Have just made contact with Wally and Sandra and interrupted Wal whilst he was preparing the evening meal!

Wally sounds good and has recovered pretty well from his last back operation a year or so ago, but at this very moment he is otherwise fully occupied as chief cook, bottle washer / carer  for Sandra who had a hip replacement Tuesday 2 weeks ago.

Sandra is recuperating pretty well and can now hobble around the house with the aid of a walker so I gather things are starting to look a little better. We all hope that things brighten up for you both

Pommy Adcock writes;
We had Helen & Vivian Rouse stay over for a few days prior to Anzac day. We organised a Barby and had
the pleasure of Denis & Jo Quinn, Karen Boaden and Brooksy for the afternoon. 
A good time was had by all.  
All is going well down in the southern state, although its starting to get cold. 
Hope you all had a great Anzac Day. 
Regards 
Pommie Adcock

En route from Wollongong to Brisbane I had five hours layover in Sydney yesterday with nothing to do so I took the opportunity to catch up with some good friends for lunch at Bankstown Sports Club, I am sure you will recognise them except for my mate Bob. He is an ex nasho that I met on return from Vietnam and have remained very good friends with and only lives a quick five minutes from John Neenan.

Had a good chat, good laugh and a good meal with great company and it was great to have the chance to meet up.

Cliff Hodgson

Recently Bob Wilson has been publishing “Does anyone know the whereabouts of;” items through various media outlets, such as DVA, RAASC Assocn etc, and as a result of these efforts Des Ralph recently received a phone call from another of our long lost members, Jim Bowkett.
Jim tells us that he has led a bit of a rocky life since we all knew him, in that on leaving the Army he was employed as a civilian at Monegeeta (The Army’s trials and proving wing) and whilst there was involved in a pretty bad accident, crushing 8 of Jim’s vertebrae and leading to his being invalided out to retirement at around 30 years of age.
He holds a restricted licence at the moment and because of this restriction is not as mobile as he would like to be.
He lost his wife about 4 years ago to an incurable hereditary debilitating disease and for the last 10 years of her life Jim diligently cared for her in every possible way.
His marriage produced one son and Jim is currently living on site on his son’s property.
Jim’s address is:
Jim Bowkett
15 Browns Road
Anakie Vic 3221
Phone 03 5284 1491
Mobile 0438 980 670
Email address is; thebowketts@yahoo.com.au.

Everyone welcome to join the rest of the Melbourne 87 family at Bells Hotel Cnr Moray and Coventry streets after the March.
 Booking has been made under 87 transport. Please let me know if you are attending so I can adjust the numbers.
Cheers everyone and raise a glass to absent friends.
Yvonne and Brian Englund 

Dear Shirl
I was so sorry to hear of Teds passing
stay strong my dear and remember the good times
Iam thinking of you at such a sad time
Take care
love from Maureen Thomas xx
l

Poor old Blue Hickey is undergoing a pretty rough time at this very moment and although he has heard from one or two of us, I am sure that a couple more calls would lighten his and Helen’s load considerably.
This possibly stands for a number of our members, Blue Morcom is also putting up a pretty good fight at the moment as well.
Bloo Dennis is plugging along fairly well at the moment (or so I am lead to believe) also.
Whilst on the “blue theme”, Blue Broomhall and his brother have departed the sunny climes of Qld and moved back to Tassie just in time for the next winter. I don’t have any more news on this subject but I am sure someone will be able to enlighten us.
Des and Margaret Ralph called in on Glen and Patsy Hutley for a flying visit the other day whilst visiting Brisbane for their son’s 50th. (I think Des just wanted to check and make sure I am taking care of the car (1964 Rover 3L Coupe) that he viewed for me in Bendigo a while ago, and keeping it clean for him.
Cliff Hodgson is about to set off on a trip to South Aussie for a Land Rover gathering at Melrose then off through Woomera and out into the wilderness.

Recently Patsy and I travelled down to Corowa for a military vehicle show and as it turns out we were away from computers etc for the past week or so, and with this in mind I would like to thank and at the same time congratulate our Secretary Bird Jenny for the sterling job she did in hurriedly learning how to manage our “blog” over the phone, and very ably keeping all informed when the recent sad news of Ted came to the fore.

There are a lot of people out there I have not heard from or about, so if anyone has any news from your state, or anything that be of interest to other members (providing it has been Okayed by any persons concerned) send it in and we can all keep abreast of the times.

Dear Shirley and family
Thinking of you and trusting Ted is in a better place.
Unfortunately we won’t be able to make the funeral but will be thinking of you all.
Rest in peace old mate.
Brian, Yvonne and the rest of the Englund family

Marie & I would like to offer our condolences to Shirley and Family. Sorry we can,t attend Teds Funeral as medical reasons prevent me from travelling.
All The Best
Jim & Marie Thomson

G’day everybody,

Please excuse my geriatric ignorance, but I haven’t caught up with the concept of WordPress, and I have deliberately avoided all “social media” which appear to me to be the ultimate time wasters. I’ll just stick to ordinary email for all business (mainly RSL and Boer War Memorial Association) and social contact.

I do read the 87 blog site, and lately that has not been a happy thing to do. Now today another of our brotherhood has gone to his final R&R. I have snailmailed a condolence note to Shirley Hall on behalf of Janet and me and the boys and girls of the 87 family.

All of our unwell members are in my thoughts and prayers.

Yours aye,

John N.

Dear Shirley
Sorry to hear of the passing of Ted, Pom has fond memories of him, and we will always be thinking of of you both.
Love Pom And Jenny Hallam

Dear Shirley,
Sorry to hear of your loss and may our condolence be passed on to you and your family,
Blue and Helen Hickey

Rest in Peace my friend.
Our thoughts are with Shirley & family.
Love Pommy and Sue Adscock

So sorry to hear about Teddy.
Ron and Mardi Wicks

Dear Shirley
We are thinking of you. Words are not enough to express our sorrow at your (and our) sad loss. We will not be there at Ted’s farewell in person but will be in spirit.
God bless
Shirley and John Hoare