A humble hero who lit up a room

Ray Parke, a war veteran who was often featured in Just Sprowston and Just Thorpe St Andrew, has died – three months short of his 100th birthday.

An RAF Bomber Command Flight Engineer during the Second World war, he completed 40 operations – 39 of them over Germany – with 218 Squadron from October 1944 to March 1945, flying Lancasters from Methwold and Chedburgh.

The average was 30 missions with a two- week life expectancy, so this was some feat.

The airmen carried out crucial bombing raids in an area of West Capelle, Holland, that was overrun with Nazis and saved the village. In recognition of his role helping to liberate the area, he was awarded The Netherlands Liberation Medal by the Dutch government in 2023.

He was also presented with the Légion d’Honneur by the French government in 2018 and met our own King Charles in May 2023, when they chatted about flying experiences and the long-lasting effects of PTSD.

Ray, who lived at The Warren care home, was born in April 1925 and grew up in Thorpe.

Such was his life, he had a documentary made about him last year by UEA student Finlay Brown.

Ray’s Last Mission premiered at The Warren last year, with a red carpet reception before a special screening.

After leaving the RAF in 1947, Ray worked for Norwich Union until 1985, as the legal department manager.

He also contributed to books and commemoration events as one of the last survivors of the war, and was a popular figure at local schools and groups, where he talked about his experiences.

His friend Dale Wiseman said: “Ray was a warm, engaging character – always interested in what other people were up to. He never saw himself as a hero, rather as one of the lucky ones who was here and able to share his stories… His smile and welcoming character would light up a room.”

Ray died on January 12 and staff at the Barchester Healthcare-run home said he would be greatly missed. “We were extremely saddened by the loss of one of our great residents,” said general manager Elizabeth Tacliad. “It’s always like losing a family member when a resident passes.”