129674 LAC
Ralph Lewis
23 April 1925 - 13 February 2015.
20 Squadron, Darwin & Air Gunnery School, West Sale RAAF
Father of Stephen (Lewis) and grandfather of Daniel (& Son)
Ralph, a young man of 17 years and 9 months, enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during World War II in 1943 and served until 1946. Despite joining the RAAF to avoid being on boats due to his sea sickness, he ended up working on some of the only boats in the RAAF as a diesel mechanic. Ralph often joked that he was probably the worst diesel mechanic that ever existed.
During his time in the RAAF, Ralph was involved in air and sea search and rescue missions in Darwin, where he helped recover fallen soldiers from the water. He rarely spoke about his wartime experiences, and it was only later in life that his family discovered he still suffered from nightmares related to his time in the war. His wife, Susanne, learned that Ralph had developed an aversion to rice and fruit cake, which had been staple food items during his time in the war. His mother used to send him fruit cake in the mail every week as a taste of home.
After the war, Ralph returned to civilian life and worked at the Australian Taxation Office while studying accountancy at night school. He eventually established one of the largest credit unions, which thrived under his leadership for 40 years until his retirement. Ralph's core values of family and community were passed down through generations.
Even in retirement, Ralph remained active, working as an honorary bookkeeper for Stephen's business, handling payroll, and eventually training his grandson, Daniel, to take over the role. Daniel fondly remembers balancing the books with his grandfather every week over craft beer and snacks.
Continental Kosher Butcers, a third-generation family business in Australia with ancestral roots overseas, acknowledges and honors Ralph's sacrifice, as well as the sacrifices of other members of the Australian Defence Force.