Jack Cyril Bray

1904-1968

BiographyJack Cyril Bray was born in 1904 in Kogarah, Sydney. He was brought up to work as a market gardener but in 1920, just before his 16th birthday, he volunteered with the RAN. His official number was 12360 and he was assigned as a trainee to HMAS TINGIRA as a Boy 2nd Class from 20 May 1920 until May 1921. Bray was then transferred to HMAS SYDNEY as a Boy 2nd Class. He officially commenced his engagement on 31 Dec 1922, aged 18, aboard HMAS SYDNEY as an Ordinary Seaman. Later that same year Bray was posted to HMAS PLATYPUS, a Submarine Depot ship originally built for the six J class submarines. According to Bray's service record he served aboard PLATYPUS and HMAS STALWART (I) between 9 September and 30 October 1922. From 31 October 1922 until 30 November 1925, Bray served aboard STALWART with three consecutive postings. Whilst aboard STALWART, Bray had been promoted to Able Seaman in 1923. Bray was then transferred to one of the sister S-class destroyers, HMAS SUCCESS (I).

Bray's final posting was to HMAS PENGUIN (II) where he served until 24 July 1929 when his seven year service was completed and he was discharged from the Navy. After two years of training and seven years of service in the RAN, Jack Cyril Bray was lucky to serve in the inter-war period. He returned to market gardening, working in Menai NSW, married Esme and had one child, Marjorie. He joined the Freemasons and was also a keen lawn bowls player. He died on 15 August 1968 and was buried at Woronora Cemetery along with his parents and near his wife Esme.

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