CHIEF PETTY OFFICER RADAR PLOTTER GREGORY JOHN BAXTER
PRESENTATION OF ASHES TO THE R.A.N.
By
Christopher Nicolaides OAM

Ken and Val Gleeson were there as was Steve Bock, Tony Samiotis, Lynn Cunningham, Jane Parish, Ross Gibb, Kevin Lane, China and Helen, amongst others. The gathering was to formally afford a final farewell to CPORP Greg Baxter whose ashes were to be presented to the RAN for delivery to his final resting place.  A bus had left Leeuwin earlier on the day and thanks must go to Ray Thompson for donating his time in driving the 22 seater to and from Rockingham.
Now knowing that Greg would have frowned on formality, we chose to muster at the "Swinging Pig Restaurant" in Rockingham where we would have that last drink with our old shipmate and perhaps ponder on our own mortality.  Greg's good wife Joan was there as were their children Elizabeth and Dimity to bid that final farewell to one of Gods' true Gentlemen. 
Rob McCullough provided us with a moving eulogy which gave us food for thought and time for reflection. 
Weatherwise it had been a miserable overcast day and it wasn't until we walked the 100 yards or so to the Defence Community Organisation Building (CPSO for you old salts) that the sun streamed its eternal rays on to the assembled gathering as if in blessing of this final gesture. The urn was transferred by China into the capable hands of LCDR Tim Cunningham who received Greg's ashes on behalf of the RAN for scattering at sea.
Our gratitude to the RAN for continuing to support the wishes of its departing sons.  I think the awareness will always be there that we that grow old are no less part of Pussers now than we were during our helicon days.  It seems the main difference with us now rests mainly with having to answer to a skipper who most likely wears a dress rather than the normal blue and gold and commands us to heave on a vacuum cleaner wand instead of the anchor chain. Apart from that I think that our hearts are still very much part and parcel of the Senior Service.  I think this is borne out by the many final requests from veterans to have their remains returned "home'

Rest in Peace Greg.  It was a pleasure to know you…

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 G.J. "Greg" BAXTER
CPORP RAN R113446

Known by his shipmates as Greg he was proud of his country and wanted to serve Australia. He decided to enlist in the Royal Australian Navy on 9th October 1972 in HMAS Leeuwin in Western Australia at the young age of 15. Greg then completed 12 months’ junior recruit training and on completion he served in HMAS Melbourne, Derwent; Hobart; Brisbane and Adelaide. He also served in the shore establishments of Leeuwin; Watson; Penguin, navy head quarters and Stirling. As a radar plotter, Greg spent a great deal of his service as a mushroom in the operations room, being kept in the dark and fed on compost. His job was very demanding and he had to be on the ball all the time. He worked under ultraviolet lights, watching radar display monitors and writing with sticky chinagraph pencils.

In 1977, while serving in HMAS Penguin, he found a new radar contact of the female kind. He sharpened his chinagraph pencil and plotted this new contact for the next 2 years, very eagerly. He reported for special sea dutymen and married Joan on16th June1979. this joint radar plotting resulted in new contacts of the smaller kind, namely Elizabeth and Dimity. Greg was very proud of his family and planned for their future, always wanting the best for his girls.

He was known as the gentle giant by his naval mates. When the ship was on the equator and the crossing the line ceremony arose, he always ended up as the bride of King Neptune. With all the costume and makeup the guys would say he had a real chance in a Boogie Street beauty contest. I am not sure if he followed up this career in Civvy Street.

Greg was very pleasant to work with and was always willing to teach new ratings. The navy recognised this skill and trained him as an instructor for new radar plotters. He completed further training himself and was later instructing petty officers.

He would always help others and had a heart of gold. At times he would leave his run ashore to escort a drunken shipmate back to the safety of the ship.

Greg recognised his responsibility as a father and knuckled down and gained very fast advancement in the navy. He was very conscientious and became a chief petty officer in very quick time. He loved the navy and served his 20 years, leaving in November 1992.

He served his country well and he was awarded the defence force service medal in 1987 and then the first clasp for this medal in 1992. He served his country for peace keeping in the ANZUK forces in the Far East on many occasions. We all know Greg joined the navy as a young man at the age of 15 and loved it. It is very happy for all of us that Greg now returns to the sea where he spent his young manhood. The Royal Australian Navy has agreed to scatter his ashes at sea.

May you have a safe and peaceful voyage and god speed to a new and bright operations room.

C.H.  

  LEST WE FORGET 

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