Happy New Year to our Members
The last meeting . . .
was held on Sunday 30th November 2008 at Ringwood RSL. The President opened the meeting at 13.15 hours with a minute silence for 'Fallen Comrades' and asked those present to remember Joe House (80) a former Warrant Officer, who passed away on the 23rd November. His funeral was held at Warnabool.
Attending
D Allen, B Attwood, B Drummond, Major P Dunlevie, G Fowler, M Gorham, C Handoll, K Harrex, D Jones, T Kerry, B Love, Rev. H McCartney, R Readings, V Rich, G Roman, A Smith, M Tucker, D Wilcox, B Youngs. (Total: 19)
Apologies
A Boyer, R Potter, A Redman, H Teear, F Davies. (Total: 5)
On behalf of all the members, President Dave Wilcox gave a warm welcome to Major Patrick Dunlevie, Royal Australian Engineers retired, as an Associate Member of the RMA. Pat, as he likes to be called, is a Committee Member of the Ringwood RSL. During his membership he has held a number of positions including that of Secretary. We are honoured to have him with us and trust he will enjoy our company.
Minutes
There were no minutes, as the Corps Luncheon had taken the place of what would have been the October meeting.
Correspondence In and Out
Surprisingly, there was none!
Treasurer's Report
Keith Harrex gave a detailed account of the Association's financial position which resulted in a healthy balance in the Bank.
Carried: Alec Smith, George Roman.
Expenses
It was moved that our Hon. Padre, Rev. Hugh McCartney, should be re-imbursed for his travelling expenses.
Carried: Keith Harrex, Vic Rich.
Social Report
Danny Allen expressed his hope that everyone who attended the Corps Luncheon enjoyed themselves.
He went on to say that if the members wished to have the 2009 Corp Luncheon on about the same date, it would be necessary for someone else to take care of all the arrangements, as he would be extremely busy with another committed engagement leading up to and around that time.
Our grateful thanks went to Mo Gorham for immediately volunteering to take on the job. Well done, Mo! He, with the Social Sub-Committee, will look after all necessary arrangements, whilst our President will liaise with Mo and the RSL regarding future events.
Further comments and discussion took place during which a few complaints were made with regard to the food served at the Luncheon. It was pointed out that if, for any good reason, any patrons were not satisfied, they would only need to politely convey their comments to the staff, who would be understanding and take such steps to see that any shortcomings were rectified.
Finally, it was put to a vote by a show of hands for the next Corps Luncheon to be held on Sunday 25th October 2009 at the Ringwood RSL. This was carried with only two against.
General Business
Anzac Day: As in previous years, the President said that he would seek the assistance of Cadets to carry the RMA banner. On the Sunday before Anzac Day a Parade and Service would be held at the Clock Tower Memorial, Ringwood, and afterwards refreshments would be served at the Ringwood RSL.
The President expressed his admiration to the 17 members of our Association who attended the Remembrance Day Service on Tuesday 11th November at the Ringwood War Memorial. The solemn occasion was very well attended. A few seconds before 11.00 hours, members of the Victoria Police halted all the traffic to observe the one minute silence. Some of them joined us over refreshments in the RSL afterwards.
Later, Danny Allen Visited Clarice O’Reilly - then proceeded to the Shrine to place Poppies for Eric and Michael at our tree.
The President also told me at the last meeting how delighted he was to see our members very smartly dressed, wearing blazers, ties and highly polished shoes. It was a great credit to them all. I agreed wholeheartedly. Hopefully, members will strive to maintain this smart tradition on future occasions.
Incidentally, the Ringwood RSL commented on how smart the members of the Royal Marines Association were. Such compliments are much appreciated. So comrades, we have a great reputation to uphold!
With regard to the Website information, everyone agreed that they only wanted their names and service numbers to appear, but not their addresses. The President said that he would see that their requests were honoured. Click here to view your details
A general request is now being made for all members to notify the President, Secretary, or any member of the committee if they are going away, and for how long. It has happened in the past, in fact - one hears about it so often these days - where people have not responded to telephone calls. Finally, when the police have been contacted, officers have found that the person has either had an accident in the home and has not been able to answer the telephone, or worse still, has died!
The next meeting will be held on Sunday 25th January 2009. The following two meetings will be held on Sundays 1st and 29th March 2009.
The meeting closed at 13.56 hours.
Vale
Karen Wright (57): The President, committee and members wish to convey their condolences to Terry Wright (42 CDO) on the very sudden passing of his wife, Karen. She was only 57 years of age. Tragically, Karen suffered a massive stroke and went into a coma. She passed away within two days.
Terry and family were not aware that she had been having treatment for cancer over the past two months. She didn't want him or their granddaughter, Rhiannon, to worry. Karen was serving in the Royal Air Force in the United Kingdom when they met and got married. At that time Karen was a qualified air traffic controller. Albert and Janet Boyer attended the funeral held in the Rosebud Baptist Church with a full congregation.
Ted Briggs (85): The last survivor of the WWII sinking of the British battle cruiser, HMS Hood, has died. He was one of only three seamen among the 1,418-strong crew to survive an attack by the German battleship Bismarck on the 24th May 1941.
Ted Briggs, an 18-year-old signalman, described how he was sucked under by the sinking ship before being propelled to the surface, where he saw the HMS Hood disappearing below the waves.
Then he saw two other survivors: Midshipman William Dundas and Able Seaman Bob Tilburn on rafts nearby. The trio was picked up by a British destroyer three hours later.
Dundas died in 1965, Tilburn in 1995. Prime Minister Winston Churchill ordered that the Bismarck be hunted down and destroyed. The German ship was pursued by British forces and sunk on 27th May, with a total loss of almost 2,000 of its 2,200-strong crew.
In 2001, the wreckage of the Hood was found. At the Naval Ceremony, Ted Briggs helped lay a plaque on the underwater wreckage, designated an official war grave by the British Government.
Ted remained in the Royal Navy until 1973. He is survived by his wife, Clare. (Appreciation to the Associated Press for this information).
Lois Fielder (74): The very sad news was received with the deepest regret that Lois Ann Fielder passed away peacefully at 1700 hours on Christmas Eve. Her son informed us that she had been taken ill three days before - the cancer went direct to her liver.
Her wish was to have a private cremation with only family attending. It may have been decided to spread her ashes at the same beach cove where Peter's were laid. The death notice appeared in the Herald Sun on 29th December. It is believed Lois was about 74. Condolences have been conveyed to her family.
Sick List
Alarmingly, John Wilkinson had a bad bout at Berwick on the Friday before Christmas! He was rushed to the Berwick Hospital with heart failure! They operated on him the next day and a pacemaker was inserted. Thankfully, he returned home on Christmas Eve feeling okay.
We all send our best wishes to John and give thanks for his speedy recovery and praise to the medical and nursing staff for their devoted care.
Hope to see you all on 25th January,
David Wilcox, President