Last night as we mustered at our accommodation a lot of fond memories were recalled about the
good times we all had in Scotland with our submariner mate Peter Passmore.
My name is Don Currell commonly known as Duck Run by my submariner mates. I am the Vice
President of Submarines Association QLD Inc. I am honored to have been asked to say a few words
about Peter or Pig Pen as we submariners would often call him.
I first met Peter, Pig Pen on HMAS ORION as we formed the first commissioning crew in 1976. Pig
Pen greeted me by saying do you smoke? I said no, and Pig Pen said good, you can get me
additional duty free fags. Do you drink? I said not a lot, and Pig Pen said good you can look after me
when I am confused then he said do you play Bones, Mar-gong? I said yes he said good you can be
my partner as we are looking for a 4th player. By the way you will be bunking down up forward and I’ll
be living top bunk port side aft.
Pig Pen typified what was supposed to be a true Matelot. He made out he was Gruff, tuff, demanded
only the best, but deep down he was compassionate, stood up for what was right and craved
attention.
An example of this was whilst in Scotland Pig Pen wanted to show up the Brits he would make a
good Jolly Jack Tar and wanted to put in a request to the Admiral of the Fleet to grow a ponytail as
He wanted to be different. Well we talked about the so called tar he must apply and the effects on
how it would get over most things other than him? It wasn’t a good idea, so it didn’t happen much to
Pig Pens displeasure.
I recall the pranks in the engine room when Pig Pen would get enormous pleasure when he
opened up the explosion cocks on the engine that scared me greatly then only to see Pig Pen with
pipe in mouth smiling profusely near the 6 valve chest.
However I got even when I had him hold some electrical test equipment and zapped him with a
small amount of electricity. Green steam he yelled and he scurried away back to the safe surrounds
of the engine room trying to work out what had happened to him several minutes before hand.
Believe it or not Pig Pen loved to dress up. One time at sea during a Christmas period the
submarine was at 400 feet when Santa Pig Pen appeared near the snort induction mast dressed
up in a Santa uniform with a bag of boiled lollies that he had purchased from the SOHO Markets 2
yrs prior. The lollies were in an old rusty can and he had all the sailors sit on his knee whilst the
troops tried to separate the compacted boiled mackers so as to munch on. Well some pulled
fillings out and others cracked teeth much to Pig Pens delight.
(Look towards the coffin) Pig Pen, remember the time when in Bremen Haven I taught you some
German? I must confess Wie geht es ihnen, meine freunde and ICH LEIBER DICH weren’t the
same words in English. The reason you were so popular with the Berger Mister that night, you were
saying ICH LEIBER DICH all the time …..……. (This meant I LOVE YOU) Sorry mate.
Pig Pen had a good ear for music and would tell us if a piano was out of tune especially when in
Germany or other port of calls. Well a Steinway to us was stein larger beer.
Mate! The bones book (pull out from pocket) read out names (Afro owes you 1P 50p, Father, you
owe him 65p, Screwy Carew you owe him1P 20p, Heuy owes you 2P 60p, Nifty owes you 55p,
Jimmy Dorante you owe him 1P 10p, Robbie the Rag owes you 3 P, Iany Weiny Prodger owes you
75p and Duck Run well you owe me 2 P 90p (with interest). You see Pig Pen was not good when
paying up and would say: look by the time you add up then take away I owe nothing so sort it out
amongst your selves. Children…
Many couldn’t make it here today. Your First Commanding Officer of HMAS Orion Rob Woolyrch
sends his condolences along with others: the Commanding Officer of Bulimba Forbes Peters, other
Brothers from under the sea namely Billie Clayton, Huck Finn, Barry McEown, Goldie Horne, Clive
Smith, Smurf, Coyote, Angry Ant and Connie Francis to name just a few. I am sure there are many
more who have passed on their condolences too.
A top friend, I will remember the tap on the shoulder at Subcon 08 in June when they played that Ann
Murray song “Can I have this dance” and as we danced you got annoyed that I lead as you wanted to
lead.
We shared the same birthday and would ring each other up on 19th June. The calls will have to be
made via the 183 underwater telephones to the 185 phone mate. Stay tuned…
You were a standout Submariner, they broke the mould after you became a legend in the Squadron,
and there will not be another Pig Pen.
When you sailed away last Monday we did not know your ship was under sailing orders. With the
accommodation space hatch shut and clipped, your boat dived and you have assumed the Patrol
Quiet State, you can rest assure your Submariner Brothers, who are already on eternal patrol, will be
there to secure your boat alongside when ever you berth.
We can count on you being there for other submariners when they finally berth alongside one day.
May the waters be smooth wherever you sail?