Born in County Durham, Ray joined the Bermuda Police in July 1964 and, along with a group of 9 overseas recruits, together with Wayne Perinchief and Del Trott,  he attended Basic Training Course #5 before being posted to Central Division (Hamilton)  and then to Operations (Traffic).

Ray was a super fit sportsman.  He was a regular player on one of our best ever Police football teams, and was introduced to squash by Clive Donald when squash was played at the former millitary court at Prospect  with its leaky roof and concrete floor.  Ray quickly took to the game and became a member of the Bermuda Squash team, playing both here and abroad.

An exceptionally talented Bermuda Police Football Team

In 1966 Ray and three of his colleagues, Duncan Batchelor, Mike Caulkett and Jim McIlwain embarked on an 8,000 mile road trip around the U.S. and Mexico, and in July 1967 Ray decided to emigrate to Canada where he and his wife Sylvia settled in Vancouver.  Ray took up teaching and stayed active with lots of cycling and gym work, and over the years he and Sylvia have hosted and entertained many of his former colleagues  from the Bermuda Police. CLICK HERE to  read more about Ray in our "Then and Now" column.

We last heard from Ray earlier this year when he mentioned that he was looking forward to some of the World Cup football matches which are scheduled to be played in Vancouver next year.  

Rayand Sylvia with their two sons, daughter and two grandchildren 

We offer our sincere condolences to Sylvia and their 3 children and grandchildren, and to his good friends Dave and Elizabeth Needham. It was Dave who forwarded to us the sad news of Ray’s passing.

18th October 2025