I have just received a report from John Hood that John Carroll Rooney Crossed the Bar, it reads :-

"I have just been informed of the death of John Rooney ex RFA Seafarer who served onboard RFA REGENT during the Falkland's conflict. His funeral takes place at Dalbeth Cemetery, 1881 London Glasgow G32 8XF on Thursday 21st Feb. John lived alone and received support from the Scottish Nautical Welfare Society and it is likely there will be no one to mark his passing at his funeral. I'm in Northern Ireland and unable to attend so if any local members are able to attend or know of any of his shipmates this would be much appreciated."

(I have and am still having serious problems with this site making it difficult to write an appropriate post, so bear with me.)

John Crossed the Bar on Tuesday 29th January 2017, after a short illness, aged 73

I have been in contact with the Funeral Directors, Allan Menzies (HERE for their website and HERE for a map) and they have informed me that John's funeral (interrment)  will take place at Dalbeth Cemetery (HERE for their website and HERE for a map) on Thursday 21 February at 12:00. It will be a graveside service. I have arranged an RFA Ensign to dress John's coffin.

The RFA Reunion 2019 will be held at the Radison Blu Hotel Durham on 11th May 2019 and I would suggest that you book your room in the Radison Blu soon as I am told they are filling up. I booked today (23 Oct) and I was quoted £145 for a double occupancy room for 1 night and £9 parking for 24 Hours.

The Radison Blu Durham.

Have as shufti HERE for their website with all their contact details and also details about the rooms other facilities etc and HERE for a map which does show the location of the Radison Blu and other hotels close by.

Durham Taxis have fare calculator (have a shufti HERE) and according to this the fare from Durham Railway station to the Radison Blu should be about £3.60 (don't quote me)

As more details become available regarding the Reunion and of course the AGM I will post it to this page.

Available to download, the RFA Association print it yourself calendar for 2019, it is free and feel free to pass it on to your friends.

Download it here :-

 2019 RFAA Calendar (1.85 MB 2018-11-28 13:05:25)

Sitrep 1, Funeral Arrangements.

It is with so much sadness I report that Senior Radio Officer John F Harper RFA(Retd) and member 0037 Crossed the Bar on Friday 27th July 2018 aged 89 . I have no more details at the moment but have been in contact with his step-daughter Joanna who will keep me informed and I will sitrep this page when appropriate. (My thanks also to Michael (Rupert) Hannen for the heads up)

John's funeral will take place at at 1.15pm on Wednesday 8th August at Porchester Crematorium, North Chapel (HERE for their website and HERE for a map), Colleagues and old shipmates will be most welcome to attend and will be invited back by the family for refreshments afterwards.

Family flowers only but donations in lieu and if desired should be made to the RFA Association. The collection will be co-ordinated by the Funeral Directors (see below)

The arrangements for the funeral and cremation are being made by Freemantles of Titchfield (HERE for their website and HERE for a map)

 On behalf of the RFA Association I offer our sincere condolences to DiDi, his widow, son Mark and step children Chris, Richard and Joanna.

If you have any remembrances of John please email it to me at captain.pat@rfa-association.org.uk and I will post them on this page. I am also looking for photographs of Johnl  for this piece and the RFA Association Gallery and Archive, If you have one please email it to me.

Tributes and Remembrances:-

Stuart Pearce Chairman of the Solent Branch writes:-