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David Otto and Margaret Amelia Whait had six children including four sons and two daughters William Albert, Raymond Douglas, John David, Robert Alexander, Joyce and Margaret. Raymond was more commonly caller Ray or later, being well over 6 foot high earned the affectionate nickname of ‘Lofty’. He was born in the coastal town of Port Lincoln on the 23rd July 1910. All the children attended the local Port Lincoln School.
Ray’s father, David had gone to Lincoln as a 22-year-old, where he met his future wife, Margaret. David was a foundation member of the local branch of the Waterside Workers' Union, and later became President. He had been particularly active in local Council as Mayor from 1928 until 1933 during the Depression. It was over these years that he was particularly admired for his unfailing sympathy and assistance for those in need. In the ensuing years, Ray followed in his father’s footsteps.
Post school, Ray took on a variety of labouring jobs on the Peninsula. As a 27-year-old, he was very fortunate to escape more serious injury when he was involved in a car rollover down an embankment. The car in which he was travelling failed to negotiate the turn from Queen street into Stevenson street, coming to rest upside down, crushing its hood, which had to be lifted for the trapped passengers to get out. Ray received a deep cut in the muscle of his upper left arm, a strained back and abrasions, causing him to be taken to hospital for treatment. The other two occupants, Bill (William John) Fabian and Mrs Daisy Wells sustained slight injuries. Soon afterwards, the car caught alight and unfortunately was not insured. Fellow traveller and survivor, Bill Fabian later also enlisted as SX1402 with the 2/10th rising to the rank of Lance Corporal.
The following year, aged 58, Ray’s father, David died in the Adelaide Hospital, just prior to Christmas on the 13 Dec ’39. His remains were returned to Port Lincoln where he was buried in the local Happy Valley Cemetery. A fortnight later, as promised Ray ‘Lofty’ acted as pilot, taking a group from Lock out fishing off the coast of Elliston. All returned with a great haul of edible fish. Soon after, with the wheat season coming to a successful close and ‘Lofty’ unlikely to return the following season as their main lumper, with war service looming, Warrachie residents organised a very country farewell ‘chop supper’. An indication of the respect in which he was held, and the friends made, huge numbers of locals attended. Speeches in praise of ‘Lofty’ were made followed by the presentation of a fountain pen. Singing and recitations followed before the evening concluded with "Auld Lang Syne". The West Coast Recorder reported that ‘Lofty’ sincerely thanked everyone in his usual cheery and breezy manner adding that ‘although he may be far away next summer, his thoughts and good wishes would remain with the people of the Warrachie and Lock districts.’
in January ‘41 Ray officially enlisted to serve in WWII following a huge campaign by the AIF which had rolled out in country areas with the aim of attracting fit, young, single men to enlist. There was a rush of A.I.F. recruits to the depots opened at Cowell, Minnipa, Wudinna, Port Lincoln and Streaky Bay. Ray was given the number SX11158 and allocated to the 2/48th Battalion as was Charles Barwick SX11154. The two travelled to Adelaide on the ship ‘Minnipa’ on the 20th January ’41. Unfortunately, whilst in the close confines and cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds at Wayville, Ray had a reaction to his vaccination and was hospitalised for several days being granted a week of convalescent leave.
Then on official pre-embarkation leave, the Port Lincoln Waterside Workers entertained two of their members, Ray and Charlie Barwick. Following a toast to the two, a presentation was made to each man, to which both Ray and Charlie responded, thanking their workmates for the gifts and good wishes. Several items were given before two minutes' silence was observed in honor of the memory of Corporal Sydney A. Prevost the first Port Lincoln boy reported killed in action in this war. (Sydney had enlisted in October ’39 with the 2/10th Battalion but aged 22, died of his wounds in Egypt on the 4th March ’41.)
Ray sailed on the Ile de France in April ’41, arriving in the Middle East at Dimra in May. Almost immediately the ‘country telegraph’ back home shared news of the local men, with Herbert Harvey ‘Blondie’ SX1707 writing home in June sharing that ‘They told me Lofty Whait and a few other local lads are camped a few miles away from us.’ Bill Williams also reported that Lofty Whait and Shorty Barwick were about here too.’ Unfortunately, within weeks of arriving, ‘Lofty’ had contracted influenza, spending some time recuperating before he was able to return to the Staging camp and thence to the Kit Store. Whilst there, Ray had an altercation with the Commanding Officer which resulted in Ray being confined to Barracks for a week on a charge of ‘Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline’. Fortunately, within three weeks he was able to return to the 2/48th Battalion from the Amiriya Staging Camp when John Page S56968 wrote to his mother about seeing so many local lads since he returned from Crete, amongst them being Lofty. He added ‘We all send our regards to all at home and would like to express our sympathy here to anyone who may lose their loved ones, and let them know that no matter what happens, we will be carrying on the good work, ever confident of final victory.’
Corporal Bob Davies SX1806 with the 2/43rd also commented that “I heard that Lofty Whait was down the line a few miles from us, but when I went and enquired, he had just moved on.” Another Port Lincoln contact, Peter Lewis on board a ship also wrote in July, reported that “Everyone here is doing fine, including "Lofty" Whait and "Shorty" Barwick. I met them here a few days ago and I was certainly surprised to see them. They send best regards to all. The beer is good and there are plenty of cigarettes, but they could do with a few letters from the boys at home. They have not received any for a long while.”
Allan Poole ‘Lefty’ SX7141, from Port Lincoln, who enlisted in June ‘40 was delighted that the bush telegraph let him know that "Lofty" Whait and "Shorty" Barwick will be joining us (the 2/48th Battalion) any day now. Bill Poole SX570, then a Lieutenant, wrote home to his parents in September 41 sharing that “Enemy bombers are still dropping in on us and the dust is still blowing like mad. That is all the news from Tobruk in a nutshell. Ray Whait is here with us and seems pretty used to the dust after being on sheep stations up North. Nothing is too much trouble for him and he is a fine soldier. The enemy will not want to put his head up twice with Ray here.”
Where possible, those soldiers killed in action were immediately buried. Inevitably friends made the effort to beautify their cobbers’ graves, as did Bill Poole, who shared that he, Charlie Barwick, Ray Whait, and Bill Richardson were “down at the cemetery with the lads doing up the graves. They made an excellent job of Bill Owen's and Stan Scott's. It is blowing a terrific dust storm, so we are all well down in our dugouts writing our letters.” Phil Bascombe also sent news back about chance meetings “Last Sunday I met quite a few of the local lads from Port Lincoln. Walking along, I met Lofty Whait and Charlie Barwick coming off church parade. We were sitting talking in their tent when along came Bob Ewing and one of the Brewster boys from Poonindie. They are in the same unit as Norm Reid, and are camped not far from here. In the next tent to Charlie Barwick is Max Richardson from Port Lincoln. We were still talking when up came Bennie Raven from the A.M.C. training wing.”
In December ’41 Gunner Len Emms SX305 with the 2/8th wrote to his family sharing that “Yesterday (Sunday) I was doing a bit of washing when I heard someone sing out to me, and who should it be but Lofty Whait. We were very pleased to see each other and had a good old yarn. Later we went to the canteen for a few beers. Lofty had tea with me and then went on home. He wanted to get a transfer into my regiment but I do not know how he will get on.” In a later letter Len wrote “I would liked to have been home for Christmas. Apart from a turkey | and a few bottles Of Aussie beer here, you would have thought that Christmas was 12 months away. We have a new kind of gun here now. It sends a shell over into the enemy lines, and those that it does not kill it takes prisoner. How is that? I had a surprise visit from Lofty Whait and Shorty Barwick the other day, and we duly celebrated in the right manner.”
As the war progressed, the loss of good friends and mates was felt and spoken about more often. Bob Davies wrote at a similar time to Len, illustrating the effect the war had on those still fighting. “It is now Christmas and we still have to be satisfied with what the army can offer. Still, one is lucky even to see any more Christmases. A lot of my pals will never see any again. It makes one feel mad at times. I had three days' leave a couple of weeks ago and spent it at Tel-Aviv with none other than my old pal "Lofty" Whait. We had a great time, and I am sending a photo home of us together.” The photo was proudly reproduced in the West Coast Recorder in February ’42 with the heading ‘Port Lincoln Soldiers Celebrate at Tel-Aviv—This photo shows Pte. "Lofty" Whait (centre), with. L/Cpl. R. H. L. (Bob) Davies (next on right), "Marty" - Coleman (extreme right) and two other soldiers (unknown to us), enjoying life at a cafe in Tel-Aviv.’
New Year’s Eve of ‘42 Transport Driver Norm Reid wrote “Life is treating me extra well at the moment, but it is very cold, especially at night. This country is snow-covered in parts, and it has rained almost continuously for weeks, but the winter should be over soon now. I am camped near a fairly large town and go in there occasionally, but as the people are all foreigners, it is not the best. However, it is better than staying in a tent all the time or being in the dust in Libya. The barracks I am in are excellent —hot water, good beds and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables supplied. I spent New Year's Eve with Lofty Whait and Shorty Barwick, and we had a good time.
That January the 2/48th had arrived at the Le Gault Barracks where they were to remain for two months. The local Lebanese people were extremely poor so would hang around for food or to do washing for the soldiers. Orders were issued making many areas out of bounds including areas in the vicinity of the barracks. Despite posting extra guards clothing, blankets and food disappeared which John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan wryly hypothesised ‘in view of the food position during the first week, many were inclined to think the latter was an inside job.’ That month, Lofty received 7 days of field punishment and the loss of a week’s pay for ‘Being a soldier breaking out of barracks.’ Lofty made no direct comment of this but coincidentally wrote comparing conditions at home. He marvelled that “he can get his washing done for 3d., despite the fact that clothes get very dirty there. Needless to say, he does not worry about doing his own. However, eggs are 5d. each there. The people in Syria mostly belong to the Christian religion and are fairly clean compared with some other parts of the Middle East, but they are very poor. They grow a lot of vegetables, and fruit has been plentiful, but it is not equal to Australian fruit. Pte. Whait says that the countryside has been very pretty lately with thousands, of cyclamen, irises, ,ranunculi and other flowers growing wild. However, he humorously adds, ‘Lincoln weed would look a lot prettier at the moment.' Syria is very mountainous, with plenty of native trees. The mountains at the time of writing were still snow-capped, and would be for some time, as the snow was 12 feet deep in places near them. All the hills are artificially terraced so that as much of the land as possible can be cultivated. "It a splendid sight to look up a few thousand feet at what looks like a giant stairway," he says. Pte. Whait mentioned that he had recently seen Keith Slater, who was on leave from his unit and was paying a visit to "Ginger" Richardson, He had also recently met Arthur Buddie, but saw very little of Port Lincoln boys generally.” Over time, Lofty sent his mother a number of interesting souvenirs, including ornaments he had made from shell cases, and a large variety of post cards. Whilst not wounded at the time, in July Pte. Whait sent, a cable from Egypt saying that he was keeping safe and well.

‘Lofty’ was easy for fellow soldiers from back home to spot because of his six foot plus height. In Syria Phil Bascombe was out on manoeuvres when he spotted Lofty Whait and Ginger Richardson, but did not get a chance to speak to them.
Having spent time with country farmers, Lofty was intrigued by farming practices which he had been involved in at home, and of course fishing. In a poignant letter home to his mother, he wrote “I am still doing all right except for a scarcity of mail. The weather has been beautiful during the past couple of weeks. I have just finished my washing. It soon piles up if a chap gets behind, but I have caught up again now. There is still a fair bit of snow about, but it has been getting thinner lately. The people here are now busy gathering in their harvest. They cut it all by hand and cart it home on their little donkeys. Then it is tramped out by the family cow or perhaps a donkey or camel if they are wealthy enough. It is a common sight to see a donkey going along with a heap of hay about twice its size on its back. In fact, some of their loads just about hide them altogether. As this country is very stony, the wogs do not waste an inch of ground. Even on top of the hills you can see patches of crop about the size of a tablecloth. I have some good photos, including some taken when we were inspected by the Duke of Gloucester. I would certainly like a good dinner of fish right now, in fact any of the home tucker. The other day I met Sid Richards, who was in the police force at Port Lincoln, also young Roberts from Warrachie and had a yarn with him. I was very pleased to receive a Christmas card from Mr. Poole today. It was certainly a long time catching up to me. Please give him my regards. I was glad to hear that Bill Poole and the other boys arrived home safely, although I envy them very much now. The other day I was able to get some fish to eat. I was camped for a few days by a river with plenty of fish in it, but they were rather hard to catch. However, I managed to get a few out, and they were good to eat. The camp was in amongst some old oak trees. I found out that the place was an old cemetery and a very ancient one. One of the headstones was dated 1243. The place had only one fault the trees were full of sparrows thousands of them, and they used to make a terrible din.”
Whilst close friend Bill Barwick was recovering from being wounded in July the previous year, he wrote home sharing that his brother, Charlie ‘is in Syria with "Lofty" Whait and "Ginger" Richardson.’ With death, injury and challenging conditions facing the troops each day, some ‘petty’ incidents riled the men, now hardened soldiers.
John Glenn’s ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ includes a humorous recounting of an incident in August ’42 where a ‘certain high ranking Axis officer’ was captured but on arrival at camp complained about some thieving Australian soldier who had the nerve to ‘clifti’ his watch; receiving ‘a sympathetic hearing from those who sit and fight at base’. This escalated to an order that the 2/48th immediately restore the watch. Despite kit inspections over several days the elusive watch was never found and the men resented being ‘mucked about’. George Bonney and Co printed the original issue of the Khamseen Kronicle when in the ‘I’ section on 17th August 1942. It included a poem by Lofty Whait, known as the Bard of D Company titled ‘The Watch’ which clearly captured the resentment and frustration of the Battalion:
“The 48th is in disgrace for robbing an Axis nob;
Some rascal snatched a Colonel’s watch worth about two bob,
It surely was an awful deed; in the army it’s just not done,
And I suppose until they find it, no victory can be won.

“They’ve looked in all the pawn shops from Alex to Aleppo,
But not a sign can anyone find of that imitation ‘Sheppo’.
Kit inspections have been held, they’ve questioned every man,
Tried various ways to dig it up but b___d if they can.

“To find this bloody timepiece is more important than the front,
All the best braids in the army are joining in the hunt,
They’re trying hard to find it and I’ve a strong suspicion,
I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if that was Churchill’s mission.

“The search goes on from day to day, morning noon and night,
But seems the old Wop’s done it in – the watch has gone alright.
Perhaps some joker wogged it and went out on the shikker,
And that would be the proper thing to do with that old ticker.

“For I’ll tell you my opinion of all that bloody rot,
They could stop this cranky racket if that Axis mug was shot,
For I don’t suppose they questioned him or looked in his valise
For the food those drongo b-----s took from starving kids in Greece.

“I don’t suppose they asked him who took our comrades’ lives
Took away those good Australians, leaving sorrowing kids and wives,
No, they’ll see that he is comfortable and treat him like a toff
While the people at home are paying us to kill the blighters off.”

Not unexpectedly, the watch was never found. The 2/48th were an extremely cohesive group.

By September ’42 the unhygienic conditions resulted in ‘Lofty’ contracting Chronic Dysentery and serving time in hospital. This was followed by amoebic dysentery before he was able to return to his battalion in December. Driver Thomas Trezise of Tumby Bay wrote with that news; "Lofty" Whait passed through here the other day with stomach trouble. They sent him to the hospital further back. Byron Johnson and I were speaking to him for quite a while. He told us how Max (Ginger) Richardson was taken prisoner of war but they believe he is all right. He also said that Bill Barwick is with their unit now but Charlie is in Palestine.”
Lofty often write of the ‘everyday’, which spoke much about the conditions of war contrasted with memories of time back home. In a letter to his mother in October ’42 he shared; “We had a swim in the Mediterranean today. There are quite a lot of ducks along this part of the coast. I often wish, I had a shot gun. These ducks are much smaller than our teal at home. I always thought the West Coast was the home of flies, but I am satisfied that it is not in the race with this place. They seem to hang on like glue. I have got a lizard in my dugout—a chameleon it is called. It is a beauty on the flies. It is about six inches long and has a tongue about twice the length of its body. He changes his color to whatever color the ground is, and all you see is his tongue fly out whenever a fly goes near him. We often see dog fights, sometimes only a few feet above our head. Our boys got amongst the Stukas yesterday and shot six of them down as quickly as you could say it. Another time one of our boys was giving an enemy plane "hurry up." but a few more of their planes dived in and spoiled it. Our plane had to get out of it, but he crippled his foe.”
Lofty wrote to friends in Lock that month, fondly remembering the Chop Picnic given him by the Warrachie community prior to him heading overseas. “I am not much of a hand at writing, but, like the rest of the boys here, I like to receive letters from home, particularly in a place like this. I have often seen the "Lock News" in the "West Coast Recorder" which the family send me from home. The Lock and Warrachie districts seem to have lost quite a few residents and I guess I would be almost a stranger if I were to pay a visit to those places now. Our battalion is the same number as your old battalion in the last war, and I don't think we have let the old number down. You will be pleased to hear that after the last job we did, five of our company received decorations, including a V.C. Believe me, we are all mighty proud of our battalion. I get a chance to listen to the wireless occasionally and it is great to hear of the stand that "Uncle Joe" is putting up in Stalingrad, but the news that interests us most is nearer home— in New Guinea. Good luck to the boys there. Good news from home makes it easier for us to keep going here. According to the last letters from home, Port Lincoln has been having some pretty wet weather. The crops must be looking good by now. How I would like to be home for the wheat season! Let us hope it will not be long before this show is over. When we get back we will put on the biggest chop picnic Warrachie has ever seen. Please remember me to Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Sampson, the Roberts family and other friends up that way, and give them all my kindest regards for Christmas and the New Year.”
The 2/48th Battalion became one of the most highly decorated battalions, with the troops particularly proud of their fellow soldiers. In November ’42 Lofty shared the pride in Private Stan Gurney’s outstanding act of bravery which won him the coveted V.C. sending his mother the embellished pamphlet containing the details. The two were in the same unit and Stan, from Western Australia had relatives on Eyre Peninsula. “Early in the morning of our attack west of Tel-el-Eisa, our company advanced to within 100 yards' of the enemy positions, when it was held up by intense machine gun and artillery fire, which was inflicting severe casualties on our men. All of the officers were wounded and we could advance no further. Sizing up the desperate situation, Pte. Gurney leapt up and charged single handed across the bullet-swept ground, directly into the enemy fire. Unchecked, he leapt on to one machine gun position, killing four of the crew with his bayonet, and silencing the gun. He then dashed on through a hail of bullets to another machine gun post 30 yards away, silencing the post after bayoneting two more Germans, and taking the third man prisoner. At this moment a stick grenade blew him off his feet. In a moment he was up again, retrieved his rifle and charged a third post. He was vigorously bayoneting more Germans when the inevitable end came to such a magnificent display of single-handed courage. A burst from smother machine gun killed him. Although he lost his own life, Pte. Gurney undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his fellow soldiers.” At the foot of the pamphlet was printed : — "Dedicated to one whose courage on the field of battle wreaths his death in glory, and begets honor to his comrades and country." Lofty added, "We were all pleased that Pte. Gurney, who was one of our pals was awarded the V.C. Those of us who were in the show know that he earned it. He did a grand job, and I will never forget that day. I only wish he was still with us to personally receive the credit due to him."
Ray was finally able to leave the Middle East behind, returning to Australia via Melbourne arriving in March ’43 and welcome leave back home. A tea and social evening was arranged with many of the 2/48th men attending including the Barwick brothers, Charlie and Bill and Lofty. Pleasure was shared in seeing the ‘boys’ back home with returned members of the RSL welcoming the returned young men. Both Bill and Lofty responded. Other celebrations were also held where about 90 returned soldiers met at the Civic Shipper Room for a singsong evening organised by the RSL. Again, Bill and Lofty were amongst those responding to the good wishes expressed.
Training in Queensland followed in preparation for facing a very different enemy in the tropical conditions of New Guinea. Ray arrived in Milne Bay in September ’43 and soon after was promoted to Acting Corporal in November. Almost inevitably, Ray contracted Malaria in October and again in December, followed by an extremely high fever (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin), then dengue fever. He was not a well man. He left New Guinea arriving in Australia via Brisbane in February ’44.

By July ’45 as a seasoned soldier and leader, Ray headed to Tarakan, working with the postal unit and was promoted to Sergeant with the 2/48th Battalion. Then, with the war finally over, the flag of the 2/48th Infantry Battalion was lowered. The Tarakan Times reported on the simple but impressive ceremony ‘marking the official end of the existence of one of the most famous battalions in the Second A.I.F. Known as the most decorated battalion in the A.I.F., four men of the 2/48th earned the Empire's highest award (the Victoria Cross), and 95 other decorations were awarded to it, ranging from D.S.O's. and D.C.M's to the Russian Order of the Red Star. In a little over five years of life the unit fought its way around a third of the globe — through, the Western Desert campaign to five weary months in Tobruk; then Tel-el-Eisa and El Alamein; home to Australia and north to Huon Gulf and Satelberg, in New Guinea, and ultimately here to Tarakan for its final campaign.’ Then ‘with the guard at the 'Present', and all others standing fast, 'Retreat' was sounded. The battalion flag, bearing the unit's 'T' color patch, was lowered by an original member of the battalion, Pte. Crabb, of Whyalla. He handed the flag to Maj. Maxwell Wright, who passed it on to Sgt. R. D. Whait, of Port Lincoln, to be handed over by him to the 2/48 Welfare Association in Adelaide. Members of the battalion were drawn up on three sides of a hollow square to witness the ceremony.’ This was an incredible but well deserved honor for the man the battalion all knew as ‘Lofty’.
Sergeant Ray was finally discharged on the 12th December ’45. The following year he was elected as one of two vice presidents of the Port Lincoln RSL. He was an active and involved member, at times fulfilling the role of Master of Ceremonies, social activities coordinator and constantly a very hard, loyal worker.
Port Lincoln was justifiably proud of its ‘boys’ who had served, organising a grand march of all ex-servicemen and women to the Lincoln Hotel to commemorate Anzac Day in ‘47. The request was for members to be in uniform, to wearing ribbons, medals and other decorations. The current Mayor and Lofty, as senior vice-president of the RSL were on the Civic Hall balcony to receive the marchers. All vessels in the Port and shops were bedecked with flags. Following the march, athletic and cycling events were held. Lofty was also the WWII representative in an Ugly Man War Veteran's competition with votes being a penny each. A Grand Ball in the evening concluded the celebrations with all funds raised going towards the RSL Building fund.
Lofty married divorcee, Myrtle Lillian Nelson from Foster in Victoria, who had lived in Whyalla. He became a much-loved step-father of her son, Len and later his children.
As had his father, Ray’s service to his community continued. In ’48 Lofty and his mother were pro-active in offering three acres of land as a children’s playground opposite the new Housing Trust homes. This was later fittingly voted to be called the 'Whait Reserve Playground’. Ray succeeded his brother, Will as Councillor for Boston Ward in Local Government, holding the office until June ‘62. He also pioneered the revival of the Port Lincoln Show.
Post war Lofty‘s interest in racing also saw him bring several horses to the Port Lincoln Races in ’49 whilst also being involved with the Lincoln Hotel then running a shop in Matilda Street. He was a highly regarded Patron of the Port Lincoln Homing Pigeon Association and also a trophy donor for the sport which he described as ‘a clean sport. They bred and reared the birds and it became an interest for the whole household’.
For Lofty and Myrtle, a highlight was the arrival of television at Port Lincoln in ’59 as Myrtle had won a set in a quiz conducted by the Lincoln Town band. The local newspaper calling Lofty at home for his impression, reporting that ‘he was very pleased with the reception which was quite good, but tended to fade later in the evening’.
The Port Lincoln Community was shocked at Lofty’s untimely death, aged 52 in September ’62. The Port Lincoln Times summarised his extensive involvement in the community. ‘Well known throughout the Peninsula, Mr. Whait was an ex-serviceman and a past-president of the Port Lincoln RSL sub-branch. He was chairman of the Town Band. For two years he was president of Port Lincoln A. & H. Show, and was active in reviving the local Show, which had lapsed for 30 years. He was also interested in the Port Lincoln Homing Society. He played an active part in Local Government affairs. In 1952 he succeeded his brother Mr. W. (Bill) Whait as Councillor for Boston Ward. He held that office until he retired from the Council in June this year. He was the son of the late Mr. D. O. Whait, who was elected Mayor of Port Lincoln in 1928 and held that office for five years. The funeral, probably one of the largest here for many years, left for Happy Valley Cemetery on Tuesday.’
The extended family placed tributes to him. ‘WHAIT — On September 24 his residence (suddenly), Raymond Douglas, beloved stepfather of Len, father-in-law of Marie and dearly loved pa of Dale and Larry. Aged 52 years. At Rest. WHAIT, Raymond Douglas (Lofty) — Esteemed pal of Vera and Jack. Loving Uncle Ray of Francis and Ben. WHAIT — On September 24 at his residence (suddenly) Raymond Douglas Wilfred (Lofty), second son of the late David and Millie Whait. Loved brother of Bill, Jack, Bob, Joyce (Mrs. Feltus) and Tops (Mrs. Hegarty). Aged 52 years. Resting. WHAIT — On September 24, at his residence, 10 Tennant Street, Port Lincoln (suddenly) Raymond Douglas Wilfred (Lofty), beloved husband of Myrtle Lillian Whait (Bonnie), late 2nd AIF 48th Batt. Aged 52 years. In God's care.’
A modest plaque in recognition of Raymond ‘Lofty’s’ service is in the Port Lincoln Happy Valley Cemetery.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.