Communicator Crossed the Bar – Update
It is with regret that I advise that David Ernie Dorset MBE ex RNZN Signalman WW2 and WO NZ Army Vietnam Vet, father of Neill Dorset passed away this morning suddenly at the age of 96years at Seaview Rest Home, Picton.
David joined the Signals branch back at the start of WW2 serving mainly in the Pacific and NZ regions during the war before leaving the Navy in 1945 and taking up an apprenticeship as a carpenter. He joined the NZ Army in 1952 in the Royal NZ Engineers Corp, rising to the rank of Warrant Officer. He was sent to Vietnam in 1968-69 acting as Clerk of the Works for the NZ Army and worked out of Vung Tau and Nui Dat.
He was attached to the Australian HQ whilst there and for his services was awarded the MBE in 1970. Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised but he is survived by his three sons – Neill ( Australia), Wayne (Australia) and Barry (Picton).
Any messages can be sent to granandgramps4850@gmail.com or to Neill & Lynne Dorset, c/- 41 Garfield Street, Narrogin, WA 6312.
David’s funeral has been set down for Tuesday 5th June at 11am at Sowmans Funeral Services, Cnr Hutcheson & Parker Streets, Blenheim 7201, followed by drinks-tea, coffee etc, at the Picton RSA at 1pm. If you wish to contact Neill his New Zealand number is 021 08365092 or you can also contact him via his sister-in-law Kaye on 03 577-7534.