Publication:The Fearless Times Issue 1 2009/Honour & Remembrance
At sunset on the 9th of June, the first day of sailing for our deployment to the Middle East HMAS Toowoomba held a church service onboard in remembrance of three WWII Veterans; Edward Slinger (1921–2008), John Meeks (1922–2009), and Walter Richardson (1924–2009). During our service, conducted by Chaplain Stephen Gunther, RAN, we committed the ashes of these three WWII veterans to the sea in position 31° 35.29 South, 114° 33.44 East. This position is 55 nautical miles North West of Rottnest Island.
Occasions such as these are an important way that we can pay our last respects in a uniquely naval manner to former war veterans and members of our service. We were pleased that we were able to meet the last wishes of these three servicemen and it was an honour for HMAS Toowoomba to have been able to perform this important duty. The service had special significance for Toowoomba because during the course of our six month deployment we will be operating in waters where the late Walter Richardson saw action in WWII.
Leading Seaman Edward Slinger
Leading Seaman Edward Slinger, Royal Navy 1939–1945, was born in Yorkshire in 1921. He did his initial training at HMS Raleigh in Turnpoint, Devon. Served in the Destroyer HMS Faulkner as a Quarter-master Gunner communicator and sight setter for three and a half years and saw action in the 8th Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterranean and in Artic Convoys. Edward Slinger immigrated to Australia and was an active member of the Royal Navy Association, Secretary of the Artic Convoy association and a founding member of the Nelson Society in Australia. He died in November 2008 and is survived by his daughter who resides in Woodlands W.A.
Corporal John Meeks
Corporal John Meeks, Australian Army 1942–1947, was born in Albany W.A. He saw active service in the Pacific theatre with the 66th Australian Infantry Battalion – 105 Australian Light Field Ambulance. Growing up in Albany, Corporal Meeks' first love was for the sea and though he desperately wanted to join the Navy he was not given permission by his parents to do so. Ironically Corporal Meeks eventually did end up cold wet and homesick when his troop ship was torpedoed and sunk on the way to Borneo. Fortunately he was amongst those who were rescued by allied forces.
After the war he served in Japan with the British Occupational Forces for another two years. He was discharged from the Army on 12 May 1947 and worked for the Metropolitan Transport Trust, retiring in 1983 after 33 years service. He died 30 January 2009 and is survived by his wife Sarah (May) who lives in Dalkieth W.A., as well as their two daughters Marion and Joanne, five grand children and six great grand children. John's dying wish was to have his ashes scattered at sea by an Australian warship.
Able Seaman Walter Richardson
Able Seaman Walter Richardson Royal Australian Navy 1942–1946, joined the RAN in June 1942 at HMAS Cerberus and on completion of training was posted to the Dutch built minesweeper HMAS Abraham Crijnssen until it was returned to the Dutch Navy in 1943. Following this he was posted to the Destroyer HMAS Quiberon for escorting duties off the east and west coast of Africa. They joined the eastern Fleet at Bombay and Trincomalee. He also saw service with the British pacific Fleet escorting Battleships for the bombardment of the Japanese mainland. He returned to Sydney and discharged from the RAN in April 1946. Walter died on the 2nd of March 2009 and is survived by his wife Dorothy who lives in Meadow Springs.
