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IN MEMORIAM

 

 

 

Hilary ‘Ray’ STARBUCK

 

28th March 1936 - 11th January 2014

 

Army Apprentices School, Arborfield.

Intake 52A

 

 

 

1952

 

2010

 

 

 

Mr Ray Starbuck : Obituary

 

Published in the ChesterfieldToday  newspaper on 16th January 2014 (Distributed in Chesterfield)

 

Mr Ray Hilary Starbuck, of Hasland, has died at home, aged 77.  Born at Brimington and a resident of the area for 37 years, he left school at 14 and joined the boys service section of the Army for two years. He joined the full Army and served 24 years until 1976.  He then was a service reception engineer at Kennings and latterly worked as a postman until his retirement in 1994.  Mr Starbuck enjoyed shooting, walking, caravanning, gardening and spending time with his family and his dog.  He leaves widow Marie, daughters Lynn and Tracey, son David, grandchildren Niall, Sarah, Lauren, Stephen, James and Rachel.  The service is due to take place at Chesterfield crematorium, on Friday, January 17 at 3.50pm.

Funeral directors: Harold Lilleker & Sons Ltd, 369 Hasland Road, Hasland, Chesterfield.

 

 

 

Notifications from the A.O.B.A. web site Forum.

 

Ray Starbuck 52A RIP

by Trevor 52A » Tue Jan 14, 2014 8:03 pm

 

Sadly I have received news of the recall to HQ of Ray Starbuck 52A. After an extended stay in hospital, Ray returned home to spend his last few hours surrounded by the love and care of his family. He passed away at 06.00hrs the next morning, 11th January 2014.

The service for Ray will be at 15.50hrs, Friday 17th January, at Chesterfield Crematorium, Brimington Road, and then at The Devonshire Arms in Hasland.

Trevor 52A. (Trevor Stubberfield 52A)

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by GregPeck53b » Tue Jan 14, 2014 8:55 pm

 

Very sorry to hear of yet another loss from our ranks Trevor. Condolences and sympathy to the family and close friends that Ray leaves behind.

RIP Ray Starbuck

Greg. (Greg Peck 53B)

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by Derek Driver » Wed Jan 15, 2014 12:13 pm

 

May I also offer my condolences to Ray's family.

RIP

Derek (Derek Driver 57A)

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by TeeCee55A » Wed Jan 15, 2014 12:32 pm

 

Too many, too soon.

Yet another of our dwindling brethren called to HQ.

Rest in Peace, Ray. Sincere condolences to all of the family.

TeeCee (Tony Church 55A)

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by Thommo » Thu Jan 16, 2014 12:40 am

 

This is not the way I want 2014 to start Rest in Peace Ray I recall your name at Arborfield but as with age faces become a blur .

Thommo 53B (JohnThomson 53B)

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by Herbie66b » Fri Jan 17, 2014 2:15 pm

 

Rest in peace, Ray, our sincere condolences to Ray's family and friends.

Herbie 66B (John Coles 66B)

 

 

Family Tribute.

 

We are here today to pay our last respects to a unique person it was your privilege to know.  Three overriding themes came across to me as I spoke with his family.

Army man.  Gentle man. And above all else; family man.

Ray Starbuck was the only son of four children, born to parents George and Lily.  Only Betty survives.  His sisters Jean and Eileen predecease him.

Ray was born in Brimington on the 28th March 1936.  His early years were shaped by World War Two with its rations, blackouts and air-raids.  With his father in the Army this would no doubt be a worrying time for this small boy left with a family of women.

Ray attended Brimington Boys School and from here he went to Tapton House Grammar School until he left at the age of thirteen.  With The War over and peace time resumed; Ray and his family went to Egypt where his father was posted and he attended The Moascar School, for forces children.  A very competent swimmer I was shown Ray’s certificates he received at First and Second Class levels. He also saved a man from drowning as a boy and swam across the Suez Canal.

As soon as he was old enough, Ray returned to Britain from Egypt and along with his mates he signed up to join the Army.  He attended the Army Apprenticeship School at Arborfield.  Here he trained be a Vehicle Mechanic and completed his Engineering Apprenticeship.  His certificate told me that Ray’s conduct was recorded as exemplary.

Ray served with The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers for a total of twenty four years.  He reached the rank of sergeant and was attached to various units over the years; mainly working on his own as part of the Inspectorate Team for BFPO.  Ray had been awarded a number of medals including his Long Service and Good Conduct medal.  He had served in Malaysia, Hong Kong and Canada in addition to many other countries.  When he struggled to sleep in hospital he would follow Marie’s advice to try to remember all the countries he had visited. Ray had also been part of the United Nations Team and had been a member of The Army’s shooting team.

Romance came into Ray’s life when he was stationed in York.  He and a mate had dates with two young ladies in the Royal Observer Corps and in 1955 they started going out together (Ray had no choice but to turn up at the church as with Marie’s 5 brothers to answer to); Ray was separated from his Yorkshire Lass for three years while undertaking a tour of duty in Malaya but kept in touch with letters written every day.  When he returned in 1959 he had saved quite a bit of money so he considered what to spend it on.  Two choices, a car or a wedding?  Sense prevailed and he and Marie married in 1959 in York with only three weeks planning.

They moved to Antwerp, Belgium in the August of 59 where they spent 5 years.  From there they moved to Tripoli; Colchester; Tidworth; Warminster; and Dusseldorf.  Their marriage was blessed with their three children; Lynn, Tracey and Dave.   His children recalled walking at the weekend with their parents, long family walks which usually concluded near a pub.  Holidays were very much water based and Ray taught all his children to swim.

At the end of his army career, it was decided to settle down in Chesterfield close to his extended family.  Ray’s first job in Civvie Street was as a Service Reception Engineer for Kennings. He then went on to become a postman, a job which he loved.  Returning to his Derbyshire roots they moved to Inkersall before buying a house at New Whittington then their bungalow at Hasland. 

Further blessings in their life came with the arrival of their grandchildren.  Ray and Marie have six grandchildren in total; Niall, Sarah, Lauren, Stephen, James and Rachel.  Ray found great pleasure in spending time with his grandchildren and among many things, teaching them to dive.  For twelve years or more, holidays in France were enjoyed with Lynn and/or Tracey, and their families. Lynn also remembers their time in Egypt when her and her dad spent 5 hours snorkelling in the Red Sea without returning to the shore. Ray was also a member of the Caravan Club and many enjoyable breaks were taken at Clumber Park, with Marie and the dog or dogs and with Dave and his family.  Holidays a plenty were enjoyed and Marie told me they went on eight last year.  In 2009 to celebrate their golden wedding they had enjoyed a cruise and stay in the Dominican Republic with Tracey and her family.  Here Ray had enjoyed snorkelling and lapping up the sunshine.  He was very proud of his tan which had been built up throughout his life. There was a bit of competition between him and his sister Jean. Seeing who could get the brownest, fastest, using oil and vinegar. 

Ray was very much a gentleman.  He was a social drinker who enjoyed a drink, including ”bonding sessions” with his son. Lynn recalls their times in France when many tipples were enjoyed around the tents and caravans. Drunkenly chasing Maybugs round with a fly swat at Olonne Sur Mer provided many hilarious memories. Rum and coke had been his tipple but more latterly it had been a glass of wine or port with a piece of Blue Stilton. 

A saver rather than a spender, Ray was frugal and enjoyed bargain hunting at the car boot sales.  Hobbies had included shooting in his younger days; tinkering and making things in his garage; caravanning, walking with their dogs; as well as swimming and holidays as was mentioned earlier.  He loved to go on the water slides and there was always a competition to see who could go the fastest.  Ray would be going so fast he would be curling round the sides of the flume.  He enjoyed a good film and loved reading too.  He read many different types of books and enjoyed spy, intrigue and army type novels.  Above all else, this gentle gentleman will be remembered as a man who was at the heart of his family.  While ever you keep his memory alive there he will remain.

Death leaves a heart ache no one can heal.  Love leaves memories no one can steal.

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You can shed tears that he is gone,

Or you can smile because he lived,

You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back,

Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see him,

Or you can be full of the love that you shared,

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,

Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember him and only that he is gone,

Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on,

You can cry and close your mind,

Be empty and turn your back,

Or you can do what he would want,

Smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

 

 

 

 

Ray contributed photos to the ‘Arborfield & The September 49ers’ web site.

They can be seen by Clicking in the Wreath below.