Vale Raymond Deed – 3 RAR Korean War and Vietnam AATTV (25/04/1927 – 19/09/2024)

Dear Korea Veterans, Widows, Families, Friends and Supporters,

This is sad but inevitable news I have received from Michael, Son of Ray Deed, 3 RAR Korean War and Vietnam AATTV:

“…. my father Raymond Deed passed away peacefully on 19 September 2024 13:36 at Canossa Private Hospital, Oxley.
… A Memorial Service will be held in his honour
On Friday 27 September
At St Joseph’s Church, 624 Oxley Road, Corinda QLD 4075.
Time is yet be finalised but service will be around 11:00.
Service will be followed by a Reception at the Sherwood Indooroopilly  RSL Sub-Branch afterwards.

Notices will be published as soon as timing is finalised.”

I copy below a posting of Ipswich RSL Sub Branch Facebook:
“VALE
Raymond Deed joined the Australian Army and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR).

Raymond served 292 days in Korea from 28 September 1950, when the Australians arrived at Pusan, through to 16 July 1951. He attained the rank of sergeant and retained vivid memories of his war service.

At Kapyong, Raymond recalled many of the Chinese prisoners captured in Korea acted as if they were ‘happy to be taken’. One prisoner showed him a photograph of his family, which got Raymond to thinking that the enemy were no different to himself.

He also remembered the tragic and heartbreaking sight of refugees, loaded up with all their meagre possessions and heading south away from the fighting.

The memory that haunted him most, though, was of watching a boy of about 10 walking down a road to cross a bridge that was about to be destroyed by United States (US) Army engineers. Raymond was in a concealed position and could only watch on in horror, counting the boy’s steps as the seconds wound down. The bridge exploded as the boy began to cross. He was blown up and into the river below, where he was apparently rescued alive by the US troops.

Raymond would later serve in Vietnam, where he was Mentioned in Dispatches.
The 31st Infantry Battalion Association has the sad duty to advise you of the passing of our Oldest Member, – Soldier Hero, – Our Mentor in all things Army, – Our Great Mate, – Great Family Man, – True Blue Aussie. – WO1 Ray “Dasher” Deed BEM MID. Dasher died peacefully, surrounded by Family, in the afternoon of Thursday 19th Sept.
Ray was a member of Sherwood RSL Sub Branch. Our thoughts are with Ray’s Family and friends at this sad time.
Lest We Forget”

Thank you and Kindest regards,

Yang Kim
0419 919 034
ykk@tpg.com.au