Rest In Peace, Geoff Winnington-Ball

[Rod Diery]

Back in the later years of last century, I decided to create a website dedicated to the wonderful Canadian Military Pattern trucks.

It was a struggle as there was little about them online and I did not have a lot of access to paper publications about them here in rural Western Australia.

So I put out a call for help on the the old Mil-Veh @ skylee forum hoping that among all those Jeep enthusiasts on there, there might be at least one person who not only knew what a CMP was but would be able to help me out.

There was such a person. The very first reply I got was from a Geoff Winnington - Ball.
He was a kindred spirit with a great interest and appreciation of the CMP. And he was only to happy to share his knowledge and enthusiasm with a neophyte from down under.

Geoff sent me untold amounts of information both electronically and via the snail mail. He would proof read everything I posted online and would email me constantly with corrections and suggestions. All with good humour and intelligent analysis.

And through Geoff I have met many liked minded enthusiasts, both online and in person and have made life long friends from that group.

Geoff, I never met you and I am poorer for that. But I do remember a long, informative and very funny telephone conversation many years ago and I will always cherish the help and guidance that you gave me

I have always felt you were a mate in the true Aussie sense of the word and so I say, Thank you and Goodbye. May you rest in peace.

Rod

[Danny Bosma]

Few are able to inspire so many.
May you rest in peace.
Condolences to your family and loved ones.

Danny

[Nigel Watson]

Have just learnt of Geoff's passing and want to say I was truly honoured to have been his friend. I will not forget his time over here with us especially when the search for his ancestors in St.Andrews turned up the very place where a photograph he had of them, had been taken. We took another one with Geoff in the same place.

See you later old friend,

Nigel and Pam Watson
Dundee, Scotland

[Haridimos]

My deepest sympathy, and condolences to the family..

Rest in peace, Geoff

Kostas.

[Plushy]

RIP Geoff Thankyou for MLU and for bringing everyone on here together .

[elvis3006]

RIP Geoff,thank you for what you have done for the MV world.My respects to you and your family.

[REL]

I'm afraid I never met Geoff and my communication with him was limited to an exchange of emails earlier this year. I was struck at that time by his perception and sense of decency, as well as the trouble he took to respond to my enquiry; one which could have been easily dismissed.

No doubt much of the success of MLU is due to this wisdom and ability to manage sometimes difficult personalities. Something we would all do well to emulate.

I have the impression that he was a modest man and reading here that he felt he was born "a generation too late", I can't help thinking that he was probably one of those whose character brings them to the front in wartime, when the service of a cause brings out a determination that the pursuit of mere personal ambitions does not in that more selfless type of person.

I hope he is with those whom he admired.

[sth65pac]

I just read the news of Geoffs passing today.

Without MLU I would not have known all you wonderful people nor the passion we all share. For that I am very grateful.

I am so sad to see Geoff pass. I feel very mortal. I don't know what to say.

Who is taking on responsibility of the MLU website?

Ian

[Keith Brooker]

Thanks Geoff for the MLU, it is a lasting Tribute to you.
Keith & Nel

[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.

GWB_2009 reunion photo.jpg IMG_3468.jpg

[Bob Carriere]

R.I.P: Geoff