Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Francis Joseph KENNY, Main Street, Croydon, Victoria.

Ray is a veteran of the Second World War.

Before his war service, Ray was a public servant working in the Land Tax Office. He enlisted in the Australian Army in December 1943 at just 18 years of age. Ray volunteered for the Australian Imperial Force, meaning he could serve anywhere. After his infantry training and a signalling course, Ray was posted to the 2/27th Infantry Battalion as a signalman in January 1945. He sailed from Townsville with his battalion in June and disembarked on the island of Morotai, completing preparations for the Borneo campaign. On 1 July 1945, Ray landed at Balikpapan, Borneo, where the battalion conducted fighting patrols until the war ended. From October 1945 until February 1946, Ray took part in the liberation and occupation of the Northern Celebes, part of the Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia), to help free the Ambonese and find any remaining Japanese soldiers.

In February 1946, Ray returned to Morotai before sailing for Australia in March. He was posted to Army Headquarters, working in signals, until he was discharged in January 1947. Ray says the best thing about his service was ‘representing Australia and defeating the Japanese’. He also valued the friendships he made, especially the one he continues to have to this day with John Nankervis.

After the war, Ray became a baker in the family business. When the business was sold, he joined the Australian Board of Mission in 1958 and was based in Newcastle, NSW. Ray married Elsie ‘Joyce’ Allen and they were together for many decades before she sadly passed away in 2007. Together, the couple raised 4 daughters and now have grandchildren, great grandchildren, and a great great grandchild due on Christmas Day.

Ray played all sports when he was younger, but particularly liked football, lawn bowls, cricket and golf. He now enjoys reading.

Ray credits his longevity to leading a simple life and exercising as much as possible.