VALE

The following members and friends have passed away.
The Association extends their condolences to the families.

They shall grow not old
As we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn;
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
We Will Remember Them.

NOEL ANDERSON - 2008
- 12 July 2008

Noel Anderson a former member of 126 Signal Squadron (Special Forces) passed away suddenly from a heart attack on Saturday 12 July 2008.
Noel joined 126 as a corporal in 1968 after service in South Vietnam with 104 Signal Squadron at Nui Dat. Whilst with 126 Noel served in 660 Sig Troop and was involved in every aspect of 660's work. He was one of the original members of the troop who attended and qualified at the SAS
Patrolling (formerly Recondo) course in WA in 1970. He was a qualified SAS patrol medic, parachutist and stick commander.

Whilst in Darwin in the late 1960's Noel was a member of a small 660 team that conducted successful raids against RAN and RAAF establishments. He was later to remark that 660 was the best time he had in his army career. Noel left the ARA as a sergeant in 1971 and joined the then Department of Civil Aviation, later Airservices Australia, where he worked until a few years ago.

Noel will be remembered as a good team player, a professional with a good sense of humour, was always willing to have a go and assist his mates in any situation. He was a good soldier and will be sadly missed.

NEIL CHASEMORE - 2008
- aged 62

Past 2 Commando and SASR member Neil Chasemore passed away June 2008 after a battle with Bone Cancer

DAVID MAUGHAN - 2008
- 12 Jun 2008

Association member and inaugural treasurer David Maughan passed away on Thursday 12th June 2008 after a very long battle with asbestosis

MARTY BREED - 2008
30 Apr 1957 - 06 Jun 2008

And every time the sun goes down
And a soldier goes to sleep
He'll dream a dream down deep inside
Where your spirit sleeps.

Marty Breed was a member of 126 Signal Squadron - 1st Commando Regiment from 1978 to 1984 when as a result of a accident while on military service he became a paraplegic, disregarding this he continued to serve until being discharged. His untimely death was a result of a unfortunate accident.

TREVOR BOYD WATSON - 2007
06 Oct 1955 - 07 Dec 2007

"Live life, look after nature, it's our salvation. Live everyday like there's no tomorrow, have no regrets, do everything in life so you can look back and be totally satisfied with your life" - Trevor Watson

COL TITMARSH - 2007
- Aug 2007

Col Titmarsh passed away August 2007. He was admitted to hospital after complaining of being out of breath. He was diagnosed with lung cancer and the lung was removed. It was hopeful that he would respond to treatment but unfortunately the cancer had spread. Col served in the CMF 12th August 1952 to 29th June 1965 and the ARA from 30th June 1965 to 7th MARCH 1981. He joined the 2 Cdo Coy in 1962 remaining there until his transfer to ARA in 1965. He retired as a Major in 1981.

FLETCHER, JOHN GM (known to all as Jack) - 2007
02 Dec 1933 - 05 Nov 2007

FLETCHER, John GM (known to all as Jack) Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Former adjutant, 2 Commando Company in 1959 - 60s.
Jack was respected by all who served with him.

MICHAEL WILLIAMSON - 2007
06 Jan 1941 - 27 Apr 2007

Michael was an Association member for a number of years. He served with 1 Commando Company. He was retired from the workforce and had lived in Queensland for some years, he passed away, due to cancer, at Hopewell Hospice, Gold Coast on April 27 2007, age 66.
Michael's ashes were scattered at sea

DAVID O'NEIL - 2007

Cpl David O'Neil was one of three S.A.S. soldiers tragically killed in a car accident on Monday 9th April 2007

Corporal David Graham O'Neill enlisted into the Australian Army Reserve on the 28th of March 1993 and served with the 1st Commando Regiment. After two years with the Army Reserve, David joined the Australian Regular Army on the 9th of May 1995. After completing his Recruit Training at Kapooka, he commenced his Initial Employment Training at The School of Infantry, Singleton NSW on the 31st of July that year. At the completion of his Initial Employment Training, David was posted to the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment.

David had a flair for Infantry training and in 1996, completed a Reconnaissance Course which is the most demanding of all Infantry Battalion specialist courses.

It was obvious that David wanted to be challenged as a soldier so in 1997, David successfully completed the Special Air Service Selection Course. Over the next two years, David completed another 15 specialist courses ranging from patrolling, demolition's, tactical driving, parachuting, communications and language. David was posted to the 2nd Special Air Service Squadron.

ANTHONY (Tony) RAFFAELE - 2007

Tony served in 1 Cdo Coy between 1961 and 1967. The service was conducted at the St Judes Catholic Church, North Ryde, Sydney, and was attended by many Association members. The coffin was carried into, and out of the church by Association members and interred at the Macquarie Park Cemetery, North Ryde Sydney.

PETER PEART (Lowe) - 2006
30 Apr 1947 - 27 Oct 2006

Peter Peart enlisted in 2 Commando Company on the 17th October 1964 and qualified to wear the Green Beret after attending the 31/65 Basic Parachute Course in October of the following year. He quickly established himself as a competent rock climber and after a number of qualifying courses became classified as an instructor. Peter’s time in the unit was well spent and he took every advantage of the courses available to improve his military knowledge and practical skills. His fitness levels were of a high standard, and in order to maintain those levels he cycled, ran, including marathons, climbed, and paddled a great deal. He was a good example to others and a credit to himself and the unit.

Peter left the unit April 1st 1971, and then moved to Canada where he put the roping and climbing skills he had acquired into a business which required roping techniques to access difficult areas of building constructions, this entailed roping down constructions such as Dam walls, Buildings, and Bridges to trouble shoot problems.

Peter returned to Australia in December 1999 and worked in various engineering jobs. Peter’s last employment was with Golder Associates, a global engineering company, where he focused on environmental engineering. Peter met his fiancée, Jane, two years ago through their shared love of Airedale Terriers, Peter having brought Charlie the Airedale back from Canada on his return home. Peter was diagnosed with cancer just five weeks before he died. In his last couple of days, Peter knew he was dying and took the news from the medicos on the chin. Unfortunately, the chemotherapy had a negative effect on Peter’s liver and kidneys and fortunately he didn't have to linger on in pain with his body slowly succumbing to the effects of the cancer, and died 27th October this year.

The gathering of Peters Family, Fiancé Jane, and friend at Dixons Creek to distribute some of Peter’s ashes under a favorite tree was a fitting tribute to a man who was obviously well loved.