Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Biography of Ray Lovibond Davis

Ray Lovibond Davis was born on 2 April 1925 at Uraidla, South Australia, the son of Harold John George Davis and Doris Emily (Lovibond) Davis. His birth was registered in the Norwood district, and he grew up in the Adelaide Hills, where his family had strong local ties.

With the outbreak of the Second World War, Ray answered the nation's call to serve. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Naval Reserve at Port Adelaide on 7 June 1943, serving under Service Number PA4077. Trained as a Radar Mechanician, he undertook the specialised task of maintaining and repairing naval radar equipment, technology that played a vital role in protecting Allied ships during the war. His father, Harold Davis, was recorded as his next of kin.

During his naval service Ray served aboard HMAS Torrens and later HMAS Moresby. He remained in the Royal Australian Navy until being demobilised on 23 May 1946, having served throughout the closing years of the war and the immediate post-war period.

Following his return to civilian life, Ray married Hazel Joyce Shields (24 January 1924 – 16 November 2011). Together they built a happy family life and raised five children:

Erica
Gloria
Robert
Marcia
Diana
The inscription on Hazel's memorial reflects the importance family held throughout their lives:

"Mum's family was her life."

Ray spent his life in the Adelaide Hills district he knew so well. He died at Ashton, South Australia, on 30 July 2004, aged 79 years. His passing was announced in The Advertiser on 2 August 2004.

In accordance with his wishes, his ashes were scattered over the land he loved, a sentiment engraved on the family memorial and a fitting tribute to a man whose life remained closely connected to the hills of South Australia.

Hazel survived Ray by seven years before passing away on 16 November 2011. Although Ray's ashes were scattered, both are commemorated together at Summertown Cemetery, General Section 20, Plot 1087. Their memorial concludes with the touching words:

"Rest Peacefully with our Love."

Today, the memorial stands not only as a tribute to Ray's wartime naval service but also to a devoted husband, father, and Adelaide Hills local whose greatest legacy was the family he and Hazel created together.

Sources

South Australian Birth Registration: Ray Lovibond Davis, born 2 April 1925, Uraidla; father Harold John George Davis, mother Doris Emily Lovibond; Norwood District, Book 152A, Page 434.
National Archives of Australia, Royal Australian Naval Reserve Service Record: Ray Lovibond Davis, Service No. PA4077; born Uraidla; enlisted Port Adelaide; next of kin Harold Davis; mobilised 7 June 1943; served aboard HMAS Torrens and HMAS Moresby; demobilised 23 May 1946.
The Advertiser (Adelaide), Death Notice, 2 August 2004.
Find a Grave Memorial #244089306, Summertown Cemetery, South Australia.
Summertown Cemetery memorial inscription, photographed by Trevor Pyatt, confirming the dates of Ray and Hazel Davis, their children's names, and the inscriptions:
"Ashes scattered over the land he loved."
"Mum's family was her life."
"Rest Peacefully with our Love."

Biography by Trevor Pyatt 13/07/2026