Ian (Mouse) Hitchings, 1956 - 2004.
Name:-
Ian Peter Hitchings, R115948
RAN:-Joined Marks 46th HMAS Leeuwin, 02 Jan 1974.
Home:-Bottom deck, C Block.
Rank/Rate:-On discharge Able Seaman Underwater Control
Discharged:-22 Feb 1980
Passed Away 2004.
MEMORIES OF MOUSE.
Col Hanley
I remember the day that mouse got the famous tattoo of the red
mouse, I believe on his right arm.
Me and a couple of other lads met the Mouse at a friends house in Swanborne. When we
arrived Mouse couldn't hide his excitement that he had gone with couple of other JR's
(not sure who, memory not that great these days) as he showed us this red mouse tattoo.
It really suited him because of his nickname obviously, but it also suited
him because of who he was and his infectious personality. I remember
hanging out with the mouse on many occasions he was always the life of the group with
a magic sense of humour and a quick wit. I remember mouse as one of those people
who could get on with anyone and would fit in any where one of the people you meet in
your life and always remember him as being a truly great bloke and a bloke to rely on
a mate to everyone.
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Chris Parr
I checked with Blue Willoughby last December in 2009 with
regards to the accuracy of my memories of the liberty men story on my web page. Blue
confirmed my belief that it was in fact Mouse who ironed his Bells with the seven
seas and an additional 4 vertical creases from the top to the bottom of his bells
to produce the smartest 64 box ensemble to the laughter of all the non 46th JR's
who had fallen in for liberty men.
My fondest memories of Mouse was that he had a gift in that he could change
the seriousness of the situation with a grin that came from ear to ear.
While
parade staff could be doing their best to frighten the crap out of a platoon
for poor drill, Mouse always got a cheesy smirk away to other on lookers who
would crack up with laughter to the demise of training staff around him.
I got
many smiles from Mouse and every now and again a wink that always reassured me
that I should not take things too seriously and that I was always surrounded by
good mates.
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Danny Milgate
I served with Mouse Hitchings and Rick Neville on
HMAS Duchess from 1975 to 1977 and we were inseparable, the 3 musketeers and
stepped together in every port.
I have a couple of memories that I would like
to share that I hope you will enjoy.
As Chris and Col have said Mouse was the funniest and the quickest witted guy
you would ever meet and he could shoot you down with a few well directed wise
cracks.
I recall we were in a bar in the New Hebrides, (now Vanauatu)
a former French colony and Mouse asked the barman if he had frogs legs. The
barman replied "we monsouir". With this Mouse replied, "well hop over the
Fu"kin bar and get us all a beer". It bought the house down.
On another occasion
we were leaving the gangway on HMAS Duchess to head ashore and the officer of the
day didn't like what Mouse was wearing ashore which was Levi jeans, shirt and the
dreaded desert boots. The officer of the day yelled out to Mouse who was already
on the wharf, "Your not going ashore dressed like that Able Seaman Hitchings".
Mouse replied, "Yes sir, because I'm not out to impress anyone!" and he continued
ashore. I have other memories which are R rated but can share when we catch
up in Perth.
On a sadder note Rick Neville and I travelled out to see Mouse in Brisbane
the day before he passed away. Due to Mouse's job as a prison warden we had
lost track of him over the years. I also attended his funeral with Dave Adams
and it was a huge affair with ex sailors, prison wardens and fireman from
Tassy.
The size of the gathering was a tribute to a much loved man.
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PHOTOS OF MOUSE
YOUR MEMORIES OF MOUSE?
If you would like to add your memories of Mouse, please either :-
- email Chris at
- make a post on the Vale thread on the Forum
- make a post on the Facebook Discussion.