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 served in the second world war in the RAAF from 1943 to 1946, enrolling at 17 years and 9 months of age. He trained as a diesel mechanic and in his own words, he was probably the worst diesel mechanic that existed. He chose to join the RAAF to avoid any chance of being on boats as he got sea sick. Much to his dismay he ended up working on some of the only boats in the RAAF.
He was involved in air and sea search and rescue stationed in Darwin, principally in the recovery of fallen soldiers retrieved from the water. He tended to remain very silent about his time in the war and it was only very late in his life that his family became aware that he still suffered nightmares from it. His wife, Susanne had to take into account that Ralph could not tolerate rice and fruit cake as this was part of his staple diet in the war; the fruit cake of which was sent in the mail weekly by his mother for a taste of home.
After the war ended Ralph returned to working at the Australian Taxation Office, where he studied Accountancy at night school. Post the ATO he established one of the largest credit unions which thrived under his leadership until his retirement some 40 years later. Family and community were always part of his core values, which were passed down from generation to generation.
Post retirement, Ralph worked as an honorary book keeper for Stephen’s business and maintained the payroll, before training Daniel and handing over the baton. Daniel made the wages with his grandfather every week for a couple of years and celebrated balancing each week over craft beer and snacks.
Lewis & Son is a third generation family business in Australia and multiple generations prior overseas. We recognise and honour the sacrifice that Ralph and other members of the Australian Defence Force have made in serving for the country. We have decided to partner with Legacy this year to support the family of veterans. Between ANZAC Day and Pay It Forward Day we will be donating all profits from our web store sales to Melbourne Legacy.