Ralph enlisted on 14 Jul 1941 and joined the 2/2nd on Timor as a Staff Sergeant from 2/1st Australian Fortress Company, after the fall of Koepang, approx March 1942. He served in "D" Platoon as the Quartermaster Sergeant.
After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on either 11 Dec 1942 or 16 Dec 1942, as the embarkation rolls do not differentiate.
On return to Australia, it is believed that he stayed with 2/1st Australian Fortress Company, was promoted to Lieutenant Jul 1943.
He was discharged on 6 Nov 1945. His entry on the WW2 Nominal Roll has a Service No 110315 which generally denotes post WW2 service. His service papers will not be available for sometime.
He joined Trans Australian Airlines and held management positions in Queensland, South Australia and Northern Australia. In 1966 he was posted to New Guinea and assisted in forming a national airline, returned to Australia in 1976 and retired in 1983.
Ralph was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) "For service to the aviation industry" on 8th of June, 1981, Queens Birthday List.
Edited by Peter Epps
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