Merv Skinner

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Elmer Gilbert
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RAAF Gunnies Mail 27th April 2017 Keeping Gunnies in Touch With Gunnies Since 23 Jun 2001.

************************************************** George Shores memorial occasion, to be held at the Gympie RSL, starting at 2pm on Saturday the 29th of April.

1 RAAF Gunnies Mail 27th April 2017 Keeping Gunnies in Touch With Gunnies Since 23 Jun In this Edition Georges Memorial Merv Skinner Tributes Gunnie Pics and News Coming up Reunions including Mid-Year Melbourne, Plus Much More ************************************************** George Shores memorial occasion, to be held at the Gympie RSL, starting at 2pm on Saturday the 29th of April. ************************************************** From Brian Stewart Merv Skinner Merv's funeral was held at Wallsend today [24 Apr 2017] and attended by Rod Porter, Sandy Sanderson, Bob Smith and myself. It was a small affair and his two granddaughters read out two beautiful poems.

2 Dianne was both surprised and grateful that some of his old colleagues came to send him off. We spoke of how we remembered him. Regards, Brian Stewart From Kev Stapleton Worked with Merv in different sections in 478 Wing at W/Town and then Butterworth Did Ju Jitsu with him and we both passed black belt levels. As Merv had done boxing previously initially he would not start course until he challenged our instructor with him boxing against Ju Jitsu instructor. He did not land a punch before he was on the mat. Like all of us around that vintage time is running out. Remember when we (including Merv) had to sand back and paint Sabre rocket pods at Butterworth the locals who were working with us went on strike because they wanted the same pay as us!. Had to get in the head of the locals in to resolve dispute. He quickly told them either work here have your smoko s and breaks or you go out on the airfield cutting grass all day. At that time there were teams of grass cutters who cut the grass by swinging their scythes over their heads in a circular motion as they walked in line. Often thought many must have had accidents. Apparently story was that we had to employ at least same number of locals as there were service personnel on base. RIP Merv. and condolences to his family. Kevin Stapleton. GM note Yes Kev, the Ju Jitsu instructor was Kam Hock Hoe, Peter Hampton and I were a couple of Gunnies who also did the course with Kam [Panther Hoe] 1961 to 63, great times. May have been you or Merv who talked us into joining the club, can t remember. From Barry Wagenfeller Hi Ron, Another gunnie gone, this is getting a bit close to the bone for my liking. I met Merv at OCU in 1964, Cpl's Millard, O'Leary and myself. As I recall all went well until we received the first Dual, Merv went thru all the tests etc and when he showed us the BTC3 test on the canopy continuity the carts blew, I remember Merv saying DO NOT press the toggle switch unless the circuit plug was removed. WG COM??/ was not happy at all as of course every pilot want to fly it. well I had a quick course it cleaning the explosive lines with the framies. I used swafega as a cleaner, it worked well. Merv often related to his exploits in France with Harry Bartlett must have been a good trip????

3 It was a great time and his guidance and nurturing will always be remembered, my condolences to Diana and the family From Mick Terakes I remember Merv Skinner from 481 Arm. When we were at 481 aircraft maintenance hanger he had racing greyhound dog which he was training with ever longer walks, but it was racing slower. A vet discovered it had a sprained back. Mick Terakes ************************************************** From waiting your input!! ************************************************* From Dick Horder A very small roll up for our lunch on the 21/04. Hope to see a lot more people at our next gathering on the 16/6. Many thanks to our colleagues & wives who made the effort to attend last Friday. Attendees were, Kev Millard, John Larsen, Alex Masszauer, Ken & Bev Kane, Ken & Pat Lawrence, Dick Horder & Phil Lovell. ( Many thanks for the presentation Phil ) Apologies, Alma Fulloon, Peter & Jan Shaw, Ron & Glenys Brett Dick ******** Defence News Airforce The April 20 edition of your fortnightly Air Force newspaper is now available. Follow this link

Perhaps someone can put names to the pair in fuzzy colour pic.

4 ******** Bombs, Bullets & Bullshit Hi Ron, These pics were in 2016 Spring edition of Air Force Association 'Wings' magazine. Perhaps someone can put names to the pair in fuzzy colour pic. The single beam trolley must rate as one of the longest RAAF items in use. I wonder when they were introduced. Those troops in front of the Hudson are working on their bad backs.

6 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 Des Hoare Hi Ron some pics taken in Ubon in These pics are that old that they were stuck to the page and I wasn t game to try and remove them. From top Taken inside our living quarters, my bunk was the first on the left. T28.s Thai Air Force trainers that the cockpit resembled sabres, the F86 type. Maintenance hangar. Some local kids playing Our huts.

7 The entrance to the base. Finally the end of the flight line.

8 ******** From Kiwi Smith Mid Year Drinks in Melbourne 20 May 17 Young and Jacksons on Flinders Main Bar, 1300Hrs onward. 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 ******** From Bill Chambers The pictures are great, but the words of military wisdom with each one are even better. To see Click Here

9 ******** 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 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 / or jockmarglawrie@oz .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 ******** 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 27 th -29 th Oct, please let me know. Contact me by clicking on my link Here An update on the National Gunnies Reunion. Latest list of attendees for National Gunnies Reunion as of 19 th March

10 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, Ian McLaren, Brian Macklin, Toothy Martin, Warren Mazlin, Percy Moles, Noel Peterson, Ken Phelps, Stephen Polzin, Rod Porter, Mark Quince, John Ravell, John Robb, Brian Roberts, Matt Rust, Peter Shaw, Dep Sherriff, Mick Slater, Kiwi Smith, Terry Stamp, Pete Steinert, Brian Stewart, Quentin Tomkies, Bruce Tough and George Watkinson. And many partners, as well, of course. If Gunnies are thinking about coming, let me know: or You can caravan, pitch a tent, stay in onsite cabin bunk style accommodation, or do it in luxury at a motel or hotel in Wagga. Kind Regards, Bob Cornwell Overland Corner SA ********************************************* 2017 Gunnie Reunions!!!!! Coming to an Area near YOU. Listed so far. Ipswich Brothers Fri. 21 st Apr. 16 th Jun. 18 th Aug.

11 20 th Oct. 8 th Dec. Contact Dick Horder Here Melbourne Vic Mid Year Drinks In Melbourne 20 May 17 Young and Jacksons on Flinders Main Bar, 1300Hrs Contact Kev Smith HERE Perth WA Gunnies Midyear Reunion at the Globe Bar & Eatery at Wellington Street Perth Sat. 20 th May starting at noon. Contact Jock Lawrie Here Wagga National Gunnies Weekend 27 th -29 th Oct. Contact Bob Cornwell Here Raymond Terrace 24 th Nov Contact Greg Gannon Here S Aust... ArmFest Sat 2 nd Dec Contact Russ King Here WA Gunnies St Barbara s Reunion 2 nd Dec Contact Jock Lawrie Here

12 Details required for the below Brisbane Mid Year?? Contact Brian Cusack Melbourne. Mid Year.?? Melbourne. St Barbara s?? Tasmania Carrick Inn?? Townsville?? Darwin?? *************** We NEED and welcome your input for future newsletters. When ing, please include a contact phone number And use the address below.

13 Cheers, Ron Gunnies Mail moderator. Phone or text

ANZAC Day, 2013 Brisbane

ANZAC Day, 2013 Brisbane Brisbane provided a perfect day for the 2013 ANZAC Day march and once again, the public turned out in strength to thank the Army, Navy and Air Force men and women for their service.