These profiles and stories were donated to the RAAF Museum by the Gold Coast Branch of the Air Crew Association.

Service Profiles: Ray Lackey

Ray Lackey MAP (Civil), after 12 months as an Army Signaller, flew as a pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War 2, joining on 16 December 1942. He was discharged from Bradfield Park with the rank of Flight Lieutenant.

Trained through the Empire Air Training scheme, Ray experienced its intensive training program on his way to active service in the European theatre.

During that period, he flew Tiger Moths, Cessna Cranes, Avro Ansons, Walrus' and Mosquitos.

Ray's postings took him to No. 5 Initial Training School (ITS) in Perth, WA; No. 10 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) at Temora, NSW; No. 3 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) Calgary, Canada; No. 1 Aircrew Officers School (ACOS) Hereford, Wales; Naval Co-operation School, Portsmouth, UK; No. 6 Beam Approach Training (BAT), Chipping Warden, UK; No. 6 (P) Advanced Flying/Operational Training Unit (AFU/OTU) Little Rissington and Chipping Norton, UK; 464 Squadron, Thorney Island, UK; and finally, 14 Air Crew Holding Unit (ACHU) Millom and Brighton, UK. On returning to Australia, Ray was posted to an administrative appointment in charge of the Leave and Documents Section at No. 2 Personnel Depot, Bradfield Park, NSW, prior to discharge in August 1946.

Post-war, Ray continued his flying career as an airline pilot, flying numerous civil airliners, and was awarded the Civil decoration of Master Air Pilot.