Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Charles E RAYMENT and Julie nee SMITH

Bert Rayment began his working life at the age of 13 when he took his first paid job - tying rabbit-proof netting to a fence. From this time on, except for a brief period in the Army during the Boer war, Bert was connected with the land in the west of Queensland, particularly around Jundah.
For a period of 4 years (1905-1909) Bert took on contract carrying with two teams, carrying goods to stations and returning with wool to the railhead at Longreach, Queensland.
In 1909, Bert selected two properties near Jundah. The first, "Bloodwood", now part of "Braidwood Station", he sold as he believed it too dangerous for sheep grazing as it was subject to flash flooding. The other property "Sunshine" was developed by fencing and bores were sunk until a good supply of water was found.
In 1922, "Sunshine" was sold and "Berray Hills" purchased.
In the following years Bert and three sons took to the BV road with his stock because of the big drought of 1925-1929.
Bert continued to buy properties in the Jundah, Windorah area and improved them until his retirement in 1952.
Bert Rayment, at the age of 93 still had a memory like a computer when it came to early days of pastoral settlement and the early pioneering families of central and south western Queensland. He was intensely proud of his family and delighted in their accomplishments. He had a happy married life for 69 years. His 60th Wedding Anniversary brought a telegram from Her Majesty The Queen, the Governor-General, Lord Casey, and the Premier of Queensland, Sir Frances Nicklin, among others.
Bert had a deep concern, a passion, for progress in Western Queensland. His retirement was not spent quietly.
When he hung up his spurs he took up his pen. He was a constant correspondent with newspapers and politicans in his endeavour to crusade for the people of Western Queensland.
SERVICE - WAR : Boer War, 1901-02; Army number 920RAA; Senior Gunner, Field Artillary; Decorated Gold Badge.
DISTRICT : Bert was on various committees and associations.
Patron of the 'Pioneer Home', Longreach.
President of Jundah Progress Association.