Vale Neil Weekes AM, MC
Lead, follow or get out of the way
T
OWNSVILLE identity and
“military elder” BRIG Neil Weekes
AM, MC was farewelled during a
military funeral on March 15.
He died on March 6 after a seven-
month battle with brain cancer.
Soldiers from 6RAR provided a guard, a
bearer party, an escort party and a fi ring
party at the graveside for the funeral at St
Michael’s Catholic Church, in Brisbane.
A memorial service was conducted
at the Townsville RSL a week later.
He was farewelled by daughter Maree
Brooks, speaking on behalf of Neil’s
children and their families; Governor-
General GEN Sir Peter Cosgrove, a fellow
1RAR junior offi cer; Ted Chitham, Neil’s
vice-president of the RAR Association; and
Jo Weekes, Neil’s companion, carer and
wife since their November, 2016 wedding.
Maree told the gathering she always knew
her father was diff erent to other dads.
“I often think back to my childhood and
remember I never had monsters in my
cupboard, or under my bed,” she said.
“Our Dad had medals, and a sword
hanging off his hip from time to time.
“No monster in his right mind would
come within 100 yards of our house.”
She said their family was a tight
unit and throughout the many moves
they made as a military family, they
would always have each other.
“In every new house, every new town,
we would be the constant,” she said.
Them, and the wall clock.
“Dad would unpack the wall clock fi rst
and its distinctive chimes would make
any new bed smell okay, make any water
taste less odd and quiet any nerves about
new schools and new friends,” she said.
Maree shared a story about Neil
she said was her favourite - about
the driver sent to collect him and
their mum Lyn from the airport.
The soldier quietly asked if this was the
Neil Weekes from the Battle of Coral.
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