Members of the Daffodil Squadron.
I am sorry to have to tell you that once again it is sad news. I had a phone call tonight Sunday September 4th just after 6pm from Jenny, daughter of John and Beth Gannell. John passed away in Monash hospital about 6pm as a result of pneumonia. As most of you will be aware John has been in Monash and/or rehabilitation at Caulfield since about Easter...Les Ploog

... on behalf of the Daffodils,
Sadly, John passed away at the Monash Medical Centre at about 6PM on Father's Day, Sunday the 4th September 2005. His passing followed many weeks of hospitalization, an amputation of a leg, and finally a bout of pneumonia. His spirit never wavered. He believed, even when I spoke with him on the evening before he died, that he was going to walk on his artificial leg. Come hell or high water he was going to Perth in 2006 for the re-union, and I have no doubt that he had already organized the tee-shirts for the occasion.

He was a very special person. He endeared himself to all who knew him (and I never met many people who didn't know him). Each of us will remember him in our own way for our own reasons, and almost all of those reasons will be filled with good times, humour, and genuine friendship.

I loved the man. I could discuss my personal feelings with him and he would be understanding and always "lend a friendly ear". We had a close association since 1961, when we were neighbours in Jalan Marie Pitchay, Penang. Later we went for prayer meetings together in the night spots of Ubon, Thailand, where He would play the one-string tea chest in the local Ubon band. Many an American learnt about Coolabah trees and Billabongs as John coached them in his expert style in the ways of Aussie tunes. He was the one who always knew the words.

Back in Australia, and after a quick trip to Paris, France, his talents were recognised and thus he finished up in the dreaded HQSC as an Officer and a Gentleman. Well John came into his own at this stage and he proceeded to take the stuffiness out of the system. As the Entertainments Officer he, at one stage, organised to have a complete pipe band burst in upon a very formal dining-in night, to the delight of all and sundry.

The years passed, Choppy was now a SQNLDR with 30 odd years up his DFRDB sleeve, and he kindly agreed to join me at Rank Electronics Aust, after negotiating a suitable car and a suitable salary. Needless to say we had many a memorable moment; Choppy once again proceeded to endear himself to the people of this organisation.

Time passed and an offer of a much better car and a much better salary came his way and so he went to manage an aviation company out Essendon way. Meanwhile, his son, Drew, was making a name for himself, and ultimately our Choppy found himself as the marketing man for "Ultimate" products produced by the son.

Our last significant time together was on a 46 foot yacht sailing out of Shute Harbour. He and I were "deck hands or non-captains" and took nautical orders from two "experienced" captains. Many a good time was had by all!

Goodbye Choppy, we will miss you. - Les Holt