An email from Mike Smith (Class of 1971) has been passed to me via Ross Eastgate and Ian Callan – many thanks to all three. It passes on some sad news about the health – and outlook – for Stew Snell. I remember Stew – a founding member of the Little Ford Club – as one of the most innately nice people I met at RMC. Let’s keep Stew and his family in our thoughts at this time.

Most of the text of the email from Mike is as follows:

“Over the years Marg and I have kept in touch with Stew and Kathy Snell. We had dinner with Stew earlier this year on one of his visits to Canberra. He was in great form, very fit and still working his successful company, Atamo. Stew and Kathy had decided to sell their acreage to the north of Perth and move to Secret Harbour to the south of Perth – closer to some of their three children and a more manageable property.

Yesterday, Stew advised me that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and that it was inoperable. He has given me approval to advise Old Mates, but I don’t have current addresses for many in the classes of 71 and 72 who would probably like to know. Grateful if you could forward through your network. I have cc’d the Canberra Old Mates coterie and a few of the Gallipoli Company crew.

Stew’s email is stewart.snell@atamo.com.au, and his mobile is 0414 628 941. I also have Kathy’s contact details and Marg and I will check with her over the coming weeks.

Below are extracts from Stew’s recent emails. He is brave and stoic, and a true inspiration. His last sentence (highlighted) is a mark of the man.

“There has been a big change in our affairs since we met up earlier this year.

In early August I visited the doctor with an uncomfortable feeling in the upper abdomen.  Several visits to hospital and a range of tests later I have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that appears to have spread to the liver, making it inoperable.  We had already planned to move from our acreage into something more manageable for people getting older.  I got the diagnosis in the week we were to move.  We managed the move with various dramas in matching settlement dates etc.

We moved into 62 Secret Harbour Boulevard, Secret Harbour on Tuesday 24th, I saw the oncologist on Wednesday and had a liver biopsy on Thursday.  I start Chemo next Wednesday.  The general prognosis is 6-12 months and I have asked to oncologist to help me be as functional as possible for as long as possible.  There is an outside chance we may be able to stretch it out to a couple of years.”

And: “Thanks for the kind words.  It is a difficult situation but I’m determined not to waste any time thinking about what might have been.  The doctors spent some time looking for an underlying cause but weren’t able to find one.  So we just accept that there is no reason and we are simply grateful for what we have.

I’m happy for you to pass the news on to RMC colleagues.  I know several of them have health issues and I would be pleased if you would also pass on my best wishes to those who are dealing with problems of their own.”

Thanks to Rowan Tracey for pointing to the biography of another very well known Duntroon graduate – ACM Sir Frederick Scherger, KBE CB DSO AFC, former Chairman of the Australian Chiefs of Staff.

See Rayner, Harry, Scherger, Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 1984.

Listening to Canberra radio station 2CA today in the car, I was transported back: Eric Burdon and the Animals – We’ve got to get out of this place

And that led to 100 Days To Go, and the RMC Band on parade (I think set up by Kevin Hindle) – The Campbells are coming

News just to hand of the death of Anglican Chaplain Peter Dillon. His funeral is 1.00pm Wednesday 28 at St Paul’s Duntroon. Many would have known him, as a padre during our time of service. His service included operations in Vietnam.

There are a few mentions of Peter Dillon in Captains of the Soul. A history of Australian Army chaplains.’ by Michael Gladwin (2013), offered here as an insight into the man:

…….Anglican padre Peter Dillon was conscious that ‘the dominos were falling’ and that Christian South Vietnam needed protection from the communist north. Nevertheless, some padres were less convinced politically. (p 205);

Anglican padre Peter Dillon observed that most padres went out of their way to rub shoulders with the troops; the padres’ presence on patrols earned them the respect of troops and the right to be heard at services or on questions of religion and morality. (p 215);

Unsuitable chaplains, recalled Dillon, were discreetly weeded out with a minimum of fuss. (p 232);

Anglican padre Peter Dillon also confirmed the truism that numbers at worship services tend to swell in proportion to their closeness to the forward areas. Behind the wire at Nui Dat, Dillon could expect around half a dozen worshippers (the exception being the well-attended Christmas services). At FSBs he could expect around 25–30 at his services, but after three days of patrolling with a rifle company, Dillon found that the majority of the company turned up to a combined service. (p 233);

Peter Dillon recalled a fruitful chaplaincy at RMC—the highlight of his uniformed ministry—during the 1980s and 1990s. Scores of cadets found and deepened their Christian faith during these years. (p 312).

An article he wrote for the Christian Military Fellowship of Australia in February 1985 is at the following link: Article in the Magazine of the Military Christian Fellowship of Australia, February 1985.

Thanks to Ross Eastgate for the following email:

“This little gem was discovered by David Taylor.

I recognised two faces, Frank Cross later RAE  and PJA Evans, later RASigs, who is the drummer in the jazz band.

That puts the film circa 1958.

David says we wuz robbed by not doing the DR training.  Hmmm…:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3Cupr-n6BY “

Just a little bit different from our era! Runs for about 18 minutes.

Happy birthday to Geoff McPherson, who celebrated his 70th birthday on Saturday 3 August.

Tom Cobley has this year published his third – and he says last – book. Great effort.

I’ve just posted a 1970 recruiting video for Duntroon in the 1970 page of the Gallery, at https://duntroonclassof1972.com/gallery/1970-third-class/.

It works for me but would appreciate any feedback from your end.

Three photos just added to the Gallery – thanks to John Elphinston. One on the 1969 page (Fourth Class Boxing at https://duntroonclassof1972.com/gallery/1969-fourth-class/ ) and two on the 1972 page (both at Grad at https://duntroonclassof1972.com/gallery/1972-first-class/).

And another milestone – Bill Houston was farewelled from the Army History Unit today, ending his 50+ year career (uniformed and public service) with Army – although he’ll continue in a voluntary role at the Army Tank Museum in Puckapunyal (who would have thought?). Best wishes, Bill and Marina.

Note how times have changed. A whole table of food that has neither been consumed nor contaminated!

Just added this new photo to the gallery at https://duntroonclassof1972.com/gallery/1972-first-class/ – a panorama provided by John Elphinston – thanks. There is plenty of space for more photos – they have been slow in coming!