Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

I am not a blood relative of Ron although I love him and consider myself to still be his great granddaughter.
I have such fond memories growing up with Ron and his partner Iris whom were our next door neighbours.

The most vivid memory that I have of the time we shared (along with my brother and sister) was sitting under the back patio, Ron with a VB stubby in hand and me sitting on his lap whilst he sang to us. The only line that I can remember from the song is "And he played the ekulele as the ship went down".
Its only in the last couple of years that I have looked into this song and found it! "The Wreck of the Nancy Lee", I was so happy that it brought me to tears.
I am unsure if this is a song that he and his mates would sing during WWII or if it was something that his father or mother would sing to him when he was a child. I loved it.

I just wish that we could have had a couple more years with Ron so that I would have been at an age where I could have been more aware of the feats that he achieved, the sacrifices that he made and the hard times that he endured for his counter; for us.

But in saying that I do remember him as a kind man with a big booming laugh, a massive heart and such a loving nature. Some of these qualities can be hard to find in people and he had them all and so much more.
And of course as if a little girl would forget…. when he would come to visit every morning he would be the first one awake, he would go straight to the bathroom and have a shave, go down the street to get his paper and juice or soft drink for us kids. along with my favourite biscuits; monte carlos. Spoilt rotten!

I think of you often Ron and I am doing so much research to learn all about "The Rats of Tobruk" and your wonderful life. I miss you so very much.
Rachael and I will come to visit you next year on your 100th Birthday with fresh Snap Dragons - You know how much we love those. Thank you for everything you have done and for the wonderful memories we have shared. Love you xxx