James Percy Ray
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1 Feb 1911 |
| Place of Birth | Bedington, England |
| Death | 8 Mar 1976, aged 65 |
| Place of Death | Byford, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 28 years, 8 months |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Byford, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , John William Ray |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX433 |
| Date of Enlistment | 7 Nov 1939 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 20 Apr 1940 ‒ 19 May 1940 |
| Transport Details | HMT Y3 Nevasa Fremantle to Kantara, Egypt |
| Transfers | |
| Journey Dates | 10 Apr 1941 |
| Transport Details | SS Pennland Alexandria to Pireas, Greece |
| Journey Dates | 25 Apr 1941 ‒ 26 Apr 1941 |
| Transport Details | SS Thurland Castle Greece to Crete |
| Journey Dates | 8 May 1945 |
| Transport Details | plane Germany to England |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 30 May 1945 ‒ 7 Jul 1945 |
| Transport Details | J15 Liverpool to Sydney |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action Crete 1 Jun 1941 POW Crete Returned to Australia |
| Monument(s) | ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) |
| External Monument(s) | The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Ballarat, Victoria |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Africa Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entry: 1936 Byford, brickmaker
War Service
Enlisted at Subiaco on 7 Nov 1939 and was the next day taken on strength by the 2/11th Battalion. On 30 Nov 1939 they relocated to NSW to undertake training with other elements of their Brigade. On 8 Dec 1939 James was admitted to the Prince of Wales hospital in Sydney with an injury to his back, remaining in their care until 3 Jan 1940. With the unit he returned to Western Australia, and from 26 Mar until 1 Apr 1940 he enjoyed pre-embarkation leave. The battalion boarded HMT Y3 Nevasa on 20 Apr 1940 and sailed for Egypt where they landed at Kantara on 19 May 1940.
The battalion trained in both Egypt and Palestine, with James spending from 20 - 31 Jan 1941 in the 2nd Australian General Hospital suffering with lumbago. On discharge he was sent to the 19th Australian Infantry Training Battalion. Following the completion of his training he entered the Staging Camp on 22 Feb 1941, and returned to the 2/11th Battalion on 14 Mar 1941, having missed their involvement in defeating Italian forces in Libya. On 10 Apr 1941, along with the rest of the battalion he embarked on SS Pennland in Alexandria for Greece.
Held in Stalag XIIIC, with POW Number 10143
Demobilised on 13 Dec 1945.
Post War
Married Violet Winifred ?? died 6 Jan 1987 aged 78.
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 - 1972 Byford, brickmaker
Notes