Rest In Peace, Geoff Winnington-Ball

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Geoff helping on carrier recovery day, circa 1977 or 78.

[Bill Miller]

I could not let today go by without remarking on an important figure in the history of the former Kangaroo Veterans’ Association and an early and staunch supporter of their Regimental Archive. A man whose untimely passing came far too early on this day, 10 years ago. Geoff Winnington-Ball.

Though Geoff was not a “Kangaroo” veteran himself, his interest in and knowledge of the Armoured Carrier Regiment came honestly. The son of an RCAF pilot and himself a former member of the Queen’s Own Rifles, Geoff was a great enthusiast of military history and especially military vehicles of the Second World War.

In 1998, Geoff created and published the then premier website on the subject of the Canadian Army Overseas in WW2, “MapleLeafUp”, and a companion internet forum about Canada’s military history with a particular focus on vintage Army vehicles that is still active today (with over 4500 members worldwide and a quarter of million posts).

It was his love for rusty trucks and the Second World War that lead him to discover our “Kangaroo” history and meet kangaroo veteran and our first regimental historian, the late Ken Ramsden. Soon after, Geoff also bonded with several other “Kangaroo” veterans, notably Troopers Art Bell and Arnold Faragher. Geoff convinced the Toronto ‘Kangaroo’ veterans to create a veterans’ association in 1999. The creation of which launched the first “Kangaroo” website “1cacr.org” (now CanadiaKangaroos.ca) and was instrumental in bringing “lost” kangaroo veterans from across the country together. Geoff had acted as the public liaison, assistant and eventually Secretary to the informal association of 1CACR Veterans that met each year in the Toronto area. Geoff was instrumental in consolidating the primary goals, initiatives and principles that guided the Association right until its end last week. I can also credit Geoff for bringing my Father and me into the Association family, enabling me to meet the many wonderful veterans I knew over the years, encouraging the ‘fool’s errand’ that is the Archive and introducing me to wonderful friends and fellow Kangaroo guardians, Mark Tonner and Hanno Spoelstra.

He had a keen, scholarly mind and was a talented writer. He was a man of good humour and capable of great kindness and generosity. He was both a motivator and an instigator. Geoff got the ball rolling on the work to formally recognize and celebrate the Kangaroos with a Guidon presentation. Sadly, he died just 10 months before it became a reality.

Geoff died in the presence and comfort of his family on Sunday, December 5, 2010, after a short illness, he was only 57 years of age… He spent much of his later years to preserve the memory of Canadian soldiers who fought overseas in WWII, built an enduring community of like-minded people and will be remembered for his significant and impactful efforts and dedication. He left a significant foundation of work that still resonates deeply today.

It is regrettable that he cannot be posthumously recognized. Something such as a ‘Veterans Affairs Commendation’ or a ‘Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers’ would be richly deserved. Though perhaps the continuation of this forum and the wonderful community that he founded is a legacy that far surpasses the trivial nature of medals and certificates?

Rest well Geoff, you are missed.

Bill Miller Jr.
Former Secretary, Regimental Historian and Archivist to the 1CACR Association

@ the 1CACR Archive in Calgary.

[Bob Carriere]

R.I.P: Geoff

[Jordan Baker]

This came up on a Facebook memory for me today. 12 years since Geoff passed away.

It’s so nice to the see the forum he cherished and the hobby he supported is still going strong.

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

This came up on a Facebook memory for me today. 12 years since Geoff passed away.

It’s so nice to the see the forum he cherished and the hobby he supported is still going strong.

Don't be in such a rush, it was only 11 years ago.

The forum is not only continuing strong as ever, but in the same spirit and tone that Geoff established it with ( : ), despite the absence of his controlling hand. Maybe he is still playing his part?

[Jon Skagfeld]

OMG...has it been that long? How well I remember that day.(See post #1).

Geoff used to visit me at least once a year, up here near Georgian Bay area; he would bring me a Canadian Red Ensign,(with the proper coloured leaves); I kept an old military engraved ash tray for him to stub out his butts; we fed him good ol' meat an' taters for which he thanket us.

But there was a troubling side of him that led to his downfall. I need not expound on that, but for that he would still been around.

I miss him terribly, we had awesome discussions, arguments (in the purest sense of the word) about worldly events. I gave him merry hell for what happened with him in Australia as I was speaking with Max Hedges. Sorry, guys, I tend to ramble about the great times I had with"Jif".

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Jon Skagfeld

OMG...has it been that long? How well I remember that day.(See post #1).

Geoff used to visit me at least once a year, up here near Georgian Bay area; he would bring me a Canadian Red Ensign,(with the proper coloured leaves); I kept an old military engraved ash tray for him to stub out his butts; we fed him good ol' meat an' taters for which he thanket us.

But there was a troubling side of him that led to his downfall. I need not expound on that, but for that he would still been around.

I miss him terribly, we had awesome discussions, arguments (in the purest sense of the word) about worldly events. I gave him merry hell for what happened with him in Australia as I was speaking with Max Hedges. Sorry, guys, I tend to ramble about the great times I had with"Jif".

I knew Jif since we were pups. Good times were had by all. Well, except for that one time his wife caught us feeding his toddler son juice from a beer bottle....at which point said toddler looked at mom, grinned, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and declared "I druk!!"

[Jon Skagfeld]

What a group we were at one time...Bruce, Geoff, myself, Brian (BCA), Zdneck (Wo ist mein Kaffee?,) Frank (Polskie Ogorkie.), Nick Webb, ex RSM-R Regt C-RIP_, Frank von Rosenstiel aka "Boxhead", Bob Bundy, Ted Dentay, and Ross Williams who Bruce Parker just jolted my memory about.

Fearless jab jumps from a Beech 18 or an off the strut one thousand, two thousand ........... blossom! ....and PLF...

Daisy chain and back to the shed.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Still miss old SUNRAY

It's a thumbs up for the forum he established.

[Brian Gough]

It was 15 years ago today that MLU founder Geoff passed away.

It is well worth a read through this thread to learn about him. I'm still grateful he created MLU and that others (thank you Hanno and Shawn) have carried on to make it what it is today.

Brian

[chris vickery]

Brian, absolutely. MLU has been a place not only to enshrine the historic and memorial aspect of the hobby, but to bring people together from all corners of the world and all walks of life.
Personally, I have met many wonderful people along the way and consider many of us as a loose knit family of sorts (as dysfunctional as that may be…)
Its fellows like yourself and Geoff who saw enthusiasm and potential in guys like me when I first started out. Now look where I’m at. Neck deep as can be, every day yearning to know more, find more and do more. If I can ask a favour to any of our breathren out there, please do you part to encourage our youth to keep things going. Mentor them, assist them, encourage them. Not only for us but for the generations of servicemen that sacrificed for us.