Vale Darren Hirst aka Derwood
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Australia
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Vale Darren Hirst aka Derwood
Darren Hirst, a well known colourful character from Darwin in the 90s and for the last 10 years or so a Captain with ANA died suddenly two days ago in Japan.
Looks likely that his funeral will be held in Bali on the 14th April. Sad, sudden and much too early.
Diver.
Looks likely that his funeral will be held in Bali on the 14th April. Sad, sudden and much too early.
Diver.
Join Date: Jan 1998
Location: somewhere in the nth of Oz, where it isn't really cold
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Vale Darren, condolences to his family.
Spent many hours in the air with him .. he had a great sense of humour and was a true gentleman.
sad now
Spent many hours in the air with him .. he had a great sense of humour and was a true gentleman.
sad now
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Darwin
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Yes Taken too young. He was a smart guy and I remember him carrying around that brick mobile phone to the Institute as he was always on call as Ops Manager of Secutib Air. I think I will make it to his funeral in Bali (Sanur) on 14th April. Sad for his lovely family.
He was a legend in that Turbo Commander!
Back to Top....
He was a legend in that Turbo Commander!
Back to Top....
Join Date: Aug 2000
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Just found out about Chip's death. Very sad to hear. 
I knew chip when we were both young lads. We used to go windsurfing together (when the sport was still very much in its infancy) in the UK.
I lost touch with him when he moved to Australasia and always wondered what had happened to him?
Fwiw, the friends of my younger brother (whom are more Chips age) are doing the 'Paddle Out' in his memory.
Fwiw, I have an endearing memory of the last time I was with Chip (late 70's / early 80's?) when he gave me a lift in a small sports car (I seem to recall that it was an MGB GT) wherein, having both climbed in, he (as was usual for Chip!) pulled away with his foot hard down on the accelerator.
As we raced towards a T-junction (at which we did not have the right of way), I rather assumed that Chip was going to stop; so it took me somewhat by surprise when we blasted clear across the junction.
Once on the other side Chip did eventually stop the vehicle, doing so by yanking on the handbrake, which struck me as a rather strange method of braking?!
What had happened was that, when Chip had got into the car, the shoelace of the trainer on his right foot had got stuck in the door (albeit Chip didn't realise it), but leaving just enough slack in the lace to allow him to use the accelerator to it's full extent, but not enough slack to allow him to move that same foot over to the brake.
It was only pure luck that nothing had been coming on the main road that that junction intersected as, had there been, and at the rate we were going, we both would have bought it there and then!
Well you've gotta see the funny side !
RIP fella!
I knew chip when we were both young lads. We used to go windsurfing together (when the sport was still very much in its infancy) in the UK.
I lost touch with him when he moved to Australasia and always wondered what had happened to him?
Fwiw, the friends of my younger brother (whom are more Chips age) are doing the 'Paddle Out' in his memory.
Fwiw, I have an endearing memory of the last time I was with Chip (late 70's / early 80's?) when he gave me a lift in a small sports car (I seem to recall that it was an MGB GT) wherein, having both climbed in, he (as was usual for Chip!) pulled away with his foot hard down on the accelerator.
As we raced towards a T-junction (at which we did not have the right of way), I rather assumed that Chip was going to stop; so it took me somewhat by surprise when we blasted clear across the junction.
Once on the other side Chip did eventually stop the vehicle, doing so by yanking on the handbrake, which struck me as a rather strange method of braking?!
What had happened was that, when Chip had got into the car, the shoelace of the trainer on his right foot had got stuck in the door (albeit Chip didn't realise it), but leaving just enough slack in the lace to allow him to use the accelerator to it's full extent, but not enough slack to allow him to move that same foot over to the brake.
It was only pure luck that nothing had been coming on the main road that that junction intersected as, had there been, and at the rate we were going, we both would have bought it there and then!
Well you've gotta see the funny side !
RIP fella!
Join Date: Oct 2012
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What to Say?
Wow! I dont really know what to say, only found out today. All my simpathy is with his family. Knew him in Darwin and remember him as bigger than life, he pulled out no stops! Start your life how you plan to finish it, thats the guy I knew. What a shock!
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Dear Deadwood,
I enjoyed my time working with you and Bonehead, was a great place on the old side.
Thanks for the Cool Spot Pizza's and yes you could Fly with the capital F. Yes you did love to fly CAX was your nature out there and loud!
Go well my friend, I shall see you on Saturday with a Crownie!
I enjoyed my time working with you and Bonehead, was a great place on the old side.
Thanks for the Cool Spot Pizza's and yes you could Fly with the capital F. Yes you did love to fly CAX was your nature out there and loud!
Go well my friend, I shall see you on Saturday with a Crownie!
