope you have a Happy New Year. Regards, Mulvi
Date: 28 November 2003
Name: Grahame Higgs
Email Address:
As an ex-FAA (Air Traffic Control 1971 - 1975, Albatross), I have enjoyed browsing your site and congratulate you on the fascinating content.
May I suggest a mutual link to a site I am involved with, www.adf-serials.com, where we have recorded every aircraft operated by the Australian Defence Forces, with a history where known. This includes FAA aircraft and is probably of interest to your subscribers.
I know we would be interested in including your site in our links listing. Regards - Grahame Higgs, Leut RAN Rtd, SqnLdr RAAF Rtd.
Webmaster note: see the ADF Serial Numbers website
www.adf-serials.com/
Date: 21 November 2003
Name: John McCormack
Email Address:
No 1 RAN Observers Course, RAAF East Sale, 1972-73; S2 Trackers 1973-1983; VS 816 and HMAS Melbourne 1974 (Kangaroo 1), 1975 (RIMPAC75/Broome detachments), 1977 (RIMPAC77/Spithead) and 1980 (Indian Ocean deployment). HC723 1984-85 (HMAS Sydney flight commander 1984). Various FAA and General Service staff jobs 'till paid off 1998 as CO HMAS Platypus. Looking forward to hearing from FAA colleagues.
Date: 21 November 2003
Name: Peter & Karin Welsh
Email Address:
Am trying to get contact details for Ian 'Tiny' Warren. If anyone can help,
please contact Peter Welsh on (02) 6585 4576; mobile 0412 082 601 or use the email address above. Yours Aye - Peter & Karin Welsh, 6 Banksia Avenue, Bonny Hills NSW 2445.
Date: 21 November 2003
Name: Ken Staff
Email Address:
The 3rd annual aircraft handlers reunion is set down for Saturday, November 6, 2004. The venue is as for last year, the Prince Alfred Hotel, Booval, Queensland.
All ex-aircraft handlers (AVN) and their partners are welcome to attend. For more information, check your next copy of Hands to Flying Stations, the newsletter for Naval Aircraft Handlers. Any ex-handler not receiving this newsletter, contact Glen Hartig on (07) 3299 6336. Regards - Ken Staff, editor of Hands to Flying Stations.
Date: 6 October 2003
Name: Julie Coker-Godson
Email Address:
I am trying to track down former serving members who were on board the
naval base HMAS Tarangau between the years 1960-63. My late father was posted there during this time.
During that period we developed a collection of slides and 8mm film (AGFA,
of course!) and my brother, Geoffrey, put these onto video with very little
commentary, so that with the passing of time and fading memory, I am unable
to tell people who went what, where, when and why.
I was thinking of re-recording the commentary so that when I show the slides/films I won't embarrass myself. Can anyone assist?
At Dad's funeral in September 1995, having listened to JJ Harrison's
eulogy, a gentleman called Les (Len?) Harris (Harrison?) came up to me to
say he had many hilarious tales to tell which I was now old enough to hear
(I was only 8 when we went up there).
Not only would I love to hear these stories, I would like to record them, maybe even write something up if there's enough willingness/interest (because I'm such a keen typist and have been involved in two major productions in recent times - one for the Dept of the Senate and one for the Menzies Research Centre).
More than anything else 'though, I would want to do it for myself, sister and brother so that we have a record of our time there and to make sense of the photos and film.
I can be contacted as follows: tel (02) 4478 7020; email - Yours faithfully, Julie Coker-Godson.
Date: 23 September 2003
Name: Denis Mulvihill
Email Address:
Would John Elliot, who recently joined FAAAA (NSW) Division, please contact me. Thanks - Denis Mulvihill.
Date: 19 September 2003
Name: John Bolton
Email Address:
For all you ex-birdies that have a hankering to go to sea again - I refer
you to page 510 of the September issue (#316) of Trade-A-Boat. For a snappy US$4.5m, you can have your very own aircraft carrier.
Looks like an old Majestic Class to me. Described as 36,000 hp steam turbines, max speed 25 knots. Complement was 1300 persons. Hangar is 322' long by 52' wide by 17'6" high. 5 generators produce 2500kw's of power. Further details on application - John Bolton, Ex-Greenie, Albatross 1969-70.
See also Later messages and earlier messages (to publish your own message on this website, see details at top of this page).