VALE- CAPT RG RAY MBE RAN RTD - MOBI of JULY 1956 INTAKE...

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Mon Mar 27, 2023 7:13 pm

Sad news

regarding one our original 'pioneers'... :confused:

From: Bob Mummery <bandi@iinet.net.au>
Sent: Monday, March 27, 2023 10:50 AM
To: Bob Mummery <bandi@iinet.net.au>
Subject: VALE- CAPT RG RAY MBE RAN RTD - MOBI of JULY 1956 INTAKE

Sadly we have lost another of our original intake of MOBIs. Captain Ray passed away in Perth on Saturday afternoon.

Bob Ray, better known as Stinga Ray, was a popular and well regarded MOBI. Although joining as an Apprentice, Stinga later was selected for Air Crew Training and became a distinguished Fleet Air Arm pilot. Perhaps one of his original term mates might like to forward a eulogy for Stinga, one that I could then email out with the funeral arrangements when known.

RIP Stinga

Bob Mummery

[-(

Always sad to learn of the passing of one of our 'Pioneer' MOBIs... :salute1:

Thank you for your service and R.I.P. Stinga, [-o<

your journey's done... :notworthy:

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Tue Mar 28, 2023 2:27 pm

From: Bob Mummery <bandi@iinet.net.au>
Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2023 11:54 AM
To: Bob Mummery <bandi@iinet.net.au>
Subject: VALE- CAPT RG RAY MBE RAN RTD - MOBI of JULY 1956 INTAKE

Peter Coulson has provided a short background to some of Stinga’s service.

Bob Ray. “Father” Ray gained his nickname as he was the only student on the course with previous Navy experience having recently completed his Navy Apprenticeship as an ATA with Qantas, which was then a government agency. Bob qualified as a Wessex Observer in 1965 and embarked in HMAS MELBOURNE with 817 Squadron. Bob served in the 2nd Contingent RANHFV 1968/69.where he was awarded the MBE and US Air Medal. Retiring from the Navy as a Captain many years later, Bob became an advocate for many Vietnam Veterans, helping them achieve medical and pension entitlements through the complexity of DVA bureaucracy.
Around 2006, Bob was thinking that the Helicopter Flight Vietnam story should be published. This took two years for what became the unofficial history of the RAN Helicopter Flight – :type:

A Bloody Job Well Done, The History of the Royal Australian Navy Helicopter Flight Vietnam 1967 - 1971. From one story, after canvassing as many of the HFV and US Army 135th Assault Helicopter Company personnel as could be found, the responses and many stories and a great collection of photos were published and the book launched at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in 2008. In all there are 45 personal stories covering the highs and lows, the casualties and the occasional laughs of the bloodiest encounters anyone in the history of the Fleet Air Arm of Australia has encountered, before or after. The book has gone through a number of printings.

Thanks Peter

Bob Mummery

Tom Shaw · **Posted:** Wed Mar 29, 2023 12:03 pm

The FAAAA regrets to advise that Captain Robert Ray GLEX(O) MBE RAN “departed the fix” peacefully on 25 March 2023 in the loving company of his family at Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, WA. He was 83.
Bob was born in Perth on 24th March 1940 and was a student at Christchurch Grammar School Perth prior to joining the RAN as an Aircraft Artificer Apprentice in 1956. Due to RAN restructuring he left the Navy in early 1960 and joined QANTAS in an Engineering capacity, but re-joined in October 1962 as a Midshipman Aircrew Officer. Having completed his Basic Aircrew Training at HMAS Cerberus and spending a short time at sea, Bob was posted to Malta for Observer Training which was completed early in 1965. He was then posted to HMAS Albatross for 725 Squadron and Wessex 31A Operational Flying Training School.

As a qualified ASW Helicopter Observer Bob moved to 817 Squadron both at HMAS Albatross and embarked in HMAS Melbourne until he joined the 2nd RANHFV contingent in mid 1968 for Operational Training prior to deployment to join the 135th AHC US ARMY at Blackhorse South Vietnam (see photo above). Bob distinguished himself in his role as Staff and Divisional Officer for the Contingent and was awarded an MBE. His CO, the late LCDR Graham (Zork) Rohrsheim stated that “the high morale of the flight is directly attributable to his (Bob’s) efforts” unquote.

On return from Active Service, he continued his career with postings overseas and within Australia with well-deserved Promotions and Commendations. Bob completed Sea King training and was posted as Senior Observer of HS 817 and after serving in Fleet Headquarters was posted to HMAS Coonawarra in Command. Two years exchange with the RN followed and on return to Australia he moved to Navy Headquarters.

Captain Ray transferred to the Royal Australian Naval Emergency Reserve on 30 APR 87 and Retired on 24 MAR 00 after a career spanning 42 years of nearly continuous service. In closing a quote from one of his contemporary Officers – quote “Vale CAPT Robert Ray, MBE, RAN ret’d – a true character of the old mould and an example for all naval aviators that followed in his wake.” Unquote.

We know that you join with us in offering our most heartfelt condolences to Bev married in 1962, daughter Fiona, son Gavin and the extended family.

Ever practical, Bob had been preparing for his death, asking that no Chief of Navy All Ship All Shore signal be sent; that he would not be having a formal funeral; and that his ashes be scattered in the ocean to a position just north of Pt Perpendicular where a 723 Squadron Huey crashed in 1968 taking the lives of the three souls on board. (Bob was a witness to this event).

COMFAA wrote to him last year thanking him for his long service and assuring him that his wishes with regards to the scattering of his ashes will be followed.

The cremation will be on Tuesday, 4th April at 3.45pm, at Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth. Livestream details will be published here as soon as available.

(With thanks to Murray Smythe & Jeff Dalgliesh for much of the material here)

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Wed Mar 29, 2023 12:48 pm

Thank you Tom for that comprehensive overview of a life and career well lived... :notworthy:

VALE- CAPT RG RAY MBE RAN RTD - MOBI of JULY 1956 INTAKE...

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