4 Field Regiment (SVN) 'Old Boys' Newsletter - November 2013 Edition

4 4 Unfortunately there have been a few funerals of late and as I mentioned separately, Vic Hardie died last month. Here is a summary of the funeral from Brian Swift. Peter, I am pleased to report that Vic was given a classy, simple, well presented send off in the company of about fifty of his Hervey Bay friends, lots of relatives and a very good contingent of 4 Field Regiment and 106 Battery and wives. Present from the Army group were Peter and Beth Dobbs, Gary and Dawn Jones, Chris and Teena Reid Mick and Pat Long, Dave and Sandra Larter and me and Sandi Swift. The military mob arrived early at the crematorium and did our catching up and shared our sorrow over the loss of Vic. And of course it didn't take long for the stories, memories and variations of the truth of the past to start to be shred. I am very pleased to report that everyone is looking and feeling great, surprisingly especially some of the senior aged gents like Reid, Dobbs and Jones. The ladies looked great and happy to see each other. Just jumping ahead a bit, the presence of our ladies was an enormous surprise for Pam Hardie. She was quite overcome at seeing them all and you could see the strength she immediately gained from their presence. We all met and spoke with Vic's family (and what a wonderful collection of children, in-laws, grand children and other rellies they are). The Army group sat as a bunch, the men looking good with their medal proudly achest. The service opened to the tune of God only Knows by the Beachboys. After the celebrant welcomed everyone and made some opening remarks, Vic's daughter-in-law Lisa and granddaughters Alisha and Jasmine sung a beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace. It was very well done and resulted in many a tear being shed by most. I can report that the author of this report lost composure, especially when one of the granddaughters broke down and had to be comforted by her father, Adam, Vic's eldest son. Lisa then recited a poem on the memories of Vic then delivered a sensational eulogy outlining who and what Vic had been to them all. Others in the gathering were invited to say something if they wished. I took it on myself to represent our group and got up to make a few remarks on our collective opinion of Vic accompanied by a couple of brief stories. Pam and her family were very pleased that we spoke up on what we old soldiers thought of Vic as a soldier, sportsman and really great bloke. We were all then invited to follow the family in sprinkling rose petals on Vic's casket which was decorated with his old slouch hat, his medals, a couple of photos, a plaque from his Federal Police days, a cherished golf trophy and other trinkets. Placed very close by was his recently purchased new golf clubs. A couple of prayers followed, another poem, and the closing song Down Under by Men at Work, as Vic was farewelled and committed for cremation.