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Ray's Funeral
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A very good man
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Ray had a wondeful and respectful service at the church and crematorium.
Both very well atended.
Rest in peace Ray and many thanks for all you have done for the club and its members.
MMBFC
Ray was a long standing member of the club. Served on the committee for many years.
Vice Commodore for 2 years.
Commodore for 2 years 2015-2017
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Media report below
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Media report below
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Media report below
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On January 28, Drum Major Raymond (Ray) George Bennett lost his battle with motor neurone disease.
Ray, 78, was born in Mumbles in 1939 and went to school in Oystermouth.
He
joined the Army Cadets, aged 12, and on leaving school joined the Army
as a driver in the Royal Army Service Corps (later the Royal Corp of
Transport).
He was a bandsman in the RCT Regimental Pipe Band and became the drum major (the smartly dressed man at the front).
On leaving the Army he re-joined the Army cadets and continued as a drum major in the bugle and drum band.
He was commissioned as a lieutenant and spent many happy years in the
band along with his nephew Mike Hurst (Tipper – lead drummer) and his
father George William Bennett (regimental sergeant major).
Ray
was very well known for founding the City of Swansea Pipe band which
started in 1971, of which he was the last remaining founding member.
Band
practice was religiously attended, often with children and then
grandchildren in tow, and band engagements regular, which according to
his daughter he thoroughly enjoyed and was always meticulously dressed
for.
In civilian life, Ray worked as a butcher for Dewhurst and a delivery
driver for Munday’s Wine Merchants, before becoming a senior technician
for British Telecom who he worked for until he retired.In civilian life, Ray worked as a butcher for Dewhurst and a delivery
driver for Munday’s Wine Merchants, before becoming a senior technician
for British Telecom who he worked for until he retired.
He leaves wife, Pam, and children, Chris and Tracy. |
Ray
was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December 2015 after his
first symptoms became apparent when he could no longer keep up with his
beloved band on parade.
In due course he was unable to
participate in the band engagements but continued to be an active member
of the band, and enjoyed teaching the junior members how to drum.
During
his illness Ray attended Ty Olwen day care centre where he met a music
therapist who was inspired to write an article about his courage and
ability to give despite his declining physical ability.
Jill Williams What a fantastic tribute Pam, you must be so proud, we have been friends a long time love and hugs.
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In September 2016 the band surprised their Drum Major with a flashmob outside his house in Gorseinon.
It
was his wife’s birthday and the whole family had gathered for a party
and persuaded him to dress up in his band uniform for a family photo.
“You can imagine his surprise and delight with the fantastic tribute they paid him,” said daughter Tracy.
“There was not a dry eye in the house.” |
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