Ray
was born in Tredegar, South Wales in
1922.
His early
service was with the Royal artillery from 1940, when he was
stationed in the Orkney Islands. This may well have been a humdrum
period, so it waqs not surprising that in 1942 he volunteered to
become a parachutist.
At that
time the 6th Airborne Division was being formed, the 7th parachute
Battalion being the first of six Battalions. Later as the senior
Battalion, the 7th was transferred to become the basis of 5th
Parachute Brigade, to which subsequently were added the 12th and
13th Battalions.
With the
7th, Ray fought in Normandy, the Ardennes and at the Rhine
crossing and was twice wounded.
At the end
of the War in Europe, it was intended to send 6th Airborne
Division to the Far East for operations against Japan. Only the
5th Parachute Brigade had arrived when the Japanese surrendered
and they were then employed in the difficult and distasteful job
of restoring Dutch rule in Java.
Ray was
released in 1945.
A letter of
commendation from the Colonel of 7th Parachute Battalion says,
inter alia, "A First Class soldier, Williams possesses the
ability to remain cool under severe stress and to enthuse those
under his Command to maximum effort." Coming from the
distinguished Commander of a First class battalion, this is praise
indeed.
Sadly, Ray
died on 30th November 1994.
R.I.P.
