By REBECCA BILLS
AT 98 years of age, Mount Evelyn Returned Services League (RSL) member Ralph Groube Proctor sadly passed away last week.
The well-known community figure, born on 20 February, 1915, passed away peacefully in Lilydale on Sunday 8 December.
A keen member of the Mount Evelyn community, Mr Proctor built a life for his beloved wife Helen and their children in the town.
Mr Proctor was on the Mount Evelyn Primary School Committee, planting many of the trees surrounding the school oval.
He was also an active member of the Silvan Fruit Growers’ Association and the first man to serve on the Birmingham Road Kindergarten Committee.
Mr Proctor also served on the Mount Evelyn Scout Committee, was a long-time member of the Mount Evelyn Progress Association and a lieutenant in the local Red Cross door knock appeal.
In Mr Proctor’s autobiography, “Aim High – Proc’s Journey,” he said that when the war broke out in Europe in 1939, he joined the Royal Australian Air Force and participated in World War II.
“I watched a lot of my mates lose their lives,” he said.
“I was one of the fortunate ones to have survived.”
Mr Proctor relived his humble beginnings in Hay, New South Wales and moving to Monbulk in his teens to a live on a farming block with his family. “The last 90 years have not all been easy – there has been great joy and sorrow,” he said.
“I have always aimed high at everything I undertook – to do the best I could under each circumstance.
“It is now up to each and every one of my children, all of whom I am extremely proud, to carry on the tradition of aiming high in their journeys through life.”
Mr Proctor was a 295 Squadron RAAF Veteran of D-Day and Arnhem Member of the Mount Evelyn RSL.
President Roger Boness described him as a loving and proud family man, an esteemed member and a true gentleman.
“Ralph was a huge member in the RSL and flew in Bomber Command in Europe,” he said.
“He is also the only member from the Mount Evelyn RSL that still fits his original uniform.”
Mr Boness said Mr Proctor was a very engaging person who was able to talk about a lot of topics.
“He really was a distinguished person all round who was very proud of his family and his war contributions.”
In 2003, Mr Proctor donated his entire collection of wartime memorabilia to the Mount De Lancey War Museum and where it serves as a permanent collection.
Mr Proctor was the father of seven and adored grandfather to 17 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
A service to celebrate Mr Proctor’s life was held on Monday 16 December at William Matthews Funeral Home.
