The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. R W Ray

Ronald Wilfred Ray was born on 28th November 1917 and employed as a Bank Clerk in Southend when he joined the RAFVR about December 1938 as an Airman u/t Pilot.

Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training and was posted to 142 Squadron, operating Fairey Battles.

In August 1940 Ray volunteered to serve in Fighter Command. He was posted away from 142 on the 19th and joined 56 Squadron at Boscombe Down on 5th September.

On the 30th Ray crashed in Hurricane P3655 following an engagement with Me109s and Me110s over Bournemouth. He was wounded and suffered a broken arm.

By 1943 Ray was a Warrant Officer serving with 604 Squadron. He destroyed a Dornier over the Humber on 13th July and shared in the destruction of a Ju88 on the 27th.

His subsequent service is currently undocumented until he was released from the RAF in 1946 as a Warrant Officer.

Ray died in March 1985 in Bexley.