Raymond Westley Moad was born in 1891, the 2nd youngest of 15 children born to Arthur Moad and his wife Mary Ann nee Ward who farmed Little Springs at Spring Hill. Arthur was the preacher at the Spring Hill Methodist church for 45 years; where he was also the superintendent of the Sunday School.
Raymond worked on the family farm; he enlisted in WWI in January 1916, aged 25. Ray served in the 4th Field Ambulance, and worked as a wardsman at Liverpool and Randwick Hospital for several months prior to embarkation.
Private Moad served for three years in England and France. It seems that he was most fortunate in that he escaped being wounded for the duration of his service. He returned to Australia on 10 August 1919. On the following Tuesday a public ceremony was held to welcome Raymond and five other soldiers back to Spring Hill. A “splendid banquet” was served, speeches delivered and musical items rendered.
Raymond resumed playing cricket, and was a member of the Spring Hill Reserve Grade Cricket Club during the 1920s. On 8 June 1927 he married Eva Russell and settled in Orange; the couple had four children. In 1942 Ray enlisted in WWII, aged 51. Raymond died in Orange in 1976, aged 85. He is buried in Orange Cemetery.
Raymond is commemorated on the Spring Hill Church Roll of Honor, the Spring Hill Public School Honour Roll and the Spring Hill Temperance Hall Honor Roll.
Raymond’s younger brother – Francis Cornwall Moad – also served in WWI; he died of wounds received in France in 1916.
