A state funeral to honour the life and achievements of Mr Ray Merrill DFC will take place at 11:00am on Thursday 30 July 2026 at in the Main Chapel of Berry’s Funeral Home, 204 Magill Rd, Norwood. Please enter the Chapel Carpark via Prosser Avenue.
Image used with permission from the Australian War Memorial. Photo by Leanne King, Australian Institute of Professional Photographers
The state funeral will honour Mr Merrill’s life, achievements and extraordinary courage as a South Australian World War II Bomber Command veteran and recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
In lieu of flowers, the family has kindly requested that individuals and organisations wishing to honour Mr Merrill, to donate to The Mary Potter Foundation.
Members of the public are welcome to attend and pay their respects. Please register to attend.
Watch the livestream
If you are unable to attend, the funeral will be livestreamed and available to watch from 11:00am ACST on Thursday 30 July 2026.
About Mr Ray Merrill DFC
Born in Port Augusta in 1922, Mr Merrill served his nation with immense courage as a tail gunner in the Royal Air Force’s 218 Squadron during World War II, completing 36 operational missions - six more than the standard tour of duty.
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for “skill and fortitude in operations against the enemy”, Mr Merrill’s service placed him among the pinnacle of the thousands of Australians whose bravery helped secure the freedoms we enjoy today.
At just 19 years of age, Mr Merrill enlisted to serve on Anzac Day in 1942 and completed his training two years later.
He went on to play a role in some of the most significant operations of the war, including the deception efforts supporting the D-Day landings.
His actions are testament to his remarkable courage and character.
On one mission, Mr Merrill removed by hand live incendiary bombs that had fallen from above into his Lancaster bomber, saving the aircraft and his fellow crew members from an explosion.
Mr Merrill was also awarded the 1939-1945 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945, Australian Service Medal 1939-1945 and the Légion d’Honneur by the French Government in 2015.
He returned to Australia in 1945, working in Port Augusta with Commonwealth Railways and Tanunda with Orlando Wines, before retiring in Adelaide in 1982.
