Sydney man donates family medals

Ray, formerly known as John Raymond Birch, was born in or near Harden on January 5, 1910 and raised in Wombat. 

As far as Wes knew Ray worked with the electricity commission in the field, and laying bricks for houses around Wombat, before joining the army in World War II. 

Ray enlisted for service at Cumnock as a single man at the age of 30, on July 15, 1940. 

He listed his father James Valentine Birch, who resided in Wombat, as next of kin. 

Prior to being deployed, the soldiers mustered at Victoria Barracks in Paddington NSW. 

Ray served in Papua New Guinea, and saw 521 days of active service outside Australia. 

He valued wearing his medals, the 1939/45 Star, the Pacific Star, the Defence Medal, War Medal and ASM, on Anzac Day and special occasions. 

Wes met Ray in the mid 1950s, when Ray built a granny flat for his friend Jack Marsh (Wes’s uncle) at the family home in Leichhardt.

Jack’s sister Jean (Wes’ mother) was widowed in 1950, her first husband passing away from a heart condition aged 54. Ray and Jean eventually married. 

Ray had two sons, Barry and Geoffrey (deceased), from his previous marriage. 

While in Sydney, Ray worked as an Armoured Guard on Mayne Nicholas vehicles which provided payroll and other money services to business across Sydney.

Ray and Jean moved to Sanctuary Point, when Ray retired, and Jean’s sons had left home. 

Ray started taking an active part in the RSL movement, becoming one of the Directors for the local Huskisson RSL. 

Ray built three properties during their time in this area: a weekender where they first lived, a second property which became the family home, and a property they rented out. 

Ray passed away in 1990, at the age of 80. Jean had passed away in 1984, at the age of 79.

Brothers Wes and Bob bought the Leichardt property together in 1970.

Wes still resides there today.

*Written by Wes’ daughter-in-law Elizabeth Hellenpach.