Percy Vaughan Russell Bray
Service #:
Summary
FAMILY LIFE
Percy Vaughan Russell Bray was in 1882 in the Tweed River District, son of Joshua Bray & Rosalie Gertrude (Nixon) Bray. He was one of 14 children, 13 of whom reached adult life. The Brays moved to Kynnumboon in 1866, after their marriage. Joshua established the first postal service between the Tweed and the mouth of the Richmond and was officially appointed postmaster in November 1866. Once a month he despatched two Aborigines with outward mail sealed in a pouch, to Ballina. There they handed the pouch to the postmaster and received in return, a sealed pouch containing inward mail. It was this post office that, some ten years later became the Murwillumbah Post Office. As well as being a farmer and postmaster Joshua performed many other public duties, some of which were, Justice of the Peace, Clerk of Petty Sessions, the first Police Magistrate presiding at Murwillumbah and Cudgen, Coroner, Registrar of B.D.M. and Protector of Aborigines. Both his parent are on the Banner St Memorial, Murwillumbah which lists the 2348 pioneer settlers of the Tweed district
By the late 1860s substantial crops of sugar cane were being planted by Joshua Bray on his property at Kynnumboon, Gray on his property on the North Arm and Michael Guilfoyle at Cudgen. This period is considered to mark the beginning of the cane industry in the Tweed Valley. The Parish of Kynnumboon was named after their house by Surveyor Barling who came to the Tweed to measure land in 1868.
WAR RECORD
Percy enlisted in England early in February, 1915, and trained at Hornchurch. He gained his commission, and was sent to the Cameroons, West Africa, where he served under General Smuts, and was mentioned in despatched. He was wounded in the leg, and after some months returned to duty. He had the rank of Lieutenant
THE CAMEROON
During World War I, General Jan Smuts played a significant role in military campaigns across Africa, including operations in German Cameroon. Smuts, a South African statesman and military leader, was instrumental in leading forces against German colonial territories in Africa. His efforts contributed to the broader Allied strategy of weakening German influence outside Europe.
General Jan Smuts was known for his maneuver warfare approach, which he used effectively in the African campaigns during World War. His strategy focused on mobility and avoiding direct, high-casualty engagements. Having fought in the Boer War, Smuts applied guerrilla tactics, emphasizing mobility and surprise attacks.
East African Campaign: In 1916, he led Allied forces against German commander Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, who was conducting a highly effective guerrilla resistance. Smuts opted for a strategy of maneuver rather than direct confrontation, pushing the Germans back through the bush. He relied on mounted infantry, particularly Boer veterans, to execute fast-moving operations. His campaigns were not just about military victories but also about expanding South Africa’s influence in Africa. Smuts was respected for his strategic thinking, though some historians debate the effectiveness of his leadership
HOME LIFE
Percy died in Murwillumbah in 1962
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Memorial Location
Sth African Records Not Available
Buried Location
We do not know the burial location of this individual
