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#93
16-12-10, 22:36
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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. 
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#94
17-12-10, 15:22
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devastating news...Condolances to all of Jif's relatives and friends.
I never met Geoff in real life, but just like some others said....It felt like I knew him from the correspondance through email, on the forum...through the pictures on the forum and the from Keith's year of the Blitz coverage. For me, the MLU forum is without doubt the best example of what all internet forums and websites should look like.....with a proper and honest policy in the scarce cases it's needed. Alex
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Chevrolet C8 cab 11 FFW BSA Folding Bicycle
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#95
20-12-10, 06:11
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I have only had access to MLU on my garage computer where I can read but not post. I finally have my home computer back from a major crash so I can respond to this farewell for Geoff. Last Saturday Brian Gough and I attended the memorial for Geoff in Scarborough. There were lots of great photos of Geoff in his younger days. We had a chance to meet his lovely daughter Ashley and we talked to his son Shawn. We had previously met Shawn in Normandy when he was there with his dad for the 60th anniversary of D Day. Geoff loved my C15TA and at one point had almost purchased one for himself. When we were on the beach in Arromanche he got to have his photo taken in the truck and it then belonged to Stefan Leegwater. I have enclosed a photo of him there with Dirk. On this forum there is another photo with us all lined up beside the truck but I can't find it. Maybe Hanno can help. Geoff and I had arranged that he would drive the C15TA to the next Oshawa show. He was really looking forward to that but sadly now it won't happen.
Rest in peace my friend. What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal. Author: Albert Pike
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Every twenty minute job is one broken bolt away from a three day ordeal.
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#96
20-12-10, 17:36
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Quote:
Dirk
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#98
25-12-10, 15:53
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Thanks Dirk. That is the photo I was looking for. For anyone who doesn't know the people in the photo, they are from left to right:
Hanno Spoelstra Geoff Dirk Leegwater Brian Gough Me Stefan Leegwater The photo was taken by Geoff's son Shawn Carman has kindly sent me these 2 photos of Geoff and son Shawn taken in the cemetery where Carman's uncle was buried. He was murdered by the Germans. It shows a little of what the Winnington-Ball family was about. Father and son paying respects to a fallen soldier. The photo was taken by Hanno. Thanks for these Carman.
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Every twenty minute job is one broken bolt away from a three day ordeal.
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#99
26-12-10, 15:04
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wow.. just saw this....totally shocking news!!! This is truly a great loss to the hobby, and to the larger effort of promoting this important aspect of history. My sincere condolences to the family.
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I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, Straining upon the start. The game's afoot!
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#100
28-12-10, 01:09
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Here's a few photos of Geoff we took whilst he was at our place, thought his family may like too see them, our thoughts are with the family.
Max and Kathy
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#101
29-12-10, 10:10
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Jif
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
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Ian Williams F15A, 2x Army Land Rover 88' sIIA's GPW Other stuff
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#102
01-01-11, 19:27
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To the Boss
Thanks Geoff for the MLU, it is a lasting Tribute to you
 .Keith & Nel
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Keith
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#103
19-01-11, 21:17
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I was floored when I heard the news. Never met Geoff, but we corresponded via email in the past. We've lost a good one....
Dana
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http://www.realdealpaintball.com
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#104
20-01-11, 05:43
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A few more pictures from Australia
These were taken at Corowa and Bandiana:
http://gallery.me.com/oldcmp.net/100...07_-95/web.jpg With the Army Museum's Cab 12 F60L http://gallery.me.com/oldcmp.net/100...C_2770/web.jpg Another from Corowa http://gallery.me.com/oldcmp.net/100...7_-128/web.jpg
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Film maker 42 FGT No8 (Aust) remains 42 FGT No9 (Aust) 42 F15 Keith Webb Macleod, Victoria Australia Also Canadian Military Pattern Vehicles group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/canadianmilitarypattern
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#105
25-04-11, 13:29
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RIP Friend
I've only just found out about Geoff, as I've been away from here for a few years. Had a good chat and a couple of beers when he came to the UK back in '04.
We've all lost a friend, and one of life's 'nice guys' has gone ahead of us.  GeoffRegards Dave
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Wear a poppy - support our Veterans and the Royal British Legion A wasted youth is better by far than a wise and productive old age!! (Meatloaf)
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#106
11-05-11, 06:04
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Like Dave, I only just learned of Geoff's passing. We had a little correspondence years ago, when I first found this forum, and I always found him to be very helpful and enthusiastic on the topics. I'm very sorry to learn of his passing.
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#107
06-12-11, 04:43
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Remembering Geoff Winnington-Ball
It was one year ago today that Geoff passed away. I found it very worthwhile to reread all the postings in this thread. Geoff's creation of MLU and the Forum certainly resulted in an amazing world-wide community. I am sure he would be pleased that it continues to thrive.
Thank you to all those who carry on for him. Brian 
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#108
06-12-11, 05:10
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A year already?
Thanks for bringing it to our attention, Brian. It is indeed a fitting and excellent legacy.
I still miss Geoff's erudite and entertaining posts.
__________________
Film maker 42 FGT No8 (Aust) remains 42 FGT No9 (Aust) 42 F15 Keith Webb Macleod, Victoria Australia Also Canadian Military Pattern Vehicles group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/canadianmilitarypattern
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#109
06-12-11, 06:10
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Geoff
Very well put Brian.....a toast to his memory!
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#110
06-12-11, 07:30
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Brian,
Thanks for the heads-up! Geoff is sorely missed, but is still among us in spirit. Hanno
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Regards, Hanno --------------------------
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#111
06-12-11, 10:24
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A Year?
Wow time does fly, doesn't it?!
Brian's prodding of our memory has also reminded me that I never wrote a tribute at the time of Geoff's passing. The fact that I did not respond tormented me at the time, and still does today, as I struggled to find the words to sum up what I felt/feel without rabbiting on too much and without recycling what has already been posted. However, here goes... I met GWB when he visited Australia in 2008(?) for Corowa and he stayed with us for a few days. Even then it was obvious that he was ill, and was facing a big battle. I guess that this is why I did not post on this thread at the time. It's that feeling that maybe I might have failed Geoff, by not offering help. By not even discussing his condition. It's just sad. A waste. However, without Geoff's efforts with this wonderful community that is the MLU would not be. Through MLU I have made some close friends, made many acquaintances, and have a list of contacts all over the world. I know more about the mighty Blitz than my Dad knew, and he worked on/with them for most of his lifetime. I have a yearly trip to Corowa with my two young Boys and I hope that they will be taking me one day in the distant future. So, in closing it is a belated “Farewell Geoff”. I am sorry if I failed you in any way. And, thank you, for allowing me to be just one member of the wonderful fellowship of mapleleafup.net/forums!
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Howard Holgate F15 #12 F15A #13 (stretched) F60S #13 C15A #13 Wireless (incomplete)
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#112
06-12-11, 15:58
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To Geoff's memory
Hi All
Thank you Brian for the reminder, it is fitting to raise a toast to Geoff. That MLU has continued through the hard work and participation of many people is a fitting remembrance of Geoff for starting something that our small little community so enjoy. So let us mark Geoff's life each year by continuing to share information. It continues to amaze me that constantly new information and bits of history is shared through MLU. Questions old and new are asked and answered. Thank you Geoff for starting this exchange of information. Cheers Phil
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Phil Waterman `41 C60L Pattern 12 `42 C60S Radio Pattern 13 `45 HUP http://canadianmilitarypattern.com/ New e-mail Philip@canadianmilitarypattern.com
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#113
06-12-11, 17:44
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How time flies when you are having fun.....
Scary that I almost shook hand with him last Wednesday.
Geoff ..... to your memory and the MLU legacy you gave us. Bob
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Bob Carriere....B.T.B C15a Cab 11 Hammond, Ontario Canada
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#114
27-08-12, 20:21
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Bio
It has been a while now since Jif passed on and I would like to honour him and his family by sharing some memories with you of Jif and our all too short relationship...maybe some of the rest of you can share your memories of Jif with all of us..
So now let me start,,\ It is now Monday afternoon ,August 27th..2012... I can't do a bio on Jif as I didn't know him that long but will share some of our times together..happy times all.    Probably Bruce Parker would be the guy to do Jifs bio.. he knew him longer than anyone.. grew up with him so should be able to give us a fairly good bio.. I just met him when I started the Military Manuals site through George Bradford in Cambridge.. Jif was using my site for reference manuals and told me he was setting up a special site and forum too.. It was to be called Maple Leaf Up... I thought we should link the manuals site up with the MLU site as I had most of the CMP manuals listed on my site.. He was all excited and gave me a link that only him..Sean,his son,and I could see .. The day that he opened the forum, we were e-mailing back and forth and he made the first comment on the forum declaring it open then Sean posted congratulating him on the new site.. I made the first Non family posting on this MLU forum and am damned proud of it and proud that Jif thought enough of me to honour me with the grand opening of the MLU forum.. It was much more than the forum and we thought that all the other parts of the MLU main site would be the main interest of everyone including me and him.. How wrong we were.. And then over the years we talked on the 'phone (Remember that thing with the big cord into a box hanging on the wall...??", and burnt up the wires with emails .. We first met at one of the first gather ups at the Caldwell brothers , Chatsworth, Southern Ontario... when he showed up with a forty pounder of vodka and Miss Yappy on his Hip.. A great time was had by all ..Jon Skagfeld was there ..Bob Carrier was there.. Stewball was there .. The Caldwell brothers , and tons of others.. It was the first of 4 or 5 Caldwell gather ups and then we moved on.. Then I met him when he came to visit Ottawa.. I don't think Gracie's was ever the same.. Anyway Jif had a heart of gold ..I miss him and know he is riding high up in the commanders position, in some heavenly rust bucket...He wouldn't have it any other way... Alex __________________ Alex Blair
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Alex Blair :remember :support :drunk: Last edited by Alex Blair (RIP); 27-08-12 at 20:28.
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#115
25-05-18, 20:41
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A few pics of Geoff, recently posted on FB by Keith. Shared here as they disappeared from Keith's original posting - and because they are great photos of a great guy!
Can't believe it has been so long already since Geoff passed away. Quote:
__________________
Regards, Hanno --------------------------
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#116
25-05-18, 21:59
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Pics
Thanks for reposting these Hanno
It's been good to re-read some of these tributes too. Quote:
__________________
Film maker 42 FGT No8 (Aust) remains 42 FGT No9 (Aust) 42 F15 Keith Webb Macleod, Victoria Australia Also Canadian Military Pattern Vehicles group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/canadianmilitarypattern
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#117
01-12-20, 15:55
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Remembering
This Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, is the 10th anniversary of the death of Geoff Winnington-Ball, the founder of Maple leaf Up.
I continue to be grateful that Geoff (Jif) created such a great resource for the worldwide CMP community and that it continues to thrive today under Hanno Spoelstra's leadership. Thank you Hanno, Shawn, moderators and contributors for carrying on with this quality effort. Geoff would be very proud. ..... and a shameless plug: If you share my feelings and you haven't done so recently, consider making a contribution for the on-going support of MLU here: http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=16452 Brian
__________________
1942 Willys MB Jeep 505 contract 1943 C8A HUP
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#118
01-12-20, 17:37
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Donation
Done, thanks
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#119
01-12-20, 17:51
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Ten years already...
Quote:
Thanks for the heads-up, can't believe it has been ten years already since Geoff passed away .... Keeping MLU Up is a group effort, I think Geoff would be very proud indeed to see the community he set up is alive and kicking. The number of active users per day has been steady over the past few years. Recently I am getting new applicant requests at an average of approx. ten per week.
__________________
Regards, Hanno --------------------------
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#120
05-12-20, 12:28
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my friend Geoff
Today, 10 years ago, Geoff Winnington-Ball passed away. While sad as he was far too young, I enjoy the fond memories I have of him. This is why I am sharing some pictures to remember the good times for all to enjoy.
Geoff really enjoyed being among WW2 veterans and people with the same interests. Geoff often said he was born one generation too late. As you all know Geoff was the founder of Maple Leaf Up, but was also involved in the formation of the 1st Canadian Carrier Regiment Association and helped to get a group of veterans back to Ortona in 1988 for a Christmas Eve commemorative 'Dinner of Reconciliation' with their German counterparts. He used the power of the internet to spread the word by setting up a crowdfunding campaign (before that term was invented) which successfully raised $100,000. When I first met Geoff in Canada, December 1999. During a dinner with veteran Art Bell: MLU goes to Beltring 2000 - Geoff chuffed to have hitched a ride with Mike Ebeling in his Otter: Kangaroo Luncheon in 2003 - Geoff among some of his beloved veterans: William Miller Sr. and Art Bell to his right: Normandy 2004, with MLU friends in front of one of his favourite CMP vehicles: Beny-sur-Mer, Normandy 2004 - Geoff and his son Shawn paying their respects and placing a marker at the grave of Rifleman Edward Smith:
__________________
Regards, Hanno --------------------------
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