Vale – WO1 Ray “Dasher” Deed BEM MID – 31st Infantry Battalion Association

Dear Members & Friends of the 31st Bn Assoc. It is my 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 aftrnoon of Thursday 19th Sept.

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If you wish to post a Card to the Family – Post it to – “The Family”of WO1 Ray Deed BEM MID (Retd), 11 Hassall St. Corinda Q’ld 4075.

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I have been advised that the Funeral service will be held at St Josephs Church Clewley St. Corinda on Friday 27th Sept at 11am.

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For those members who live Cabooture north to the Sunshine Coast, who wish to attend the Service, you can catch an Ipswich or Springfield Train to CORINDA Station. It is a short walk to the Church just past the RSL Sub Branch on the Other side of Oxley Rd. For those unable to walk I will arrange transport from the Station to the Church.

However as there are Rail line Upgrades taking place, on the north side of Brisbane you may wish to check prior to planing your trip.

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For those travelling by car please Note, – the Indooroopilly Bridge is Closed, so it would be necessary to travel via Ipswich Rd.

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DRESS:- Jacket & Tie, Beret, Medals, Name Tag.

Please RSP to me by Wed 25th if you will be attending

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Tony Wadeson

Secretary (Brisbane Branch) 31st Bn Assn

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Further information from Tony:

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Members, & friends – 97 year old Ray “Dasher” Deed, – 3RAR, & one of the few surviving “Battle of Kapyong” Veterans. – Vietnam Vet – AATTV. – Our oldest 31st Bn member, (Regular WO2 Cadre attachment) Townsville in the 60’s – WO1 -RSM, 51st Bn, Cairns.

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In the fortnight before his passing he had been seriously ill in the PA Hospital Brisbane (Intensive care).

Age has now caught up with our great mate, and a week before his passing he was transferred to Canossa Private Hospital (Pallative Care) Magdalene Wing- OXLEY.

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Dasher’s son Michael contacted me and advised that family members visited him, & Dasher was his normal self, – asking Questions & issuing instructions almost up to the end.

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Recent Photos of Dasher. First with Keith Payne VC & others, Taken at our 31st Bn (Brisbane Brch) – Battle of Fromelles Commemoration Service on 19th July at Ipswich RSL

Photo of Members of the AATV & Korean War Veterans on receipt of their Second – US – Presidential Citation (Dasher second on left)

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Regards To all.

Tony.

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“Dasher”with Keith Payne VC & others, Taken at our 31st Bn (Brisbane Brch) –

Battle of Fromelles Commemoration Service on 19th July at Ipswich RSL

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Members of the AATV & Korean War Veterans on receipt of their

Second – US – Presidential Citation (Dasher second on left)

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Tony has received the following email from Assn Member Warren Gunder who has fond memories of his service with Dasher:

Hi Tony, I am saddened by the passing of Dasher and hope that you will pass on my condolences to the family. Dasher was a significant person in my time as an officer. He was there when I was first commissioned and cadre WO of the coy. When posted to 51RQR on FTD he arrived as the RSM and of course later we both served in the Trg Team. Since then I have been involved with him to some degree on a social level. He was a very special soldier, always calm and collected and very wise with his advice. He is one person from my army career of whom I will have very fond memories. Vale Dasher.

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Final Tribute to “Dasher”

By Our Honorary Member in France Pierre Seillier

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Memorial Service Cover

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Ray’s Family Gathering for his 90th

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