26/07/2026
๐ฝ๐๐๐ ๐น๐๐ โ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐๐โ ๐ฏ๐๐๐๐๐๐ (1927 โ 2026) ๐ค
It is with heavy hearts and a profound sense of loss but also gratitude for knowing the man, that we say goodbye to our great mate, Ray โBigglesโ Hancock, who has left us at the grand age of 99.
Ray was far more than an extraordinary man, he was a force of nature who truly lived five lifetimes in one. His passing leaves the Kenthurst community sad but also grateful for the legacy that Ray has left behind. His legacy remains an absolute inspiration to everyone lucky enough to have known him.
To quote Julian Leeser, โWith Rayโs passing, we lose a precious, living piece of our history, a final link to the Greatest Generation.โ
In 1944, as a boy in England, at just 17 years of age, Ray bravely volunteered to fly for the Royal Navy. He had an innate gift for the skies, earning his wings after a mere eight hours of training. Then onto Pensacola in America to undertake advanced training.
When Ray returned to the UK after flight training on 'Harvard trainersโ at Pensacola, he was posted to โcombat flight trainingโ in England on โSeafiresโ, which were the Royal Navyโs version of the Spitfire. However, the RN soon found that the relatively delicateโ undercarriage on these very light-weight and nimble aircraft were too delicate to withstand the abrupt hard landing on the steel of a moving aircraft carrier. The retractable wheels just collapsed. Therefore, the RN accepted American-built Chance Vought โCorsairโ (โgull-wingedโ) fighters for deployment. Ray was then posted to Ceylon under Lord Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander, South East Asia Command (SEAC), where he flew the Chance Vought โCorsairโ. Ray soared, albeit these aircraft were so powerful that they were difficult and dangerous to fly, which makes Rayโs achievements all the more commendable.
He was an ordinary man who, when the world needed it most, rose up to do truly extraordinary things.
Anyone doing what Ray did would be entitled to have told the world, not Ray, you could not meet a more humble and gracious man, never one to promote or exaggerate his involvement and heroics. Ray knew that war was a terrible thing with so many people who suffered greatly.
Yet, for all his adventures in the sky, Rayโs greatest chapter began on the ground when he met his dearly loved wife, Jenny, in Adelaide. Theirs was a relationship that all good romance books are or should be based on, enduring love and happiness. Their beautiful love story eventually brought them to Kenthurst over 30 years ago. Together, side-by-side, they poured their hearts into our community, through the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (Kenthurst Brigade) and the Rotary Club of Kenthurst.
After moving to the Kenthurst area on retirement, Ray Hancock joined the Kenthurst Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade on1 June 1992. He and His wife Jenny both became involved with Brigade activities, with Ray being a regular attender at fire calls and hazard reductions and Jenny being involved with the Communications Brigade. Ray was a man who young and old gravitated to. With a twinkle in his eye, great humour and an infectious laugh, Ray could beguile an audience.
The Brigade renamed Ray as Biggles, named after the leather cap and goggles he used to wear while driving his vintage car in the local annual Orange Blossom Parade, that and of course, his history of flying aircraft for the British Navy during World War 2.
One of the last fires Ray attended was a night where a number of piles were being burnt and we needed to head out and fill up many times to refill the other tankers. All that getting in and out of our Cat 7 was the last straw for his hip. After a hip replacement he did more passive roles, such as his involvement in the Firewise courses run at the station.
He didn't just stand ready to protect his neighbours from the threat of fire, he dedicated himself to keeping them safe long before the smoke ever rose. Ray was deeply passionate about community education and engagement. Ray was an integral part of the Firewise team for a number of years and many course participants would remember being greeted by Ray and Jenny as they arrived for the course.
For many years, locals would find his familiar, welcoming face at the fire station during 'FireWise' training sessions, where he patiently shared vital safety knowledge with residents. He protected this community with his actions, nurtured it with his wisdom, and loved it with all his heart. This unwavering local devotion was beautifully recognised when he was honoured with a NSW Senior Festival Local Achievement Award.
A lot of brigade members grew close to Ray and on several occasions we were happy to help out on the property with mowing and chain sawing, during times when he was incapacitated.
Ray attended monthly meetings and provided input for many years after his โactiveโ days were behind him.
Ray fought for the values we hold dear: freedom, democracy, and community spirit. Whether he was safeguarding our skies, educating families at the fire station, or supporting the Rotary Club of Kenthurst, his life was an enduring masterclass in service. Ray was a valued member for many years and will be sadly missed.
Now that his watch has ended, it falls upon us to carry his torch and ensure those virtues never vanish from the earth.
Our deepest love and prayers are with his devoted wife, Jenny and his family We have lost a hero, a mate, and a beautiful soul, but we are infinitely richer for having shared the road with him.
Lest We Forget ๐บ๐ค
