Tom Canning 1924-2016

Discussion in 'Veteran Accounts' started by 17thDYRCH, May 31, 2016.

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  1. 17thDYRCH

    17thDYRCH Senior Member

    Forum members,

    I have heard from Tom's family that our good friend Tom has passed away on May 30th at 1:13 local time.
    His daughter has asked me to inform the forum.

    I sought his counsel when I first joined the forum. Visited him in 2012.
    We have lost a very special man.

    Tom, Rest in Peace. Say hi to Veronica for us.
    Best,
    R
     
    17thDYRCH, May 31, 2016
    #1
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  2. A-58

    A-58 Not so senior Member

    Sorry to hear that. One by one the WW2 vets are going away. I've read before in an old saying that when an old man dies, it's like a library burning down. Lots of information gone now. He was a good man, even though we had our differences in the past, I respected his service in the war and enjoyed going back and forth with him here on the forum.
     
    A-58, May 31, 2016
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  3. kopite

    kopite Member

    He'll be greatly missed.

    He was the first person to offer me advice and recommendations when I joined the forum. My dad was in the 6th armoured division and served in N. Africa and Italy as did Tom.

    Goodnight old soldier and RIP.

    My sympathies to his family and friends.

    Regards,

    Steve
     
    kopite, May 31, 2016
    #3
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  4. 17thDYRCH

    17thDYRCH Senior Member

    My first encounter with Tom was when I joined the forum in 2010. Off to Italy was I and what should I see? Tom set me straight. A fabulous day trip took place. And, from there, a greater appreciation of what the DDay Dodgers went through.
    More stories to come, for that I am sure. We shared the same birthday and more than a few drams during my visit in 2012.

    The lads on the other side are fast asleep. More to follow, I am sure of that.
     
    17thDYRCH, May 31, 2016
    #4
  5. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Old Hickory Recon

    Terrible news, for he was a worthy discussion partner.

    Rest in Peace, old boy.
     
    Slipdigit, May 31, 2016
    #5
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  6. Otto

    Otto GröFaZ Admin

    Godspeed Tom. You will be missed sir.
     
    Otto, May 31, 2016
    #6
  7. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

    RIP Tom

    My sympathies to his family. I traded many e-mails with Tom over the past several years and a couple of phone calls thrown in as well. Agree or disagree, Tom was always willing to debate and defend his positions, on any topic. We didn't always see eye to eye but his age and his service always commanded some respect. I am thankful he chose to grace the forum with his contributions and enrich each of us over the years.

    Another link with that living history dies with him.
     
    canuck, May 31, 2016
    #7
  8. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    i send my sincere condolences to Tom's family at this grievous time.

    Ron Goldstein

    Forum Roll of Honour
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2017
    Ron Goldstein, May 31, 2016
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  9. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    God bless. R.I.P.
     
    51highland, May 31, 2016
    #9
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  10. bofors

    bofors Senior Member

    My sympathies to his family.
    I appreciated his input.
    Another good man lost.
     
    bofors, May 31, 2016
    #10
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  11. Warlord

    Warlord Veteran wannabe

    Warlord, May 31, 2016
    #11
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  12. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    RIP Tom Canning
     
    stolpi, May 31, 2016
    #12
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  13. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Just woke up to an email from Elizabeth & a message from Randy.
    Sad news indeed.
    He did invite us to visit but sadly funds didn't allow a trip over to BC , too late now.
    Tom certainly didn't hold back on his views on several topics .
    I'll miss his input to the discussion on the Italian campaign .
    Thanks for your time on the forum Tom , a different place without you.
     
    Owen, May 31, 2016
    #13
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  14. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Trooper Tom Canning.
    1924-2016

    So sorry to have received the grimly expected news that Tom's not going to be joining us any more.
    Really hard to explain the gap he'll leave here, and quite tricky to encapsulate the affection I personally had for a man who I think I may have had more arguments with on here than I have with anyone else.
    'Forthright' can be a weasel word, but I just can't think of a better for Tom.
    Forthright to the point of fisticuffs might also be the phrase, but I always got the impression he loved a bit of verbal conflict, and the very act of wading in, guns blazing, was one of the things that kept him going. I also don't think he took it personally when things got heated, which in my book is an admirable trait in itself. He was certainly always pleasant, charming even, in direct communication, even immediately after (or during) things reaching the odd peak on the open forums.
    Got to stop there, as you doubtless all know what I mean, and this is a tribute to Tom that I don't want misunderstood by anybody who never enjoyed crossing swords with him.

    A leading online standard bearer for the DDay Dodgers.
    Badly wounded at the Gothic line.
    Manufacturer of the machines he later served in.
    Loyal defender of the Churchill tank.
    And, all in all, a damned decent and interesting bloke that I'm happy to have known despite never having met in the flesh (which I always thought would have been a highly entertaining encounter, with someone who I've no doubts would have stood his round.).

    My deepest condolences to all his friends and family, and though I didn't share his immensely strong faith I can only hope that he's found the afterlife he believed so fervently in, and has already met up with his wife, who's passing was one of the only things I'd ever noticed seemed to shake him.

    So raise a glass, chaps, to Tom.
    "To the Green fields beyond."


    a65d5117bd8e9eacaa29d548560cbc32610e9762.jpg


    BBC - WW2 People's War - Trooper Tom Canning, a photo at last!

    Profile here:
    http://ww2talk.com/forums/user/123-tom-canning/

    People's war profile and brief biography:
    BBC - WW2 People's War - Autobiog:
     
    von Poop, May 31, 2016
    #14
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  15. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    God Bless Tom.

    It is important for us, that we have had the true perspective of those who were actually there. It keeps us grounded and humble.
     
    bamboo43, May 31, 2016
    #15
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  16. Combover

    Combover Guest

    Blimey, I'm so saddened by this.

    Rest in Peace Mr Canning. You'll be sorely missed here, as anywhere.
     
    Combover, May 31, 2016
    #16
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  17. idler

    idler GeneralList

    Condolences to the Canning clan and thank you, Tom, for taking the trouble to tell it as it was.
     
    idler, May 31, 2016
    #17
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  18. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Rest in Peace Tom Canning. I and many others will miss your straightforward approach to debate.

    We spoke of Religion and I listened.

    He spoke to me of his love of Australia and the people and enjoyed his travels there.

    Most of all he was a good human being, Family man and earned the respect of many in his long life and may I say all on this forum.

    We will miss you Tom - You are now with your darling Veronica, never to be apart again.
     
    spidge, May 31, 2016
    #18
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  19. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    God Bless Tom, may you rest in peace.

    Peter
     
    Peter Clare, May 31, 2016
    #19
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  20. graeme

    graeme Senior Member

    Very sad news indeed.

    R.I.P.
     
    graeme, May 31, 2016
    #20
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