Ray died in May 2004, aged 85.
He enlisted at Newport, Isle of Wight, on 4 January 1937 into the Cavalry of the Line and was posted to the 3rd the King’s Own Hussars.
In January 1938 he, together with other 3rd Hussars, was transferred to the 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars, then serving in Cairo. In May 1940 he was posted to 237 (SR) Squadron RAF.
He remained in Egypt until December 1943, when he returned to the UK. He landed in Normandy on 9 June 1944 and left for the UK on 21 December 1944.
He was released on 27 May 1946 but was recalled from the B Reserve to the RAC Depot on 28 August 1946 to complete 12 years with the Colours.
June 1947 saw him serving with the 54 Training Regiment as a lance corporal. In February 1948 he was posted to the 4th Queen’s Own Hussars with the rank of corporal.
He returned to the 8th Hussars in late 1948 and in June 1950 was posted to the Yorkshire Hussars where he remained until being posted to 66 Training regiment as a corporal in November 1952 for onward posting to the 8th Hussars, then in Wyvern Barracks, Lüneburg.
In January 1953 he was promoted to sergeant.
He took his discharge on 17 November 1953.
He was a loyal and supportive member of York Troop.
