Spike's Place

WARNING!

Don't expect too much from this page it will always be a bit rough around the edges.

It is just a written version of what I'm up to in the search for the members of our intake. It might get a bit disjointed, but don't get too excited about it, that's how I do my best work.

HARD HAT AREA.

Recently contacted members are shown in Bold text.

01-03-2009 After years of searching, today I found out that Harry Alderson was killed in a car accident in Auckland NZ about 1981-82. Unfortunately, the fact that it happened so long ago makes it no easier to bear. He is survived by his wife Kris, two children, Harry and Sharon, each have a child.

02-02-2008 Sadly, today I was informed by Lawrie Shirley that Dennis Money had passed away as a result of pulmonary hypertension. Our thoughts are with his family.

28-02-2007 I Rang Terry Vickers this morning, and had a good (hour and a half) yak, catching up on a lot of history. Terry's details have been added to the database for anyone of our group that would like to make contact.

25-09-2006 This evening John (Jack) Pratt left a note in the Guest Book and has since been in touch by email. Jack is presently living in Cairns and working for RSLCARE so if anyone is in the area he'd love to have a yak.

11-09-2006 Today I received an email from Steve Beales with contact details for John Newby, who is retired and living the life of a country gentleman about 20 Km out of Dorrigo. "Newbs" tells me that he has a nice little self contained holiday cabin close to the river on the property, available at very reasonable rental to anyone who would like a stress free holiday. It has wheelchair access and is perfect for a private get away. or convalescence. He stressed that the prices are very reasonable and designed for those on a limited income. Give John or Donna a ring on (02) 66578077

10-09-2006 Wayne Baldwin (an ex adult entry) contacted me today to say that he may have a contact for Mike Keogh..

19-05-2006 I managed to locate Garry Shearsmith's brother today, only to find out that Garry died suddenly as a result of a brain tumour whilst living in Townsville in 2002.

15-05-2006 A great stroke of luck tonight, Cheryl Elmes (Smith) daughter of PO Bob Smith left a message on the message board. I have sent a return email thanking her for getting in touch.

14-04-2006 Well,.... another stroke of luck, Peter O'Donahoo's brother Paul left a message in the Guest book tonight and I've sent of a quick email requesting any contact details for Peter.

11-04-2006 I tried Merv Hodgson's number again, today and managed to find both he and Nikki at home. Same old Merv, nothing's changed. He's sleeping his way to the top of the local Coast Guard hierarchy, (Nikki's the local training officer and Merv is still a "hairy arse").

27-03-2006 Today a message was left on the guestbook with a contact number for Merv Hodgson, I have removed the post so as not to make the phone number available to the public. I will pass it on to any member who would like to get in touch.

03-03-2006 Steve Beales rang tonight an we had a good yak. Steve still manages to keep in touch with some of the Birdies in our intake, God only know how I didn't stumble over him earlier.

28-02-2006 Received a letter detailing most of King Division, and seven photos from John (Bomber) Brittain this morning and will have them in the Album shortly

25-02-2006 Steve Beales has got an answering machine on his phone now, and I have left a message this morning, hoping that he'll ring me back.

A contact on the "Gunplot" website (Rocky Rankin) will be seeing Rick Beagley on Anzac Day and will get his details.

08-02-2006 I was contacted last night by a mate of Tony Beales with his address, phone number and email address, I tried both phone and email without success.

06-02-2006 Sorry about the absence, it's been a hectic couple of months the Skipper on my vessel has had to take extended leave, which meant that I was required to be onboard as the only other qualified Ship's Security Officer. I have been home for over a week but have had a lot of catching up to do before I could get back to the search, hopefully there'll be no more real interuptions as I have also retired. I "formally" retired on the 6th Jan, but couldn't get home. A belated "Happy New Year" to you all.

23-11-2005 Things have been quiet the last few days, allowing me to do some work on the home front. Today I received an email from Jeff Dalgliesh who was kindly located for me by Cathay Pacific Staff in Hong Kong. Mike Cain provided me with the initial information that led me to Cathay Pacific, Thanks Mike.

After I sent of the email to Jeff I decided to give Peter Cheers phone another try and managed to catch him at home Pete's just retired after many years with the Queensland Dept., of Transport (Motor vehicles Division), so we've knocked two more of the list of evaders today.

18-11-2005 Found possible leads to Phil Smith and Mike Keogh. Phil's old email address involved what I think is his wife's maiden name, of which there are only four listed in the phone book for Australia and they are all in WA, this shouldn't be too hard to follow up. My lead to JD Pratt came to nothing, it was the wife's initials.

17-11-2005 I received a letter from Glenn Parker today, he mentioned that he had run into John Pratt a few years ago in WA, so hopefully that narrows the search a bit. There is only one JD Pratt in the phone book for WA I'll ring tonight.

Prior to 17-11-2005 I've been having a good run, I managed to find Wally Sheehan early in the week, Barry Washbrook on Friday 11/11 and Gunther Robl rang last Thursday.

Mike Cain has sent four photos which can be seen in the Photo Album, also Steve Town sent a nice group photo of 20 of Macquarie?? Division.

Vern Pasfield has given me an address for Peter Cheers but as yet, I havent been able to get in touch.

I also have an address for Tony Beales, but he is not answering his phone, (maybe he's away).

Lawrie Shirley sent a number of addresses to chase up and put me in touch with Dennis Money.

I have been told by one of our members that he seems to think that Tony Jack may have passed away some years ago, does anyone have any more information?

Both Mike and Ray Lastelle have been helping out by proofreading my pages and pointing out some of my "blues". If you see anything that you think is incorrect, please let me know.