Kokoda vet Raymond Wilson remembered as devoted family man

A three-time Kokoda veteran who survived the horrors of war is being remembered as a military ‘legend’ and devoted family man who sang his grandchildren to sleep with wartime love songs.

A three-time Kokoda veteran who survived the horrors of war is being remembered as both a military “legend” as well as a devoted family man who sang his great grandchildren to sleep with wartime lullabies and love songs.

Vera Lynn’s “We’ll Meet Again” was once sung by young soldiers longing for home through the terrors of World War II, but Private Raymond Wilson would later sing it as a lullaby to his baby granddaughter.

It seems incredible he flipped the ballads of a wretched time into a soundtrack for family joy, considering he served three tours on the notorious Kokoda Trail, witnessed gruesome torture, and lost friends to exploding coconuts.

Music is tied to memories of the late veteran, with Mr Wilson farewelled with Kate Smith’s “Goodnight Sweetheart”, a tune he would croon to his great granddaughter.

Mr Wilson, who died on April 2 at age 101, is being remembered as “a legend” – not just for tales of his bravery in Papua New Guinea but also for his dedication as a doting father, grandfather, great grandfather, and great great grandfather.

Private Raymond "Ray" Wilson survived World War II, serving in New Guinea, and lived to 101 years old. Photo: Contributed

After surviving wartime horrors – which family members said he often kept close to his chest – he returned to work the cane fields he grew up on in Hay Point.

But over the years, he did divulge some memories which have since become legendary.

“One time he said his platoon went into the jungles of New Guinea and they got lost,” Mr Wilson’s daughter Karen Hutchinson said.

“But because he was a country person, he got them all out and back to the camp.

Studio portrait of QX18860 Private Raymond Wilson who served during the Second World War, part of 'Reflections – Honouring our World War Two Veterans'. Photo: David Phillips

“He told us a little bit but he said he wouldn’t tell much to his daughters because it was too horrifying.”

“He was a tough man (and) he brought us up to be what we are today.

“We just loved him.”

Son-in-law Michael Austin said Ray had seen Japanese soldiers impaling men on bamboo spikes, a friend blown up by a landmine hidden under a coconut, and a Port Moresby jetty bombing that killed the doctor he was waiting for.

Pte. Raymond Wilson was born in Mackay in 1921, serving in WWII and working as a cane farmer once he was lucky enough to return home. War record: Contributed by Mackay RSL sub-branch military historian Graham Jackson.

“There’s a lot, lot more stuff I can’t mention”, Michael said, adding troubles continued to bother Mr Wilson as a returned serviceman.

“He used to say, (when he got back) the government screwed me and they’ve screwed me ever since … like no help from the government.”

Mackay RSL sub-branch president Ken Higgins, who presented a slouch hat to Mr Wilson shortly before his passing, said Pte Wilson was “a wonderful, wonderful person” who was a “hands-on guy who loved fishing”.

“He lived in the Mackay area all his life other than we when he was in the war (and) we were honoured to be a part of his farewell,” Mr Higgins said.

Mackay World War II veteran Private Raymond Wilson, 101, was honoured with a special presentation by Mackay RSL sub-branch president Ken Higgins at his Hay Point home on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Picture: Contributed

Mr Wilson was buried in a full army uniform procured by Mr Higgins and farewelled by a ceremonial bagpiper and bugle player.

His coffin was a custom Creative Coffins design featuring his memorabilia, medals, and his original war portrait with one side of the coffin covered in red poppies and the other in cane fields.

Private Raymond Wilson was buried in a custom Coffin Creative design. Photo: Contributed

Mr Wilson, born on July 10, 1921, shared seven children with his wife Mary: Karen, Janet Wilson, Raylie Wilson, Sherril Wilson, Brenda Austin, Stephen Wilson, and David Wilson (now deceased).

His legacy grew to a point his recent 100th birthday celebrations at his Hay Point property required a jumping castle to entertain his more than two dozen grandchildren.

Sharee Wilson said her grandfather loved to give his grandchildren gifts of “money every birthday (and) every Christmas”.

Raymond and Mary Wilson on their wedding day. Photo: Contributed

Ms Wilson said her favourite memory of Ray was him singing “Goodnight Sweetheart” to her seven-month-old daughter Mia just this January.

“He would laugh because (Mia) always kicks in the bouncer … (so) he starts singing, ‘Goodnight sweetheart, I’ll see you again in the morning’, and then he laughs,” Sharee said.

Mr Wilson was farewelled on April 14 in Mackay.