(Ross Robbins, 2/69 and Dennis Townsend, 2/70)

Although he wasn’t a Graduate, David Taylor has been a member of the OTU Association for many years. David was a regular attendee at the Tasmanian Lunches and had made several contributions to The Scheyvillian over the years and will be sadly missed.

David was with Class 4/66 but didn’t make it through due to a football injury during the senior class. He completed the OTU theory but was unable to complete the field activities. David was posted to Armoured Corps and signed on to go to Vietnam with 3rd Cavalry Regiment as a Temporary Corporal. He arrived ‘in country’ on 9th September 1968 and some weeks later his APC hit a land mine. David suffered considerable injury and was ‘Returned to Australia’ on 16th December 1968.

David received a double lung transplant in 2010. The Scheyvillian 3 of 2014 reported David’s activities at the Australian Transplant Games where David competed in his second games (squash, tennis, badminton, volleyball, athletics, swimming, pentanque (French version of bocce), 10 pin bowling and darts – all in one week!)

David’s lung function was deteriorating rapidly in recent months. He advised Ross Robbins at the end of January that he doubted that he would make the April Tasmanian lunch. His prophesy proved correct and he passed away in early March.

David’s funeral was held at the Launceston Church Grammar School Chapel, Mowbray, on 17th March. Ross and Jane Robbins along with Dennis and Annie Townsend attended David’s funeral representing the OTU Association Tasmania Chapter. David always looked back at his achievements at OTU and during his time with The Army with pride and his family was pleased to see representation from that period of his life. The Georgetown RSL was well represented as well as a few other ex-servicemen in attendance.It was a large funeral held at his old school with representation from his various interests present. Angus Waugh, a mate from his Vietnam unit, amongst others, delivered a Eulogy. Annie Taylor was very composed and his daughters and step-daughters all made a great and heartfelt contribution. David’s coffin was draped in Grammar School colours, his medals and Armoured Corps beret. A bugler played The Last Post and The Rouse bringing the service to a conclusion.

He will be missed. Lest we Forget. Rosco R.

Leon Theodore Rowe was born in Auburn, NSW, on 21st May 1948 and completed his Secondary Education at Patrician Brothers College, Fairfield, NSW. Before entering the Army as a National Servicemen he was a Theological student. Leon graduated from OTU into RAEME. His initial appointment was as SO3 (Captain’s position) RAEME Training. Not liking that job he volunteered to take on a posting as a Platoon Commander at 2 RTB, Puckapunyal. Shortly after arriving he met Deena, a Nurse at 3 Camp Hospital. In Melbourne they had three children Kelly, Patrick and Kate, before moving to Mt Gambier and later Adelaide. The next move was to Rockhampton in Queensland then Ipswich-Booval-Goodna parishes before retiring in 2010.

Leon’s son Patrick served tours in Afghanistan and Timor-Leste before resigning from the Army. In his later years Leon lived at Kangaroo Point in Brisbane. He was not in good health, but made it to the 40th Reunion in Sydney in 2013 where he took part in the Church Service at St Matthews. Sadly, Leon passed away (in Brisbane) on 15 November 2015 after a long period of ill health, he was 67 years of age. Leon leaves behind his three children and four grandchildren. A Service of Thanksgiving followed by Interment of Ashes was be held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Brisbane Street, Ipswich on Thursday, 3rd. December.

Philip Dawe