Sadly I just got a call from Lisa Waddington down in Collie; Western Australia.
Her father Derek passed away yesterday. I just had a quick chat with Renee and she is coping as well as can be expected, considering. Their son Adrian is working offshore on the rigs and he is on his way back to WA after being given the bad news.
Derek was a carpenter or a wood machinist in Oranjemund, from memory he worked alongside Jimmy Martin, Mick Brotherton, and Ivan Brandic.
He was the original Mr Nice Guy, Renee and Derek hailed from Pontefract I think. They were both very helpful and hospitable to contractors in the town. I have some fond memories of my time round their place with my old mate Tom Andrew. They always made us welcome round their house and treated us as family.
RIP Derek
Sorry to hear that John, I will pass it onto my dad when he wakes up in a few hours.....