Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ray was born in the northern farming area of Booleroo on the 24th March 1914. He was the oldest and only surviving son of Thomas Henry and Emma Louis Stagg and one of seven children. Ray grew up in Tarcowie, his mother’s hometown, a sheep farming area in the north of South Australia. The Stagg farm at Tarcowie was selected in 1876 with Thomas’ family travelling from Yanyarrie Station in a bullock dray, then living in a tent for six weeks as his parents cleared the land.
The day before Ray’s nineth birthday, his younger brother Cecil Kotz aged 7 years and 10 months died on the 23rd March ’23, a month after the youngest daughter Vida Evelyn was born. Ray’s second and youngest brother, nine-year-old Ian Thomas, died in the Boolaroo hospital just after Ray’s 21st birthday in June ‘35. Both young boys were buried in the Tarcowie Cemetery where their parents Thomas and Emma were eventually buried. Ray also had four sisters, Linda May, Audrey Ruth, Lola Beatrice and Vida Evelyn.
The Stagg children attended Tarcowie School, where at its peak in the early 1900’s 80 children, many from families of farm workmen attended with the local farm children. Ray played football for the local Tarcowie team, where at the conclusion of matches, afternoon tea was served, followed by an evening dance with people attending from Jamestown, Yongala and Yatina. At the end of the ’33 season, Ray was presented with a medal ‘for playing brilliant football during the season.’ Inevitably, that evening also concluded with dancing, including a waltz competition. Ray also played cricket for his local team, often being in the top scorers as a batsman but also performing creditably as a bowler.
Ray worked as a labourer until the outbreak of WWII when, having just turned 26, he enlisted on the 13th June ’40, becoming SX7311 in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. His initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before his battalion headed to Woodside for preliminary training. Following pre-embarkation leave the 2/48th the contingent then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 17th December 1940. On the trip over, Ray was admitted to hospital but had recovered by the time his battalion arrived.
There, the recruits completing a few months training in Cyrenaica before being on their way to serve in Tobruk, Syria and Egypt. By the start of April 1941, the 2/48th were in Tobruk where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to new enlistees. Ray was to become one of the famed Rats of Tobruk.
Conditions in the Middle East contributed to Ray contracting tonsilitis and being hospitalised in April ’41. Subsequently, by August he experienced high temperatures and a fever (Pyrexia Unknown Origin), spending another few weeks in hospital. At the commencement of the following year Ray was diagnosed with a deflected septum causing a few breathing problems. Back with his battalion, Ray received a gunshot wound to his left buttock at the end of October, but was fortunate to survive the injury.
Joh Glenn in his book Tobruk to Tarakan, describes the conditions at that time. ‘As the flies and heat made more than a couple of hours’ rest impossible, the men lolled in their holes and prepared their weapons for battle. When they moved off at 7:30 in the fading light there was little talking. There was a bitter night ahead. By ten o’clock the battalion was in position near Trig 29, waiting for the success signal of the 2/23rd.’
‘Waiting to go into battle is not a good thing and the 2/48th had long hours of it this night. As the hours dragged on some of the men dozed in the trucks while others moved up and down near their vehicles, often gazing at the exploding shells which seemed to be creeping nearer. One shell made a direct hit on a truck, and a man was killed, then another struck and seven were wounded.’ ‘Pieces of shrapnel were slapping into the ground near the 2/48th trucks, and men began scraping and digging shallow trenches.’
‘On the morning of the 30th October the khamsin rose and blotted out the sight of “man’s inhumanity to man”. It spread like a great shroud over Egypt, half burying the dead, and hid for a brief moment the hate and passion of war. And under its cover plans were laid for the final blow by the 2/48th Battalion.’ ‘The task was a tremendous one. The battalion had been fighting hard for six days and had suffered many casualties. We thought of ourselves as few enough then. But surely even the bravest amongst us would have shuddered if they could have known to what a weary handful we would be reduced to by morning…’ Ray was extremely fortunate to survive.
The Chronicle carried an extensive list of those injured. Ray was one of many from his battalion with others including SX9327 Lt,Tom H. Bowman, Ardrossan; SX7093 Cpl. Norm L. Badman; SX11069 Pte. Stanley J. Crowell. Price; SX 12741 Pte. Jack Hoey, Kadina; SX8268 Cpl William K Mackay, Snowtown; SX7669 Pte. William Miller, Booleroo Centre; SX11753 Pte. Terrence C. O'Connor, Adelaide: SX13763 Pte. Eric K. Reynolds, Novar Gardens; SX5991 Pte. Stanley G. Smith Croydon Park; and SX8539 Pte. Edward J. . Young, Inf., Morgan.
Leave back home saw the Areas’ Express publishing in March ‘43 that ‘Pte. Ray Stagg, A.I.F., who was wounded in the Middle East campaign is home on leave now with his parents, Mr and Mrs. Stagg Tarcowie, looking very fit and well again.’ All too soon, in August ’43 Ray was again sent overseas to New Guinea to face a totally different enemy and in very different tropical conditions.
By the end of October, ’45 Ray finally left Morotai and headed home to peace in Australia. He was discharged on the 21st November with his war over. Ray had met Mollie Elizabeth Montford, a farmer’s daughter from Willowie. Soon after his return, the young couple announced their engagement in February ’46 and married in April that year at the Willowie Methodist Church on April 20th in a morning ceremony.
The couple were to have five children, Allan, Susan, Diana, Robyn and Grant.
Ray and Mollie were delighted to celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary in Port Lincoln in April ’96 with an afternoon tea. Two years later, aged 79, Mollie died in May ’98. Ray lived to be 86, and died two years after his much-loved Mollie on the 23rd May 2000. Both are buried in the RSL Garden of Remembrance Cemetery, Happy Valley, Port Lincoln. A plaque in their memory also celebrates Rayner’s service with the 2/48th Battalion. His family posted a fitting tribute in the Port Lincoln Times’ ‘STAGG, Rayner Ray -Passed away at the Port Lincoln Hospital on May 22, 2000. Aged 86 years. 2/48th Batt. SX7311. Loved husband of Molly (deceased), - father of Allan, Susan, Diana, Robyn, Grant and their families. Rest in peace.’
This was followed by extensive tributes. ‘STAGG, Rayner Ray -Son of Thomas Henry and Emma Louise (both deceased), brother of Cecil (deceased), Linda, Audrey, Lola, Vida and Ian (deceased). STAGG, Rayner Ray - Beloved father and father-in-law of Allan and Susan, Grandpa to Brenton, Michelle, Kimberley and Jacqueline, great grandpa to Ellise, Sevasti and Sophie. Reunited with Mum at last. STAGG, Rayner Ray - Loving father of Diana, father-in-law of Leon (Harder), loved Grandpa of Damon, Bronwyn and Justin, great grandpa of Brayden. Rest in peace Dad. STAGG, Rayner Ray - Dad and Mum reunited after 2 years Thanking you both for teaching us all so much.' Grant, Linda, Dan and Adam. STAGG, Rayner Ray Passed away May 22, 2000. Much loved father of Susan, father-in-law of Adrian, grandfather of Craig, Michael and Denise and great grandfather of Adam, Matthew, Madeleine and Gabriel. Gone to be with Mum, but forever in our hearts. At rest. STAGG, Rayner Ray Reunited with Mum at last. Loved father and Grandpa of Colin, Robyn, Jason, Michelle, Erin, Michael and Joshua. STAGG, Ray Long time member and keen supporter of LEPSH. Sadly missed by the members, the board, the staff and workers. Greatly admired by everyone!!’
Finally, the following year a poignant final tribute was made. ‘STAGG, Molly Elizabeth 9.5.98 RAYNER, Ray 23.5.00 - Reunited for a year now. Missed by all. Love Grant and Linda.’
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes, SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.