After returning to UK and being demobbed in 1953, Ray had several jobs. He drove HGV for the oil giant ELF and de Havilland aircraft. His attention to detail and high personal standards meant that he was never out of work. He maintained his sporting prowess and attained a Black Belt in Karate. Ray was always well-dressed to a point of being labelled ‘dapper’. He was very popular with the ladies. There is photographic evidence of Ray in deep conversation with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, The Princess Royal and at one Buckingham Palace Tea Party he was photographed with Debbie Magee sat on his knee! He had a magnetic personality

He made no secret of being a Free Mason and was Master of the Peace and Concord Lodge in Sevenoaks in Kent. Ray was extremely generous with his resources, efforts and time. Whenever volunteers were needed, Ray’s was the first hand to be raised. He was also the first to put his hand in his pocket to buy drinks at any occasion. Ray assisted greatly in the RTR Medway branch Christmas Draw ensuring that everyone bought tickets. He would also buy a handful and donate several prizes. Ray seldom made criticism of anyone openly and I never heard of anyone having a bad word to say about him. He bought dozens of books on Tanks and Desert Rats, knowing that he would never have time to read them all.

Ray had been unwell for some time but fought it with quiet dignity, still insisting on attending Royal Tank Regiment and Desert Rats functions. Much of his time was taken up with caring for ‘the old folk’, as he called them. He played down any reference to him being one of ‘the old folk’. He was far too concerned with his colleague’s welfare to be worried about his own condition.

As many of you know, the motto of The Royal Tank Regiment is ‘From mud, through blood to the green fields beyond. I like to think that Ray is now at the bar in Tankie Tavern, in those Green Fields, waiting to buy the rest of us a drink, when we get there. Losing Ray has left a great gap in those Desert Rats and Tankies who knew him. Farewell and Fear Naught, Old friend. RJH