Phone call from Dave Alderton on 15 Jan 2026. Dave tells me he and his wife travelled to China during 2025, and this year are planning a trip to Jordan, Turkey and Ireland in Apri/ May. Safe travels Dave. You would be aware that we lost a few Old Boys of late including Des Spurr. PJ Smith attended the funeral for Des and reports as follows; I attended the funeral service of Des Spurr yesterday (27 January 2026) in the Le Pine Funerals facility at Eltham in Melbourne's North East. I was saddened to hear of Des' passing, and I decided to attend as I wanted to ensure that there was representation from our unit/association. As it turns out, I was one of three who attended, the others being Eric Neill and David Hanlon. I was very pleased to see them there. Eric and David both looked in fine health. Des' memorial service was very well attended, and it was a case of 'standing room only'. His brother-in-law, who described himself as "more brother than law", delivered a lengthy, heartfelt eulogy highlighting his love of family and their love of him, his cheeky character and, importantly, his great pride in his Army service. One of Des' sons also spoke briefly as did a trio of his grandchildren and his daughter. Collectively, they provided a snapshot of his life and his passion for his family. Des was diagnosed with Parkinson's way back in 2001 and so he had fought a long battle with that illness which progressively robbed him of an able body and, in the end, memory, etc. Through all that, it was said that Des soldiered on for about 25 years, not surrendering in spirit to the disease nor allowing it to define him. Des had been resident in a care facility for the final 4 years of his life. Your work PJ in keeping us all informed was the catalyst for at least 3 of us being there at Des' last parade. Thank you. 15 members of Jock Jenvey’s 108 Battery in Vietnam attended his funeral in Brisbane recently. This really does show the esteem in which Jock was held by the members of 108 Battery. John Wilson and his wife Denise, attended the funeral in Townsville for the late Paddy Durnford. Paddy was a great help to me over the years by supplying historical facts on various individuals and units, especially 4th Regiment. Obituaries for Jock and Paddy are available on the RAAHC web site www.artilleryhistory.org We have not done one for Des as we have very limited information on his life after National Service. This is an ongoing issue these days as we cannot access Statements of Service unless we are conducting a Poppy Service or the like. Having limited information of a life outside the military also relies on family or friends to send us eulogy’s etc. With the right information, we can draft a suitable obituary and post it on the RAAHC website. From Neville Clark on 30 Jan 2026 Dear Peter, Well done on the bucket-list Tamworth trip, the first part of it in freezing weather reminding me of our “sub-tropical” acclimatisation exercises at Shoalwater Bay - never been so cold at nights in my life! A pleasing note. On St Barbara’s Day last year, the Gunners of the 4th Regiment took on the auld enemy of the Sappers of 3 Combat Engineer Regiment in the usual series of strength, agility and know-how tests and beat them for the second year in a row. I had this good news from the CO, Lt Col Simon Frewin. Even
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